Week 8

       I think that three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field is wanting to advocate, feeling like you are not doing enough, and wanting to get involved through travel or other methods. As I learned about the challenges, accomplishments, and efforts happening internationally, I instantly wondered what can I do, and what am I doing currently? The feeling of inadequacy can come about and I think that it is healthy and sparks our professional flare and purpose. While exploring the UNICEF website and seeing where they are located and the work that they are doing, it makes me want to travel and see for myself what strides the early childhood field is making there. No matter how we look at it, or what consequences we come up with, we must admit that our professional interest was sparked and we reflected on our practices and questioned whether we are being a hindrance to the field or are we helping the progression.
       One goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends is that we all as professionals can band together and advocate from our perspective parts of the world and address issues and share trends that are growing in child development. The importance of having collegial relations is to have support, awareness, and others that can relate to our passion for our field.

Week 7 Blog Assignment

         For this week's blog assignment I had to review UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage because I have been unsuccessful with establishing contact with professionals from the podcast as well as UNICEF professionals in different parts of the world. I would like to talk with professionals because I think it is important to share ideas and gain professional insight from those that are already working in the field. I will continue to try to make some kind of connection with these professionals as I believe networking in the field of Early Childhood is important especially since it is constantly changing. 
        As I reviewed UNESCO's website, I read under the investment and financing tab that in developing countries, Early Childhood Education often takes the backseat to establishing primary education; other pressing issues and priorities can also take precedence over ECE. Here in America, early education is becoming increasingly important but it has not always been at the forefront. The website also suggested that private sector childcare was more likely to render quality and effective care than those programs supported by government funds. I personally always thought it would be the other way around, government funds seem more stable. Privately funded childcare centers usually have their own rules regarding curriculum, staff development, and operating policies; this sometimes makes it difficult for universal policies to be enforced. The third idea/insight that caught my attention was under the "Coordination and Integration" tab. I found it interesting that cross-sectoral coordination on the national level is an ongoing issue for both developing and developed countries. Some have resulted to dividing up sectoral task by age and services, others have developed an individual group that deals directly with sectoral responsibilities. This is only one of many obstacles that the field of Early Education faces globally in both developed and developing countries. 
       The website gave brief descriptions under each topic and presented ideas and information clearly. The site also had study related information out to the right side of each section. Under the worldwide tab information was available on five different parts of the world. This global website is excellent for teachers, professionals, parents, and those interested in Early Education. 


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

Week 6 6162

The website that I have been exploring over these past 6 weeks is zerotothree.org. The outside links on this website lead to statistical data, government website, and other organizational websites where more in depth information can be found on specific topics. I chose to explore "Care and Education", then i clicked on "School Readiness" and explored the section based on my daughters age range, 24-36 months. Once I clicked on the link it offered a video clip, links to sections of development such as language, thinking skills, self control, and self confidence. Each area had a "Learn More About This Topic" on the page that included FAQ's, activities, and resources. I clicked on the frequently asked questions tab and decided to click the first question, it offered an answer with two resources below it, a video and a written resource.

This weeks topic of equity and excellence is mentioned on this website in brief. A "pdf" link came up after I searched "equity and excellence";  the article was titled "Developing a Statewide Network of Infant and Toddler Specialist". This publication suggest the importance of make quality childcare available, and securing funding to protect and improve existing centers. This article also placing high importance on the education of teachers and staff members in child care settings. The purpose of the article is to propose a network that would train specialist instead of "workers", it changes the whole dynamic of early education. I never thought that changing the title of staff and training them as specialist, rather than qualified child care providers, it would possibly improve the quality of care provided as well as enhance equity and excellence with the center as a whole.

 www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/state-community-policy/nitcci/developing-a-statewide-network-of-infant-and-toddler-specialists.pdf

Week 5 6162

I am still awaiting a reply from UNICEF and I am also awaiting a response from one podcast member. I decided to explore the Harvard Website heavily and find out what exactly are the aims for Early Education in other parts of the world. After reading the initiative, I could tell immediately that the program is aiming at policy makers, research, and advocacy. I think that this is a smart approach instead of head on tackling the educators. Once policy's are in place, educators will be held accountable to follow policy for quality education. In order to get high level decision makers to invest in policy that benefit early education, solid research must be available for presentation and review. Global research will allow for policy makers to think about the global investment and lean more towards a universal standard for quality care and education. In order for researchers to be able to collect the data they need, early education facilities and families need to approve. Educating the community, care facilities, and families on the importance of research leads to advocacy and researchers can extend their efforts because others will be more compelled to let them in their homes and other facilities. These three components: policy makers, research, and advocacy, are strongly linked and needed together in order for the global initiative to make a difference. In their mission statement they state "Catalyzing the implementation of effective, science-based public policies through strategic relationships and knowledge transfer"; this statement is the driving force behind the program and their international approach. The website also offers a newsletter that you can sign up for, as well as articles with research information, and what efforts are being made in other areas of the world. As with any child development website, I explored the employment section and the School of Education is looking for data analyst and researchers. Research and data is so important because it is the key to our foundation and it proves that our field is just as important as primary and secondary school.