Final Blog Assignment

Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to learn about the international early childhood field. There is so much information about what goes on in other countries. The first consequence I saw from my experiences is the limited ability to try and remain or even develop contact with other professionals internationally. Second consequence would be understanding the differences in the way our educational systems are designed and ran. The third consequence would be comparing what we do to what someone else does and thinking this may work best for us without fully understanding why it’s being done that way. We have to ensure that if something needs to be changed or done a certain way, it is done so based on the needs of the children and their families.

My goal is to continue to work on developing contact with an international contact. I believe this is a great opportunity that will help my growth and development as a professional in the early childhood field.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3 week 7

The Pod cast talks about equity and excellence within the early childhood field and what professionals can do to enhance the field. Dr. Vasquez encourages early childhood professionals to be more assertive and take action against how we are being viewed as early childhood professionals. She helps us to understand that we are more than baby sitters and we do does not lack being professional. Although some progress is being made in relation to how we are viewed there is still work to be done. In this field we have to show what we are doing. Help others understand the process of what it takes to educate young children.

 Dr. Vasquez also so explains the human value of early childhood education. She helps us understand that it is important to go to school and receiving necessary training but human value, which can’t be taught, is also an important part of working in the early childhood field. It is equally important to respect and value professionals who have been in the field for many years and those who are new to the field, both bring a different contribution to the early childhood field. We should be able to make this transition without wasting or devaluing important resources already in place.

 

According to the international website UNESCO, universally agreed on criteria for quantifying ECCE quality does not exist, but they take into useful factors such as personnel training, pedagogy materials, parental education and involvement, and service setting. Learning materials is culturally and developmentally appropriate, focusing on child-centered interactions.

In areas where government resources are limited efforts are made to have pre-primary education placed in more formal settings or have the age of entry into the program lowered.

Because they can be pedagogically innovative and cost effective, the promotion of alternative services to under privileged children often raise concerns about sustainability and quality, In these cases a policies are put in place that allows the government to redistribute resources by reducing the amount of funds available to those who are more privileged.

References:

Course Media: "Excellence and Equity of Care and Education for Children and Families—Part 3" (approximate length: 12 minutes). Conversation with Delila Vasquez (Director of Program Services, Los Angeles Universal Preschool) about issues of equity and excellence related to EC professionals.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

 

Sharing Web Resources ( Week 6 )

Both websites I chose has valuable information related to early childhood education. The outside links on the ACEI website are very informative and offer all types of information within their region and across the globe. I research an area of the website entitled advocating education for all and discovered that ACEI has endorsed a letter to the United States House of Representatives asking for their support for education for all.  The letter signed by over 40 national and international organizations dedicated to advancing education, health, food security, democracy and governance, economic growth, peace, security, and human rights around the world was written as part of the Global Campaign for Education – U.S. Advocacy Day initiative. The Education for All Act is designed to build upon current U.S. efforts to ensure universal access to quality education for all children, and to develop a comprehensive global education strategy that addresses key barriers to education access. It also includes a provision that the U.S. engage with international education initiatives, such as the Global Partnership for Education, in order to help further these goals, and work with countries to strengthen systems that lead to sustainability.

The website does contain information that adds to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education. The letter to the House of Representatives asking for support for education for all is evident of this. They also have other links within the website that contain information related to equity and excellence.

Exploring the website this week, I understand how important it can be to collaborate with other countries on issues related to early childhood issues. By doing so, we open up opportunities to children and their families that can richly enhance the educational experience. We also gain knowledge and understanding that can help us increase equity and excellence in the early childhood field.

Reference:

Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/