Final Blog Assignment

In learning about the international early childhood field, there are consequences involved. Three of these consequences include:

- being aware of the circumstances of other children internationally and not necessarily being able to make a difference for them as one would like.

- realizing that as an educator one's role is very important, and as small a change made by oneself is just as impactful as a big change.

- realizing that in most areas the issues are similar as it pertains to the early childhood field. Therefore educators should be able to assist each other with their circumstances, whether be by giving ideas, resolutions, or physically going to assist.

One goal would be to not only think of making a social impact in your community or country but also internationally. There is a need for educators to unite and make a greater impact on the future via our children. A social change internationally is also possible.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

In trying to contact my international contact was a little troublesome this week, and it would have been the last time so I really wanted her input.

In communicating with her, she stated that there are discussions of the importance of early childhood education before children begin school. They mayor in her state just received money for full day pre-K programs in the public schools, which is in an effort to ensure the children have a certain basic knowledge when the start school. She personally has a problem with the fact that the belief of babies babies being better when at home with mommy is being eradicated, in order to get them in school as early as possible. Though by doing this everything is moving faster, babies can not be babies anymore but have to grow and conform very early. Yet many studies show that most countries with strong educational numbers do not begin till later allowing students to mature and grow before adding all the pressure.
In terms of professional development, it is usually a term thrown around but not truly enforced. Although people meet to discuss new philosophies nothing is put into effect, mostly because no one wants to change what they have been doing. In other words it is up to the individual to develop professionally, since nothing is enforced for them to develop in.

On a personal level, as a professional she would like to open her own early childhood center geared towards students with special needs. The center will provide opportunities for them to learn in their own way and still let them be themselves.She believes that that particular population of children have been warehoused from early and in truth are able to learn just not the same way as the public school dictates. She looks forward to networking with professionals in that field.

Sharing Web Resources-Part 3

Upon searching the site of ACEI; I came across this article which refers to the "International Day of Families". This day is celebrated on the 15th May, and it is to stress the importance of having healthy and happy familial relationships. Families are very important to the development of a child, they are the first teachers that child will meet, and will continue to be their role model for a long time. This day is so that families would not be taken for granted nor would families take their role likely in the life of child.

Within the website there is a Global Action put in place called the "Post 2015 Agenda". This a plan put in place to ensure children around the world where able to live to their full potential. This first had to start with ensuring all children where receiving a primary education, but although this was happening they found that the children did not know what they should by a certain age. Now that 2015 is drawing near, it is now to understand the barriers to achieving universal education. This Global Action, is catering to equity and excellence, where they are trying to ensure every child whatever race, gender, language, ethnicity, poor, rich receive a primary education, and they are striving for excellence in ensuring each child learns what is expected to be learnt.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

On speaking to my contact in located in New York City, she has confirmed the effects of inequity and how it affects excellence in a child's learning process.
She spoke about the effects of children coming from single parent homes, that after the parent has come from work most of the time they are rushing to get home and have no time for the child, their homework, or communicating with the child. Most times the parent ends up shouting at the child, or talking at the child not rather than talking to the child and not hearing their opinions. Children are thereby highly affected by the lack of relationship they have been developing with their parent, and the continuity of following orders and therefore this affects their intellectual processing of thinking and reasoning for themselves.
Another example would be that of foster children who do not have necessarily have the stability of a family, and therefore it affects their learning and social skills in school. They look for attention in different forms and ways, and therefore end up in trouble or being disruptive in class not only affecting themselves but the others in the class.
The inequity in the lives of the children and in schools, do affect the learning process of the children and therefore the excellence is not at the highest standard as they should be.