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Blog Posts in Early Childhood Education (Escuelita)

Our First First Grade Ever!

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

When 34 of Guatemala City's most at-risk children marched down the aisle to receive their Escuelita graduation certificates last week, it was different than prior years when we've celebrated academic success. This year, these 34 smiling faces will not face long walks to over 30 different public schools, nor will they be saddled with mountains of rote and repetitive homework that we help them finish. In 2013, these bright young people who've faced every disadvantage one can imagine will be the first first grade classes to graduate from Safe Passage as their primary school.

Our First Escuelita Graduation

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Happiness filled the air on Friday, October 26th as the Escuelita celebrated their First Annual Graduation! This year was the Escuelita’s first year as an official school recognized by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education. Wearing wide smiles and graduation caps, thirty four graduates marched down the aisle to receive their diplomas and strike a pose for the camera. In January when the new school year starts, the Escuelita’s six-year-olds will be moving on to the Educational Reinforcement Center to continue growing their minds and bodies still within Safe Passage.

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012

Economics Professor Steven Barnett explains the proven benefits of early childhood education.

As September began, we had the chance to listen to a very informative speech about the importance of early education by the famous economics professor Steven Barnett.  Steven Barnett is a Professor of Education Economics and Public Policy and Director of the National Institute for Eåarly Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University. Thanks to the American Embassy of Guatemala, some of the Safe Passage staff were able to listen to Professor Barnett, who shared his expertise from the last 30 years working on topics such as research on early education and child care policy, the educational opportunities and experiences of young children in low-income urban areas, the long-term effects of preschool programs on children’s learning and development, and benefit-cost analysis of preschool programs and their long-term effects.

A Reward for Good Behavior: Splash Day!

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

“Go team Red #1!”

“Good job, keep going!”

This past Saturday, the grounds of the escuelita rang with shouts of encouragement as teams of students from Safe Passage and the American School of Guatemala worked together to get the best times in relay races, catch the most water balloons, and hop as fast as possible in potato sacks! This event, playfully dubbed

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