Linda's ECE World

     We come to the last week of Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education.  It has been quite the journey and I have gained much knowledge.  Turning that knowledge into wisdom will be the real work going forward as I work with children.

      I did not have much contact with my international contact as she travels a great deal and works as the head of the organization Montessori Education for Autism.  We have had some good conversations in the past.  One of her concerns is with parenting of young children.  This is one of the sidelines of Montessori Education. Parent education is a topic that I hear coming up a lot in ECE blogs and conversations.  That is one of the consequences of early childhood education.  Not just for single working mothers but also for affluent families. The need for guidance in parenting strategies. As I have read other blogs and such it seems that in other less “developed” counties parents are more engaged in the everyday workings of what their children are doing and the children are involved in the family life to a greater degree.  In the Montessori community there is a conscious effort to include parents groups and classes for the parents.  In other preschools and day cares it is more of a Parent Action Committee that basically helps raise funds and support when it is necessary.  It is does not have a component for parent support classes.  I think taking a look at how we as early childhood educators can support parents in their endeavor to be a good parent can be something that can be shared globally in this field.

      The NEEIR site that I chose to explore is more of a research site. It has much good information about ECE in the US but does not have an international arm.  Rutgers University is the patron of this site and the research it does.  Full of good information and studies being done in early childhood education.  The consequence of this is that one does wonder how or if they share their information with other research sites internationally.  This is something I would like to follow up on in the future. 

       The third consequence from my lack of international contact is that I see where I really needed to make sure I did get those contacts in place.  This is for future reference for me.  Understanding and learning about ECE in other countries is very important and we need to communicate with each other in a way that is been researched and practiced in other places around the world. 

        My goal as far as understanding more internationally in this area of ECE is to read more articles and research done in other countries and to attend the post grad course from MEfA in the future. 

       Taking this class has really enlightened me understanding about the issues and trends in the ECE world. Given me much to consider and think about and more work to do. 

Thanks for dropping by I’ll see you next time.