Early Childhood Professors Travel to Russia

Dr. Sandra Malcolm and Dr. Gail Wentworth of SUNY Cobleskill’s Early Childhood Department will travel to Tula State University (TSU) in Russia to present information about current trends in American early childhood education.

The pair will work with their Russian counterparts to discuss how important early childhood care and education is and the impacts it has on young children. Malcolm and Wentworth will tour schools and community organizations to learn about the societal differences and learning standards to develop the opportunity for cross-cultural research with faculty at TSU and possibly faculty at Tolstoy Pedagogical University in Russia.

This experience will not only benefit Wentworth and Malcolm, but it will foster a relationship for SUNY Cobleskill students for studying abroad or internship opportunities.
During the week-long visit to Russia, the professors also hope their experience will influence early education practices in Russia and New York through shared knowledge and research.
The two women have been studying early childhood issues on a broad scale for several years and this trip to Russia would continue their research. Last year the pair presented to early childhood teachers in the Caribbean.

 “I have lived and worked abroad in the field of early childhood and both Sandy and I are very interested in the issues affecting young children and their families on a broad global scale,” said Wentworth. “Working internationally helps us develop deeper cross-cultural perspectives and allows us a venue to both teach and learn from others to benefit young children.”
Both Wentworth and Malcolm are active members in the Association for Childhood Education International and present regularly at conferences.