About Us
Who We Are
Early Years Nigeria Initiative is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of education and care of young children in Nigeria from birth through 8 years of age.
Mission
To nurture authentic, holistic development in the Nigerian child.
Core Values
Holistic Development
Development in the early years is holistic, including physical, cognitive, social, character, spiritual, and cognitive development. Effective education and care nurtures all domains of development.
Culturally Authentic
Young children thrive when their education and development are rooted in their culture. Creatively integrating beneficial indigenous customs with global best practices ensures that children flourish in their early years.
Developmentally Appropriate
Children are remarkable learners when learning objectives reflect their developmental level. Education should nurture development in a broad range of skills and concepts, not memorization and recitation of facts.
Inherently Valuable
Every child, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or gender, is created in the image of God and, as such, is worthy of a high quality and loving environment that allows them to flourish.
School-Home Partnerships
Parents are children’s first and most important teachers. Children flourish when parents and teachers work in harmony to nurture authentic, holistic development.
Joyful Learning
Joy is essential for learning, especially in the early years.
Objectives
Teacher Training
Empower teachers to provide joyful, high quality learning experiences that nurture holistic development and academic skills that build on children’s inherent curiosity.
Parent Education
Enrich the quality of developmentally and culturally appropriate holistic care for young children in the homes.
Culturally Relevant Learning Materials
Enhance the quality of culturally appropriate learning materials that foster holistic development and teach academic skills for children from 0 to 8 years of age.
Quality Early Learning Experiences
Improve the quality of developmentally and culturally appropriate holistic learning experiences for young children.
Research
Conduct empirical research in child development and early childhood education with the goal of promoting flourishing in children and families, as well as train competent and caring researchers.
Early Years Nigeria Team
Staff
Katrina Korb
CEO
Joseph Sule
Program Officer
Mary Chukwu
Communications Officer
Researchers
Prof. Katrina Korb
Dr. Grace Selzing-Musa
Utek G. Ishaku
Nanmah Ngwodo
Research Assistants
Over 45 Research Assistants have been trained.
Volunteers
Over 70 Early Childhood Education students from the University of Jos volunteer their time and expertise in Early Years Nigeria activities every year.
Board
Katrina Korb
Dr. Grace Selzing-Musa
Prof. Mary P. Haggai
Rev. Luka Vandi Uti
