Final Blog Revisited

I wish I would have been able to connect with someone on an international level. My thought is that I just need to try another avenue and keep pursuing this. The websites that have been posted, visited, and researched have provided us with very supportive information for our profession. It has also shown us that early childhood education is a universal component that has many similarities in our country and around the world. We have seen the faces of children who are in dire situations and brings a real message to everyone who needs a reminder that they are our future. We need to be a pro-active association and continue to advocate for programs, families, and children so that they have every opportunity to grow and be successful in their lives.

I hope everyone continues on the journey you have found. I hope your passion has been re-ignited from this class and that you are the voice for those who can't or are not able to speak. Let's give hope to the children so that they can see and feel it too.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

I was really surprised at all the partnerships of organizations around the world that were listed within this organization. I was happy to see that there are countries trying so hard to help children who are at a disadvantage when the country itself is struggling. "The 1990 Jomtien Declaration for Education for All stated that learning begins at birth. A decade later, the 2000 Dakar Framework for Action reaffirmed the importance of early childhood by including the development of early childhood care and education as the first of its six main goals" are two statements that it seems as though we, as a global community, are on the same page when it comes to making choices for our children.

Another insight I found was under the "Quality" link. Learning involves the culturally and appropriate materials and child-centered activities but it is easier to push the formal learning practices, thinking this will better prepare children when in fact, it is not.

Lastly it seems funding for early childhood programs in other parts of the world are struggling just as much as the United States. The money is seen to be spent more appropriately in the formal school settings and what funding is left could be given to programs for the youngest learners, depending on what other issues need attention.

Reference:
UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)

Sharing Web Resources

I chose the website National Association of Early Childhood Educators.

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

There are Links to Related Organizations that has 18 organizations listed. There are web sites from Australia and Canda as well.

Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

I chose to explore the Australia Early Childhood Association. This website and organization remind me of our own National Association for the Education of Young Children. You can research everything from magazines to books to newsletters relating to every issue young children face.

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying.

What new information is available?
This organization has really been pushing to get early childhood educators into the forefront of why educating young children is so important and that quality is a necessity in this area.

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

I think this website is mainly focused on the educators themselves and how to become a better teacher. There are resources and conferences that allow teachers to learn more about the importance of educating young children. There are grants and scholarships available as well.

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

I found it interesting to see which states are very active in this organization and what they are doing to  better their teachers and the children. I think that personally you have to be motivated to get involved in this organization and find others in your state. I don't think that every state is sharing information about its progress. I hoped to find more but many have not been updated for over a year.

Reference:
National Association of Early Childhood Educators. http://www.naecte.org/

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

I have yet to establish an international contact so I reviewed the link at the Center on the Developing Child and the Global Children's Initiative.
This program has committed to the health and development of children, research and demonstration projects, and building leadership in the role of child development research and in addition they are also focusing on early childhood development, child mental health, children in crisis and conflict situations.
Several of the articles discussed how toxic stress can and will affect early childhood adversites. Doctors are now more aware of situations that are harmful to children and are in the position to help those who are dealing with these. Stress can be harmful to young children and if children are constantly exposed to toxic stress, it is likely "that the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years".
Knowing how stress effects children needs to be addressed immediately and that their development is vital. Their health will take on all kinds of negativity and their coping skills will be absent. Social situations and adults modeling the positive reinforcement is a great opportunity for children to understand how to deal with stress.

Reference:
 Center on the Developing Child. "The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress". Retrieved on April 1, 2012 at http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/science_of_early_childhood/toxic_stress_response/