The link that I chose to explore was the one for Early Childhood Australia. Some of the current international research topics that are being discussed are published in the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Education. Several of the articles that I came across discussed the importance of play based learning and how teachers could incorporate intentional lessons along side the play. Another interesting topic that I saw was what it means to have Culturally Strong Childcare Programs for Indigenous Children, Families and Communities. I also noticed several articles that talked about the quality of early childhood and how Australia is working toward changes in this area to raise the standards.
Some information I came across that I thought was interesting was that Australia is moving to change early childhood practices and to raise standards in early childhood. As of January 2012 they have changed the ratio for infants to teachers from 1 teacher to 5 infants to 1 teacher to 4 infants. We have had the 1:4 ratio for a while here in the United States and I am glad to see that other countries are moving to a higher standard of care. Caring for infants is a demanding and rewarding job and I believe that we should raise the standard even more and go to a 1:3 ratio for an even better quality of care. I know that many centers do not offer infant care because of the of the ratio and cost difference. I was also interested to see a topic that I have not really heard about and that is Children and families being held in detention centers and early childhood supporters are calling for the government to allow these children to attend a quality childcare program so that they will not miss out on important developmental milestones and learning skills. The children are refuges from other countries and I have not heard of the United States holding families in detention centers.
The web site was very informative and I liked how the site had a section called Research in Practice Series
that had great resource books for teachers with great topics and ideas to apply to their classrooms and children's learning. Under the section called National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program I saw a lot of information that could be helpful for teachers and researchers. The short video segments called Connecting with Practice have several great examples that early childhood professionals can learn from and discuss.
In general the web site had a lot of useful information and resources. I would like to check back and see what new research articles have been released and other new information and practices they post on the site.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Outdoor Play: Research that Benefits Children
Children today are being pushed to meet academic standards so that they can succeed later in their academic career and in life. Sadly this affected how much outside free play a child is able to have where they can explore and learn as well. I know that children treasure their outside time and want to play in the sandbox, ride a bike or climb a tree. Many advocates are getting to word out to preserve outdoor play and that the natural outdoor playground can also be an extension to the classroom learning environment for all ages.
Outdoor play is important to children's development at all stages. I came across an advocacy group on line that has done research on the importance of nature and outdoor play for children. The Children and Nature Network is working to reconnect children with nature. They have an area on their site that has research that has been done to show how nature and the outdoors can positively affect children cognitively, socially, emotionally and spiritually. In the Special Reports and Collection area there is a report that has a lot of research information that is called "Children's Contact with the Outdoors and Nature: a focus on Educators and Educational settings." It is important that we remind parents, educators and policy makers that children need to be outdoors in a natural environment because this will affect their learning in a positive way.
I find the research on the positive affects on children who are able to play freely outdoors in nature information that can help me as an early childhood educator better advocate for outdoor playtime for children and natural playgrounds for children. Outside time should be a big part of a child's day and the environment should be planned to meet their interests.
Links to information on outdoor play for children:
Children and Nature Network
7 Reasons why Kids need recess
Young Children and Nature
Outdoor play is important to children's development at all stages. I came across an advocacy group on line that has done research on the importance of nature and outdoor play for children. The Children and Nature Network is working to reconnect children with nature. They have an area on their site that has research that has been done to show how nature and the outdoors can positively affect children cognitively, socially, emotionally and spiritually. In the Special Reports and Collection area there is a report that has a lot of research information that is called "Children's Contact with the Outdoors and Nature: a focus on Educators and Educational settings." It is important that we remind parents, educators and policy makers that children need to be outdoors in a natural environment because this will affect their learning in a positive way.
I find the research on the positive affects on children who are able to play freely outdoors in nature information that can help me as an early childhood educator better advocate for outdoor playtime for children and natural playgrounds for children. Outside time should be a big part of a child's day and the environment should be planned to meet their interests.
Links to information on outdoor play for children:
Children and Nature Network
7 Reasons why Kids need recess
Young Children and Nature
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Personal Research Journey in Early Childhood Education
This week has been interesting in leaning some new terminology and the process is takes to get a research project started. I have an interest in learning more about infants and since in the past classes we have discussed how early learning begins and how important it is for an infant to have a good healthy start in life I wanted to learn more about this. I have decided to focus attachment between a child and their caregiver or parent. The subtopic that I have chosen to focus on is, how does attachment affect how a child learns important cognitive, social and emotional skills?
Learning new research terms and using the research chart to write down in my own words what some of the terms meant has helped me understand the process of research a little bit better. I am not as anxious about getting some experience in researching my question. I have been looking for articles that will fit into what my research question is and I have found some on attachment but I will have to use the information on how to read a research article to make sure it is information that I can use.
Has anyone else been able to find information specific to your topic in the Walden library? Did you find that you had to use key words instead of the whole question? I found that searching under Education may not always be the best route but that I needed to broaden my search and look under Behavioral studies and Psychology which had some helpful information as well.
Good luck and I look forward to learning more about your topics.
Learning new research terms and using the research chart to write down in my own words what some of the terms meant has helped me understand the process of research a little bit better. I am not as anxious about getting some experience in researching my question. I have been looking for articles that will fit into what my research question is and I have found some on attachment but I will have to use the information on how to read a research article to make sure it is information that I can use.
Has anyone else been able to find information specific to your topic in the Walden library? Did you find that you had to use key words instead of the whole question? I found that searching under Education may not always be the best route but that I needed to broaden my search and look under Behavioral studies and Psychology which had some helpful information as well.
Good luck and I look forward to learning more about your topics.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Early Childhood Issues and Trends Final Blog Post
It has been interesting and very informative to study more in depth about early childhood beliefs and education in other countries. I was able to make contact with some international early childhood professionals but they did not have time to dialog on a regular basis. My contact from Singapore, Ms. Wong, gave me a great web site that showed me what was happening in the early childhood field in that part of the world. I have learned that access to quality early childhood programs is a problem for families all over the world. I see that countries are trying to find solutions to provide access but it is a slow process. Those who work with children in Singapore are provided with training and classes to make sure they are current in how to provide quality care for young children. I found it interesting that some of the Infant teachers were also certified nurses. Professionally it is encouraging to see that countries are beginning to see the importance of early learning and the need for teachers to be trained and current in the area of best early childhood practices and child health and development. I also liked that there is an emphasis on providing support and services for families but again this is a slow process that is heading in the right direction.
I learned a lot form exploring the web sites and listening to the pod casts and I have a better understanding of early childhood issues and trends in other parts of the world. I now understand that it is important to dialog with ECE professionals from other parts of the world so that I can have a better understanding of what solutions or ideas they may have come up with that deal with early childhood issues and trends that are similar to those in the United States. We all need to work together to make sure that early childhood is preserved and seen as an important learning foundation for young children.
I have also learned a lot from my classmates as they have shared what they have learned from their international contacts or from the different web sites on early childhood issues from different countries. I appreciate this new information and it has helped me have a better understanding of how families, teachers, and young children are affected by early childhood issues and trends around the world.
I learned a lot form exploring the web sites and listening to the pod casts and I have a better understanding of early childhood issues and trends in other parts of the world. I now understand that it is important to dialog with ECE professionals from other parts of the world so that I can have a better understanding of what solutions or ideas they may have come up with that deal with early childhood issues and trends that are similar to those in the United States. We all need to work together to make sure that early childhood is preserved and seen as an important learning foundation for young children.
I have also learned a lot from my classmates as they have shared what they have learned from their international contacts or from the different web sites on early childhood issues from different countries. I appreciate this new information and it has helped me have a better understanding of how families, teachers, and young children are affected by early childhood issues and trends around the world.
Working to help children have a better future.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Week 7 - International Early Childhood Education issues that Relate to my Professional Goals
Since my international contacts are not able to dialog with me on a regular basis I choose to do the alternative assignment. I explored the UNESCO's "Early Childhood Care and Education" web page and found some ideas that related to my professional goals.
In looking at the UNESCO's "Early Childhood Care and Education" web page I was able to correlate information that related to my professional goals. My first goal is to help support young children in the classroom. On the web page I found a link that led me to Curriculum in early childhood education and care which talks about the importance of curriculum and implementing it to meet the needs of the children through educated trained early childhood teachers.
My second goal is to get more involved in my community to help provide young children with the opportunity to have early learning experiences. When I was reading about what is happening around the world in how much access children have to early education it seems that the wealthy have more opportunity to place their children in high-quality learning programs and the poor do not always have access to these services or the services are not able to meet the needs of all the children. I read through the Access and equity section of the web page and some of the links. Most countries see the importance of early education but have a hard time funding it.
My third goal is to be able to provide teachers and families with the tools to help support young children so that they can have a good start in building the foundation of learning. On the web site it states that parents involvement and relevant leaning materials ensure that early learning materials remain relevant to the needs of the children (UNESCO, nd.).
I have learned from exploring the UNESCO'S web page on early childhood that their are many organizations that are partnering with them to get the conversation started about early childhood issues and to start making changes in other countries that will benefit young children and their families. The process takes time but if everyone can become one voice for early childhood them change will happen. Some of the other organizations are:
Bernard van Leer Foundation is based in the Netherlands and funds and shares knowledge about work in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to support programmes that create significant positive change for children up to the age of eight.
Our mission is to improve opportunities for children up to age 8 who are growing up in socially and economically difficult circumstances. We see this both as a valuable end in itself and as a long-term means to promoting more cohesive, considerate and creative societies with equal opportunities and rights for all.
The World Bank helps countries integrate education into national economic strategies and develop holistic education systems responsive to national socio-economic needs and being conscious of the powerful economic and social justifications for early investment.
There are many more organizations around the world that are involved and it makes me realize that there are possibilities that can open up for early childhood so that young children can have access to quality preschool, families can have access to services to help support early learning and for their children and early childhood teachers can also receive the support and training they need to be able to provide a quality preschool program.
In looking at the UNESCO's "Early Childhood Care and Education" web page I was able to correlate information that related to my professional goals. My first goal is to help support young children in the classroom. On the web page I found a link that led me to Curriculum in early childhood education and care which talks about the importance of curriculum and implementing it to meet the needs of the children through educated trained early childhood teachers.
My second goal is to get more involved in my community to help provide young children with the opportunity to have early learning experiences. When I was reading about what is happening around the world in how much access children have to early education it seems that the wealthy have more opportunity to place their children in high-quality learning programs and the poor do not always have access to these services or the services are not able to meet the needs of all the children. I read through the Access and equity section of the web page and some of the links. Most countries see the importance of early education but have a hard time funding it.
My third goal is to be able to provide teachers and families with the tools to help support young children so that they can have a good start in building the foundation of learning. On the web site it states that parents involvement and relevant leaning materials ensure that early learning materials remain relevant to the needs of the children (UNESCO, nd.).
I have learned from exploring the UNESCO'S web page on early childhood that their are many organizations that are partnering with them to get the conversation started about early childhood issues and to start making changes in other countries that will benefit young children and their families. The process takes time but if everyone can become one voice for early childhood them change will happen. Some of the other organizations are:
Bernard van Leer Foundation is based in the Netherlands and funds and shares knowledge about work in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to support programmes that create significant positive change for children up to the age of eight.
Our mission is to improve opportunities for children up to age 8 who are growing up in socially and economically difficult circumstances. We see this both as a valuable end in itself and as a long-term means to promoting more cohesive, considerate and creative societies with equal opportunities and rights for all.
The World Bank helps countries integrate education into national economic strategies and develop holistic education systems responsive to national socio-economic needs and being conscious of the powerful economic and social justifications for early investment.
There are many more organizations around the world that are involved and it makes me realize that there are possibilities that can open up for early childhood so that young children can have access to quality preschool, families can have access to services to help support early learning and for their children and early childhood teachers can also receive the support and training they need to be able to provide a quality preschool program.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Sharing Web Resources - Week 6
Over the past few weeks I have been exploring the web site of the National Head Start Association. One of the outside links is to their regional and state affiliates. I decided to look at the California Head Start Association. On the first page of their web site there are four areas with different information, Learn, Attend, Act and Join. Under "Learn" I explored the CHSA Projects and there are several grant opportunities for Head Start schools. One of these projects was for a school garden and the sponsor was the Western Growers Foundation. The goals of this project is to generate
fun and learning about fresh vegetables, healthy eating and active living through gardening (California Head Start Association, 2011)
Under the "Attend" link their is information on where to locate a Head Start in a specific area of California and job opportunities. Under the "Act" link there is information on Head Start policy issues, how to support by donating to the $2 Per Child Campaign, and information on Advocacy resources. Under the "Join" link people are able to receive a CHSA newsletter, discounts to their conferences, information on events and information and discounts form the corporate sponsors.
I do not get an newsletter, but there are links to past newsletters and press releases. The most current press release talks about how the U.S. House of Representatives proposes to cut funds to Head Start. Proposed funding cuts were a surprise to program leaders and raise questions about long term impacts (CHSA, 2011). The proposed cuts would reduce Head Start funding by over 20%. If these cuts are enacted, in California 27,000 children and their families will be dropped from Head Start’s education, health, and support service programs. An estimated 6,000 California staff members will lose their jobs. This comes in the midst of California’s state budget woes, where thousands of working families may soon also be losing child care services, creating a domino effect of endangering their own ability to work (CHSA, 2011). I had heard about this from a Head Start Director but I did not realize the impact until I saw the actual numbers. This is an inequity for the children and families that need this service not only to prepare the children for school but so parents can work.
The CHSA web site has a lot of information and resources for early childhood professionals who work for Head Start and for Families who participate in Head Start or are interested in the program. Even if you do not work for Head Start you can gain valuable information about issues and policies in early childhood.
Resource
California Head Start Association
Under the "Attend" link their is information on where to locate a Head Start in a specific area of California and job opportunities. Under the "Act" link there is information on Head Start policy issues, how to support by donating to the $2 Per Child Campaign, and information on Advocacy resources. Under the "Join" link people are able to receive a CHSA newsletter, discounts to their conferences, information on events and information and discounts form the corporate sponsors.
I do not get an newsletter, but there are links to past newsletters and press releases. The most current press release talks about how the U.S. House of Representatives proposes to cut funds to Head Start. Proposed funding cuts were a surprise to program leaders and raise questions about long term impacts (CHSA, 2011). The proposed cuts would reduce Head Start funding by over 20%. If these cuts are enacted, in California 27,000 children and their families will be dropped from Head Start’s education, health, and support service programs. An estimated 6,000 California staff members will lose their jobs. This comes in the midst of California’s state budget woes, where thousands of working families may soon also be losing child care services, creating a domino effect of endangering their own ability to work (CHSA, 2011). I had heard about this from a Head Start Director but I did not realize the impact until I saw the actual numbers. This is an inequity for the children and families that need this service not only to prepare the children for school but so parents can work.
The CHSA web site has a lot of information and resources for early childhood professionals who work for Head Start and for Families who participate in Head Start or are interested in the program. Even if you do not work for Head Start you can gain valuable information about issues and policies in early childhood.
Resource
California Head Start Association
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 2
I was able to get a response back from two early childhood professionals. The first person is from Australia and she will help if she can but she is going to have a baby any day and so I have not had a response to my second e-mail. The second person I got a hold of is from Singapore, Mrs. Wong. She does not have time to dialog on a regular basis but she did give me a web address that has a lot of information on issues and trends in early childhood in Singapore. The web site is called Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and has information on child care policies, research on children and family services, and other information regarding children and families. I looked at the information on the Guidelines for Center-Based Infant/Toddler Care in Singapore and it was interesting to see that the ratio is 1:5 and here in California it is 1:4 and the National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends a ratio1:3. The age range for Infant/Toddlers is 2months to 18 months in Singapore and the age range in the US is 2 months to 24 months. In Singapore they have an Infant Educator or an Infant Nurse. They both have to be over 21 years of age and have certificates in Infant/Toddler care and development. the Infant nurse is a registered nurse and I found that interesting because in the US nurses get paid more than an ECE teacher so I would be curious what they get paid in Singapore to work in the ECE field.
It also seems that the Parliament in Singapore is concerned with the quality and acceptability of preschool for all children. In this Parliamentary Motion on Pre-School Education document it shows that in Singapore they are moving forward to provide quality in early childhood education.
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