Final Blog

                                                       

 Thank you to all my colleagues in the class for sharing your knowledge and experience. It has been a wonderful journey and I have learned so much this semester. I look forward to our paths crossing again in the very near future. Thank you Dr. Shepard for all your support and guidance.

Consequences of learning about the international early childhood field

1.    I have learned that no matter where you are in the world Early Childhood Educators face the same major challenges and obstacles when it comes to children and early childhood education. 

2.    The initial years of a child's life are a critical developmental period. Approximately half of the world’s children will miss an opportunity to participate in early childhood programs that help them develop the necessary skills that they need to be successful in life.

3. Education can make a significant and long-lasting difference on the lives of children who experience poverty.

 

 Goals related to International awareness of issue and trends and the spirit of  collegial  relationships

Many global organizations support the education, development, and well-being of children.    I have made it  one of my goals to stay abreast of all the changes in early childhood education around the world and to make new connections internationally through these organizations. We are all in this fight together to help children around the world overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. I hope to form contact with others who will advocate for the right of all children worldwide to receive an early childhood education. .

Getting to Know Your International Contacts( Alternate)

UNESCO  ( United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.)

I have chosen to explore the Early Childhood Care and Education site and share my insights that I have learned about issues related to international early childhood education that are similar to my goals.

My first insight that is similar to the goals that I want to achieve is that UNESCO advocates for children who may not have had the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. They advocate on a larger scale to help children from low and middle-income countries receive quality care and education. They are interested in investing in the early lives of children and focusing on the needs and characteristics of children. They want to make sure that children are developing to their full potential to have successful lives.(UNESCO, 2015) I have similar goals to ensure children in our country from low income or working class families receive a quality early childhood education.. No matter where you live in the world, there are always children who are not afforded the opportunity to attend high-quality early childhood programs.

  Education and retaining quality personnel in the field is one of the targets of UNESCO. Qualified teachers are in limited supply and are required to ensure that children are receiving the best education. Teachers all over the world have the same problems as we do in not receiving consistent training and comparable wages.  If teachers are provided the necessary training and support they will have the motivation needed to work with young children. UNESCO developed a survey called the Survey of Teachers in Pre- primary Education (STEPP)   Project. ( Survey of Teachers, 2015). The survey is to inform people who make the policies promote the education of teachers and enhance them to promote their professionalism (Survey of Teachers, 2015).  Teacher education is important and one of my goals is to be a mentor to the new students who are entering the Early Childhood field. 

  My third insight relates to my professional goals to continue to seek improvement in the field and stay abreast of all changes and updates. UNESCO’s organizes different world conferences for its ECCE program that reflect on programs that adhere to the health, nutrition , well-being and safety of children.( Supporting Childhood Care,2015).  UNESCO's conferences are on a larger scale but are similar to the conferences that  National Association for the Education of Young Children(NAEYC)  and other organizations offers to early childhood educators on the national level.  NAEYC is also expanding its efforts globally to connect with other teachers and other professionals around the world.

 In conclusion, by exploring this site I have gained insights that  it doesn't matter where you are in the world. We all seem to have the same goals  in mind when it comes to child development-  high quality childcare and education for all children. 

Anita

                                                         References

Access and equity | Education | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/access-and-equity/

Supporting Childhood Care and Education is Key for the Success of Sustainable Development Goals. (2015, September 24). Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://en.unesco.org/news/supporting-childhood-care-and-education-key-success-sustainable-development-goals

 Survey of Teachers in Pre-primary Education (STEPP) Project. (2015, September 30). Retrieved December 13, 2015, from http://en.unesco.org/themes/ECCE/stepp