SPEECH BY MARIA GUADALUPE RODRÍGUEZ MARTINEZ AT THE CLOSING OF THE 4 TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRESCHOOL EDUCATION.

Mayo 22, 2004

Firstly, I wish to thank each and every one of you specialists from 26 countries gathered here at this event, who through your experience, wisdom and passion for sciences and children's education have contributed to meet the objectives set for this 4 th International Meeting of Early Childhood and Preschool Education called "Diversity, Early Education and Neurosciences".

 

In these three work-intensive days, we have been able to understand the importance of the neurosciences and their application in the design of educational curricula and the deployment of support strategies through nutrition, early stimulation and focus in diversity, which undoubtedly have major implications in the drafting of public policies in our countries and in particular in the educational, nutrition and health policies.

 

According to the specialists here with us, the experience or stimulation that the brain is subjected to at an early age, has a huge effect on the neurons placement and the interweaving and design of the billions of brain cells, influencing the physical and mental health in the adult life and setting the basis for learning and behavior throughout life.

 

The statements heard at this International Meeting of Education confirm the relevance of stimulating the senses; since it play a major role in the development of the mental functions that accompany the experience in learning, which in turn contributes to the construction of the knowledge in the human being.

 

Likewise, the help of the neuronutrients, the practice of neuro-motor exercises, affective support, socializing and the development of the language, as the feedback element, love for nature and art, spontaneous playing as a tool for learning and the optimization of the technological resources such as television and the internet, will contribute to the proper performance of the sub-cortical and cortical levels of the Central Nervous System, strengthening the cognitive skills and capabilities of an individual, while recognizing that each person has its own set of distinctive peculiarities in its higher nervous activity, thus it is important that the children's pedagogical process occurs within this diversity stage. This leads to adapting the pedagogical practices to the individual needs of each student, as it was stated in the Meeting.

 

Lastly, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to all those who helped realize this Event, to the sponsoring Organizations, such as the Organization of the American States, the Latin-American Reference Center for Preschool Education, CELEP, to the Children's International Alliance, to the World Association of Children's Teachers AMEI, to the Citizens Commission of Human Rights and the Cities of San Nicolas de los Garza and Monterey in Nuevo Leon.

 

Also the Ministry of Education of the State and in particular to the Governor of the State of Nuevo Leon, Mr. Jose Natividad Gonzalez Paras and my friends from the Frente Popular Tierra y Libertad Children's Development Centers, whom I hope we served properly.

 

There is no doubt that this space of reflection and learning, over the findings from the latest research in the world, over the neurodevelopment and its linkage to early childhood education and diversity, has been of great wealth for each one of the 1471 attendees from 24 States in the Country and from a total of 34 countries here with us, who now are responsible of taking these knowledge to the classrooms, through programs and plans, to support the full development process of boys and girls in their respective nations.

 

 

Declaration of the 5th Meeting of Early Childhood and Preschool Education by Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez Martinez

 

 

As to the declaration of the 5 th Meeting of Initial Education and Pre-School, that we all know beforehand, we should be committed to participate and overcome any goal and expectation that we propose.

 

I call the attention to the Co-sponsors Organizations OEA. Alliance for Childhood. AMEI,CELEP, Citizen Commission Of Human Rights, City Hall of San Nicolas de los Garza and those who wish add, to the convoking and organizers and to all of you as

Participants to make a commitment so we can fulfill with our next task that is the proposal of yours for the 5 th Meeting to develop the thematic: Affective Development, Language and Pedagogical Practice