Future of early childhood- Final post

One consequence of learning about early childhood internationally is that we can see what has worked for other countries and doesn’t work.  They may try different program approaches and we can learn from these and then make decisions with a true understanding.  Another consequence when learning about early childhood internationally is that eventually a standard will be set to identify quality and it will not just be for one state or country but will be for all children.  The final consequence of international early childhood is building relationships and continuing to work collaboratively with other early childhood professionals to ensure children are in an environment that is conducive for learning.

One goal I have personally that affects me socially is the goal of educating adults.  If we can come together internationally and get the word out about how important birth-5 is when children are developing than I feel we have made a difference.  With knowledge of how important these years are and knowledge of how important is for young children to have bonds with adults and other children then people can make decisions for children with an understanding of development.

Part-3

The educational goals defined by UNESCO http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/single-view/news/key_milestones_reached_for_new_education_goals/

Their goal is to have quality preschool programs available for boys and girls by the year 2030.  These are the global targets for early childhood education.  This surprised me that the date is so far off. However, I do feel it will take a long time to ensure everything is on track for a quality universal ECE programs.

The website has video clips that are something I use because I am a visual/ audio learner. This is the best way I retain information and enjoyed viewing their video news clips available. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/resources/multimedia/video-stories/

The website is a way to collaborate with ECE professionals and other professionals around the world.  The website supports teachers in learning about other cultures around the world. What better way to integrate multiculturalism in your classroom than to truly understand what is going on in the world around you?  This is a professional goal I have and want to continue as I further my knowledge in the Early Childhood field. 

Sharing web resources

The world Forum resource section is a section of the website I chose to search and learn more about. http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/2014-world-forum-resources/

One video discussed spaces for children who do not have a home.  We can learn so much form this.  The space that they created is respectful for children and incorporates an environment that is conducive to development.   Our foster care system in the United States could benefit from seeing the philosophy behind this video on the environment.

These resources touch on the importance of early childhood and how love and respect during this time affects our future as humans.  These experiences as a young child shape our future.  If we invest in the early years, then children learn

The World Forum Website is a mark of excellence in the field of early childhood.  The forum is a way professionals can become involved and collaborate for the well-being of young children around the world.  They include new information on peace building with young children.  The library on the forum includes information on poverty and children. With this collaboration of professionals and information the early childhood field is at the beginning of a movement towards quality and the respect of families. 

As I review the new information I have gleaned from the forum, I realized that trends that are imposed by the forum are similar with how I feel about preschool. Children are to be treated with the utmost respect.  One of the videos about young children showed caregivers interacting with young orphaned children and you could tell they treated the children in their care like their own and loved them.  This is how I view the children in my class. I love them and try my best to make sure they feel safe and secure.  I realize that this is one of the most important aspects of being a teacher working with young children. 

 

Executive Functions - when are they formed?

The Center on the Developing Child from Harvard triggered my interest in the executive function of the brain.  One of the key concepts they discuss is a child’s executive function and how this part of their brain is developed during the early years of a child’s life.  The three components of the executive function is a child’s working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control.   After reviewing the website and watching videos underlining executive functions along with components of quality childcare I found myself asking the question, “I wonder if executive functions could be linked with ADHD?’  The researches explain how when children are at high risk or have toxic environments and do not receive quality care as a young child it can lead to a child not living up to their potential. I just wonder if the high rise in ADHD diagnoses could be linked to young children not having access to quality experiences early in life coupled with genetics. I do wonder if a quality preschool environment would have an impact on lowering the ADHD rate.  Learning that the executive function develops in the first several years of life and early childhood professionals can help build this function in children. Children who do not have access to high quality preschool programs are in need of these experiences. The inequality of this seems out of whack in our society.

Sharing web resources

In the world forum discussion, play is the hot topic.  Many discussions on play memories and what are the things hindering play such as: stranger danger, homework, etc.  The “Play” discussion is extremely important in the professional world of early childhood.  With quality assessment at the forefront and politicians and businesses taking note of why they need to invest in early childhood, discussion about why play is important is a topic early childhood professionals need to keep at the head of conversation.  If we do not then play can become lost in the world of standards and assessment. 

Another topic discussed at the world forum is the curriculum principles.  The curriculum initiative is a discussion about curriculum across cultures.  I will continue to follow this forum to understand the principles that other cultures and what principles are important across cultures.  

 https://www.worldforumfoundation.org/discuss-curriculum-at-world-forum-2014/

Getting to know your international contacts

As I explore the World Forum Network's website, I found conversations about screen time and the impact it has on play.  I found that many countries such as ours are seeing the affects of the digital age.  Parents had the same concerns in Puerto Rico about their children not having as much time as they did as a kid to run and play outside.
Here is a CNN link that discusses if your child really needs tablet time that was shared on the discussion forum:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/04/living/screen-free-week-schools-susan-linn/


 Another aspect of the website I found interesting is that they have come up with eleven principles for early childhood curriculum.  They are being revised at the next World Forum.

The principles are:

1. Universal Curriculum Principles
   A set of early childhood curriculum principles apply in all countries of the world; these principles should be adapted to fit into the various countries and communities, whether programs are well funded or poorly funded.
2. Early Childhood
   Early childhood is the period of human life from birth up to school entry at 5 or 6 years of age, including infants and toddlers from birth to 3 and preschoolers from 3 to 5 or 6. Some extend it to include the primary grades up to age 8 or 9.
3. Care and Education
   Care and education cannot be separated. All young children learn best in the context of nurturing, responsive relationships and stimulating, developmentally appropriate experiences.
4. Respect for Children
   The curriculum should encourage adults to demonstrate their respect for young children as individuals and take a genuine interest in what they say and do.
5. Young Children’s Role in the Curriculum
   Young children should have choices that influence their curriculum, appropriate to their stage of development. They learn best from their interactions with others and the environment.
6. The Inter-Relatedness of Development
   The curriculum should address and show the inter-relatedness of all aspects of the learning and development of young children, including cognitive (including language, literacy, mathematics, and science), social, emotional, physical, aesthetic, and spiritual development.
7. Early Childhood Assessment
   Early childhood assessment means observation and documentation of children’s development, during everyday experiences, in order to support each child’s learning and development.
8. Curriculum Review
   The quality and effectiveness of the curriculum should be regularly evaluated and reviewed in order to improve the program as needed.
9. Parents and Teachers as Partners
   The curriculum should empower educators, parents, and communities to work together in partnership for the benefit of children.
10. Respect for Culture
    The curriculum should promote respect the dignity of each child’s family, home language, culture, customs, and beliefs.
11. Professional Development
    Professional development is critical to every early childhood educator’s personal journey. Professional development experiences should be organized around a comprehensive curriculum and assessment system that has evidence of its effectiveness and is culturally sensitive.

 https://www.worldforumfoundation.org/eleven-ece-curriculum-principles/

This is a great tool for the United States as we enter the trend for assessing quality preschool programs for universal preschool. 

No luck with connections- Alternative assignment

For the past week and a half I have been trying to communicate with individuals through email nationally. Some emails have came back to me and were undeliverable. Other emails went through but I have not heard back from them so I will be forced to do the alternative.  I will be listening to pod-cast's from this website:


http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/

A hint- if anyone is having trouble with the link to the alternative assignment I found that if you click the link it does not work.  However if you copy and past the link in your browser it does work.