Final Blog for EDUC-6162
Three consequences of learning about the international early
childhood field for my professional and personal development:
*With regard to equity and excellence in care and education,
I would like to learn more about New Zealand’s early childhood program. The website that I researched and our
classmate, Jody, have both mentioned New Zealand’s early childhood program. It has intrigued me, and I am curious to learn
more specifics about their early childhood program.
*With regard to poverty, I have seen how much this is a
global issue. Each year I share with my students two books about an unlikely
friendship between an Aldabra giant tortoise and an orphaned hippo. Their names are Owen and Mzee. Owen, the hippo, was orphaned due to the
tsunami in 2004. It is a wonderful story
of a community coming together to save this orphaned hippo, and then how these
two unlikely pair of animals become the best of friends at Haller Park, a
wildlife park in Kenya. There are so
many lessons about community and friendship that can be built around the true
story of Owen and Mzee. The photographs
of Owen and Mzee, let the children see the animals, but also let them see how
others across the world live in very different conditions from their own. So, it was of great interest that I learned,
from a podcast, about Meridas Eka Yora and his work with the children who had
been orphaned by a tsunami. As a
teacher, I found his quote about teaching the orphaned children most telling, “We
have to be the father and mother to the children before being their teacher.” This is true for many of our own students, as
well. Now, when I share Owen and Mzee’s
story with my classes, I will think of Meridas Eka Yora and his words, and the
work he is doing with children orphaned by the tsunami.
http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php
*Finally, with regard to the influences of economics,
neuroscience, and politics, I feel that I need to stay more current learning
about the international early childhood field.
I need to bookmark the websites that I researched during this course and
regularly look at them for updates on different organizations. I was surprised by all of the organizations
and programs that are being offered globally, and I need to continue to stay
current learning about them.
**With regard to changing demographics and diversity, my
goal would be to pursue learning a second language, so that I could go to
another country on a study tour and feel more comfortable participating in one
of their early childhood programs. I think learning a second language will also
be beneficial in the classroom with regard to the issue/trend of changing demographics
and diversity.
To all of my classmates,
Best regards,
Dianne 
Hi Dianne.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It is necessary to stay current on what is happening in the ECE field all over the world. This how we learn and grow and become better professionals. I wish you well in your future endeavors!