Jordan Times
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Education foundation
representative visits NCFA, UNICEF
AMMAN (JT) — With the aim of building on the success of the Jordanian experience
in the field of Early Childhood Care and Development, the National Council for
Family Affairs (NCFA) and UNICEF received Ayla Goksel, a representative from the
Mother Child Education Foundation in Turkey, earlier this week.
The NCFA and UNICEF are exploring possibilities of cooperating with the Turkish
Mother Child Education Foundation specifically in the cognitive training sphere:
This includes developing and focusing on activities which promote the mental
development of pre-kindergarten children at home.
The Turkish programme is aimed at raising the awareness of parents in child
development, enhancing their parenting skills and providing them with
information and tools to assist them in their children's physical, mental,
cognitive and social growth and development, according to a statement released
by UNICEF.
The Turkish Mother Child Programme mechanism for implementation was discussed,
in addition to the Better Parenting Programme currently being implemented by
UNICEF and its 16 national partners.
The common factors between both programmes were also deliberated, the statement
said.
Several assessment studies have indicated that children, whose mothers had
enrolled in the Better Parenting Programme, possessed a greater readiness for
school, in terms of their academic performance and social development.
Simultaneously, the relationship of mothers with their husbands, children and
families improved significantly.
It is noteworthy to mention that the Turkish programme is currently being
implemented in Germany, France, Belgium and Holland, along with Turkish
immigrant families, as well as in Bahrain.
Established in 2001, NCFA, a civil institution, is patronised by Her Majesty
Queen Rania and aims to ensure a better quality of life for Jordanian families.
Its tasks include coordinating and supporting the efforts of civil society
organisations in the public and private sectors.
In line with Queen Rania's directives, the council is currently developing a
national plan of action for children.