Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Teacher, Student

Throughout this course, I have researched several international websites that work in the early childhood field.  I have gained valuable insight into the struggle of other nations.  Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development are 1) learning and understanding different research that affects early childhood care and education, 2) learning about the struggles in other nations to have the basic life needs to be fulfilled, and 3) learning about the education of families in other nations. I learned there are similarities and differences with each country I read about.  From assisting families to obtain basic health and survival materials to educating families about the development of their children.  It has been very enlightening and disheartening.  Every child deserves to have their basic needs met no matter where they live.  As a result of the learning, my goal is to stay connect...

     Where I work a teacher of three or four-year-olds must have or be working towards an associate degree.  An infant/toddler teacher must have or be working towards a CDA (Child Development Associate).  A center director must have or be working towards a bachelor degree.  The incentive for these positions is a pay increase.  The issues surrounding the agency I work for is competence.  Degrees are fantastic; however, they do not make a teacher competent in their position.  The agency has two coaches.  They meet with selected individuals weekly.  The challenge is that some teachers do not apply what they have learned through coaching and the agency keeps them employed because there is great difficulty in finding qualified staff.  Professional development is geared toward encouraging teachers and assistant teachers to earn their CDA, and then an associate degree.  There is little if any tuition assistance outside of the C...

Today I explored NAEYC's global engagement. " N o matter where you live, whether you’re a teacher, parent, director, advocate or investor, a seasoned professional or new to the field, your work impacts children around the world. " Hello is an online interactive platform for educators and professionals around the world.  This is an open discussion form for bridging a connection with educators from around the world.   NAEYC holds national conferences with Language Tracks so that a diverse group of educators are able to participate.  Educators from around the world participate in these conferences.  " While NAEYC doesn’t offer accreditation to programs outside of the United States at this time, we offer broader technical assistance to support country-wide, high-quality learning systems around the world." With regard to equity and quality in early childhood: NAEYC has a position statement on Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education. This position...

"Persistent gaps in education and health associated with socioeconomic disadvantage impose enormous burdens on individuals, communities, and societies worldwide. Recent reports estimate that 200 million children fail to reach their full developmental potential by age 5. Drawing on our experience in North America, the Center on the Developing Child works globally to build a broader movement to achieve breakthrough outcomes for children around the world."       This website provides information about children's learning and adult capabilities.  It discusses the science behind how children learn and brains develop.  This organization works internationally to educate and train parents, politicians, and early childhood educators.  The topics discussed are related to science.   " The early childhood years are critical building blocks for lifelong health, not just school readiness."  Executive function is something we all work towards develo...

With COVID-19 at the forefront of everyone's mind recently, organizations have made heartfelt statements about being "in this together".  NAEYC.org has made a statement as well.  It is also providing resources for educators and families.  There are topics like: Coping with COVID-19, Making Videos at Home: Tips for Educator, and Statement from NAEYC on Passage of CARES Act ( Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ).  The CARES Act has " critical provisions that will help multiple parts of the complex early childhood education sector, addressing some of the needs expressed by parents, educators, programs, and small businesses across states and settings."  I am relieved to know that there is something in place to help facilities facing this crisis.  I am also relieved because this demonstrates that economists and politicians are coming together to meet the urgent needs of child care facilities and educators in the U.S.  In addition to working du...

        Founded in 1993, Childwatch International Research Network, “the Childwatch International Research Network is a global, non-profit, nongovernmental network of institutions that collaborate in child research for the purpose of promoting child rights and improving children’s well-being around the world.” (https://www.childwatch.uio.no/research/) There are links to projects from within Childwatch as well as journals and bulletins from Childwatch and other organizations with the topics of child poverty, child protection, children’s rights, child law, and many more.  This website works to link local, regional and national research efforts.  As I furthered my research on this website, I found that it hasn’t been updated since 2015.  So, I moved on to the International Child Research Institute, https://www.icrichild.org/.  This organization was founded in 1981.  The Grassroots Community Development attempts to overcome poverty.  “ICRI...

The website that I chose to share is NAEYC.org. NAEYC is the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The focus is to promote high-quality early learning for children ages birth to 8 years.   The website shares resources for educators and families.  It also provides professional development for educators, as well as hosting conferences, and accreditation for early childhood programs.  Also included on the website is information about policy and advocacy.  One of the things that caught my eye, related to this week’s study was anti-bias education. There were several articles and a book identified on the subject.  Also, the organization is reaching out globally to work with other governments and organizations to support early childhood professionals around the world.  I have signed up for their newsletter, but have yet to receive one.