Sharing Web Resources

            EECERA (European Early Childhood Education Research Association) is the name of the website that I subscribed to.  The purpose of EECERA is to increase the development of theoretical foundation of the theme and related topics, the development of new research methodology, an up to date overview of current knowledge and developments in the field (EECERA.org).   I am most interested in the theme and related topics because it keeps me up to date on the latest trends and issues.  I am always concerned on what's new around, as well I should be.  As an educator, I plan to teach my students according to the latest theme and related topics.

            Throughout the article there were three controversial questions that stuck out to me.  The questions are as follows: 1.)  Should early childhood education programmers be universally accessible and affordable to all?  2.)  Should resource programmers be targeted only at supporting those who are in the greatest need?  3.)  Is the quality factor in early childhood education a universal concept or should it be individualized to context, and adapted to accommodate different social and cultural constructs of childhood.    All three of these questions are very controversial because no matter who you ask the question to, you are guaranteed to get a different answer from.

            If you ask a politician questions such as, should all programs be affordable and should resources only be provided to those in need, the answer is going to be the obvious.  A politician is usually running for some sort of office and the need people to vote.  Therefore, a good politician needs to seem concerned.  The answers would be very similar to the following:  every child deserves a quality education and the resources should definitely be affordable to them.  Although this statement sounds good coming from them, it is not always the case when they make it into the office.  Asking a neuroscientist who needs resources to obtain a higher knowledge should be answered in one way.  But, unfortunately this can arise new thoughts within certain people.  Some people feel like why should resources be provided to schools who already have sufficient resources?  Why not provide low income schools with more resources?  Personally, I feel like what can be recycled should be.  But, every school deserves new materials every school year.  Furthermore, economists perceive some things to be universally accessible.  I agree some things can be considered universal, but several things are not considered universal.  The most important aspect to remember  is that are children are not universal, and never will be.  This is why the phrase, "no child left behind" comes into effect.  Because the system does not want any child to fall through the cracks, the policy council and other educational administration perform all tasks to ensure that all children can learn.  Every child is important. 

            From this website, I have learned to be more open minded.  There are some issues and trends that are going to be controversial, however educators always consider what is in the best interest of the child.  Every educator, no matter where they work, is an advocate or a voice for the children.  Advocates can be politicians, neuroscientists or economists.  The qualifications of an advocate is simply to want what's best for the child.  I have learned this week to consider all options and make them available resources when possible.

Reference

EECERA.org

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

            The person that I have chosen for this assignment is Emmanuèle.  I have known this woman for over seventeen years.  She used to tutor me in French as a young child.  I learned to respect and appreciate the French Culture through her.  Although, she is from France, she has lived in the USA for the last thirty years.  Currently, she still has family that are still residing outside the USA. 

            Recently, I met her sister, Elisabeth.  Elisabeth is an educator in Belgium near Brussels (25 Km).  She has three children.  They attended primary school in Baulers (700 m from home).  Although, this is not the same school that she attended as a child, she likes the school for many reasons.  The communication from social class is good, there are several activities that visitors can participate in. However, the thing that she did not like is the fact that several of the teachers did not take into account that it takes some students longer than others to become well adjusted.   She said that her children were punished when they cried and were sent to a corner to think.  She did not like the fact that the teacher made her feel guilty on days when she had to pick her children up early or if they had to miss any days.  There were some days where she just wanted to have lunch with her children, and the principal made her feel as though she could not.  I asked her if she felt like the school had sufficient supplies to support the educational needs of the children.  She answered yes for her children, but no for  the children with special needs.  Her words were, "I feel like they are left away."  Finally, when I asked the few questions about poverty, she did not answer them because she had nothing to compare it to.    I am excitedly looking forward to getting to know Elisabeth better throughout this semester.

            Through getting to know her I discovered that most, if not all, of the schools in the area are state funded.  There are really no low income schools around.  The education system seems to be well grounded and the children are learning.

Sharing web resources...

            I subscribed to http://www.eecera.org.  This website captured my attention through it being from Europe. EECERA (European Early Childhood Education Research Association) is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice. EECERA is a non-profit organization, wholly-owned and subscribed to by its substantial and influential world-wide membership. It generates its own revenue, receives no external funding and thus ensures its independence, radical attitude and innovative openness (http://www.eecera.org).

            EECERA's objective is to promote and carry out public benefit and research issues relevant to early childhood provision.  By taking these steps it encourages a clearer articulation, raises visibility and status, explores topical new mythologies, facilitate collaboration and cooperation, raises the level of critical thinking and develop setting improvement and quality insurance.  To assist with the focus there are training classes, research opportunities and conferences held (http.//www.crec.co.uk). 

            Under current issues, there was a letter that recently went out to inform educators how to report on effectiveness of teaching and assessment within the early years (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk).  According to Sir Michael Wilshaw, there are no preferred teaching styles, as long as the children are prepared for public school upon entry is the main focus.  Research has proven the first five years of life to be the timeframe where the child tends to obtain the most knowledge at the quickest pace.  During the early years so much information can be obtained through simple lesson planning.  For example, children can learn to recognize nursery rhymes, learn new vocabulary, enjoy picture books, build towers while counting, make shapes through clay, mark on paper, climb stairs, play ball, get dressed and undressed and several other things.

            When an inspector enters the room there are several things that they are observing for.  Here are just a few: the staff is helping the children, teaching the children to listen, encouraging the children to socialize, motivating independency, managing personal needs, challenging critical thinking, testing ideas through trial and error, providing good models of language, expressing ideas and using imagination, extending vocabulary and learning the early stages of math and reading.  However, to assist with the staff performing these tasks there are some things that the management needs to ensure is being performed.  The classrooms should be staffed appropriately, staff should speak clearly and appropriately, time management should be considered, children's skills should be monitored and the staff should be able to obtain the expertise needed to perform the everyday functions of the job. 

            While working on this assignment, it made me realize that in order to have an effective and quality school, there has to be other things to fall into place first.  It all starts from the top.  The management should be organized and prepared for the staff as well as the children.  The building should be clean and DSS ready at all times.  They should be knowledge and aware of their surroundings.  The staff should be educated and passionate about their duties.  The staff should be communicable and approachable.  The children should be loved and cherished. They should feel as if they are at home with the same amount of love that is provided by their parents.  When all of these factors fall into place the school can set the standard of being a quality and effective program.

References

http.//www.crec.co.uk. 

http://www.eecera.org. 

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk

Getting Ready—E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I tried very hard to locate or contact two professionals.  I used the Global Alliance of Naeyc to contact five different places: Philippines, Germany, Canada, Cuba and Hatai.  Also, I used the UNICEF website, but I did not find it as useful as the other one.  Finally, I did contact the Head Start center in Mexico, but that did not go far because the lady said she did not speak English and there was no translator.  Before I try the part 1 alternative, I have a friend that is from outside the US and works with children.  After I have made contact with them, I might try the option two.  But, I have a good feeling about these two ladies.

Furthermore, I saw several websites that look interesting.  Here are a few: Zero to three, The Naeyc, National Head Start Organization, and Association of Early Childhood Teachers.  However, I did subscribe to European Early Childhood Education Research Association.  But, I think I will continue to subscribe to more.