Final Blog Assignment

Learning about international early childhood field has been an enlightening and rewarding experience. Although I was unsuccessful with talking with an international early professional, I was able to gain great insights from international websites. One of the things I learned about early childhood is that, there is still a struggle for children and families all over the world to gain access to high quality learning. In reviewing websites like UNICEF and UNESCO it affirmed that children globally are affected by poverty and lack resources to quality education. Although there continues to be gaps and disparity in early childhood care all over the world, many countries have designed organizations and programs for under privilege children and their families. I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge about families who face these difficulties.  As a professional I can better identify with these issues when dealing with children and their families.

It was a pleasure knowing all of my colleagues each of them inspired me in their own way. I enjoyed reading their discussions, blogs, and their ideas and insights weekly. I hope that my colleagues continue to pursue their careers remembering what they learned through this journey. It is my wish that each of my colleagues remember to take a look back and reflect about early childhood globally so that they can always continue to help children and their families.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

http://www.unicef.org/index.php

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

The Early Childhood Care and Education (UNESCO) website is a very informative place where professionals, parents, advocates, and policy makers can gain insight. One of the issues the website touches on is early learning is important all over the world. Many countries are participating and expanding their early childhood education systems. As a professional it important for me to recognize that inequalities not only affect children of the United States but all over the world as well. Recognizing this deficiency in the system will benefit me working with families who migrate from outside the U.S.

One of the things I found through my educational journey is quality childcare is an extension of quality teaching. UNESCO suggests that professionals should always make room for new material, come together with professionals in the field, and create personal assessment for professional growth. Evaluating and assessing our professional goals is essential for growth.

A meeting organized by UNESCO was designed to address some of the inequalities and inequities that have affect childhood programs and finding resolution to these issues. An important factor that affects Early Childhood Education is inequities and inequalities. As professionals it is vital that one understands the barriers that affect children and their families from obtaining quality early learning. Therefore, being aware of the stereotypes, cultural differences, and inequities that bring negative impacts to early childhood learning is important for professionals so that that are able to possibly break down some of these barriers.

 

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing Web Resources

Through my continued journey in early childhood education there have been many resources that I became fond of. I have signed up for two newsletters for two websites, National Black Child Institute, and UNICEF; unfortunately I have not received any newsletter as yet. Both organizations have great information and updates on the topics of early childhood programs. I scrolled through the UNICEF website and I came across an article that touched on access to education for the children of Guinea. Unfortunately many of the children in Guinea don’t have access to quality education. As a result, actress Mia Farrow has dedicated her time and efforts advocating for children to have the opportunity to education. In Guinea, there is a lack of financial investments in the education systems, resulting in over crowded classes, and deplorable learning environments. The article affirmed to me that the topic of early childhood education and issues on equity not only affects children in the United States but all over the world. Although in the United States there is room for improvement, children have more opportunities to attend school. Even though accessibility to education affects children all over the world its great knowing that there are advocates pushing for quality education.

http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/reforming-education-in-guinea.html

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University is a great place for professionals, advocates, and families to learn about new developments in early childhood. The center has developed a global initiative that has three main objectives. The first one is making sure policy makers are educated about the underlining behaviors and health in children. The second initiative is creating multidisciplinary research in selected countries to promote better understanding globally on healthy development. The third initiative is to build leadership areas in low income areas to allow these areas the opportunity to contribute to the global initiative for the betterment of children.

As part of the global initiative the center has launched a program in Brazil called Nucleo Ciencia Pelia Infancia. The program is designed for advocates and professionals to created better policies for the children of Brazil. The organization has been productive in getting healthy development for children across countries. Zambian early childhood development project is another way for the organization to bring awareness to the importance of healthy development to countries across Africa.  I appreciate that there is an organization that continues efforts to raise awareness globally on early childhood healthy developments.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative