Final Blog Assignment

   As I reflect upon the learning from my international contacts in the early childhood field I am at awe at how much we all have in common, despite the circumstances beyond our control.  We are all in support of providing what is needed for all children to be successful.  All believed that there is a strong connection between the development a child undergoes early in life and the level of success that the child will experience later in life.  Below are consequences of learning to improve upon my professional and personal development.

·         Community support is a very strong part of healthy, successful children.  One can not succeed by just "snatching" the child away from the community for education unless we also involve the community where the children came from. Most community development components include the library, computer labs and clinic or doctors offices. One of the organizations I have been involved with has been trying to build a model school that includes early childhood and a basic elementary education program along with neighborhood community involvement. As of this printing, they have succeeded in all except the clinic.

·         I am devoted to recognizing that low-income children need more intensive services that start early in their educational plan.  Within our district we start identifying children that are struggling with letter recognition, letter sound, sight words and number recognition.   We use this as a benchmark that follows them through 3^rd grade.  At this point, we are emphasizing that all children be able to read on grade level.  As I spoke with my contacts, they too stressed the importance on the overall development of learning when it starts early.  We must invest more in high-quality comprehensive programs.

·         Large numbers of infants and young children around the world are at-risk for developmental delays due to stressors such as poverty, malnutrition, trauma, and low birth weight.  It appears that daily these unfortunate experiences just keep growing.  We, globally, nationally, and locally, must find a way to create jobs or programs to help with these horrific issues.  These are not just undeveloped countries problems, but are affecting the world.  One of my contacts has added a feeding program in their school since most of their students do not get a decent meal, even once a day at home.  They are finding it difficult to teach a child anything in an empty belly, something that we know oh so well. It has been over three years since this program started and they have seen significant progress in each student's health, ability to listen and comprehend what is being taught.

     It is my goal to make certain that early intervention services correspond and coordinate with the early childhood programs within my school.  I will see to it that community-based services are provided to all children and families in need to ensure that all are healthy mentally, socially and academically.  We must embark upon achieving equity and quality in children successes within and across nations.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

     I discussed the questions with my international contacts about excellence and quality and received a response from Judith Wagner with OMEP-USA.  Her thoughts are addressed below:

·         What issues regarding quality within the early childhood field are being discussed where you live and work?  How we can universally expect the same standards and procedures from all teachers (starting at Head Start through high school)? Our qualifications and expectations should be comparable across the board.  This is pertaining to specific degrees, hours of training and years of experience.

·         What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?  There are continuous professional development conferences offered to enhance the advancement of growth for all.  All establishments should be willing to provide these events for all that work for them, which in turn will keep all abreast of changes and educationally sound.

• What are some of your professional goals? Implementing global quality standards within the early childhood field within the next two years.  We have to address this issue as it relates to primary education, especially gender equity.

·         What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?  That within the US, our government will identify education as one of the most important fields for the future of America and increase funding instead of cutting the budget and asking teachers to perform at an astonishing rate when they are not given the tools to achieve

     As I reflected upon these comments and spoke with colleagues, I think of my daily challenge to reach as many children as possible while making certain that each is learning by any means necessary (which often means altering assignments and problems so the child can relate).  Most students can relate to video games, so I have started to incorporate learning using the technology students are accustomed to in everyday life within the classroom (iPods, iPads, Smartphone’s, etc.).  I allow students to teach a lesson on something they are familiar with or create a lab or lesson.  Children do not necessary think of teachers as relatable, but I found that once you start speaking about your personal experiences they are prone to be more in tuned.  It is my hope that all of my students will realize their true potential and take education seriously as well as a privilege.

Sharing Web Resources

The two early childhood organizations I selected and have been involved with did not supply areas for me to be able to complete this week’s blog, therefore, I reviewed www.savethechildren.org and through outside links was able to learn that this organization, with the assistance of Representatives Lowey and Reichert, introduced new legislation (Education for All Act of 2011) that would help reduce the number of out-of-school children, mostly in war torn and developing countries, and increase early learning opportunities.  If the legislation passes, it would give these children the prospect to learn, grow throughout their lifetime.

Throughout the site there were many people spotlighted for contributing to the cause of early childhood (Supermodel Iman campaigning for the millions of people, most of them innocent children, suffering in East Africa due to a water shortage or the Philanthropist, Charlie Wittmack who is raising funds for the 37,000 newborns and young children who die yearly from largely preventable causes).  I was able to actively participate in the blog and follow along as American Mom traveled to Kenya and witnessed the devastation of the young children and families that let an everlasting impact on her life.  She is now dedicated to advocating and saving the children within the country.

As we have been studying the importance and essentiality of early learning, www.savethechildren.org stressed that this is one of the smartest investments that we, as a civilization can make. Children should not be playing catch-up when they enter kindergarten, as they so often do. If we want greater success later and a better skilled workforce, we need to guarantee the appropriate development of our most at-risk children at early ages. With the help of this organization, rural communities across America will ensure that children living in poverty have a fair opportunity from the beginning.

 

I was appalled as I read about the millions of children, in 30 developing countries, longing to fulfill their dreams of getting an education, as youngsters and being able to create and provide positive influences within their family unit.  We must stop the national and global cuts for educational funding, which reduces the options of countless boys and girls at getting a quality education.  Without adequate funds and ample resources we impede the development, learning and creativity of our forthcoming generation.

Reference:

http://www.omep-usa.org/

http://www.ethiopiareads.org/

http://www.savethechildren.org/