Consequences of Learning About the International Early Childhood Education Field

Before taking this course, I wouldn't have dreamed of doing the research into other cultures to find out how they conduct their early childhood education field. Now, I would like to think that I am well-informed of some of the countries standards and traditions. The consequences that I have formulated are ones that are positive. Some of the positive consequences that I see that has the capacity to influence me personally and professionally would be the following: Knowing about other cultures has allowed me to become more culturally sensitive, I am also more empathetic to the needs of those who are impoverished and I see the value of just being informed--sometimes we are ignorant to those things around us because we are not informed.

The goal that I have made in response to the international early childhood education field is to continue in my quest to become more informed on those things dealing with education. Although the United States is a little more different in the treatment of education and children, I think that we can learn a lot from other countries. It also helps us as teachers to become more sensitive to the needs of others--so that we may see everyone that crosses our paths as human beings rather that puzzle pieces or pawns in the game of life.

"Additional Information Gained This Week"

I took a detour from my original website and decide to go a little further. I recently learned or rather, heard of, the Common Core Standards. Essentially the common core standards are an answer to each state having different tests. Now, with the common core standards, at least 45 states will be tested based on the same curriculum or standards. I am not sure if this is a good thing although it does gives a level uniformity. For students who are a part of this early childhood (k-3)curriculum, the assessment process is right around the corner. For all others, it may be years before they are introduced to it. The standards, like most assessments, don't take into consideration socio-emotional development, or motor and physical development. During a period of life where children haven't evolved or found an identity, we are placing another change/challenge before them. I have said it once and will say it again, we are raising children, not miniature grown-ups. What ever happened to allowing children to socially interact with children and having to learn through playing? If you all want to view the article, I read it on http://www.washingtonpost.com

"Further Investigations On Chosen Websites"

The Global Alliance of NAEYC is one of the outside links that had yet to explore was explored tonight. On this particular website, there is a Week of the Young Child link. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. The 2011 Week of the Young Child is April 10-16. There was also a link entitled "Play: Where Learning Begins." This link re-enforced everything that I knew about the act of play. It states that "Play is a vital part of early childhood education and development. When children explore, experiment, and interact through play, they learn about how the world works." Some other interesting information was offered that could be beneficial to parents and teachers such as the establishment of common-core standards, and a discussion of teacher quality and quality programs.

The website that I had originally chosen was The Association for Childhood Education International. One piece of new information was their report on improving teacher training programs. It captured my interest because we need to have appropriate teacher training programs. The article talks about "providing quantified sources as a potential starting point for major form." This particular piece interested me because we need to have more programs such as this one to insure that we get the best teachers in place for the job to do the job that we need them to do.