A preschool teacher in Campo Magro (PR) and committed to promoting female participation in politics and defending children's rights, Felícia Bertoldi believes that preschool education plays a crucial role in the first years of a child's life.
"I truly experience the early childhood classroom every day. It's incredibly rewarding to see children's development from one month to the next, sometimes from one week to the next, and how early childhood education fosters the development of their skills," she says.
Alumni RenovaBR explains that every classroom action has an educational purpose and a direct impact on children's lives. Therefore, their concern is that early childhood education be seen as education, not simply as care. "We care while we teach, and we teach while we care. All our care is based on objectives, in accordance with the National Common Curricular Base," they explain.
Why is early childhood crucial?
Research shows that the early years of life are crucial for developing cognitive, emotional, and social skills, which influence children's entire academic and adult careers. Felícia observes this daily in her classroom: small discoveries and advances, week by week, transform into fundamental skills for their future. According to her, a quality early childhood education is essential for ensuring children's rights are respected from an early age, preventing inequalities and strengthening citizenship.
"When you open a discussion respecting children's rights, you're already taking a big step. We need to see children not only as vulnerable, but as human beings who deserve respect and dignity," says the professor.
Be careful with purpose
For quality early childhood education to be a reality, it's not enough to simply open spaces or build buildings. Felícia emphasizes the importance of ongoing support for professionals: "It's not enough to build a building or open daycare centers; we need to support the professionals. If they don't have materials, adequate infrastructure, and pedagogical support, quality education won't happen."
She explains that without support, pedagogical coordinators can't keep up with lesson plans, and teachers end up overwhelmed with tasks that compromise care and effective teaching. This situation highlights the need for public policies that prioritize ongoing training and value the work of educators.
The role of women in education and the community
Felícia also highlights women's engagement as a key factor in early childhood education: "We realized that most of the people involved in children's education are women. They are the primary users of the education system, they observe what's good and bad, and they advocate for children's rights."
Her activism includes participation in the Vote Nelas movement, which encourages female participation in politics. She believes that women's presence in decision-making spaces strengthens the defense of public policies for children and families, promoting changes that directly impact the community.
For her, every decision in the public sphere must take into account the real needs of children and ensure that early childhood is respected as an essential stage for human development.
"We must first bring in children who don't have enough to eat, whose parents are unemployed, or who don't have running water or a sewage system. Then, yes, we can help the others, ensuring that the system works fairly," Felicia concludes.
