Early Childhood Development Practices in the Netherlands

The study visit to the Netherlands, comprising an important part of the ECD Diploma Course Turkey, offered by NIHA in cooperation with Sardes and ICDI since 2009, took place between September 25th and October 1st. The programma consisted of visits to various organisations and institutions portraying best practices in ECD related topics ranging from children’s museums, libraries, (open-air) playgrounds, musical performances for children and research.

The programme, using Amsterdam as base camp, included a MEMO (Memorable Moments)-performance to preschoolers and kindergarteners with a short tour around Kinkerbuurtschool (so-called ‘Brede School’) and preschool including an Q&A session with teachers and (Turkish)
parents in Amsterdam, a visit to De Evenaar- School for Special Education, working with Marte Meo method in Nieuwegein, Sardes Educational Services in Utrecht, Leiden University, Faculty of Social Sciences- Centre for Child and Family Studies where a lecture was given by Prof. Judi Mesman, Hortus Botanicus- the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, where a historical link between the Netherlands and Turkey was presented, National Museum of Antiquities and Child Right’s House/ICDI in Leiden, De Marne- day care centre with nature playground in Amstelveen, Public Library Amsterdam (OBA) with special attention to the children’s section, followed
by a visit to the Science Museum NEMO, the petting zoo Kinderboerderij Westerpark and the nature playground Het Woeste Westen in Amsterdam.

During these visits the participants were also given the opportunity to present and fine-tune their project proposals and essays with each other and various Dutch experts and counterparts during a bazaar and match making meeting. The ECD training programme will be concluded in Ankara on 16-18 November 2011 with various lectures and the certificate ceremony.

See the following link for a fun and (a literally) sunshine-filled photoalbum of the study visit: FB PHOTOALBUM ECD