As we round out the final blog for the Issues and Trends class, it is with new knowledge and enthusiasm that I consider everything I have discovered.
The issues and trends we are faced with in the United States are more common then I have believed, and even in the United States.
An unintentional consequence I learned by studying topics, such as poverty, is just how much my own area is affected by poverty. I will admit that growing up, the picture I painted of poverty, and the understanding I had were of third world countries. Third World countries who could not afford food, health care or education. It was eye opening to realize that our own country has poverty issues, especially so close to home!
Another consequence I discovered is my new drive to focus on the quality of a child care system. All children are deserving of high quality care, and coming to the realization that high quality care is not available for all children.
I also learned of how politics, economics and neuroscience is affected and affects early childhood. Also, it was important to note how they each helped each other reach conclusions. The economist understand the community and what needs the community has, so the politicians can work with this knowledge gained from the economists to know what areas need more financial help. Also in the audio program, the economists compared children around the world. Politicians also work together with neurosciences to better understand malnutrition and a child’s development to better create programs to benefit children. Politicians also need to keep aware of a child’s development and issues and trends that are affecting the children of their area if they wish to remain in office. (Laureate Education, 2011)
Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations
My goal, would be to continue to try and establish a contact with a colleague in a different country, so we can network together to learn and understand the issues each country faces, and possibly use each others ideas in our own classroom.
Resources:
Boutte, G. S. (2008). Beyond the illusion of diversity: How early childhood teachers can promote social justice. Social Studies, 99(4), 165–173.
Buettner, C. K., & Andrews, D.W. (2009). United states child care policy and systems of care: The emerging role of quality rating and improvement systems
Cauthen N. K., & Fass, S. (2009). 10 important questions about child poverty and family economic hardship.
Gorski, P. (2008). The myth of the “culture of poverty”. Educational Leadership, 65(7), 32–36.
Moore, K. A., Redd, Z., Burkhauser, M., Mbwana, K., & Collins, A. (2009). Children in poverty: Trends, consequences, and policy options (Research Brief Publication No. 2009-11)
The RAND Corporation. (2008). What does economics tell us about early childhood policy? (Research Brief). Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2008/RAND_RB9352.pdf
4 comments:
Cassie,
I have enjoyed reading your post each week. It's so ironic that many times you and I have shared similar interest and opinions. I wish you the best of luck in the future.
During this course I have a better unstanding of the diversity, poverty and challenging issue we face in the field of early childhood education.
Hello Cassie,
This class has helped me to realize all the current issues and trends that exists in the early chidlhood field. The issue that caught my attention the most were poverty, too. Poverty were an issue that I did not think exist in the United States or in my own comunity. After completing the assessment on poverty in your community helped me to see that poverty exists throughout my community because most of the families depend on public assistance to provide for their families. This class have been an eye opener for me. I want to thank you personally for responding to my e-mails with helpful adivce and feedback. I enjoyed working together and learning in this class. I hope to work together again in the upcoming class. Take care!
Cassie, I also just realize the poverty that surround me. I never really pay attention until this course. And in third countries I knew it was bad but never realize just how bad it really affected the children.
Cassie I have enjoyed reading yours and other classmates blog I wish you and everyone else the best of luck in the future courses. I have learned so much from this course and from feedback that was given to me.
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