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
Thank you Katherine, I share your thoughts. I was very humbled by much of the information I learned through the international community. I found your posting to be insightful. I have enjoyed following your blog. Wishing you well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much these eight weeks. I learned do much from reading your postings and look forward to reading more of your writing outside of this class.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your professional insights and knowledge. Your blogs have brought important awareness to the early childhood field. This blog post was no exception!
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