Sharing Web Resources

Currently in my professional development I am interested in finding ways to be more productive in the field. I want to see my actions make an impact. Therefore when I go into child care facilities I want teachers to take to heart my suggestion in improving their environment. The article from the Early Childhood Australia website, their newsletter is titled “Voice”, the article discussed along the same sentiments of the benefits of early childhood education and care.  The thing that stood out is that the talked about putting the interest of the children at the core of the changes. This means and they are doing in Australia what Dr. Grace was trying to convey about speaking for the children instead about them.    

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/voice_newsletter/voice_archive.html

International Connection

The growing rate of poverty in Australia is that 1 in 6 children are living in poverty. I am conflicted I’m the terms of saying that children are living in poverty versus experiencing poverty. Although the children are not providers of the family so they have no control over finances. In Australia within the last 14 years the rate of single parent family’s livings in poverty has increased 15% which seem to be a high rate in a longer span of time.

In Australia they take the same approach that the child’s social-emotional, physical, and cognitive can be affected by being “vulnerable” to poverty. In Australia they look at poverty as s cycle for young children and without basic needs being met and not receiving high quality education can be determining factors in their success in adulthood.

            I was interested in the trend of having children of low income families have at least one year of Early Childhood Education will possibly prevent the outcomes of poverty. However they try to assist the parents who are in poverty by connecting them to resources to help find job and education. This is similar to Head Start practices.

http://www.acoss.org.au/policy/child_poverty/

Address by Professor Bettina Cass, Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW

Sharing Web Resources

The organization I subscribed to was the NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children . The NAEYC’s focus is on early childhood education and the betterment of the early childhood population.

https://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=1500461290&message_id=3764662&user_id=NAEYC&group_id=382290&jobid=17352115

The article that caught my attention was the article on Birth to 8 continuum. The article discussed how the connection between Early Childhood Programs serving birth to pre-kindergarten age children should be on the same wavelength with elementary school students and stay connected. The article discussed four strategies

• First, align quality and access by addressing the inequities that are a result of historical distinctions between child care and early education.

• Second, address the different expectations for professionals

• Third, integrate early care and education practice with Kindergarten through third grade practice.

• Finally, and perhaps most important, ensure that teachers and administrators across the birth to 8 continuum reflect the diversity of children they serve and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to help all children achieve their full potential.

 

The last strategy relates to this weeks topic but another issue was the alignment of Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Dual language learners. The site had a video that was leading discussion on the issue.

Establishing Contacts

I chose the assignment of making contacts abroad. I decided to make contacts with professionals from Canada and Africa.  I am interested in making contact with these professionals and sharing information I retrieved my contacts from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  For the second portion I decided to research the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies as I myself am a Resource and Referral Specialist I want to connect with other people around the Country as well, beyond my state. I also decided to connect with the National Association for th e Education of Young Children,  I just recently became a member and want to learn more about the organization.  I have heard lots of things but never  became involved.