Sharing knowledge and experiences crucial for advancement of early learning research and practices worldwide

Recent findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development‘s (OECD) latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) link successful early childhood development (ECD) methodologies and practices to higher standards and quality of elementary and tertiary education systems.

According to the triennially released PISA rankings, Estonia has emerged as a standout model for many policymakers, partly due to its exceptional preschool system renowned for its quality, where teachers are mandated to hold a bachelor’s degree. A striking contrast to the OECD average, nearly 90% of Estonian children attend preschool for a minimum of three years, significantly surpassing the 57% average across OECD countries.

In his capacity as one of the awarding committee members of the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning (KIAEL), Dr W. Steven Barnett – PhD Board of Governors professor, senior co-director at the National Institute for Early Education Research, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University – said: “Estonia builds the foundation for success in primary and secondary education on high-quality early childhood programmes beginning as early as age 2, which emphasise play, self-directed learning and the full range of learning and development including the relationships and social-emotional skills and knowledge. These are essential elements for success in the later years as well as language, literacy, mathematics and science. Other elements include small classes and well-educated teachers.

“Countries seeking to improve their performance on PISA would do well to learn more about the world’s best policies and practices in early childhood.”

The KIAEL aims to create a mechanism to discover and recognise research, programmes, methodologies and advanced teaching practices. It acknowledges distinguished teachers and activates the role of educational centres, institutions and companies specialised in the field of ECD.

Now in its second year, the award scheme designed to recognise global ECD programmes across two categories: “Best Programmes, Curricula, Teaching Methodologies and Practices” and “Best Research & Studies”. Each category will see the selection of two winners by a distinguished panel of academics, who will evaluate submissions based on criteria such as innovation, importance, impact, methodological rigour and feasibility/sustainability.

With a prize pool of US$200 000 that is equally split between four winners, the KIAEL aims to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions that have a profound impact on the early learning field. Individuals, teams or organisations with a passion for ECD are invited to submit their entries by 12 January 2024.

Submissions for the 2024 edition have come from across the globe and have significantly outpaced the entries from the inaugural edition. Interested parties can access the official KIAEL website as organisers continue to promote awareness about the importance of impactful early learning research and practices through a series of initiatives designed to reach the global ECD community.

One such initiative took place on 12 December 2023 in the form of a joint webinar in collaboration with the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN). The event was attended by more than 200 participants from around the world who heard from the four winners of last year’s KIAEL competition. They included South Africa’s Sonja Giese, executive director of DataDrive2030 and lead on the Thrive by Five Index; Morocco’s Khaoula Rais, programme development officer of the Zakoura Foundation; Emma Näslund-Hadley, lead education specialist of the Inter-American Development Bank; and Laura Justice, distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology.

ECDAN’s executive director Elizabeth Lule said: “Quality early childhood education is the building block for healthy development, academic achievement, economic productivity and responsible citizenship across a child’s lifespan. Estonia’s exceptional model, with its emphasis on high-quality preschool education, is a testament to the profound impact of early learning,

She added: “By recognising outstanding researchers and educators who are making a difference in the early education field, the Khalifa International Award for Early Learning incentivises innovation and rigorous evidence in early education that help children thrive, learn and achieve their full potential. It propels us toward a future where quality early education is not just valued but is revered and recognised as the foundation for lifelong learning and for its transformative power.”