The three pieces of information I learned by looking at international and Early Childhood Education websites are as followed:
1. There is so much good work being done for young children! Every international website I looked at enlightened me with information about how people, agencies, and organizations are out their fighting and advocating for young children and their future well-being.
2. The United States needs to take notice to how Early Childhood Education is perceived and revered as an important part of many countries.
3. NAEYC has a great website for educators. It is one website that all Early Childhood Educators should have saved on their favorite list!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
International Contacts Part 3
Sadly, I still have not heard from any international contacts. I am completing the alternative assignment.
When looking at the UNESCO's website I saw that you could look at country profiles. I looked at Costa Rica's profile because I had originally tried to contact a professional from Costa Rica. I visited Costa Rica a few years ago and learned about how wonderful they are with Early Childhood Education. It is a compulsory, free and state-funded. WOO! Way to go Costa Rica. Data showed that 89% of children entering kindergarten had preschool experience. They also have instated universal health care, so all children have medical insurance. Costa Rica also provides daily care for working mothers living in poverty. I know Costa Rica is a much smaller country then the United States, but as I felt when visiting and now looking at their great work with young children, the US could definitely learn some things from Costa Rica.
I looked at an article discussing access and equity in ECE programs. There were some interesting facts presented. Forty percent of the worlds children attend preschool. Indonesia has 99% of its children attending preschool and Egypt has 48 %. Brazil and Mexico both have low percentages at 27 % and 10%.
While looking over the website I looked at the section on "Partners." There are around 20 different organizations that partner with UNESCO. Some are the more well known organizations like Save the Children and UNICEF but there are others like Early Childhood Development Virtual University which focuses on web-based learning and virtual seminars.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),
When looking at the UNESCO's website I saw that you could look at country profiles. I looked at Costa Rica's profile because I had originally tried to contact a professional from Costa Rica. I visited Costa Rica a few years ago and learned about how wonderful they are with Early Childhood Education. It is a compulsory, free and state-funded. WOO! Way to go Costa Rica. Data showed that 89% of children entering kindergarten had preschool experience. They also have instated universal health care, so all children have medical insurance. Costa Rica also provides daily care for working mothers living in poverty. I know Costa Rica is a much smaller country then the United States, but as I felt when visiting and now looking at their great work with young children, the US could definitely learn some things from Costa Rica.
I looked at an article discussing access and equity in ECE programs. There were some interesting facts presented. Forty percent of the worlds children attend preschool. Indonesia has 99% of its children attending preschool and Egypt has 48 %. Brazil and Mexico both have low percentages at 27 % and 10%.
While looking over the website I looked at the section on "Partners." There are around 20 different organizations that partner with UNESCO. Some are the more well known organizations like Save the Children and UNICEF but there are others like Early Childhood Development Virtual University which focuses on web-based learning and virtual seminars.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Sharing Web Resources
This week I looked at the NAEYC website on the topic of equity in early childhood education. I came across an article, a book and some recommendations.
The article I read was about the word gap we see in wealthy families and poor families. By the age of three, there is a 30 million word gap between the wealthy and poor children. Research shows that children on welfare hear 616 words per hour. An average working family child hears 1,251 words per hour. A child from a professional family hears 2,153 words per hour. When the research breaks it down like that, it is truly amazing as to what are young children are actually hearing on a daily basis.
"Diversity in Early Care and Education: Honoring Differences" was the book found that could be of value for early educators. It discusses accepting students or families culture and how to get parents involved. The book also discusses the culture of special needs students and families.
NAEYC provided some useful links for what they call "Anti-Bias Educators"
The article I read was about the word gap we see in wealthy families and poor families. By the age of three, there is a 30 million word gap between the wealthy and poor children. Research shows that children on welfare hear 616 words per hour. An average working family child hears 1,251 words per hour. A child from a professional family hears 2,153 words per hour. When the research breaks it down like that, it is truly amazing as to what are young children are actually hearing on a daily basis.
"Diversity in Early Care and Education: Honoring Differences" was the book found that could be of value for early educators. It discusses accepting students or families culture and how to get parents involved. The book also discusses the culture of special needs students and families.
NAEYC provided some useful links for what they call "Anti-Bias Educators"
Provides a bibliography of anti-bias books for young children for each chapter of Anti-Bias Education for Young Children & Ourselves. This list will be updated regularly. The website will also include short pieces and activity ideas from anti-bias educators.
An interactive database of high-quality, developmentally appropriate books specifically for infants up through 5-year-olds. This site permits you to look up books by identity group, anti-bias chapter, peace education strand, type of book, and so forth. A good place to begin.
Asia for Kids
An excellent site with lists of books, CDs, and some toys for all ages, which are searchable by country. Not all books are age appropriate, and not all meet high literary and visual art standards, but this site lists items you cannot find anywhere else.
An excellent site with lists of books, CDs, and some toys for all ages, which are searchable by country. Not all books are age appropriate, and not all meet high literary and visual art standards, but this site lists items you cannot find anywhere else.
Children’s Book Press
This press specializes in books about children who are African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American. Some are for young children, but most are for 6- to 12-year-olds. However, the artwork is so wonderful and the topics so important in all the books that it's worth checking out and adapting those for older children by “telling” simplified stories with preschoolers. Many books are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Japanese, for example.
This press specializes in books about children who are African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American. Some are for young children, but most are for 6- to 12-year-olds. However, the artwork is so wonderful and the topics so important in all the books that it's worth checking out and adapting those for older children by “telling” simplified stories with preschoolers. Many books are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Japanese, for example.
Cooperative Children’s Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This publisher site contains wonderful bibliographies of children’s books listed by identity categories. There are several lists of children’s books, including categories such as “Family,” “Labor,” and “Spanish/English Bilingual.” Make sure to pay attention to age appropriateness.
This publisher site contains wonderful bibliographies of children’s books listed by identity categories. There are several lists of children’s books, including categories such as “Family,” “Labor,” and “Spanish/English Bilingual.” Make sure to pay attention to age appropriateness.
Language Lizard
This site offers translations in many languages, including Middle Eastern and Asian languages, for often used books for young children.
This site offers translations in many languages, including Middle Eastern and Asian languages, for often used books for young children.
Lee & Low Books
This site contains excellent lists of books, many appropriate for children ages 5 and under. There is a strong focus on multiethnic children.
This site contains excellent lists of books, many appropriate for children ages 5 and under. There is a strong focus on multiethnic children.
Oyate
This is the best Native American site for teachers. It was developed by members of various Indian nations. They have an excellent list of books, written by American Indians, many of which are appropriate for young children. They also have a surprising list of books to avoid.
This is the best Native American site for teachers. It was developed by members of various Indian nations. They have an excellent list of books, written by American Indians, many of which are appropriate for young children. They also have a surprising list of books to avoid.
Publications, videos, and toolkits on early childhood education and school readiness, public policy, school leadership, and customized strategies for education in an inclusive, multicultural society.
Rethinking Schools
Founded by teachers, this site provides books and articles about diversity and equity work with children from preschool through high school, as well as critical analysis of changes needed in education. Focus is on elementary school and above, but much of the material is extremely useful for early childhood educators.
Founded by teachers, this site provides books and articles about diversity and equity work with children from preschool through high school, as well as critical analysis of changes needed in education. Focus is on elementary school and above, but much of the material is extremely useful for early childhood educators.
Monday, April 7, 2014
International Contacts Part 2
Sadly, I still have not heard from any of the international contacts I made at the beginning of this course. I am thinking that I will not hear from them with the remaining weeks.
I looked at the Harvard website since that was the alternative for this assignment. Reading over their mission statement and goals for the Global Children's Initiative, it is apparent that this program is truly looking at the global impact of supporting young children. The topic that interested me the most was Children's Mental Health. I sometimes think we forget that these little people are impacted by what is going on in their lives. They cannot always communicate or let us know how they are feeling, but they are feeling something.
I looked at the Harvard website since that was the alternative for this assignment. Reading over their mission statement and goals for the Global Children's Initiative, it is apparent that this program is truly looking at the global impact of supporting young children. The topic that interested me the most was Children's Mental Health. I sometimes think we forget that these little people are impacted by what is going on in their lives. They cannot always communicate or let us know how they are feeling, but they are feeling something.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
NAEYC Website
I chose to examine the NAEYC Website. As previously mentioned, I am a member, but have not really taken the time to examine the website in depth.
The first part of the Website I looked at was the topic of Common Core Standards, since that was part of this weeks discussions. I was able to read over the article NAEYC published for this weeks discussions regarding the cautions and opportunities the CCS allow.
The other article I read, discussed CCS in Kindergarten, and how there are so many differences in each states Kindergarten program, that having nationwide standards may be a disservice since there are so many different variables regarding the implementation of Kindergarten. While completing this weeks discussions, I had not really thought about this point. I was so focused on the "push-down" effect, that it really didn't even dawn on me about the different variables that Kindergarten presents and how the CCS may not be appropriate to implement in Kindergarten (Snow, 2012).
The other part of the NAEYC website that caught my attention this week was the "Voices of Practitioners" section. This is where teacher research is published. It is a great place for teachers who are doing great things in their classroom let other early childhood educators see it, without having to go through the hassle of publishing. There was one teacher summary regarding diversity in classrooms.
Snow, K.(2012). Variation in children's experience in kindergarten and the common core standards.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington D.C.
and the Common Core
The first part of the Website I looked at was the topic of Common Core Standards, since that was part of this weeks discussions. I was able to read over the article NAEYC published for this weeks discussions regarding the cautions and opportunities the CCS allow.
The other article I read, discussed CCS in Kindergarten, and how there are so many differences in each states Kindergarten program, that having nationwide standards may be a disservice since there are so many different variables regarding the implementation of Kindergarten. While completing this weeks discussions, I had not really thought about this point. I was so focused on the "push-down" effect, that it really didn't even dawn on me about the different variables that Kindergarten presents and how the CCS may not be appropriate to implement in Kindergarten (Snow, 2012).
The other part of the NAEYC website that caught my attention this week was the "Voices of Practitioners" section. This is where teacher research is published. It is a great place for teachers who are doing great things in their classroom let other early childhood educators see it, without having to go through the hassle of publishing. There was one teacher summary regarding diversity in classrooms.
Snow, K.(2012). Variation in children's experience in kindergarten and the common core standards.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington D.C.
Variation in Children’s
Experience of Kindergarten
and the Common Core
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