Sharing Web Resources

     NAECTE is the organization that I explored.  The outside link that I followed was the journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.  This site contains information on current issues, most read articles, most cited articles, authors and submissions in Early Childhood Teacher Education.  While searching one area of the site, I found the article A Promising Strategy for Connecting Future Teachers to the Lives of Diverse Children and Their Families.  This article contained information about students and families.  Students, families, and teachers spent 30 hours of service learning with diverse families.  They focused on family events at different schools.  My understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education was broadened through this article because I recognized the value of different ways of learning and developing.  

     Equity also ensures that everyone can achieve within a nurturing and supportive environment.  New insights that I gained are that everyone can't be treated the same and equity is not limited to a single population.

A Promising Strategy for Connecting Future Teachers to the Lives of Diverse Children and

     their Families.  Retrieved: Feb. 16, 2014.  www.naecte.com

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

     "Equity within early childhood education means that all children and families have equal access and opportunity to benefits from all the field has to offer.  Access to high-quality services, for example, is not dependent on monetary resources, a child's abilities, or program availability.  Social equity through access and opportunity means high-quality early childhood education for all" (Darragh,2010)."

     The podcast talks about standards, school readiness, and achievement gaps.  There are gaps in cognitive development, social-emotional development, and health status.  Programs are being created to ensure a more even start at the school entry level. Standards should be set for educators so that they are knowledgeable of what children need to know.  They need to know where the child is coming from and what the child already knows. According to the podcast,  Head Start is set up to address achievement gaps and school readiness.

     The first new insight that I have gained is the issue of child mental health.  The child mental health issue is under-addressed, but is very important to a child's development.  Research is being done globally to find out why this issue exist.  The second insight that I have gained is the importance of setting patterns for educators.  Setting patterns for educators is a standard that is needed to help promote development and learning in children.  The third insight is the importance of educating leadership.  Effective ways must be found to communicate with global policymakers about the issue of child development.

Darragh, J. C. (2010). Introduction to Early Childhood Education-Equity and Inclusion

Course Media: "Excellence and Equity of Care and Education for Children and Families—Part 1" (approximate length: 8 minutes) Conversation with Delila Vasquez (Director of Program Services, Los Angeles Universal Preschool) about equity and excellence of care and education for children and families—focus on curriculum, assessment, achievement gaps, standards, etc.

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2010). Global children's initiative. Retrieved 2/8/2014 from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/

Sharing Web Resources

     The information that seemed particularly relevant to my current professional development is the article entitled Professional Development, Opportunities and Challenges.  This article stresses the need for ongoing professional development.  Continued professional development allows professionals to be updated on current information.  Ongoing professional development will give educators the opportunity "to improve the quality of education and the quality of how learning experiences are delivered (acei.org, 2013).  Professional Growth can be accomplished by attending, workshops, conferences, and seminars.  "All schools should take great care to ensure that professional development programs meet the unique requirements of their school and align with existing instructional philosophy, longer-term professional development plans, and community needs (acei.org, 2013)."

     "Assesses the strengths and challenges of a particular education system/structure and the education needs of the community in order to identify specific areas of focus for professional development" is the statement that made me think about an issue in new ways (acei.or, 2013)."  I believe if we focus on strengths and challenges of a particular education system/structure it would allow all children to get the individualize instruction to promote their growth and development.  For example, standardized testing does not measure the individual needs of each child.  These test measure on a national and state level.  All children are different. They learn at different time and in different ways.  One test should not be used to determine everything that a child knows.

     Early childhood care and education is an asset to the economy.  This field also helps the economy by purchasing good and services needed to promote education, growth, and development in children.  Politicians realize the importance of early childhood education.  They understand that early access to early childhood education gives children a good start in life, especially children of low-income and children that don't speak English.

     A new insight about issues and trends in the early childhood field that I gained from exploring the website or e-newsletter is that no matter where you live, education is very global.  "Today's educators need to prepare students for life in plural societies by helping them to engage with complex global issues, connect their own lives and experiences with those of others, and recognize their responsibilities as global citizens (acei.org, 2013)."

Early Childhood Education for All. (2005). A Wise Investment.  Retrieved February 1, 2014, from 

     http://www.web.mit.edu

Professional Development. (2013). Professional Development, Opportunities and Challenges.  Retrieved

     February 1, 2014 from http://www.acei.org