As I reflect on what I have learned about the international child development field from my international contacts, organizations, and colleagues, I can't help but feel blessed to have the freedoms and basic supports that we have here in America, which many other countries are lacking. Yes we see poverty, inequities in education, child abuse, neglectful parenting, and other atrocities that should never be a part of a child's life. However, we are making tremendous strides in overcoming these issues and have an increasing amount of support that is becoming available to us (politically/financially) with the added knowledge and attention to professionalize the field of early childhood education. Other countries, such as Romania, are struggling to provide basic human rights and dignities for their children.
Although strides are being made, we will continue to have consequences to all issues and trends in the early childhood field. No one person can influence change in all areas of the many diverse needs in the early childhood field. Yet our voices can be powerful and even the smallest of contributions matter. Simply advocating for the right of children's play in our program matters. Giving added love and attention to children matters. Reaching out to and keeping parents involved in an early childhood program matters. Using self-reflection and seeking opportunities to learn from others matters. We can make a change, starting with our own scope of practice, and then expanding that scope to include others in our communities, state, country and globally.
We must recognize that the state of early childhood really is a global issue. There are many organizations out there that provide amazing access to research and advocacy opportunities if we desire to seek them. There are so many ways to become informed and involved in this field of study. The more I have learned about early childhood issues in Romania and other countries, the more I want to increase my own skills and knowledge so I can become an effective advocate on behalf of the children. I have been inspired by their stories and by the amazing show of humanity in the early childhood advocates around the world. We all have the potential to positively change the lives of these children forever. What an amazing gift and opportunity!
Yes, Collett we are blessed here in the US. We are making tremendous strides toward get early childhood valued as much as reguar education. For example, in devleoping countries they have an even difficult problem with funding than we do in the US because they so may other daunting issues to face such as funding regular education, however in “1990 Jomtien Declaration on Education for All (EFA), stated that countries should view early childhood as part of basic education” (UNESCO, 2012).
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2012). Early Childhood Care and Education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
Collett,
ReplyDeleteIt was a priviledge to learn from you through your discussion and blog posts. They were quite informative especially your correspondence with Romania and how you shared with us information about their early childhood care and education that we would not otherwise been afforded.
I am taking from this new learning and applying it to my knowledge base on how other countries differ from America. We are privileged with the freedom and all supports we get here compared to other countries. It has opened my heart and mind more to those impacted by issues on the global scene and I will continue to ask myself what ways can I help? In this land of freedom and opportunity, we can do so much more in helping those that are less fortunate. Thank you for these insights.
You shared some great knowledge. Your reflection was very detailed and knowledgeable at the same time. I really enjoyed reading it.
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