Friday, December 23, 2011

Farewell

I would like to take this time to tell all my colleagues that I have really enjoyed this blogging experience and I plan to continue this process. Please lets stay in touch since we have started this journey together. I would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR along with much success and happiness.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Examining Code of Ethics

DEC Code of Ethics:
I3. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeing and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to suggestions of others.
This is significant to me because I believe the more you know, the more you grow. I know that I am capable of doing the job, but I need to be at a place where I know why the techniques that I am using are working.
III4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and families to enhance their quality of lives.
This is significant to me because as an educator in the rural Mississippi Delta, it is very evident that some HeadStart centers get the better teachers, equipment, and the “smarter” children. I am constantly voicing my opinion to educational leaders regarding ensuring that students in my center have access to the same resources available to the students that are located in a high poverty area.
NAEYC
P-1.1. Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children.
This is significant to me because on most of all the news stations or newspapers are addressing mistreatment and/or abuse to children. As educators, we need to hold this principle to sacred so that children will have a safety haven at school. We all know that children learn better when they are stress.
References
  • NAEYC. (2005). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved December 12,2011, from
    http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
  •  Division for Early Childhood. (2000). Code of ethics. Retrieved December 12,2011, from
    http://www.dec-sped.org/

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Course Resources

  • Video Program: “The Resources for Early Childhood”
    Five early childhood professionals discuss their preferred and trusted resources.

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices
Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being
Early Childhood Organizations
 Professional Journals
  • YC Young Children
  • Childhood
  • Journal of Child & Family Studies
  • Child Study Journal
  • Multicultural Education
  • Early Childhood Education Journal
  • Journal of Early Childhood Research
  • International Journal of Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Research Quarterly
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Studies
  • Maternal & Child Health Journal
  • International Journal of Early Years Education
Additional Resources
The New Republic: Obama's Education Legacy for America's Youngest Kids: Too Little, Too Late by: Sara Mead  http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/98094/obama-early-childhood-education

Perth Now: Childcare 'hot potato' for Governments opinion of: Cora-Ann Wilson http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/opinion/childcare-hot-potato-for-governments/story-fn8t4my5-1226213110602

Greenberg, M, Schumacher, R (2003) Financing universal pre-kindergarten: Possibilities and technical issues for states in using funds under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF) block grant. Washington, DC: Center for Law and Social Policy. http://www.clasp.org/publications/universal_prek.pdf
Summary: This brief report summarizes the roles of Child Care and Development Fund

(CCDF) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grants and examines
possible ways these funds can financially support universal Pre-K initiatives. Authors
conclude that although both funds can be used for universal Pre-K initiatives, the states
may need to develop clearer policy guidelines for prioritizing the use of the funds as
complexities arise with more programs seeking funding.

"Now, today, some children are enrolled in excellent programs. Some children are enrolled in mediocre programs. And some are wasting away their most formative years in bad programs....That's why I'm issuing a challenge to our states: Develop a cutting-edge plan to raise the quality of your early learning programs; show us how you'll work to ensure that children are better prepared for success by the time they enter kindergarten. If you do, we will support you with an Early Learning Challenge Grant that I call on Congress to enact."
- President Barack Obama, speaking to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, March 10, 2009