Consequences of Learning Early Childhood for My Professional and Personal Development

                                                          By: Violet Watson

 

There are many consequences of learning about the international early childhood field. The first consequence of learning about early childhood education is working with the other professionals sharing ideas and comparing similarities and differences in early childhood education. Having the opportunity to communicate internationally is enlightening, instructive, and enriching. Learning about international early childhood education allows us to learn how other countries help children to learn and develop. It also allows different countries to adopt new methods of teaching and learning.

 

The second consequence of learning about early childhood education internationally is the opportunity to learn about the culture of another country. Studying the language, culture, customs, environment, and communities will promote understanding about that country. Learning the importance of another countries culture also improves one’s greater appreciation for that culture. While some countries teach at an individualist perspective others may teach at a collective perspective. For example, Asian children may be quiet in a classroom and make eye-contact with the instructor, while American children like to participate in the classroom. In most countries the culture, language, and environments may be different, the foundation for teaching is the same. Developmentally appropriate practices are used in most countries to promote growth and development in children.
 

The third consequence of learning about early childhood education internationally is the effect of poverty in early childhood education. The quality of education is different for children that live in poverty. Children with low-income families have a greater chance at decreased school readiness. This can cause a gap in early childhood development and early childhood education, which can lead to long-term consequences. In countries like America and China, most children are able to attend an early childhood development school, but in a country like Africa, children aren’t able to attend any type of school because of poverty. Poverty also affects the well-being of a child and the child’s ability to learn. Educators must assess, evaluate, and observe all children in order to determine the needs of the child and the child’s family. They should do whatever is necessary to help them meet their everyday needs by informing them f all resources that are available.

Since taking this course, one of my personal goals is to continue to try to contact an international educator. I did not receive a response during this class period, but I plan to continue reaching out until someone responds to my request. It was really enlightening and interesting to read some of my classmates’ response from their international contacts. This class has been very interesting and I have gained many new insights in the early childhood field.

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

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 1

My conversation partners for this blog are Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 from the podcast and Dr. Cathy Grace. The podcast was very educational.  From Speaker 1, I have learned that children are the greatest percentage of the poverty rate.  Birth to eight years old are effected most by poverty.  Children born into poverty adapt better than children that may fall into poverty because their parents lost a job, sickness, or economic changes.  It is difficult for them to deal with poverty.  From Speaker 2, I have learned that services should be provided to all families regardless of their income.  Poverty takes people choices away.  It is important to spend time with children and their families.  There are steps to take toward combating poverty such as knowing your community, know what resources are available, utilize public libraries because they are their to serve the community and most of all give of yourself by investing your time to help the cause. Be dedicated when working with children and families.

India has one third of the world's poor.  Forty two percent of India is below the poverty line.  Food is scarce.  Families must put their resources together in order to survive.  Children as young as five and six must go to work.  Education is not an immediate need.  Parents must chose survival over their child's growth and development.  There is a lack of sanitation, nutrition, and clean water.  This cause health problems.  Of all the children in India 42.5% of the children suffer from malnutrition.  Poor families in India live in slums.  The slums have bathrooms that must be shared.  The key to fixing poverty in India is education.  People need to be educated on health, sanitation, skills, and better education in schools.

My new insight on poverty is that it is a major problem all over the world.  People must educate themselves on the causes of poverty and take the necessary measures to eliminate poverty.

Getting Ready-E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

My contacts will be coming from the Alternative assignment.  The websites that I will explore are:

www.globalfundforchildren.org-The Global Fund for Children

Millions of children around the world are born into a stark reality: will they work in markets and 

mines, or go to school? Will they be trafficked into slavery, or be free? Will they be child soldiers, 

or students? These are staggering choices no child should face.  At The Global Fund for Children, 

we transform the lives of children on the edges of society—trafficked children, refugees, child 

laborers—and help them regain their rights and pursue their 

dreams. In other words, we do all we can to let kids be kids—no matter what their circumstances. 

Since 1997, we’ve reached 9 million children worldwide.

www.savethechildren.org-Save the Children

Save the Children gives children in the United States and round the world what every child deserves – a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When disaster strikes, we put children’s needs first. We advocate for and achieve large-scale change for children. We save children’s lives. Join us.

The organization that I will explore is National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE). The list below states the goals of the organization.

To promote the professional growth of our membership

To discuss educational issues specific to our membership

To advocate for improvements in early childhood teacher education

Provide a forum for consideration of issues and concerns of interest to educators of early childhood teacher educators

Provide a communication network for early childhood teacher educators

Facilitate the interchange of information and ideas about research and practice

Use, as vehicles, the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, conferences, resolutions, position papers, and other publications

Cooperate with other national and international organizations concerned with the study and education of young children

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

"Play is the most natural method of self-healing that childhood affords."

                                                                      Erik Erickson

"Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity."

Kay Redfield Jamison

When I was younger people supported play by encouraging their children to go outside and play.  Parents even joined their children outside to play.  Families played games outside, rode bikes, and I remember just taking evening walks.  We talked about different things on our walks and stopped to explore many insects and flowers along the way.  We could not wait to go outside when I was young, especially on Saturdays.  When got up extra early to get those chores done so the rest of the day could be spent outside playing.  We just went from one game to the next.  We shot marbles, jumped rope, played chase, rode bicycles, played hop scotch, and any other game that we could make up.  We went in the house for lunch and came back outside and started all over again.  Those days were so much fun.

Today, play has changed drastically.  Children no longer want to go outside to play.  Most parents don't have time because of work and home obligations.  Children occupy themselves with whatever the latest electronic gadget maybe.  They spend a lot of time on the computer, cell phone, x-box, wii, and anything that will NOT lead them outside to play.  They don't want to go out in the heat or the cold.  Most parent don't encourage outside play because they would have to take the time to go outside and watch the kids or perhaps play along with them.  In today's society both parents usually work and that makes it hard on the children.  After school, they are usually in childcare or with siblings.  By the time some parents get off from work it is already dark outside and there is no time left for play.  Play is also limited in school.  Most of the time in school is spent focused on passing test.  

I encouraged outside play and joined in with my children every chance that I got to be with them.  Today, we all still love being outside.  We have instilled the same values in my grandbabies.  We love to play and we love playing outside.  They learn so much while playing and they ask a lot of questions about the insects and flowers.