Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

Parent involvement is essential to the success of children in Early Childhood Education.  When I see stories of how parents and the community become involved in education, it helped me to understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork.  This reminds of a quote that it "takes a village to raise a child".  Clearly parental involvement is important in helping children do well in school.  As a result, educators must be actively involved with parents and develop strategies to engage parents. 

The stories helped me to see the impact that families have on their children's education.  As an early childhood edcuator in Head Start, I have seen the difference that parents make in education.  When parents are actively involved, the children learn at school and at home.  Also, parents can provide information to edcuators that help them better understand the needs of the child.

Quality Programs for All Children

The public view on early childhood education quality has shifted to a view of quality for all children.  Although public opinion wants quality in education programs, the resources to ensure equity and equal access for all children is not in line with public views.  As an educator, I understand the importance of children being exposed to quality early childhood education programs as early as possible.  Children need guidance and direction to ensure that they develop academically.  Therefore, quality programs must address all areas of children's needs to ensure the success of children in the school system.

What Resonates With You About Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy?

Part 1: Why did you choose this specialization?

I am in the early childhood education (EC Advocacy Pub Pol) program because I want to create change in early childhood education.  I also realize that policy changes are the best way to create change and to develop best practices for early childhood education.

Part 2: Why are advocates essential in the early childhood field?

Advocates are needed in early childhood education to combat issues that affect children and their families.  Advocates help to create change by lobbying for change in the education system and policies.

Part 3: What do you hope to learn about public policy and advocacy?

I want to learn ways to develop new policies and to create change in early childhood education.  As a result, I believe that I can learn what I need in my program to become a social change agent and a policy maker.

Final Blog Assignment

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field

Learning about international programs in early childhood has helped me to understand ways to improve programs in my own classroom.  Also, I have improved my understanding of poverty and other issues that impact children around the world.  The research that I have studied has been beneficial to my professional development as an educator.  Furthermore, I have enhanced my personal development by learning from other early childhood professionals and developing a passion for combating poverty.

Goal for International Awareness

My goal for international awareness is to develop a program to combat poverty in early childhood education.  I plan to achieve this goal by continuing to study international research.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

This week, I decided to visit the UNESCO “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage. I enjoyed this site because it provided information on early childhood education programs and discussed topics related to health and nutrition.  Health and nutrition are important for students’ education.  As a result, teachers have to focus on the whole child in education.  UNESCO also provided information about a world conference for early childhood education.  I also found research articles and journals that can be used to improve education in the classroom.  Therefore, this is a great site to learn about early childhood education programs around the world.

Reference

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

Sharing Web Resources

Early Childhood: Site: http://www.earlychildhood.com/

I found this site that provide good research and information for early childhood educators. The site also provides information about programs to improve early childhood education and preschool programs.

I currently do not have a new newsletter, however, I have received newsletters from a teacher's association with information on how to join.  I also recevied a journal and news from the early childhood site called theJournal of Professional Development.  The information in this journal provides articles and current information pertaining to early childhood education.  

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

I have continued reading the podcasts from the world forum.  I have studied the issues on poverty and programs to address poverty around the world.  This week, I also visited the Global Children’s Initiative website.  The site stated that “one essential, cross-cutting aspect of the Center’s approach is its commitment to work collaboratively across disciplines and institutions, drawing together the best and most creative expertise available to achieve the Initiative’s goals” (Global Children’s initiative, 2013).  The site further provided information about children’s health, early childhood development, and crises that affect children.  The site further provides information about was to improve children’s health and conditions in education.  Overall, this information can be used in the United States to improve the quality of education for all children.

References

“Global Children’s Initiative” (2012) Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative

www.worldforumfoundation.org/