Consequences of International Contact

There are three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field:

1.    To learn about childhood issues in the world

2.    The knowledge of comparison of other countries to America Childhood issues

3.    Finding resources to enhance my professional growth in the early childhood field

During the time spent exploring Australia early childhood field, I learn the importance of continuing my education to become a professor.  The need is not just in America, but it is in other countries too.  The knowledge of knowing the issues in Australia has enlightened my perspective of the needs for our young children.  In fact, as I explored the issues I was almost to the point of wanting to go to another country to teach and share my knowledge of the importance of early childhood education.  However, I learn that we need to take care of our children in America first before we can reach out to other countries.  Although the knowledge of knowing about other countries issues help to teach others in America the importance of early childhood education to make changes in our society.

One goal I have in mind to pursue in the field related to international awareness of issues, trends and spirit of relationships is to continue to bond with international colleagues, as I grow to my professional achievement.

I wish that as we continue to strive to receive our Masters Degree in the Early Childhood Studies that we keep in mind the importance of staying in contact with the issues of the world related to our field. 

 I wish this to all my colleagues that shared their post on contacts with international colleagues to continue to stay in contact with their country of choice.  This will help us grow to help all children of the world not just America.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

The new insight I gained from the ECA Web Watch this week is about the health issues concerning young children.  They spoke about the poverty issue in Australia States and Territories.  Their findings lead to about the same issue we have in America.  Families in low income, poverty level, or poor communities have children that lack in nutrition due to no food in the home.  In addition, there is a high mortality rate in infants due to accidents because of families not having the proper education on infant development.  It is very shocking to learn that 60% of children have dental decay and 70% are overweight.  (AIHA, 2011) This report came from the population of Torres Strait Islander, Aboriginal children and socio-economically disadvantage areas. (AIHA, 2011)

In addition, of having no communication contact, other than Australia weekly web watch.  I wanted to share my issues, opportunities, and goals with my readers.

·         Issues  regarding quality care in Columbus, Ohio

In Columbus, Ohio, the issues regarding quality are not having enough high quality childcare centers and the high cost of care.  Ohio Department of job and family services expects quality to be education programs valuing the proven ability to give a child a positive, developmentally appropriate experience and a great start in life.  Quality care is essential to high-risk families, where children need it the most. (ODJFS, 2011)

• The opportunities and requirements for professional development  in Columbus, Ohio

The opportunities for professional development exist throughout many agencies.  Action for children offer trainings in the evening and on weekends to meet staff required training hours for the year.  It is an expectation, that early childhood workers who work directly with children be required to have a CDA (Child Development Credential Associate Certificate) as a teacher assistant or teacher.  The director must have a Bachelors’ degree to maintain center operations.  In Ohio, it is voluntary for centers to apply for step-up-to-quality programs.  This program provides a yearly funding to centers who succeed in the meeting the requirements to become a star rated center.

• My professional goals

My long-term professional goals are to become a professor for early childhood studies and being a part of the community that acknowledges early childhood educators as professionals.  My short-term goals are to continue as a center coordinator to ensure that quality is maintain for the center and agency where I work.  

• My professional hopes, dreams, and challenges

Professionally I hope to become a professor in a college to teach adult learners how to become professionals in the field of early childhood.  Becoming a professor I want to make a change in the childcare centers by teaching the teachers, therefore there can be a change in the outcomes of our children.  I dream that one day the young children that are learning now will take America in a new positive direction for all.  The challenge I may face in trying to accomplish this is my age as a professor in college.  It is very difficult for someone at my age to move from one job to another, however, I am willing to try.

Reference:

AIHA. (2011). Headline indicators for children. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/
ODJFS. (2011). Licensing Manual. Retrieved from http://emanuals.odjfs.state.oh.us/emanuals/DataImages.srv/emanuals/pdf/pdf_forms/GUIDE.PDF

National Head Start Association Newsletter Update

In the National Head Start Association website, I explored some outside links that lead to how to Find Head Start programs, NHSA Radio, NHSA Blog, and Affiliate Relations.  In each of these links, I found them very interesting.  To find Head Start Programs throughout the United States was very informative.  It also leads to employment in other States.  I was totally surprise to know that Columbus, Ohio Head Start Program has higher pay, than others are in the state.  The NHSA Radio is exciting to hear in debt discussions about issues and concerns from others in Head Start and Child associations through America.  The NHSA Blog was very interesting also; it made it available for me to share the information on Face book.  Affiliate Relations shows different seminars, organizations, and The Ohio Head Start Association is an affiliate.  (NHSA, 2011)

One area on the website outside of the newsroom to be exciting and informative is the Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood link.  The link shows multiple power point presentations, given by centers of Excellence in the Midwest, South, West, and East of America.  The one I found that relates to some of the issues I studied during this course shows the Youth Development Incorporation Head Start in Albuquerque, New Mexico give the power point presentations.  The Power point presentation title, “Achieving a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Education through Dual Language Implementation,” focuses on helping reach the optimal level of language acquisition for all.  There are pictures that allow you to see how they incorporate language acquisition in the classrooms.  I found the presentation to be one of excellence.  (NHSA, 2011)

I receive a bi-weekly newsletter from the national head start association and it was address to me, which discuss the decisions made by congress this week that will affect Head Start.  It states that Head Start is among the many programs that face reduction or elimination over the next three months.  Although, Pell Grants will receive more funding, it will help Head Start because they are under the same legislation.  However, without immediate advocacy efforts the future of Head Start may be in jeopardy.  NHSA Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director is asking parents, staff, and members of your community to join their national effort to save Head Start.  It is critical that we attend events such as Town Hall meetings to make sure our member of Congress understand the value of Head Start.  (NHSA, 2011)

Other insights about issues in the early childhood field, I gain this week from the website of NHSA.org is the information on funding and the effects on the families.  The highest quality childcare service in America can affect the entire issue of quality standards for childcare centers, if funding stop in the Head Start programs.

References:

NHSA.  (2011). News and Advocacy.  Retrieved from http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/recent_news/government_affairs_update_week_of_august_4_2011