In this last week of our course "Issues and Trends", we have been asked to reflect on the various issues we've studied and the various lenses we used to study them. In addition, we have been asked to reflect on the international early childhood community and how learning about it has influenced us as professionals. One of the consequences we face in learning about practices in the international arena is that we are forced to examine our own practices with a magnifying glass, looking for ways to improve, change, or match what our colleagues are doing worldwide. Personally, I have been stretched to think more globally about the field and not just focus on my own individual work. When I say "globally", I am referring not only to the international community, but also my own local community outside of my school. Another consequence is that we see that there are thriving programs in the most rural communities and in affluent areas there are children living in poverty. The same holds true for America and so we must look at the ramifications of economics on learning and the success of children and families. Finally, a personal consequence for myself is that, as I study the various programs and organizations that are working to support children and families worldwide, the desire to travel is stirred. One of my long-term goals is to work for an organization on a global level, allowing me to see the world and do the work I have chosen (or that has chosen me). In my very first blog entry you will see that it is titled "My Part Yet to Be Played". I do believe that I am in the right field and my desire to travel to various parts of the world to study and support children strengthens as I continue through this master's program. I appreciate my colleagues and the insights they have lent to my discussions and presented on their own.
I will continue to attempt to contact professionals in the international community. My goal is to create an exchange of information that will allow me to better understand the most pressing issues in various places and gather insight into how to improve practices in my own work and in my own community.
Thank you all and best of luck in future courses and your work!
Katherine
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Another informative online resource
I continue to be amazed at the wealth of information that is available to us in the field of education. This week, we have been studying the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) website. Founded in 1945, after the second world war, its purpose was and is to create and maintain successful development of programs and policies that cultivate peace.
Specific to education, UNESCO has initiatives, internships, and programs around the world. I was most interested in the work they are doing in Africa. After my trip to South Africa, I tend to track progress in that area of the world more than others. UNESCO's work focuses on integrating native African languages in to lifelong learning promotion. I was also interested to read that UNESCO offers internships for graduate students, specifically on literacy. "They are engaged in UIL activities in support of literacy initiatives, lifelong learning policies and information provision in the field of adult learning and education." (UNESCO, 2011).
Finally, I was interested to learn that the founders of this organization included well-known pioneers in educations like Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget.
As I review my professional goals this week, I am encouraged by all of the information and opportunities that are available to me in the field of early childhood education. I am no longer required to remain tied to direct instruction and can begin to see the scope of influence that I could have unfold in front of me through this course of study, my part yet to be played.
www.unesco.org
Specific to education, UNESCO has initiatives, internships, and programs around the world. I was most interested in the work they are doing in Africa. After my trip to South Africa, I tend to track progress in that area of the world more than others. UNESCO's work focuses on integrating native African languages in to lifelong learning promotion. I was also interested to read that UNESCO offers internships for graduate students, specifically on literacy. "They are engaged in UIL activities in support of literacy initiatives, lifelong learning policies and information provision in the field of adult learning and education." (UNESCO, 2011).
Finally, I was interested to learn that the founders of this organization included well-known pioneers in educations like Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget.
As I review my professional goals this week, I am encouraged by all of the information and opportunities that are available to me in the field of early childhood education. I am no longer required to remain tied to direct instruction and can begin to see the scope of influence that I could have unfold in front of me through this course of study, my part yet to be played.
www.unesco.org
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Exploring the Zero To Three website
There are two additional links that I have found on the site. They lead to the National Infant and Toddler Care Initiative and Early Head Start. In addition, there are links to a funded project for military families and to their national training institute, listing the upcoming conference they are having in December.
After exploring the project that supports military families, I am excited about the work they are doing. Here is a description of one of the projects:
ZERO TO THREE is committed to supporting young children and families within the military community. Coming Together Around Military Families® (CTAMF), an initiative at ZERO TO THREE supporting military families, strengthens the resilience of young children and families across all military service by increasing awareness and collaboration throughout the military community. In turn this knowledge allows parents and professionals to more effectively care for very young children and their families.
One newsletter I receive from the site is like an "ages and stages" informative newsletter for families. In the most recent, "From Baby to Big Kid: Month 8", it has various links back to the website for information on what to expect from your 8 month old. It gives specific examples of milestones and what to do to support the child.
Though this newsletter does not offer specific information on the current study we are doing on equity and excellence in early childhood, I was impacted by the link on the site to the projects they are doing to support military families. I think this is often an overlooked community of people that are looking for ways to maintain consistency in their lives when one or both primary caregivers are away on duty.
www.zerotothree.org
After exploring the project that supports military families, I am excited about the work they are doing. Here is a description of one of the projects:
ZERO TO THREE is committed to supporting young children and families within the military community. Coming Together Around Military Families® (CTAMF), an initiative at ZERO TO THREE supporting military families, strengthens the resilience of young children and families across all military service by increasing awareness and collaboration throughout the military community. In turn this knowledge allows parents and professionals to more effectively care for very young children and their families.
One newsletter I receive from the site is like an "ages and stages" informative newsletter for families. In the most recent, "From Baby to Big Kid: Month 8", it has various links back to the website for information on what to expect from your 8 month old. It gives specific examples of milestones and what to do to support the child.
Though this newsletter does not offer specific information on the current study we are doing on equity and excellence in early childhood, I was impacted by the link on the site to the projects they are doing to support military families. I think this is often an overlooked community of people that are looking for ways to maintain consistency in their lives when one or both primary caregivers are away on duty.
www.zerotothree.org
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