Development of the Pedagogical Methodology for Early Childhood Care Based on the Knowledge and Wisdom of the Cofán People in the Province of Sucumbíos

The Secretariat of Intercultural Bilingual Education – Ethnoeducation (SEIBE), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and with the technical support of the Foundation for Sustainable Development Support of Ecuador (FADSE), has developed the “Saberes del Ceibo” Pedagogical Methodology, together with a kit of educational and recreational materials. The main objective of this initiative is to contribute to the comprehensive development of young children from the A’i Cofán nationality.

The pedagogical methodology is based on the ancestral knowledge and practices for caring for children from 0 to 5 years of age belonging to the A’i Cofán nationality. It is designed in accordance with the Intercultural Bilingual Education Model (MOSEIB) and other technical and pedagogical documents issued by the education authority.

The purpose of the guide and the 14 educational and recreational materials developed is to facilitate the implementation of activities aimed at promoting children’s cognitive, motor, socioemotional, and language development. The guide is available both in the ancestral A’ingae language and in Spanish. It also aims to strengthen family bonds in the care and comprehensive development of children, as well as to foster appreciation for their language and culture. The materials developed include an experiential calendar, hunting tools, fishing tools, a traveling storybook, dolls wearing different traditional outfits to promote fine and gross motor skills, lullabies, puzzles, memory games, among others.