Final Blog

            It has been very beneficial for me to be able to learn information about my personal person of interest, and discover new insights from classmates research.  I have always been very concerned and curious to know ways that I can grow on a professional level.  Here is just a few consequences from this class that I am able to take with me on a professional level.  This class has allowed me to become aware of the current issues and trends from other countries.  With the knowledge that I have obtained I am able to better prepare my classroom for cultural diversity so that every child not only feels accepted but included as well.  It has made me aware of the policies and procedures in providing effective programs and practices.  Finally, it has allowed me the opportunity to view others ideas of equity and excellency.  These are just a few of the factors that will help me in the world of early childhood education. 

            The other way to view current issues is looking at them on a more personal level.  The materials produced this semester has provided me to become more aware of various different views on the topics discussed.  It has placed ideas in my head that I would have otherwise never thought of.  It has reassured me of the importance of not discriminating on any child for any reason ever.  Finally, it is provided resources for me to become better advocate for children and parents.  Personally, I love what I do, enjoy my job, and plan to do it for many years to come.

            I created some goals that I can live by that I created through the knowledge from this course.  I plan to implement lesson plans in the classroom that includes all children of various ethnicities, cultural and diversities.  I plan to advocate for children in a manner that provides equity and excellence according to the current issues and trends.  I plan to use research policies and procedures to better provide for effective programs and practices.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

            I asked Elisabeth if there are any new issues are concerns that are occurring in the news dealing with child care.  She said that the major issues in Belgium currently deals with the mistreatment of children in poverty areas.  Unfortunately, there are more children that are mistreated who live in poverty than any other area.  The reason is normally because the parents is stressed with issues of life.  For example, the parents can't figure out how the bills are going to be paid, has death in the family, an older sibling is pregnant at teenage years or so many other issues.  When there are other factors involved it is hard to focus on being nice and loving to your child.  The other issue that she mentioned is that there are so many children that do not report to school on a daily basis.  In Belgium, there is not a mandatory rule that says that children have to go to school.  Therefore, if no one is pushing you in the right direction to obtain an education, then there is no reason to get one.  

            Next, I asked her about the opportunities that exist for children in her area.  She said that her children were involved in sports, music and cooking.  All three of these aspects will allow the children to benefit from learning later on in life.  She also mentioned that most of the parents are able to work jobs late hours because there is entertainment offered at the school for them to participate in.  This is good because it provides the children extra curricula activity while the parents in working more hours to better finance their families.

            I asked what are the requirements for a good teacher in Belgium?    Teachers, in Belgium, should have good teaching skills, be comprehensive, be motivated, open minded, not elitists and someone who gives everyone a chance.  The way she explained everyone being given a chance is equivalent to what he call individualities at Head Start.  She feels like children should be able to appreciate learning through be curios and discovering new things.

            Finally, the last thing that I inquired was the goals that she has for her children.  She wants her children to be happy and always responsible.  They should respect others.  Every time they start never stop until the job is completed.  The last thing that she said, and I agree with, put every effort into what you are doing and where you want to go.  In order to get something new, you must first do something new. 

Sharing Web Resources

            The website that I used is EECERA2014.org.  This time I logged in I visited an outside link that lead me to KICCE (Korea Institute of child care and education .  On this website it says that its mission is to strive for enhancement of high quality education for young children, parents and the community.  Under the policies link there were some very controversial topics: gender sensitive, women's rights, migrant women, government cooperation and family policy.  All of these topics are very good conversation starters.

            The most current issue was an article titled, "South Korea shuns mom at peril as workforce shrinks."  As I begin to read the article, my hurt melted.  Two women were crying because they were finally able to find a job.  In Korea, it is unlikely for a woman to work after getting married.  Upon getting married, most women who have jobs decide to quit to stay at home, take care of the house and raise the children.  At Starbucks the mom were able to obtain a job through the back to work for moms program.  President Park Geun Hye, the nation's first female leader has pledged to create 1.65 million jobs for women to help lift the female employment options.  The rate to 61.9%  to 53.5%   before her term ends in February 2018 is her goal.  Making sure that women are happy and able to balance their family and career is the extended goal for the president.  She plans to spend 68% of the funds towards opening up new child development centers.  This will promote educational facilities for children and new employment opportunities for teachers.  In Korea, if there is a company with either 500 people or 300 women, it is procedure for the company to have a child development center nearby.  Forty percent of most organizations have already complied with this goal.  The president sees it as a personal challenge to try to get the percentage from forty to seventy percent within the length of her term.  This is an achievable goal and will be done with motivation from the community. The president talks about her own experience of having to switch from seven different nannies within one month's timeframe.  Every time your child has to change childcare providers there is a new attachment that has to be formed.  This is a hard process for a parents as well as a child.  This article really allowed me a chance to ponder on some things but I am glad that our nation is changing.  Women no longer have to stay at home and become house wives.  They now have the ability to work outside the home and have a peace of mind knowing that there children will be well taken care of in school.    

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

            This week we are reviewing the topics of excellency and equity.  The questions that I asked my person this week were very basic and to the point.  I started off by asking how are the children prepared for excellency within the school system in their country.  The response I got was that children learn how to live together through respecting, sharing and believing in one another.  As well they tend to take plenty of pictures because it is later shared with the next generation and placed on display.  They pass down the family traditions as it is important for the upcoming generations to follow.  Next, I asked what were three things that are valued by the parent to ensure that the child is successful in school.  She answered respect, learning and discipline.  The three factors that she listed are also factors that were important within my household as a child as well.  I was told by my grandmother for many years that respect will take you places that nothing else will.  Respect is not always earned but passed out freely.  Learning is required not praised.  Letter grades below a "B" were never accepted.  Discipline was always reinforced.  You were expected to know how to behave within the public arena without embarrassing the family name.  I asked about the challenges that were faced by her children in school but there apparently was none.  She just repeatedly told me that she wanted her children to be respectful even when they felt like injustice was been done.  She taught her children to accept and understand differences in regards to education, society and family environment.  Always perform the tasks that are expected by the teacher.  I followed up by asking her how did she feel the school did with supporting the needs of the children and she told me that they did  not support her family at all, but she did not need them either.  Finally, the last thing I asked was for her to tell me about a happy event that she remembers from her child's childhood.  She mentioned the school fair.  She discussed that this was an event where the child was allowed to dance or display a talent for the audience and she remembers being a proud parent.  Every conversation that I have with her is always warm and allows me to see exactly how much she cares about her children.  It is nice to be able to see how people provide  are in different places of the world and compare and contrast upon it.