Learning about resources beyond our immediate communities is critical for development of our personal knowledge as well as for enhancement of our immediate communities. The world is becoming a smaller place. Technology has improved awareness of global issues. In North America, immigration occurs for compassionate, economic and social reasons. Access to international contacts provides us a more holistic perspective of local and global issues; ensuring the well being of our communities and newcomers to them. We become more alert and culturally responsive to the families who enter our early education environments.
International organizations that support children and families also bring awareness and understanding of the social emotional, physical and cognitive development of children on a global basis. These developmental stages of infants, toddlers, children and young adults occur similarly across the world. However cultural and cognitive abilities of parents; as well as stressors including war, parental stress, poor nutrition, exposure to teratogens and poverty have varying impact on child development.
Governments across the globe recognize the changing needs of the communities. There are significant variances in levels of need, relative to geographic location. Within all communities, there is a challenge in place to support parents, families and children to improve outcomes in early childhood with the intent of building stronger societies and economies in the future.
Communities improve when families meet the needs of their children. This occurs when communities must find solutions that are inclusive of children and families regardless of special needs, cultural diversity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. They must be supported in the most enabling, safe and caring environments that target the optimization of child outcomes based upon the ability of the child. Highly qualified early education professionals promote awareness. Inclusive practices can include supports that meet language, cultural, and exceptional learner needs can be bridged through welcoming environments, translated supports and technology that facilitate learning and communication. Sites like the Harvard University Centre on the Developing Child and National Association for the Education of Young Children are tremendous resources for early education professionals.
Web based resources provide access to strategies and solutions that target the needs of individual communities. These resources and best practices can be used to engage local government and business must be engaged through evidence based practices. Trusted web based organizations or Associations are effective venues to access reliable evidence based information. They house the collective experiences of various groups, addressing positive practices, social justice, health development and strong communities.
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