Sharing Web Resources: NAEYC

What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?

As we talk about Issues in the early childhood education programs of America the issue of quality and the gaps in quality are on the spotlight.  The availability of a high-quality early childhood program is a necessity in America and many people do not have access.  NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) is an association that has standards and a positional stake in the issue of the early childhood education, thus making them a program that is a pillar in the early childhood field.  Their accreditation validates programs all over the country.  In order for early childhood programs to be high-quality they need to hire and sustain teachers who are high-quality and involved in constant professional development.  Professionals need to be aware of issues and trends in their communities, have a deep understanding of pedagogy and up to date teaching strategies.





 
Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?

NAEYC posted "A Call for Excellence in Early Childhood Education" (http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence).  This call includes guidelines for advocacy for students, holding teachers, PARENTS, and students accountable, and also a call for early childhood access in general.  A child's early experiences are a critical dimension to their development and the proper support for families and their young children is an investment that will be returned to society through a "vibrant nation of healthy, achieving children and more stable families" (http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence).







The NAEYC website offers a plethora of information to professionals and parents that can help each to understand early childhood education, its stance on issues and topics, and what each can do to get involved.  I looked up information on their stance for Play which is a controversial topic because of the push-down for American students to achieve higher, I found information on developmentally appropriate practices for young children and all the initiatives NAEYC is a part of for the advocacy of young children and their families.

Poverty in Other Places

Going Unnoticed: The Poor in Abu Dhabi

 This week I spoke with a college friend who is teaches Pre-k & K in Abu Dhabi.  Our correspondence was about poverty in her school community and what resources families have if they are in need.  I prompted my collegue with these questions and she answered with honesty from her experiences in America as compared to those in the Middle East.

Are there any particular issues of poverty that you have encountered professionally in Abu Dhabi?  Is poverty one of the top issues where you teach or are there others that are more challenging? Are there prominent organizations that are involved with your school or school district? Is poverty seen differently there than in America?

 She answers:

"Poverty definitely exists in this country; however, it is very different than at home. There aren't many programs that work with schools for poverty stricken families. It is also generally frowned upon to be poor. It is difficult to distinguish the wealthy from the poor. Typically, the wealthier families speak English very well, but that doesn't mean that some families who don't, don't have money. It's a very tricky situation." 

She explains it is very difficult to distinguish between students who are poor and those who are wealthy.  They say it is more prevalent than we actually see and notice. What can be said, is that all of the children come to school in a clean uniform and with a lunch. It is easier to pick out someone who is wealthy rather than someone who is poor. All of the men and women wear traditional dress.  This means that it isn't easy to distinguish by what they wear, and generally only the mothers come to pick up their children, of which some of them she has only ever seen their eyes, as they are completely covered.  Poverty definitely does exist, but since it is frowned upon it's less likely that you can tell the difference within the schools.

Some of the main issues that she has encounter on a regular basis are lack of most parent involvement. There are parents in her classroom that are very involved.  But in general, most of the children have nannies at home who do most of their work for them or are the ones who are encouraging them to learn. 

Attendance rates aren't important and are often changed by administration in order to reflect higher attendance rates for the school, which reflects negatively on learning. Language barriers are also quite difficult. Many of my parents speak no English, and there aren't always enough staff to sit with you and translate.

This is interesting because of the recent bills being pushed through the house of representatives and the senate to eradicate the food stamps program in the US.  Is seems as though there are Americans that also want to ignore the fact that other Americans who are working and are still unable to make ends meet.  Its very enlightening to find this information out about the poor in Abu Dhabi.  I am appreciative of resources we have in America and that there are people all over the country advocating for children and those that cannot.

Sharing Web Resources

National Black Child Development Institute

Dr. DeHaney is the CEO of the national black child development institute (NBCDI).  She and other leaders in early childhood education field joined in a podcast to discuss poverty due to the economic downturn this past decade.  The discussion also included how schools and communities need to come together in new ways to combat the affects of poverty in their communities.  Realizing that schools are a pivotal part of helping families is an important part of addressing issues such as poverty.  Economic recovery is the main issue highlighted on the http://www.nbcdi.org/news/early-childhood-education-takes-center-stage-clinton-global-initiative website. This project is called the Global Clinton Initiative. 

As a whole the organization provides scholarships to children and works with black children from ages birth to age 8.  They are also involved with preparing teachers for teaching and students for college.  They are a country wide organization but have local branches all over the US.

The success of low income children is the primary goal for the organization. 

References: http://www.nbcdi.org/

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

- Frederick Douglass 

 

Establishing and Expanding Resources

Establishing Professional Contacts

Trying to contact correspondence with the provided resources was sure a challenge!  I, like some of my colleagues, used social media as an alternative to contacting others around the world.  Through facebook, I found an old friend from college that teaches in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is willing to participate in this journey with me!  I must say after hours of searching I am grateful for her willingness to help and her co-workers as well.

Expanding Resources

The organizations that I have chosen to subscribe to are NAEYC and NBCDI (National Black Child Development Institiute).  I chose these two because NAEYC has contributed some great articles to the research I have put into assignments for this program.  NBCDI is an organization that I am just getting familiar with and most of my students are black and many of the issues and trends of today affect black children.  I thought it would be an appropriate organization and applicable to my classroom now. The also have a facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/nbcdi