Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 1

Well, after several attempts and intepreting different letters into Spanish to try to communicate with at least one international colleague.  I was unsuccessful and it is a bit disappointing to see that many of the messages were returned to me.  Since, I was so confident that I would get in touch my someone I delayed in communicating with someone through podcast when I finally went to connect I was unable to.

I went on reviewed the website on Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s page (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/).  The country that I chose to research was China.  I have gained some good insights into ways that China is trying to end poverty.  The article indicates that China is making great strides in ending poverty.  It says the decline in poverty is due to the social transition and economic growth.  The article indicates that in the Western parts of China economic growth is slower.  Therefore, poverty levels are higher.  China's transition from a centrally planned to a globalized market economy has helped reduce chronic poverty and disadvantage, but also created new forms of vulnerability and poverty (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/). Foreign trade and business has helped China's economy especially since they joined World Trade Organization.  Another way China is making great strides in ending poverty is the constant restructuring of state enterprises.  Child poverty has declined over the years.  Education and Health Care levels are higher than countries that have equivalent income levels. 

As the structure of the economy has changed, the social security system has had to adapt to protect people from different forms of poverty (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/).  They provide services for families who are living in poverty but there is a concern that not enough is being distributed.  The article also discusses those that do not get the assistance and they need it.

This article is alarming, it is very scary to see that poverty levels are bad everywhere not just in the United States.

Sharing Web Resources

I chose to use NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children)  http://naeyc.org  as one of my web resources since I am a member I already receive their newsletter.

I enjoy staying abreast of the current happenings in the field of Early Childhood Education by researching NAEYC's website, affiliated journals, and newsletters.  One of the things, I like about NAEYC is they address all issues from State to National.  Many state's have their own NAEYC affilated organization and if you join NAEYC they allow you to join in your local organizations automatically.  The main focus of NAEYC is addressing issues and challenges that children and teachers may face in the early childhood field. NAEYC also covers culturally enriched learning environments.  The main goal of NAEYC and their position statement is to ensure all children have the right to quality care and education in a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate.

I received the September 2011, e-newsletter from NAEYC.  One of the headlines in the newsletter provides Online Q&A:  Supporting Dual Language Learners.  This is a very interesting article, it was interactive and began on September 12-16, 2011.  Educators were able to post questions to Karen Nemeth a contributor to Teaching Young Children.  The article discussed ways and answered questions on supporting children with dual languages in the classroom.  Here is the link if anyone is interested in viewing it http://www.naeyc.org/event/supporting-dual-language-learners.

Another thing I found very informative in the newsletter is the debate that took place on C-SPAN involving NAEYC's executive director Jerlean Daniel and a panel of early childhood professionals at Brookings Institution Center on Children and Families.   The debate is called, "Benefits of Early Education." The discussion focused on the effectiveness of preschool and Head Start programs.  The link to is http://www.c-span.org/Events/Benefits-of-Early-Education-Debated/10737423641-1/.  I encourage my readers to check it out.

Early Childhood Contacts & Resources

In my attempt, to connect to fellow colleagues in the field Of Early Childhood Education from other countries I find it to be a bit challenging.  I have sent several emails out and several have been returned to me.  This is very disapponting I do hope to connect to some because I really do not want to the alternate activity.  I feel as though connecting with others would be more benefical.

My goal is connect with other colleagues from different countries.  If I do not hear anything back I will try to find a translator program online that  will translate my messages in their language and maybe I will have better luck in communicating with others. 

The professional organization that I keep up with regularly already is NAEYC and National Head Start Association.  I have personal memberships to both and I get their newsletters and updates on a daily basis.  I have always followed them and will continue to do so.  When I joined NAEYC, I was able to connect to local NAEYC affilates and I get newsletters from them to keep up with current happenings in my area.