Sharing Web Resources

Long-term partnerships between business and education are not common within Early Education environments in Edmonton. Financial support in early education programs makes sense to improve outcomes for children. Economists, researchers and behavioral scientists are discovering and reaffirming the knowledge that proponents of early education have been claiming.

 

Highly respected early childhood websites support early education professionals to advocate for supports through research based practices. For example, The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) conducts and communicates research to support high-quality, effective early childhood education for all young children. Such education enhances their physical, cognitive, and social development and subsequent success in school and later life (National Institute for Early Education Research, 2013).

Evidence based research and practices assist early education professionals to advocate for effectively for supports within their programs. Often sites such as this rely upon charitable foundations or research bodies to prove financial or knowledge based support to maintain research.

 

Within this valuable website, there are resources provided by the Government such as Annual State Pre-K Reports: State Preschool Yearbooks found at : http://nieer.org/publications/state-preschool-2012 

There are also links to videos linked to topics highlighted by NIEER. a useful video for families includes a Spanish and English version discussing the importance or preschool to mothers http://nieer.org/publications/nieer-videos/video-value-pre-k-mothers-discuss-preschool-benefits. 

Another great resource for the education of Board, community or business members is http://nieer.org/publications/nieer-videos/video-preschool-americas-best-investment.

References:

Boy in Fireman Jacket    Hannen website.  Retrieved May 30, 2013 from http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/The-Land-of-Make-Believe.aspx

Girl looking in the Mirror.  Play and Playground Encyclopedia.  Retrieved May 30, 2013 from http://www.pgpedia.com/taxonomy/term/228

Little Chef.   Ideas for Ideas for Social Dramatic Play Ideas #9 out of 20. Retrieved May 30, 2013 from http://tubeideas.ru/image.php?id=1059879

Little Doctor. Ideas for Ideas for Social Dramatic Play Ideas #14 out of 20 . Retrieved May 30, 2013 http://tubeideas.ru/image.php?id=1059867

International Contacts

 

 

It is important to understand what is occurring globally when attempting to identify issues and trends that are occurring locally.  The intent is to develop solutions to complex issues such as poverty, which is a global concern.  According to Unicef Report Card 10 (2012)

 

          “The highest rates of deprivation are found in countries that include Romania, Bulgaria and Portugal, though even some richer countries, such as France and Italy, have deprivation rates above 10%.The Nordic countries and the Netherlands have the lowest rates of relative child poverty, at around seven per cent. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have rates of between 10 and 15 per cent, while more than 20 per cent of children in Romania and the United States live in relative poverty. Only Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Cyrpus are ranked in the top 10.”

Several Weeks ago emails were set to groups in Europe querying information related to the Step by Step Program that targets proactive strategies to improve family and child outcomes.  There have been no responses.  As an alternative, several other international websites have been subscribed to.  I have successfully received information from Early Childhood Australia WebWatch.  This organization has been existence for 75 years serving the early childhood environments in Australia.

 

 

 

This website provides resources that can be purchased to support training and developmentally appropriate practices in early education environments.  It highlights issues of concern and provides augmentative and alternative solutions. There are also useful links to topics that are related to providing supports for children and their families. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Child’s Rights Video

 The first   initiative includes a children’s rights video targeting children.  It is produced by UNICEF and addresses issues related to inclusive and equitable practices, bullying and poverty.

 http://www.unicef.org.au/Educational-Resources/?utm_source=&utm_medium=short_url&utm_term=&utm_content=media&utm_campaign=education

 

Child Care Flexibility Fund Applications

 A link is associated with the Australian Government is entitled Child Care Flexibility Trials.  This is an intuitive where the government is responding at a front line level to support families who are indicating the early child care environments are not meeting the changing needs of families.  The Australian government is providing grants for early education environments to be more versatile and explore flexible child care arrangements including extended hours and modified levels of care to support families who are doing shift work.

 

 

 

References 

Adamson, P. (2012). Measuring Child Poverty: New league tables of child poverty in the world's rich countries (No. inreca660). UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre.

Australian Government. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2013).  Child Care Flexibility Fund.  Retrieved from http://deewr.gov.au/child-care-flexibility-trials

Children in heart.  Children Should Be Seen & Heard & Listened To.  Retrieved May 23, 2013 from http://ww2.valdosta.edu/~ammathis/

Children in a circle. Hytec. Retrieved May 23, 2013,

         from http://www.hytec.co.uk/news.aspx

 

Early Childhood Australia WebWatch #162(2013). Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/eca_webwatch/eca-webwatch-issue-162-may-2013.

“What are child rights?” UNICEF.   Retrieved May 24, 2013 from http://www.unicef.org.au/Educational-Resources/?utm_source=&utm_medium=short_url&utm_term=&utm_content=media&utm_campaign=education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources to Support Families and Professionals

As the world or resources is explored, one site that contains a wealth of resources is the ZERO to THREE Website.

   As the name alludes, topics related to infants, toddlers and children are addressed.   

This site is tremendously informative and contains information for parents, professionals and trainers.  There are podcast, webinars and printed materials that have been developed both English and Spanish. 

Parents can access information related Developmental and mental health issues, health and Nutrition, Pro-social Behaviours, Play, Sleep and Grandparents.  There are tools and a question and answer forum that may be handy for families who like to review resources independently.

 

For professionals these same tools are equally beneficial.  However in addition to information there are training opportunities that also focus on all aspects of early development and attachments for children and their families.  For a nominal fee, there are also web based podcasts that can be accessed for Continuing Education Credits, give 80% mastery of the materials.  These materials are also in both English and Spanish. 

 

Some areas that are of personal interest included:

 

Little Kids, Big Questions: A Parenting Podcast Series From ZERO TO THREE™

 

 http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/

 

Baby Brain Map

 

 

http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/brain-development/baby-brain-map.htm

 

 

 

Promoting Social Emotional Development includes topics such as:

 

“Use Your Words!”: How Babies Begin to Develop Self-Control in the First Three Years - In this podcast, Dr. Brenda Jones Harden describes how young children develop self control starting even in the first year of life.

 

 Early Experiences Count: How Emotional Development Unfolds Starting at Birth - In this podcast, Dr. Ross Thompson describes how early emotional development unfolds and what parents can do to nurture strong, positive social and emotional skills starting at birth.

 

Across the Generations:  The Role of Grandparents in Young Children’s Lives - In this podcast, Dr. Barbara Bowman talks about the important role of grandparents in the lives of young children.

 

Our Families, Ourselves:  How Our History Influences How We Raise Our Children - In this podcast, Dr. Dan Siegel talks about how the way we are brought up influences the way we bring up our kids—the power of the past on our parenting.

 

 References

 

ZERO TO  THREE Website. Retrieved May 16, 2013, from  http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/social-emotional-development/

Baby and toy. Ikea website.  Retrieved from http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/

Toddler eating.  Parent 24. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://www.parent24.com/Focusblock/Focus/nutrition/Menus-for-toddlers-1-3-years-20080805-2

Toddler reading. Retrieved from Chattanooga-Hamilton County

          Health Department. Retrieved May 18, 2013 from

          http://health.hamiltontn.org/TextOnly/casemgt.aspx

Brain image.  ASU School of Life Sciences. Retreived May 18, 2013 from

          http://askabiologist.asu.edu/what-your-brain-doing

Parent singing to toddler. Chilliwack Academy of Music. Retrieved may 17, 2013 from http://www.chilliwackmusic.com/portfolio-view/kindermusik-our-time/

Toddlers playing. Treasures.  Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://www.treasures.co.nz/Explore-your-stage/Article/?contentId=171339

Grandparent and child. Adults. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://grandparentsday.org/adults/

Intergenerational family.  CIC News, Canadian Immigration Newsletter. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://www.cicnews.com/2013/05/parent-grandparent-sponsorship-reopen-2014-052465.html

Expanding Resources

 

 
Globally there are changes in the understanding and practises that target inclusive practises for children and families during the early years. As an administrator supporting early education program, I have traditionally perceived our school to be responsible for providing early educational experiences to target children ages 2 ½ to 6. Within our school, we provide an environment and home based programs for children and families. Family Orientated Programs also take place within the school and home and are facilitated by educators and multidisciplinary team members.

Within Alberta, there are changes to service delivery model for children and students. These changes have not yet been presented to service providers; however the policy makers are also reaching out to the education community to request feedback for new ideas and alternative ways of providing service.

As a result of my continuing education with Walden University and independent research, I have made contact with several groups in Western Europe who implement a program labelled Step By Step.  Agencies in Belarus and Lithuania have been contacted via email to request information related to their programs.   They were also provided with some background information regarding our school that is located in Canada, should they have questions or wish to collaborate.  The Step by Step targets individualised child based programs that address diversity related to culture language and socioeconomic status. Parents are engaged to support their children as well as become active members of their respective communities.

 

The Step by Step Program is implemented in many Western European Countries:

“Educational Programs: 17900 teachers of children from birth through 12 years old have been trained in the Step by Step methodologies. 1550 children with special needs are served in inclusive classrooms in 280 schools across Belarus. 28 teachers and teaching assistants working with Roma children have been trained, and 86 of the children are receiving child-centred curriculum.

•Civil society Programs: 965 parents have participated in a variety of workshops and trainings designed to build their skills in working collaboratively with teachers and school administrators. 415 other community residents from 20 cities/communities have attended workshops on advocacy. 3475 youth from 11 universities/colleges have participated in volunteer community projects, including serving as teaching assistants in Step by Step classrooms.

•Publishing Programs: 6 methodologies and training manuals have been translated into for parents, teachers and administrators. A newsletter has also been developed and distributed as a way to exchange information among the 1,595 active, full-time members “ (International Step By Step organization, (ISSA), 2012).

References

The International Step by Step Association (ISSA).  Retrieved from http://www.issa.nl/Join%20ISSA%20leaflet-ENG.pdf