Professional and Personal Development

Throughout the course in Trends and Issues I have gained much valued information that has enhanced my knowledge. As I began to research how the early childhood field functioned on international bases good consequence resulted from this experience. One being the goals to help children and families were the same as here in the United States. Another is the passion to help children and families succeed is in the forefront of my collegial lives and third is how they advocate for the health and well being of the children. Personally I have gained a great respect for my collegial that live in third world countries and are pushing to educate the parents on the importance of a better education for their children. All children have a right to learn and do so in a safe and secure environment. One goal I have is to find ways to help the children internationally. I may not be able to go to these places however, I will be able to send resources through different organizations and help to advocate for a successful future for these children and families. Working together is the key.

Getting to know International Contacts Part 3

I live in North West Indiana and the issue of quality and early childhood professionals are being accepted as a part of the main stream school system. More kindergarten teachers are working with the ECE teachers in order to better prepare the children for public and private schools. The ECE workers are returning to higher education in order to gain more knowledge in child development. Many universities are offering classes for the ECE programs. My professional goals are to complete my masters’ degree, to help other organizations to establish the standards for a quality and affordable programs and the ultimate goal is to establish a school for kindergarten readiness that is looked at as a formal school so that all children are able to receive a quality education.

Sharing Web Resources

In my search the e-newsletter that I discovered is the International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, at http://14.36.32.123/upload/bbs_journal/4%20Andrews_USA.pdf from that site I was able to find the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) journals which gave me a multitude of leads of the trends and issues that are affecting the children in our country and that I am currently studying. The sites also lead me to the Child Care Awareness of America National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. At this site I was able to find 12 more journals that will support centers to become excellent in early care programming. What interested me was the fact sheets that are useful for administrators, legislators, and advocates to help strengthen child care programs and reduce the gap that exist in our society. The web sites are excellent resources to enhance my studies in early childhood programs. As the Education Director of my center the wealth of information is preparing me to up grade our center and encouraging me to continue searching for a better tomorrow for all children. Some much information is at our fingertips that it somewhat overwhelming however, I found if I focus on the issues in which I need information I will be well informed. Keeping the main site in my resource file will give me the opportunity to refer back to when needed. References Buettner, C. K., & Andrews, D.W. (2009). United states child care policy and systems of care: The emerging role of quality rating and improvement systems. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 3(1), 43-50. Retrieved from http://14.36.32.123/upload/bbs_journal/4%20Andrews_USA_.pdf Child Care Awareness of America National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

One topic that I found new is the application of science in Brazil. I know that through science a child can discover the world they live in and discover the world outside of their binderies. Through science a child can learn math, social skills, inventions and critical problem solving. In an effort to promote science the Global Children’s Initiative, began the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância. These groups work with the local experts and targeted the “science of child health and development to guide stronger policies and larger investments to benefit young children and their families in Brazil” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). In Zambia the existence of a gap in the field of early education is an issue there as it is in America. Assessments are in place “to measure the full impact of the anti-malaria campaign on Zambia’s human capital development, the ZECDP created a new comprehensive instrument for assessing children’s physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development before and throughout their schooling careers—the first assessment tool of its kind in Zambia” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). The third new issue is Un Buen Comienzo (UBC), “A Good Start,” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). This program is to develop a quality program in language development of the 4 and 5 year olds. This project also targets the “intervene in critical health areas that improve school attendance as well as socioemotional development, and it seeks to involve the children's families in their education” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). I see that an effort is being made in other countries to develop a quality early childhood educational program. In these counties they also face a gap among different schools. The effort is being made to close the gap so that all children can have a chance to succeed and improve their future. Reference Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),