Issues and Trends Final Blog

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field

1.       Exploring issues and trends on an international level enhanced my understanding of issues such as poverty, equity and diversity and its effect on children worldwide.

2.      I also learned what organizations and advocates are doing around the world to improve the accessibility and quality of early care and learning.

3.      Listening to the professionals on the podcasts helped me reflect on my professional goals and passions for children and families.

One professional goal related to international awareness of issues and trends is to continue reviewing the NIEER (National Institute for Early Education Research) international website resources and newsletters.

Thank you to my colleagues that responded to my blog posts, I enjoyed reading your views and experiences. Best of Luck!

Getting to Know International Resources

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization

Website:  (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)

Insights related to my professional goals:

In Africa the UNESCO works hard to keep education on the agenda in political and financial decisions. The organization aims to improve the quality of teacher education in the region and improve teaching tools. The UNESCO admits that defining quality is complex however it is fashioned by issues such as class size, student resources and access to the basic necessities, running water and electricity.

The UNESCO organization has six educational goals to meet the learning needs of children. Educational goal number one is especially linked to my professional goals. Expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Also, UNESCO advocates by hosting annual "Global Action Week" and it is campaigns that raise awareness worldwide for education for all. This year's focus was on early care and education. Their goal was to assemble more political and financial support to achieve their goals, early care and education for all children.

World Forum Radio: Episode 5 Irma Allen

Website: http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio/

Irma Allen works in Africa to train teachers and train community members to become early childhood teachers. In Africa there are no classrooms and nature becomes the classroom environment. The weather, trees, rocks and etc. become the teaching resources.  The environment is a great teacher’s guide and encourages children to have respect for the environment.  Irma also discussed the speech of fond memories from a former student of a colleague in an early learning center. The former student expressed feeling loved and welcomed even though he is an orphan. His life changed because someone made him feel like he had a purpose. He recalled the teacher smiling and being loving. This made me reflect on the things my students will remember about me when they are adults.

                                                                             

Resources

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/worldwide/education-regions/africa/

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-all/efa-goals/           

Sharing Web Resources

NIEER (National Institute for Early Education Research)

http://nieer.org/

Exploring the NIEER website I came across a link Child Trends and the link took me to their website http://www.childtrends.org/. The organization conducts studies on various issues and trends in child development. Also gather evidence-based data on children at various levels of development. Their goal is to inform the public of issues and trends in early childhood by identifying children’s needs through high quality research.  Their motivation is to improve policies and support of healthy development of all children.  The website offers a wealth of information, research, data about various happenings and concerns in the early care and learning.

I explored another link http://www.nncc.org/about.html it is a National Network for Child Care. It is an internet source of research based publication associated with child care.  The network’s goal is to share information on child care from various perspectives, from parents, general public, professionals and experts. 

Newsletter: Volume 11, Issue 12 June 1, 2012

http://nieer.org/publications/online-newsletters/volume-11-issue-12

This week in this course, Trend and Issues in Early Childhood, we are continuing to learn about quality and excellence in the early childhood field and in past weeks learned about new voices advocating for quality early education. In the June 1^st Newsletter, under the Early Education News Round Up section, there is a link to an article titled, “Business Leaders Seek Greater Preschool Access.”  In this article business leaders are seeking changes in policies to eliminate the shortage of access to quality programs for disadvantaged children.  The leaders complain that inadequate preschools are causing children to fail. Michigan children that are not exposed to quality early education are unable to catch up by fourth grade; about seventy percent are non-proficient readers (Flesher, 2012).  As a result Michigan is unable to create the workforce necessary to be competitive.  A union of business leaders recommended a plan to increase funding, increase professional development and foster healthy child development.

Link to article:  http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-05/D9V39IN80.htm

It is important to gather resources to stay informed with matters related to early education and care. The article by Flesher helped me understand the necessity to promote equity and excellence in early care and education. When 70% of a population is considered non-proficient reader there is a severe problem. All children should have a right to access quality care and learning. It is essential to their healthy development and future success.

Resources:

http://www.childtrends.org/

Flesher, J (2012). Business Leaders Seek Greater Preschool Access. Business Week  http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-05/D9V39IN80.htm

http://nieer.org/

http://www.nncc.org/about.html

Getting to Know International Issues

World Forum Radio:  Episode 10 Suzan Lyon

http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio/

Susan Lyon described the moment her passion was ignited by a child’s understanding of the word “city”.  The young boy stated that the word city was a small word for a big place. His concept of the word sparked her passion in learning how children think and understand how children view the world. Lyons brought The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit to San Francisco and created pilot programs in two local areas. The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit encourages participation of all education professionals, children, parents and the public to have mutual discussions about improving early childhood care.  The exhibit focuses on professional developments to teach strategies to cultivate children’s learning. Strategies promote practices that encourage professions to learn from children by listening to their interests and observing their actions.

                                                

Center of the Developing Child

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/

Global Projects Influencing Excellence and Equality in Early Childhood Development

 Many studies have researched the benefits of early childhood education on children and families in developing countries. However, little research has been done on its impact on children in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Five organizations collaborated and started the Zambian Early Childhood Development Project.  The program is an anti-malaria initiative and it measures the effects early childhood programs in Sub-Saharan have on children’s development in Zambian.  

Un Buen Comienzo (UBC) means “A Good Start” and it is a project in Santiago, Chile aspiring to improve children’s early development and learning. The project encourages families to get involved in their children’s education, advance early childhood education with teacher development, and help decrease health issues to improve school attendance.  This is the first project of its kind in Latin America and Chile is the example for prompting quality education.

Brazil’s Global children’s initiative is using the science of children health and development to improve polices and investments in early education.   Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância is the first program outside of the United States to work with experts to improve programs that benefit children and families.