The National Government, through the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture, has launched a training course called “Accompanying Families and Caregivers in Parenting Practice.” The initiative aims to directly benefit over 14,000 public preschool teachers and indirectly reach around 248,000 children aged 3 and 4 across the country.
The official launch took place on Friday, February 20 in Guayaquil during the event “Learning to Transform Early Childhood.” The event highlighted the importance of strengthening both pedagogical and social-emotional skills among teachers, as well as their role as guides working alongside families in the educational process.
The program is part of ongoing efforts by the government to support early childhood development by promoting collaborative relationships between schools, homes, and communities. The course is designed to provide practical tools for teachers so they can help parents and caregivers practice positive parenting. It also aims to foster safe and supportive environments for young children’s overall development.
Currently, an online course for preschool and preparatory teachers is available on the institutional platform “Me Capacito.” The new program expands continuous training opportunities and becomes the second course focused specifically on early education.
During the official presentation, Deputy Minister of Educational Management Juan Carlos Torres said: “This act we share today is really a reflection of what is already happening in your hearts. You are lighting an inner light that will warm homes. A light that will illuminate how you welcome a child, and also how you welcome the questions and concerns of a mother or a grandfather. Therefore, your training is also an act of extended love, of reinforced alliance with the family, which is the first and most important educational space.”
Collaboration between schools and families is seen as essential for ensuring quality early childhood education and laying strong foundations for children’s futures.
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening early education and providing ongoing professional development for teachers as key elements for supporting children’s growth. It stated that investing in early childhood means investing in Ecuador’s present and future while building a more equitable society with greater opportunities for all.
