Learning About the International EC Field

The three consequences of learning about international early childhood field are:
1. As I looked into the practices in other countries I was able to learn from other approaches.  Other countries have successfully, and unsuccessfully, addressed some of the issues that I face regularly.  The more I learn about their practices and the outcomes the more I can diversify my own practices.
2. I learned that research from all countries can apply to all children.  Children have different life experiences, culture, abilities, etc.  But we can learn from research internationally to help drive our own practices.
3. I learned the importance of being engaged with the international EC community.  Prior to this class I had very little interest in international practices, but I have now come to realize the importance.

My goal for the field related to international awareness is to bring the importance of recognizing the issues and trends globally to my local EC community. 

UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage

The first area of the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage that I found useful was the area on early childhood quality.  The statement that struck me was that it stated that early childhood included a diverse population of people including teachers, carers, and other professionals.  As an early childhood professional I have so many more resources I can share with families because there are others in my early childhood community that also have a passion for early childhood, but they work in a different areaof EC. 

The second area I found interesting was an article that described the structures of early childhood education in developed countries titled, "The Early Childhood Workforce in ‘Developed’ Countries: Basic Structures and Education."  I found this article to be very informative.  It discussed the origins of the different structures of earlychildhood.  This could be very useful for current programs.

The thir area was the area on equity and access.  I found this interesting because it had information from different countries.  It was interesting to see that the consensus is to provide early childhood education for all children, but expecially those in the most need.   

NAEYC Website - Topics Links

I followed many links and searched the topics area.  The links included developmentally appropriate practice, ethics, learning from nature, obesity preventio, play, and technology and young children.  Each of these links provides a lot of links and information on each topic.  This is  a useful area for doing research.
http://naeyc.org/topics


On the e-newsletter there were no external links with more information available.  There were also no external links to the issues we ar currently studying.


The website had a link to several articles.  One of the articles was on how a school principal began a program that sent teachers into the homes of three year olds.  In the face of a budget cut the principal got creative and started a program that promotes equity and lasting benefits for all.  Through this home visitor program children and families are met at their level on their terms, and this could lead to lasting gains for the children involved.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/cape_may/unable-to-expand-preschool-lower-township-sends-teachers-into-/article_b4cfe69e-68c3-11e1-bb77-0019bb2963f4.html
This month's newletter was quite light. There was a lot of information on outside play and the importance of nature on learning.  Although this is useful information it didn't have much to expand my knowledge of issues and trends.

Podcast: Quality in Childcare Settings

Early Edwatch Podcast

Early Education Initiative: New America Foundation

Topic: Quality in Childcare Settings by Grace Reef

The podcast I listened to discussed what quality care is, how the U.S. is doing to improve childcare across the country, and why childcare quality is poor in the U.S.

The interesting thing I learned in this podcast is the statement by Grace Reef on why early childhood providers have such a low average salary, $18,000.  Grace mentioned that because there are no education requirements across the country.  She stated if there were then providers could ask for higher compensation.  In the area I am from teaching positions even in early childhood are very hard to come by, and we are required to hold an early childhood bachelors degree or an elementary teaching certificate with an early childhood endorsement.  And we are compensated comparably to public school teachers. 

The podcast also discussed the need for accross the board standards that call for accountability of all early childhood programs.  This would lead to better funding of quality programs, because money wouldn't be wasted in subpar programs.  This makes sense to me, as long as early childhood professionals are in charge of determining what quality programs are.  Too often when the government gets involved best practices seem to go out the window. 

I did contact Grace Reef, and got a short email back saying she looked forward to communicating with me, but was away for the week.  I look forward to hearing from her next week.

NAEYC Newsroom

The section I found relevent this week was the newsroom.  There are a few articles on the push for the kindergarten age to be pushed back in many states.  This is a current issue that is very controversial in Michigan, and also something that is particularly close to home for me.  I have a three year old who has an October birthday.  Currently a bill is in the Michigan House of Representatives that would move the age back from December 1st to September 1st.  As an early childhood educator I realize that many children would benefit from the extra year to mature, but I have also read the research that contradicts this idea.  As a parent I know my child, and with her current development I believe she will be ready after two years of preschool to go to kindergarten in the fall of 2013.  The articles have evidence for both sides of the argument from not only early childhood professionals, but also from economists.  As I read the briefs for the Michigan bill I can't help but see the economic benefit for the state as the primary reason for the age change.  The state will save hundreds of thousands of dollars by not having to pay for those children with September 2 to November 30 birthdays per pupil funds.  It was interesting to see how similiar movements were being recieved in different states, and see the research from different professionals that looked at all of the pros and cons. 

http://naeyc.org/content/news-room

Childhood Poverty in China

According to the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre website "4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty" (para 1).  Childhood poverty in China has declined in recent years, but improvements in poverty reduction, education, and health levels have slowed (Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center).  Studies show that reform on health and education has made it more difficult for poverty stricken families to use vital services (Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center). 
From this information I can infer that although China recognizes the need for poverty reduction measures it has been difficult to find the right measures to help all families get out of poverty.  One measure they have tried was to only allow those in extreme circumstances with no work, savings, or means (Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center) to use goverment funded assistance.  The studies have shown that people above this level of poverty also need assistance to assure their basic needs are met.  From this I can infer that situations need to be taken on a individual basis to ensure all families are helped based on thier unique needs. 

References

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=disclaimer

Web Resource: Diversity and Demographics

The newsletter I subscribed to is the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The link for the newsletter is http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/407193/caf31e95e8/1668531227/a5c4afbbaf/#Books.  This month’s newsletter focused on physical development.  

The information presented in the newsletter does not address changing demographics or diversity for the most part, however there is a small area that deals with the change to families with two working parents.  This part of the article discusses the importance of physical activity even though families are busy, and parents may be tired from demanding jobs. This is a reality for many families, and it is certainly a change in demographics in many areas within the last couple of decades. 

This newsletter presented very few issues, especially in regard to changing demographics and diversity, but there is an unintentional consequence presented in the newsletter as a whole.  There is very little recognition of diversity.  Physical development is something that is important for all cultures, but it is also something that can be different for people with unique abilities, beliefs, and backgrounds.  This newsletter could have better recognized the diverse needs of all families and children that its readers cover. 

Early Childhood Contacts and Website

I have attempted to contact several international early childhood professionals, but have not heard back from any.  I have a colleague that is presenting at the World forum this year, and she is going to contact a couple of professionals she knows.  I hope to hear make a connection soon.  I would like to make a connection with someone in Europe and South Africa as I will be traveling to Europe, and am interested in learning more about South Africa.

The website I chose to study the National Association for the Education of children (naeyc.com).  As a member I do not use the website as much as I could.  There are several resources and the latest news in the early childhood field. 

My Supports

The biggest supports I have in my life are my family.  My husband, mom, sister,and inlaws all encourage me to be the best I can be.  Each of these people provide me with time by watching my daughter when I need it, they provide me with positive support and critisism, and the means to pursue my dreams.  This benefits me by allowing me the time, support and means to feel fulfilled wherever I am in life.  Without these supports I would have to adjust my lifestyle, and settle for whatever I could accomplish by myself.  I also rely heavily on technology to support my life.  I use my phone to keep appointment and organize my day, and I rely on my tablet to organize lesson plans, assessment, and course materials.  Without technology it would make things in my life much more diffiult.

The challenge I chose to imagine was if I was living in poverty.  If I was living without the money to meet my basic needs I would need community support, affordable childcare, as well as a way to get to and from work affordable.  My family would continue to support me.  They would still be helpful with caring for my daughter, and providing positive support, and they would also continue provide me means to accomplish my dreams.  However, I would need them more than I do currently. Without these supports I would be emotionally and physically taxed trying to meet the needs of daily life.  This would make it difficult to pursue my dreams.  As for technology I would probably not be able to afford these things, so I would also have to work harder to organize my life and complete daily tasks. 

My Connections to Play

Quotes:

 “Play is the exultation of the possible.” Martin Buber
 "Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child." Joan Almon

Essential Play Items for My Younger Self

  

My Play as a Child

When I was a child play was what I did.  Kindergarten still centered around play, and no one excected anything else of me.  I loved to pretend I was in a group of teenage crime fighters, and I would play outside ever day.  My family provided me with the tools I needed to play out the activities I liked.  I was given a three wheeler on my fourth birthday and allowed to ride it around our 80+ acre farm.   My family all lived on the property, and my sister and I were the only kids in the family. 

Play Today v. Play When I was a Child

When I was a child we lived on a farm and that meant that we played outside a lot.  Now I see a lot of children playing inside watching television.  When I was a child imagination was valued and encourage, and now it seems society spoon feeds props and ideas for imaginative play.  I hope that this generation will take a step back and embrace the things of times past. 

Role of Play

Play helped to make me the person I am today.  I learned to think outside the box, self talk, play nice, and imagine the possibilities.  Play got me through the most difficult things in my childhood, and allowed me to see the way out.  Play has shaped my life!