Establishing
contact with an early childhood professional from Australia during my last
class prompted me to further investigate the resources available there. I chose to research Early Childhood Australia
to determine what current research is underway concerning Early Childhood
conditions on the other side of the planet.
Our nations share several ideologies, accomplishments, and struggles. What I learned was that current mentioned
research evidenced what my contact had shared with me concerning conditions for
the field that were relevant to her personally.
This
year alone, there have been several inquiries made regarding budgeting issues
and the National Quality Framework by which they base their curriculum and
practice methodologies. Additional areas
of concern and current research include affordable quality education and care,
online safety, and immigration which area also key concerns in the United
States. Further research is being
conducted regarding self-destructive and suicidal behaviors among children, and
grandparents as primary caregivers.
This
organization is comparable to NAEYC, which is the leading resource for Early
Childhood matters here in the United States.
Both websites are set up similarly, offering broad general information
as well as sections dedicated to news and media, parent resources, educator
resources, and membership opportunities.
Similarly, both institutions value integrity, collaboration, leadership,
and inclusiveness with shared positive visions for the future of young children.
I don’t
know that I would say that our similarities surprised me, but I did find one
difference that I would like to mention.
It seems to me that in Australia, the Aboriginal and Indigenous people
are regarded much differently than in the United States. I do not know the history of the country, or
how things occur daily, but it seems like the issues of native peoples are
considered in a greater perspective than we consider Native American
populations. It may be that we are more
greatly influenced by immigrant populations or that issues are entirely
different, but it is something I plan to investigate further.
I am
grateful that organizations with the intention of improving early childhood
conditions exist worldwide. It will be
through the global collaboration and development of “best” practice and
methodology that the greatest strides will be made. The continuing research within the field
indicates that there is great hope for the future. I am happy to say that I am a part of such a
caring and ambitious group of professionals.
Hi Dana,
ReplyDeleteStudy after study shows that the sooner a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road. But today, fewer than three in ten 4-year-olds are enrolled in a high-quality preschool program. Most middle-class parents can’t afford a few hundred bucks a week for private preschool. And for poor kids who need help the most, this lack of access to preschool education can shadow them for the rest of their lives.
President Obama’s 2013 State of Union Speech
Great information, I enjoyed reading your post.
Dana,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you chose a site with valuable information. I too was brought back to one of the sites I used in another class but found mine sort of dud..Best Practices and research directly linked to the site should be the primary focus of these organizations, but sadly some are more interested in "focus groups" that don't lead to much!!