Consequences of learning about the international side of the early childhood field.

Consequences of learning about the international side of the early childhood field.

 

1.      Awareness:  Being in the know of current issues and trends that affect children in other countries is important to the overall responsibility in which early childhood professionals as myself have pledged to do.  I believe that it’s important to know how that children from around the world are being supported not only because they deserve to be, but also because often time those same children end up as immigrants and may end up a student in my own class.

2.     Collaboration:  I think that the glory in working in this field, is that we are masters at sharing ideas and best practices.  So, to look at the international side of the early childhood field, and to share ideas with other professionals in other countries creates this human resource like no other.

3.     Helping towards the overall effort:  I believe that we must do all that we can to help spread how important early childhood education is.  We must do all that we can to push for early childhood initiatives in order to help young children get the support they need to develop.

 

International Educational Organizations

 

I enjoyed exploring the ECCE section of UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization)’s website.  It provided for numerous examples on what the organization is doing to support early childhood education around the world.  One section in particular that I enjoyed reading was that highlighting a new book series launched in coordination with ADEA (Association with the Development of Education in Africa) that showcase experiences of African families.  “The series covers topical subjects affecting the lives of African families that parents are sometimes reluctant to address. These include various topics such as war and conflict, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the issue of water resources and environmental protection”.  The book series titled, “Bouba and Zaza and Childhood Cultures” is not only for families it can be used as a resource for educators to teach social, emotional and communication skills. “The book series addresses the glaring shortage of children’s books adapted to African contexts”.  With African being home to the “youngest population in the world, this book series is sure to help with early childhood global initiative efforts.