International Contacts - Finally the last week of class!

 

I have enjoyed learning about the international aspects of early childhood.  I believe that my favorite was the video from World Forum Foundation with the speaker from Afghanistan.  She spoke so eloquently about the troubles facing the Afghan children and families. 

This week, I was finally able to correspond with one former Walden student from Nigeria and working in South Korea.  She discussed with me the reason she is a former student – her country has no assistance for continued education, so she has to pay for it by herself.  Thank goodness we are in America; if there were not grants and student loans, so many of us would not be continuing our education in early childhood studies.  Elizabeth is hoping to continue her studies in the future.

She told me in Nigeria there is no early childhood education.  They basically teach obedience to teachers, families, and other adults.  Then if they are able to go to school, the children were taught basics.

Ironically, in South Korea a Nigerian woman is teaching English to 4-12 year old children because it is required for them to know it.  She teaches nothing else, no developmental activities or anything; just English (sit down and learn it).

I found new resources and organizations that will allow me as an administrator, teacher, and mentor help other EC professionals, families, and children.  I know where to go for research about diversity and cultural issues (World Forum Foundation), poverty and low-income help (NCCP and local organizations) and developmental help with infants and toddlers (zero to three).  I also am beginning to realize how important it is to be involved with community and parents. 

I also feel that I have discovered the one thing that every developed country is having issues with is Funding for early childhood.  Many countries accept that this is an important issue but have no idea how to rectify it. 

I also feel much pride in my home state of Mississippi.  We may be at the bottom of a lot of charts, but the amount of Mississippi girls and guys in this class is a testament to what we want for the children in our state.  Mississippi has come a long way with early childhood education – Early Learning Standards, Quality Rating and Improvement System, Resource and Referral (resource center and training), all of the Technical Assistance, several professional organizations, voluntary state pre-k, Early Childhood Institute etc.  And rumor has it that there are many more early childhood grants and movements in store during this year.  I feel we are on the fast track to moving up the charts! 

My one goal for the field of early childhood is to find a few friend from other countries and stay in touch.  This relationship can depend the understanding of children’s issues and help in becoming an advocate to further the cause of quality early childhood education. /The friendships can also be a great way to increase cultural responsiveness and better understanding of diversity in the classroom and get cool items for activities and centers.  Just remember it is a 2-way street.  Share and share alike./

To all my classmates:  Thanks for making this a great class and cannot wait to work with you again!  Your comments have given me the incentive to strive and achieve more than I thought possible.  And Gena, I can't wait to meet you in October at conference!