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.
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.
Angelika,
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if early childhood and K-3 grade practices were aligned. It would be easier on the educators, children, and parents. In NC we have Foundations, which are guidelines for children should be able to do by the time they enter kindergarten based on the K-3 standards. However in NC, I feel like instead of aligning early childhood to meet K-3 practices, it should be the opposite. I see developmentally inappropriate practices in my son's elementary school. The demands of assessments and standardized testing has greatly altered K-3 grade practices. Maybe if we realigned based on early childhood practices, they would be more appropriate and cut out all the unnecessary testing and assessment. What do you think? What is your state like when comparing early childhood and K-3 grade?