Although the knowledge base is growing in regards to the
importance of early education and care, I still personally feel the need for
the word to get out to even more people is necessary for the growth and
development of all children. I find that
some families agree that babies are not really doing much and that the social
interaction is not needed, nor is the verbal communication because babies
cannot talk. However research has proven
to us time and time again of the importance of all interaction types. It is only the knowing of this research that
is stopping many children from receiving quality care.
I believe public opinion is that children are our future and
that our children will someday be running this world, literally! The public could very well know this and
understand the concept fully, but to know what to do about it to help children succeed
may be far off. Many parents work full
time and are engulfed in the process which brings in their income, and those
who are not parents may not even consider what is happening to children. The factors that need to be addressed for
young children may only be sitting on back burners to those who are aware but
feel they cannot do anything.
The multimedia presentation this week showed us how in the
Nursery School strand times changed through the point and factors for use of
the schools. In the 1920’s these schools
were used as advice stations for “child-rearing” which soon expanded into
research facilities “where researchers and educators could study and foster
children’s social and emotional enrichment” (Laureate Education, Inc.). The research gathered from parent-child
relationships that were being viewed branched off into ideas about the
education and care that fosters healthy development in children. Amazing to know that this is where the needs
were saw and started to be met.
I hope public opinion changes with more and more information
spread through media and by voice. The
importance of education and quality care in the early childhood years is
literally life changing. No matter the
economic situation of the family, all children deserve the chance to be exposed
to quality care. All parents should also
be given the correct information about the early years of their children. I would hope that with continued change in
the advancement of education and care, young children’s rights will become
among the top priorities throughout our government and our policies. Since our children are our future and how we
start them off in life determines a lot about who they will become I really
wonder why teachers, early childhood professionals, and care givers are not
paid as if they are doing something important??
The related implications that I can see from the early years
becoming more important are that more jobs are made available for the highly
important positions that teaching and caring for young children are. That finally this field is noted with
professionalism. In turn all children
and families can benefit (hopefully) due to the increase in jobs in this
field.
Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d.). Multimedia Film. Historical
Overview of Early Childhood Systems. Retrieved from Walden University website https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_552753_1%26url%3D
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI have to share something with you, because I feel you hit a sore spot in my early childhood soul….It is that early childhood professionals are not paid as though we doing something important.
At the end of March 2012, I attended a meeting with the ASG council, about funding our program asked for to support the students who use the childcare. Low and behold, the treasure made a statement about hiring new staff at minimum wage. I felt my blood BOIL! I looked her in the eyes and said,
"If you had your bachelors degree or masters degree, and been working in your speciality field, how would you feel if someone offered you minimum wage to do a job which requires masterly skills?” The look on her face was astonishment, that I had the gall to speak to her in this tone. She has the power to not fund our program, but I needed for her and the group to understand the intentional work we do, and the time we put into our skills, knowledge and understanding of child development.
I find that as the state which I live, requires individual early childhood professionals to develop and further their education, the understanding of the importance of our work will be on the front live and data supported.
Great Post I enjoyed reading your reflections, thoughts and feelings.
Tina,
ReplyDeleteYou and I both agree on that fact that much has been accomplished, but much more need be accomplished as it relates to the importance of quality interaction during early childhood development. One of the things that I propose to implement on my blog is an advocacy for play/play therapy. There is so much that our children glean from play that developmentally equips them in every area of their life. I have a book that I am currently reading called The Secret of Play: How to Raise SMart, Healthy, Caring Kids from Birth to Age 12 by Ann Pleshette Murphy. If more people REALLY understood how play can aid in the development of socially, cognitively, emotionally, and physically well children, then we would all be very proud to see today's youth as our leaders for tomorrow :)
Great post!
CCWhite
I agree with the idea that families believe that babies are not really doing much. When I tell new parents the things we do with babies, they typically dont believe me. I have to show them my degreed teacher and explain the educational goals we have. I have seen many children grow up and have many problems simply because of the lack of communication at home. Parents really shouldnt under estimate the power of communication!!
ReplyDeleteMany parents do not understand what incredible gains babies and young children are capable of attaining with the right environment. I was speaking with an old friend who has a two year old attending preschool. He was amazed that his daughter was signing things that he would say, such as "bath" and "more". His comment was that he did not know that they were "teaching" his daughter at preschool. Educating parents is where increased reform needs to begin.
ReplyDelete