Final Blog Assignment

As a result of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development, through some of the websites I was able to know the areas where there are programs and campaigns on-going or schedule for the poor and needy; I was also able to know the policies being implemented and how it affects children and their families in order to know whether to embrace it or speak against it until it is changed or amended.  It was also able to gain access to the use of Research Library where I could check for publications by topic, type, start and end dates.  I was also introduced to a book on poverty by my instructor, Dr. Joyce Myers.  The book, she said, is titled, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty”, by Dr. Ruby Payne.  According to Dr. Myers, Dr. Payne, in her writing specializes in helping educators understand poverty and its many dimension.  From the book, I understand there are some key points to remember about poverty; like, “poverty occurs in all races and in all countries; Generational poverty and situational poverty are different; Schools and businesses operate from middle-class norms and use the hidden rules of the middle class; To move from poverty to middle class or middle class to wealth, and individual must give up relationships for achievement (at least for some period of time); Two things that help one move out of poverty are education and relationships;” etc.

One successful attempt for the field relating to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations is the body of knowledge amassed in science and practice by Psychology to address economic stress in families and prevent mental health problems, maltreatment and intimate partner violence in children. In order to tactfully effect this, participation of psychologists is encouraged in schools educational efforts and community forums like PTA meetings or YMCAs (APA).

Reference

American Psychological Association (APA).  “What the economic downturn means for children, youth, and families”.  Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/economy.aspx

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

The new insights i gained from the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” website I visited this week are numerous.  First is on the standard quality for early childhood care and education programmes, ECCE. The site pointed out that currently, there is no agreed criteria for qualifying the quality of ECCE universally.  The site however noted some useful factors for consideration, including pedagogy materials, personnel training, service setting and parental education and involvement.   I also learnt that adequate learning materials focusing on child-centerd interaction should be present, and that the materials should be quantitative and should also address the culture and general child development. 

I also gained new insight from the”Investment and financing”section of the site.  As globally viewed, mobilization of resources is the highest difficulty faced by countries in their bid to expand and improve the quality of ECCE.  The result of this is particularly disheartening in the developing countries as a result of other pressing items like universal primary education overshadowing the funding of early childhood programs.  I understand that the major challenge is for countries to recognize the positive value of investment in the area of early childhood education, then, funds mobilization becomes easy.  In order to ensure equity of access for poor and disadvantaged children, there is need for governments to use complementary financing measures.

Of particular interest to me is the video clip in the “Social and human sciences” section on the website. The video clip is titled “The future we want”.  It is a form of opinion poll where people responded in various ways to the type of future they want ranging from healthy food, clean water, good jobs to healthy planets and a world of opportunities, this was rounded up with the statement that we all need to shape our future!  But honestly, I shed tears when I see what we do to these younger ones, what we inculcate in them daily; so much lies, distrust, loss of integrity making them believe that with money they can buy their ways on anything, anywhere.  I therefore re-echo the question: “What future do we want for ourselves and for the generations to come”?

UNESCO. “Early Childhood Care and Education”.  Retrieved from  (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)

Sharing Web Resources

The website of the early childhood organization that i selected at the beginning of this course is Zero to Three and one of the outside links that i have not yet explored is “FIND IT FAST”. It led to a list of several topics.

I chose to thoroughly search the area of the site titled “Early Language and Literacy”.  I found a little report on the topic stating that developing language and literacy skills starts from birth and that it is a contiuous process for the child through daily loving interactions.  The interactions could be sharing books, story telling, singing songs, and building conversation.  The portion also emphasizes the importance of adults role in preparation of young children for success in school, building confidence and being motivated learners.

Directly underneath this is an area that invites one to learn more on the same topic and a click on the site goes to a section titled “Tips and Tools on Literacy”, underneath this is “Tips and Tools on Language” with a range of reourses on promoting early literacy and language skills in very young children. Each of the resources  leads to a PDFor word document that gives a thorough information about each of the topics. 

   

I did not receive any e-newsletter.

The website contains information that adds to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education where the site talks on what parents can do to support their children’s growing language and literacy skills from birth to age three.  Stating that parents can chat with their children, notice the child’s interests and build on them, use words when talking with young children.  All these do not require cost, therefore, children from low income families will be able to benefit from them and develop as expected.  However, parents do not show interest in helping their children in these area, they always find it difficult to speak generally, and speaking with young children is almost impossible.  This has been affecting the children’s speech development.

One of the new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field that i gain this week from exploring the website is that in an effort for parents to help build their yount children’s language skills and vocabulary, parents are advised to go on a name safari by walking around the home or neighborhood with their toddlers  while pointing out and naming  different objects.  Parents or adults are to encourage words repetition by the young children.  Parents can also make an animal book by cutting pictures of animals from magazines or take animal photographs in the neighborhood.