Sharing Web Resources

Sharing Web Resources

The NAEYC website has the naeyc program standards highlighted for educators and parents. This is a helpful resource towards assisting families choose early education programs. These standards are essential towards a firm understanding of what is necessary in a high quality program. The standards and criteria are also the foundation of the NAEYC Accreditation system for early childhood programs. To earn accreditation, programs must meet all 10 standards.

Here’s a link to the standards in more depth: http://families.naeyc.org/accredited-article/10-naeyc-program-standards

                The site also had many helpful articles that could assist educators towards becoming more culturally conscious in their teaching methods. A great example of this was the section that described anti-bias education tactics all year round. It practically focused on holidays, and how to approach them in a new light. “For children and families from other groups—be they Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, pagan, atheist, or anything else—Christmas can be a difficult time.” (NAEYC 2014) Allowing a spotlight on the various multicultural cultures can ensure that everyone is acknowledged and included. Another, idea is to substitute the holiday with another fun alternative celebration.

             There are a multitude of articles, research statistics, and online forums related to the economic, as well as scientific benefits towards investing in the early years. Simply by searching under the articles link, or typing in key words into the search engine. I was able to locate over 20 articles related to just the economic recovery and reinvestment back into early childhood education programs. Additionally, it presented a public policy update that conveyed more detailed information on president Obama’s state of the union address, which involved the initiative in funding higher  quality ECE programs, as well as various state governors across the county (and across political ideologies) who are using their state of the state addresses to highlight early childhood education.

            I also gained some insight on the “week of the young child”, which is coming up on April 6-12^th it enables celebrations that are organized and coordinated by regional, state, and local NAEYC Affiliates, and by individual early childhood programs and community organizations providing services to young children and families. The purpose of the week 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.

Resources

www.NAEYC.org

Podcast: The Challenges of Teaching Children in Poverty

As I closely monitored the podcast, I was able to perceive some compelling points of view relating to the topic of teaching students who are in poverty. Many students simply cannot focus on academics because there basic needs like shelter or food are not being met. The problem is not as simple as the individuals not having jobs as explains the majority of people are working but the issue is that they are simply not earning. An example of this is at fast food chains like McDonalds the average person in employment is 34 years old, and makes minimum wage. Teachers must be empathetic and willing to be supportive of the needs of their students who are in poverty. Circumstances of trivial matters like homework not being done, seems insignificant when students are dealing with real-life situations like gangs or not having a proper place to sleep.  Prior to this assignment I hadn’t realized if the many different tiers, circumstances, and types of poverty. The aspect of poverty cannot be lumped into one category there are many different types, situational, generational, relative, and even urban/rural poverty. Additionally, communities in poverty have their own culture, and it can be extremely difficult for teachers who are entering these neighborhoods from middle or upper class environments to relate or have a genuine understanding of the conditions. Also knowing of the supports outside of teaching, like outreach programs can help students beyond academics. I have been exposed to the term, “situational awareness” as Nancy Blair rationalizes the need for educators to be aware of difficulties that students may be faced with like “how to bail someone out of jail?” or “Where the best dumpsters are to get food?” which are often questions that poverish individuals may have to ask themselves verses the average person who may have no clue. The whole child concept states “A whole child approach, which ensures that each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged, sets the standard for comprehensive, sustainable school improvement and provides for long-term student success.” (wholechildeducation.org 2014). The key question in mind is how in reality, can we in the education community hold expectations for students in poverty stricken environments to acquire knowledge when in most cases their very basic needs are not being met. The very question still remains unanswered, however the educators in the podcast identified many crucial points on the perpetual issue.

Resources:

Blair, Nancy Davis, Rafranz Whitby, Tom. Podcast: Teaching Students in Poverty Retrieved from: http://www.bamradionetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1397:jackstreet54&catid=89:edtech-radio&Itemid=276

Website: The Whole Child Approach to Education. http://www.wholechildeducation.org/about

Sharing Web Resources

NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children 

Mission: NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources (NAEYC Bylaws, Article I., and Section 1.1).

They are the one of the largest organizations working towards the more effective early childhood programs and institutions through setting policies and standards to promote high quality and excellence.

Play, Play, Play

One topic that peaked my interest was an article that was written concerning the ongoing dispute regarding the aspect of play in early childhood curriculums, and the push for heavier academic inclusion. In particular the author explained the dynamic relationship between "play" in early childhood classrooms and the acquisition of beginning math skills. This debate of the beneficial components of play, and how it assist in young children’s development in all areas continues to remain controversial. However the article contains many substantial supportive arguments that reveal the effectiveness of mathematics education for young children and ways to implement it. For example, Ginsburg states "Cognitive research shows that young children develop an extensive everyday mathematics and are capable of learning more and deeper mathematics than usually assumed." (Ginsburg 2008) the article also goes on to give some very informative resources to more information regarding effective practices towards successful incorporation of math in early childhood classrooms.

The NAEYC site is filled with an abundance of resources on every early childhood topic, trend and issue imaginable. I not only enjoy it as an educator and professional, but as a parent as well. It also has a variety of articles, and resources on demographics and diversity. 

Resources: https://www.naeyc.org/

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

This week I have taken the initial steps in contacting international early childhood professionals, via the Global Alliance of NAEYC website through email. I have entailed a description of who I am and my analytical reasoning for wanting to establish communication and understandings of their perceptive regarding Early Childhood Education issues and trends. I am now awaiting their responses.

I have chosen to explore the early childhood education organization NAEYC, they are the world’s largest organization working towards the well-being of young children, and due to their large impact and influence in the field of ECE. Many of the programs assignments and resources are used from NAEYC, so I wish to explore this site and many of its resources more thoroughly.

Questions:

I would like to inquire if any other students are going the route of contacting any international early childhood professionals, and of any other tactics beyond email that can be suggested towards contacting them.

My Supports

Supportive daily factors in my life are based on my relationships. I have a very large family, who are very close to me. First and foremost is my relationship with my fiancé, whom supports me in good times and bad. My relationship with my mother is also extremely supportive, where I can talk to her, and depend on her. Another support is my professional relationship that I have with my boss, who is really more of a mentor to me. If I am struggling with work or even questioning my career path, I can go to her for a real solid, genuine conversation.

The benefits of these supports are invaluable and without the encouragement, guidance, and emotional support my life would definitely be more difficult. Knowing the people around you can bring a sense of security and a sense of pride. Supportive relationships add quality to people’s lives, this enables a sense of trust where relationships help to celebrate good times and help us through the tough times.  Having strong supportive relationships is known to provide emotional help during stressful times, reduce stress, increase life span and give greater levels of happiness, without them life would be more stressful and less enjoyable. 

My Connections to Play

“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson

As a young child, I loved playing mommy to my many cabbage patch dolls. I imitated my own mother as I pretended to practice the skills to take care of babies and small children, it's so true what they say; children really do learn through play!

A Ball! This was such a simple item, yet it brought me hours upon hours of enjoyment.


Play was supported in many ways, back in the day. Although there were video games, it was not promoted in my household, I was encouraged to use my imagination and was always outside with my friends. My mother would purchase family board games, that allowed me to learn the value of losing and winning. She would also quite frequently buy my brothers and I toys that enabled our creative side like Legos, puzzles, playdoh or just plain crayons and paper. Educators supported play by allowing myself and other children to quite simply, just "play" using our own imaginations, by giving us plenty of recesses and free play time.

Play nowadays is a fleeting idea, where the very aspect is diminished behind the boom of the technological age, and educational reform. Gone are the days of leisurely free play, where children can be open to imaginative creations. It's no surprise that our obesity rates are so high, and the shrinking abundance of play is certainly one of those culprits. Most children would much rather play on an iPad or video game, vs going outside. It doesn't help that the schools have cut out a large amount of recess and free time, in order to cram our youth with more and more academics. I feel that are youth have been deprived of the very innocence that makes childhood, light and carefree. Play allowed me to grow and thrive in all aspects of development from cognitive, to social, and even gross motor that I use throughout adulthood. For example my many adventures playing with my friends, equipped me with the life skills needed to share, be empathic of others, and take turns.
 I hope that through the collaboration of parents like myself who care about what's happening in our schools, and through research that continues to display the postive effects of play, that things will change.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are an essential part in life and contribute towards one’s health and well-being. The quality of these connections assist in maintaining loving, nurturing happy lifestyles, reversely in negative circumstances it can also enable destructive behaviors. Positive healthy relationships are important to me because they are the foundation and central to all of the things that are meaningful to me. All associations in life regardless if they are, love, family, friendship, or work require effort from both parties in order to operate. In my experience respect, communication, as well as trust are essential in sustaining these relationships. All of these experiences both positive and negative have an effect on my ability to work as an early childhood professional. In any human service field, individuals must rely on their past occurrences from even a young age to facilitate how to care about and treat others. Interacting with early learners, allows for educators to teach, and promote positive social-emotional development that will enable young children to start forming healthy relationships. A great example of this is in preschool, where most programs have a unit on friendship where they learn knowledge of sharing, and feelings.

My Husband and I have been together for 3 years and support each other by having mutual respect for one another and clear and open communication.

My children and I share the closet type of bond that is secured and maintained through love, respect, guidance and commuication.

My younger brothers and I have a close relationship, that has grown more over the years. I am 7 years older then them so we havent always had things in common, but now that they are older and more mature we have more common interests.

My mom and I have had a roller coaster of a relationship, that has endured many ups and downs since I was small. Now that I am a mother myself I am really able to appreciate the type of bond that a mother has with her child.