Early Education Through the World's Eyes

During the course of this past eight weeks my scope of early education perspectives has broadened. By route of virtual explorations I have traveled the world experiencing issues and trends in the early childhood field. Attending conferences via World Forum Radio I heard first hand issues, challenges and successes of others that share my profession. I have also been made aware of many new innovative projects, ventures, hopes and dreams of people that share my vision of well-being for all children at home and abroad. I hope to become an active participant within this organization. Through the World Forum Foundation, I was also introduced to International Step by Step Association. Through association with this organization I hope to first be of assistance and then learn more about helping people to help themselves, by raising awareness of the importance of quality early care for our children. My virtual travels have also introduced me to an organization The Global Fund for Children. I am currently in the process of making application for full non- profit status for an organization ( Wisdom2000) that operates in my community as an advocacy system for children and families. The Global Children’s Fund provides grants for grass-root organizations seeking to improve the lives of children and families in your own communities all over the world. This is a valuable resource to help launch my contributions to children, their families and my community. “Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field”, has truly broadened my horizons in pursuit of child well-beings. This has been professional development for me, as well as confirms my original professional goals within the field. Although I did not have the anticipated conversations with my international contact I was still able to share and discuss issues and trends with a classmate that had first- hand information about issues and trends in her native country that is different from my own. And for that I would like to say, “Thank You” to Folashade. I would also like to say thank you to all my classmates and instructor for opportunities to learn and share my passion. I enjoyed the trip. I hope I have formed professional contacts from this class that I can continue to collaborate with on early education issues throughout my career. Best wishes in your pursuits. My Contact: janice.rhodes@wisdom2000.org

EC Issues at Home and Abroad

After reviewing my Early Childhood professional goals I find they are still the same as when I first started the master’s program. The only thing that has changed is my deepened understanding of current challenges, successes, innovations, and opportunities within the field. My goals all still evolve around early childhood teacher trainings. My professional aspirations are to write/publish teacher training programs as well as provide actual training opportunities for EC teachers locally and abroad. In addition to writing and trainings I would also like to establish a foundation that collects classroom/teacher materials to be distributed in developing countries, especially for children with disabilities. Without any new information to report on my international contact, I explored the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This organization has created an organization, Intangible Cultural Heritage that seeks to maintain and protect cultural values within countries as they evolve to become part of a global society. Efforts are being made to reserve a wealth of knowledge and skills that are at risk of being lost as cultures merge or co-exist. Traditions and living expressions like, oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge an practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional skills and crafts are reserved to pass on the coming generations (UNESCO). Intangible Cultural Heritage is linked through UNESCO‘s website. More new information gained from my exploration of UNESCO’s site is the promotion of Global Action Week, scheduled April 22-28, 2012. This is a global effort to raise awareness of needed supports within Early Child Care and Education community, especially for disadvantaged children. This is another link from within the site under the Education link. A third insight is in regards to a universally accepted definition for “quality” within the early childhood community. Some of the issues are the same in developing countries as in the US. Providing monies for early childhood education programs when funds are limited creates problems of assess and availability within different socioeconomic classes. Should monies be placed in programs serving lower socioeconomic families that merely prepare children for school at the expense of more evolved programs that promote holistic child development? Sounds familiar? Whether a prosperous country or a developing country the issues of universal definitions of quality and excellence is the same.

Consultants and Collaborations for Excellence

While viewing the Global Alliance World Forum website, I discovered the link "OnDesign for Children Working Forum". This is a global collaborative group advocating environment designs for children. They are now accepting applications for other early childhood professional interested in presenting early childhood environment information at their next international collaborative gathering, scheduled June, 2012. Claire Warden, and educational consultant, has been confirmed as participating in the upcoming event. Ms Warden is an award winning lecturer also know for her work in motivational math and connecting children with the natural world. Many of her methods are accepted/practiced in early childhood programs in several countries around the world, inspiring policymakers to implement her methods into policy. For more information on Ms Warden and her work check out her blog spot@ http://claire-warden.blogspot.com/2011/11/let-children-play-claire-warden.html. She is truly an advocate for "play" in early childhood settings. Another confirmed participanth is Michele Zini,editor of "Children, Spaces, Relations". Besides editing he also keeps an eye on Africa's financial conditions on thier way out of poverty. A good way to look for opportunities to advocate for monies to improve conditions for young children there. These people are on the front lines of a war of which we have all signed up for, advocates for the well-being of all young children. As far as equity is concerned this is a clear indication that the gaps of inequalities are closed one link at a time being joined to the main chain. This is just one area, but equally important to the whole. One might think you have not reached the point in your EC careers to make an international impact. Keeping abreast of issues by information provided on these different website might very well find areas where you can join in...Who knows what can happen.