17/09/2026
๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ | ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐- ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ด๐ฒ-๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
The validation of the Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards (PELDS) required a careful and demanding process. Each domain, standard, and indicator underwent several stages of independent assessment, expert discussion, field validation, statistical analysis, and collective review.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐-๐ฉ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ
The Content-Validation Workshop marked one of the projectโs major stages. DLSUโSDRC conducted the workshop from April 30 to May 1, 2025, at Napoli Hall, Ibis Hotel, Quezon City.
Ten content experts reviewed the PELDS domains, subdomains, components, standards, and indicators. They examined whether the proposed content clearly and accurately described what Filipino children may know, do, and demonstrate at different stages of development.
The review began even before the experts met. Participants completed independent assessments of the proposed PELDS content. Three expert groups then examined the results during the workshop. They discussed each item, presented proposed revisions in plenary sessions, and considered feedback from the Research Advisory Group, which include representatives from the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, Department of Education, and UNICEF Philippines.
The experts determined whether the content should be accepted, revised, consolidated, or removed. They considered current knowledge about child development, the clarity and relevance of each indicator, the relationships among the developmental domains, and the varied experiences of Filipino children.
The workshop did not end with the plenary discussions. The PELDS research team conducted a post-workshop consolidation and debriefing to review the expertsโ recommendations and prepare the framework for nationwide age validation. This step ensured that the indicators taken into the field had already undergone a structured and multidisciplinary content review.
Dr. Lourdes Kalaw-Ledesma, project consultant, emphasized that developmental standards express the countryโs hopes for its children. The indicators provide meaningful and realistic markers that can support parenting, teacher preparation, curriculum and learning materials, national monitoring, and public understanding of child development.
๐๐ด๐ฒ-๐ฉ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ
The next stage examined the indicators using field evidence from 2,626 Filipino children. The research team analyzed the results to determine whether each indicator was assigned to an appropriate age group.
DLSUโSDRC conducted the PELDS Age-Validation Workshop from February 28 to March 1, 2026, at Cardin Hall, Ibis Hotel, Cubao City. Project investigators, research staff, domain experts, consultants, and representatives from the Early Childhood Care and Development Council and the Department of Education reviewed the analyzed data.
Project Director Dr. Maria Caridad H. Tarroja led the workshop with Co-Investigators Dr. Roberto E. Javier, Jr., Dr. Maria Alicia Bustos Orosa, and Dr. Jacqueline O. Navarro. Prof. Ma. Angeles โMaeyetโ Guanzon Lapeรฑa served as Age-Validation Statistician Consultant. Dr. Crisanto Regadio, Jr., domain experts Darl Orillaza and Ma. Kristine Hernandez, and Research Assistant Chester Howard Lee also contributed to the review.
The participants carefully examined whether each indicator should be retained, revised, consolidated, transferred to another age group, or removed. They considered the statistical findings alongside developmental progression, clarity, cultural relevance, expert knowledge, and the everyday experiences of Filipino children.
Some indicators fell within statistical gray areas and required closer examination. The experts discussed whether these indicators remained essential to a developmental standard or to the progression of a particular skill. These decisions could not rely on numbers alone. They required professional judgment, evidence, and agreement among specialists from different fields.
The content- and age-validation processes were detailed, time-intensive, and thorough. They transformed expert knowledge and nationwide field data into evidence-based recommendations for a clearer, stronger, and more developmentally appropriate PELDS for Filipino children from birth to 8 years old.
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐
The Validation of the Enhanced and Expanded Philippine Early Learning and Development Standards for 0 to 8 Years Old was implemented by DLSUโSDRC, funded by UNICEF Philippines, with technical support from the ECCD Council and DepEd.
Follow DLSUโSDRC and stay tuned for more updates on PELDS.
