The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has joined an alliance with Strong Start for Children - Building America's Future. It "supports a significant expansion of high-quality early learning opportunities for children ages birth to five in order to achieve better education, health, social and economic outcomes for all" (www.naeyc.org/).
This is relevant to my current professional development because as a Kindergarten teacher, I struggled with trying to prepare my students for first grade. They did not enter my classroom with a strong educational foundation as far as early learning skills. Strong Start for Children's initiative is to start this process from birth, so by the time they get to Kindergarten they will be prepared.
I thought about the impact that Science has on early childhood experiences. A lot of effort is put into Reading and Math readiness and Science is not really on the mainly discussed. NAEYC highlights why we as educators should support science learning from infancy through age 8. "Children's early science experiences are the foundation for future science learning and comprehension" (www.naeyc.org/).
In order for children to be successful in life, they need a strong foundation. This includes a strong support system. "Effective early learning standards require a foundation of support for early childhood programs, professionals, and families" (www.naeyc.org/). Economists, neuroscientists and politicians support the early childhood field because they know that investing in early childhood development programs will benefit society in the future.
I always knew that NAEYC was dedicated to supporting young children and their families. After exploring the website further, I found out that they also have professional development to educate people on how to work with children and their families. Their professional development learning opportunities include online learning, intensive training sessions, training DVD's, workshops and networking.
Reference
www.naeyc.org/
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
ISSUES AND TRENDS: POVERTY
I chose the podcast alternative assignment using the World Forum Foundation. The World Forum Foundation "promotes and on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings" (www.worldforumfoundation.org/). I listened to Barbara Jones (BJ), the founder of the Pine Grove School, located in Falmouth, Maine. "Pine Grove School is a developmental, discovery-oriented preschool and kindergarten dedicated to peace...teaching respect, building independence and fostering self-motivation..." (www.pinegrovecenter.com).
BJ started her teaching career at a public school in Maryland. She felt that public school was not a good fit for her. So she ventured out to Southern California and applied for a teaching position at a Montessori School in Del Mar, California. BJ worked at this school, including a YMCA Montessori program. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and decided to get certification training in London, England (www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/).
One day BJ was driving through Falmouth, Maine, and passed by a 1917 boarded-up school house. She was interested in buying the building to open up her own Montessori school. In 1985, BJ founded the Pine Grove School, a school based on Montesorri principles. In 2010, she celebrated twenty-five years of the school's opening (www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/). BJ's story resonated with me because it is my goal to one day open up my own early childhood center.
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP) has a "website is intended to be a resource for policy makers, practioners and activists concerned about childhood poverty. It contains policy briefings, research reports, photos, case studies and links on a wide range of issues related to childhood poverty..." (www.childhoodpoverty.org). I have learned that the CHIP recognizes the crisis that is taking place in four different countries. These countries are China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
I have decided to focus on the country of Kyrgyzstan, acquiring three different insights:
1. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has suffered economically, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.
2. Even though almost half of the population is living below the poverty line, the percentage is even higher for young children.
3. Growing poverty has led to less children enrolled in school, child labor, child prostitution and trafficking.
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre conducts research, policy and takes action in order to make a difference. "This includes having poverty rates cutting by two-thirds the deaths of children under five and ensuring that all children in the world complete at least primary education" (www.childhoodpoverty.org). As an elementary school teacher and an advocate for children, it is my duty to make sure that my students not only complete the primary grades, but go on to middle school, high school and college.
References
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
www.pinegrovecenter.com
www.worldforumfoundation.org/
www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/
BJ started her teaching career at a public school in Maryland. She felt that public school was not a good fit for her. So she ventured out to Southern California and applied for a teaching position at a Montessori School in Del Mar, California. BJ worked at this school, including a YMCA Montessori program. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and decided to get certification training in London, England (www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/).
One day BJ was driving through Falmouth, Maine, and passed by a 1917 boarded-up school house. She was interested in buying the building to open up her own Montessori school. In 1985, BJ founded the Pine Grove School, a school based on Montesorri principles. In 2010, she celebrated twenty-five years of the school's opening (www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/). BJ's story resonated with me because it is my goal to one day open up my own early childhood center.
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP) has a "website is intended to be a resource for policy makers, practioners and activists concerned about childhood poverty. It contains policy briefings, research reports, photos, case studies and links on a wide range of issues related to childhood poverty..." (www.childhoodpoverty.org). I have learned that the CHIP recognizes the crisis that is taking place in four different countries. These countries are China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
I have decided to focus on the country of Kyrgyzstan, acquiring three different insights:
1. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has suffered economically, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.
2. Even though almost half of the population is living below the poverty line, the percentage is even higher for young children.
3. Growing poverty has led to less children enrolled in school, child labor, child prostitution and trafficking.
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre conducts research, policy and takes action in order to make a difference. "This includes having poverty rates cutting by two-thirds the deaths of children under five and ensuring that all children in the world complete at least primary education" (www.childhoodpoverty.org). As an elementary school teacher and an advocate for children, it is my duty to make sure that my students not only complete the primary grades, but go on to middle school, high school and college.
References
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
www.pinegrovecenter.com
www.worldforumfoundation.org/
www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/
Saturday, July 13, 2013
ISSUES AND TRENDS: DIVERSITY
The organization I chose to highlight was the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). "NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources" (www.naeyc.org/).
One current issue in Early Childhood Education that caught my attention was Diversity. "Early childhood educators can best help linguistic and culturally diverse children and their families by acknowledging and responding to the importance of the child's home language and culture" (www.naeyc.org/).
I learned that each child brings a unique quality to the educational setting. They have a rich culture and home language which adds to the diversity of the classroom. It should be respected and preserved as children have the capability of being bilingual; learning English and maintaining their home language. "Bilingualism should be viewed as an asset and an educational achievement" (www.naeyc.org/).
Reference
www.naeyc.org/
One current issue in Early Childhood Education that caught my attention was Diversity. "Early childhood educators can best help linguistic and culturally diverse children and their families by acknowledging and responding to the importance of the child's home language and culture" (www.naeyc.org/).
I learned that each child brings a unique quality to the educational setting. They have a rich culture and home language which adds to the diversity of the classroom. It should be respected and preserved as children have the capability of being bilingual; learning English and maintaining their home language. "Bilingualism should be viewed as an asset and an educational achievement" (www.naeyc.org/).
Reference
www.naeyc.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)