Sharing Web Resources Cont'd

 

I came across a section on ACEI’s website that highlighted a platform for individuals to have conversations and exchange ideas and experiences.

 

Goals of the Decade

 

•  Promote and protect childhood as a unique and critical stage of human development •  Explore childhood from interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives •  Identify issues that erode childhood •  Advocate for children's rights as a vital element of childhood •  Translate the "Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood" into policies and practices that benefit all children

 

Within this section, it also showcased the Ten Pillars of Good Childhood, which relates exactly to my current professional development and service.  The pillars focus on important aspects that help to create the most optimal early childhood environment. 

The Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood

 

The Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood are a starting point that can be used to consider what a good childhood looks like today. Please use these pillars for your engagement with this decade. How are they relevant to the experience of childhood in your home, your community, or your nation? Share the Ten Pillars with others. We would like to hear your opinions about the pillars and about creative ways that the pillars have been used by you to guide policies and practices related to the experience of childhood.

 

1. Safe and secure places for living and learning,
   with access to health care, clothing, shelter, and nutritious food
2. Strong families and loving, consistent caregivers
3. Social interactions and friendships
4. Creative play and physical activity
5. Appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment
6. Creative expression through music, dance, drama,
   and the other arts
7. Education that develops the full capacities of the child—cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and ethical
8. Supportive, nurturing, child-friendly communities
9. Growing independence and decision making
10. Children and youth participating in community life.

 

Of the ten pillars, strong families and loving consistent caregivers, education that develops the full capacities of the child and creative play and physical activity stood out to me.  I believe that we need families to be involved just as much as those who service and advocate for children.  And we must work together with the families in order to have the greatest impact on a child’s life.  Developing the whole child and incorporating play and daily physical activity are also key points in the early childhood field. 

 

“Through collaboration and partnerships at local, regional, national, and international levels, we will extend our work, especially when enriched by insights across multiple sectors, including education, health, ecology, recreation, sociology, and psychology” (ACEI, n.d).  The platform in which professionals across different sectors can come together certainly allows for more of a collaborative approach for the issues and trends to be discussed in the early childhood field. 

 

  http://acei.org/

http://www.decadeforchildhood.org/

 

Sharing Web Resources

            http://acei.org/

This organization was founded to help promote education and support children around the globe.  This organization has been around for over 100 years, established in 1892 in UK and later expanding to its international name in 1946. 

“ACEI holds Consultative Status at the United Nations and membership in the NGO Committee  on UNICEF”

One current issues that stood out to me was their efforts to support children in different countries around the world. Currently there is a push to help support children in Costa Rica.

I also found it interesting to read about the news of a pending code of ethics. 

ACEI announced that it is developing an International Code of Ethics for Educators.  “It will be designed as a universal instrument that reflects internationally accepted humanitarian values, United Nation treaties, and other international agreements.  It may be adapted and applied by educators around the world as a tool for critical reflection and professional aspirations”. 

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Establishing a global professional contact circle is becoming harder than anticipated.  I will continue to seek relationships across the globe with professionals in the field.  I am positive I will get at least one connection this coming week.  But in the mean time, I will also prepare to work on the alternate assignment.  I have found interesting in several of the podcasts available and look forward to listening to the NPR interviews.

The list of resources provided for in my current course were of familiarity to me such as Zero to Three.  Some new organizations that I find interesting to study for this course include the following:

Association for Childhood Education International

International Step by Step Association

I think that its important to study organizations from a more global lens, so I chose two organizations that stretches across the globe.  

I look forward to reading the newsletters for both organizations and exploring their sites to learn more about how each organization is supporting the early childhood community.