Empowering Childhood Stakeholders: A Vision for the Future

At Global Childhood Academy, we dream of a future where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We envision a world where childhood stakeholders - including educators, caregivers, and policymakers - are empowered to support and advocate for young people in meaningful ways. To make this dream a reality, we are dedicated to investing in professional development opportunities that help these individuals gain a deep understanding of human development. By committing to ongoing learning and growth, we believe that we can create a world where every child is valued and supported in their journey towards a bright and fulfilling future. We are proud to be at the forefront of this important work, and we are excited to collaborate with like-minded partners to bring our vision to life.

"As a co-founder and social entrepreneur, I have always dreamed of making a positive impact for children. My journey to this point has been a winding one, starting out as a computer programmer and analyst before making a radical career change into the field of early childhood education. It was when I had my first child that I truly became captivated by the power of education and caregiving to shape a young person's development. I kept a journal of my daughter's eating and sleeping habits and made a commitment to learning as much as I could about early childhood development. This led me to pursue my master's and doctoral degrees in the field, and although I didn't know exactly how I would contribute at the time, I was driven by my passion and commitment. We co-founded Arabian Child, a teacher training institute offering credentials for early childhood teachers, and have experienced both ups and downs in the process. Based in Dubai, a city known for its opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovative ideas, we were able to make a positive impact in the field of early childhood education. In 2019, when I moved back to the USA, we wanted to create a supportive ecosystem for training providers, bringing together those who provide upskilling and professional development for early childhood educators. This desire led us to the creation of GCA - a platform that unites and empowers these providers, and helps them make an even greater impact on the lives of children." - Dr. Samia Kazi, Co-Founder, Global Childhood Academy.

WHAT IS ‘UPSKILLING’?

Upskilling is the process of acquiring new skills or improving existing ones, often with the goal of increasing knowledge, competence, and value in the workplace. It can involve a wide range of activities, such as taking courses, participating in professional development programs, or gaining practical experience through on-the-job training.

WHAT IS ‘UPSKILLING CHILDHOOD STAKEHOLDERS’?

Upskilling childhood stakeholders refers to the process of providing additional training or education to individuals who play a role in the lives of children in order to improve their skills and knowledge in serving, educating, or caring for children. This can include parents, family members and friends, teachers, coaches and youth group leaders, funders and philanthropic individuals or groups, entrepreneurs, social workers and other child welfare professionals, healthcare professionals, policymakers, leaders, police officers, social media influencers, and entertainment or edutainment industry professionals. By upskilling these stakeholders, we can improve the outcomes for children and create a better future for all.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UPSKILL CHILDHOOD STAKEHOLDERS?

It is well-established that individuals who work with children, such as teachers, parents, social workers, and healthcare professionals, need specific skills in order to effectively carry out their responsibilities and have a positive impact on children's development and well-being. These skills may include the ability to educate and support children of different ages, the knowledge and expertise to provide for children's physical, emotional, and social needs, the credentials and skills required to identify and address the needs of vulnerable children, and the knowledge and expertise to provide high-quality care to children in emergencies. By upskilling these adults and ensuring that their skills are continuously updated with best practices, we can help protect and support the development of children, including their physical, emotional, cognitive, and language development. The quality of early childhood experiences can significantly affect a child's overall well-being and development in both the short term and in adulthood. Research has shown that children who have positive early childhood experiences are more likely to have greater well-being, higher income, better employment and job skills, higher educational attainment, and better physical and mental health. These children are also less likely to engage in criminal activity and are more likely to be good parents to their own families in the future. This demonstrates the long-term, multi-generational impact of quality early childhood experiences.

THE IMPACT OF UPSKILLING THAT IS CHILDHOOD RELATED

Investing in the professional development of adults who work with children has numerous benefits beyond just supporting the children's development. These adults will be better equipped to serve children and will develop valuable skills such as empathy, patience, social emotional intelligence, and partnership building. These skills not only make these adults better at working with children, but they also make them better parents, teachers, and individuals overall. When we invest in learning about childhood and promoting values such as peace and global citizenship, we can also shape our own personal growth and self-reflection skills. Upskilling of adults who serve children can improve collaboration and partnership abilities, allowing us to connect with other stakeholders and effectively utilize local resources to achieve common goals. By investing in the upskilling childhood stakeholders, we can improve the lives and outcomes of children, and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

IDENTIFYING CHILDHOOD STAKEHOLDERS IN NEED OF UPSKILLING

“It takes a village to raise a child” - African proverb.

There are various stakeholders who are involved in the lives of children and may benefit from improving their skills in order to better serve, educate, or care for them. These stakeholders are referred to as childhood stakeholders. The following list is a non-exhaustive list of examples of such stakeholders (not in order of influence):

?? Note: It is important to recognize that children are also stakeholders and that adults should be trained on how to respect and incorporate the voices of children in an age-appropriate manner when gathering feedback or collaborating on decision-making. Children, even at infancy, communicate to us and it is important to be able to recognize and respond appropriately to their verbal and nonverbal cues (as described in the Harvard Center for Developing Child's concept of "serve and return"). While this article focuses on upskilling adults, it is important to note that children should also be considered as stakeholders in the process.

?CHILDHOOD STAKEHOLDERS:

• Parents: Parents, caregivers, and foster care providers are the primary caregivers and role models for children and have a direct impact on their lives through their daily interactions and decisions.
• Teachers: School teachers, early childhood teachers, teaching assistants, shadow teachers, and home schooling tutors play a crucial role in children's development, as they provide instruction, guidance, and support to children in the classroom and beyond.
• Coaches and youth group leaders: Coaches, afterschool program teachers, recreation volunteers, youth group leaders can have a significant impact on children's lives through their leadership and mentorship.
• Funders and philanthropic individuals or groups who have a stake in the well-being of children and families.
• Entrepreneurs: Business people involved in creating products or services related to childhood.
• Social workers: Social workers and other child welfare professionals work to protect children from abuse and neglect, and help to ensure that their basic needs are met.
• Healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and therapists provide medical care and support to children, and can have a profound impact on their physical and mental well-being.
• Policymakers: Policymakers such as legislators, regulators, and government officials can create laws, regulations, and policies that impact children's well-being, education, and other areas of life.
• Leaders: Business leaders such as corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists can support initiatives and programs that benefit children, and can create products or services that improve children's lives.
• Police officers: Police officers who work in child protection units play a critical role in protecting children from harm and promoting their safety and well-being. They may investigate reports of abuse or neglect, or work with other agencies to provide support and services to children and families.
• Social media influencers: In today's digital age, social media influencers can have a significant influence on children and young people. They may promote products, lifestyles, or ideologies to their followers, and can benefit from upskilling in areas such as media literacy, ethics, and age-appropriate content creation.
• Entertainment / edutainment industry professionals: Individuals and organizations within the entertainment industry, such as writers, directors, and producers, create content for children and young people to watch or interact with. They can benefit from upskilling in areas such as child psychology, age-appropriate content creation, and diversity and inclusion.

Enhancing the skills of these professionals not only has the potential to benefit the children they care for, but it can also have a ripple effect on the communities in which they work and live, improving outcomes and creating a brighter future for all.

CONCLUSION:

Around the world, there is a growing consensus that ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential is not only the right thing to do, but also makes good economic sense. Yet too often, children are missing out on critical opportunities for development due to a lack of skilled and motivated adults in their lives.

Teachers, parents, social workers, policymakers and health professionals play a vital role in providing the support children need to thrive. However, these groups are often inadequately trained and lack the necessary skills to make a real difference in children’s lives.

Upskilling these key adults through quality training programs can have a transformational impact on children’s futures. By investing in the education and professional development of those who work with children, we can help create better outcomes for all.?The case for upskilling is clear: it’s time to invest in those who invest in our future – our children.

?At Global Childhood Academy, we are always looking for new ways to support and advocate for children. If you are a funder, investor, group of schools, or training provider interested in partnering with us or bringing our programs to your local community, we want to hear from you! Please visit our website at globalchildhoodacademy.com to learn more about how you can get involved and make a positive impact on the lives of young people. We are always looking for like-minded individuals and organizations to join us in our mission to empower childhood stakeholders and create a brighter future for all. Contact us today to learn more about how you can be a part of this important work.

This newsletter article was written by Dr. Samia Kazi, Co-Founder of Global Childhood Academy. Dr. Kazi is a passionate advocate for children and is dedicated to empowering childhood stakeholders and creating a brighter future for young people around the world. To learn more about Global Childhood Academy and how you can support our mission, please visit globalchildhoodacademy.com.