Re-Conceptualizing Early Childhood for Localized Applications in Ghanaian/African Contexts

Abstract

This manuscript discusses the idea of the universal child and suggests that child development in Ghana and Africa would be best served by a broad range of disciplines, methods, and orientations that are localized to the needs of the people. The environments for children's development are culturally structured. Therefore local knowledge is necessary to understand development and devise social programs to promote healthy outcomes. A particular institution or practice cannot be simply plucked out of one culture, and inserted into another with the expectation of similar results or outcomes.