Thoughts from RevJ: Early Childhood Australia

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Early Childhood Australia

I chose the website for Early Childhood Australia (ECA) to peruse for this assignment because the agency is the equivalent of the US NAEYC organization.

‘Early Childhood Australia will advocate to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years’ (Early Childhood Australia, 2011).

This site has a plethora of information areas for many interests in the ECA field. Research listed on the home page:

· How does your state rate? New report examines states’ progress in early childhood reforms.

· Everyday learning about responding to the emotional needs of children

· Research in Practice Series: Respecting Diversity—Articulating early childhood practice

· Research in Practice Series: The Early Years Learning Framework—Getting started

· Research in Practice Series: Learning and teaching through play—Supporting the Early Years Learning Framework. (ECA, 2011)

There is a page dedicated to resources of the latest published research projects.

Working through the site, I discovered that ECA goals, mission, and concerns somewhat mirror that of NAECY which includes a Code of Ethics. On this site was also information from other countries on their latest discoveries and concerns.

I found it most interesting to read about their efforts for diversity. One of the links guided me to their concerns about teaching the Indigenous children within their cultural settings. The site also has videos on different lessons. I am adding my name to their mailing list for new articles and findings.

Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children. (2011). Retrieved from

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

1 comment:

TabithaJune 5, 2011 at 8:31 PM
I also chose this website. I found that it had several topics that related to the NAEYC organization as well. I found the section on Supporting Best Practices to offer beneficial information on many early childhood topics. It is refreshing to know that other countries also share in our dedication to the early childhood field.
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RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

John Donne (1572-1631) said '...no man is an island...'. Human beings require relationships as we matriculate through life. However significant to us, we need other beings. Even if one went out and lived from the elements around no other humans, that individual would need some other beings to live. Further more, we are born because people came together and when we pass on someone will handle our remains and effects. Relationships of every kind (family, social, professional, religious, romantic) require efforts and maintence from the parties involved.

Some Personal Relationships

I live in a (penthouse type) apartment with a friend of mine I became acquainted with at church. After a painful divorce and left with large mortgage payments, I asked this 'nice' lady from church if she wanted a roommate. She had gone on a weekend trip and while gone her apartment was broken into and everything taken or destroyed (even her clothes). When I sold the house, we continued to be roommates. It has been 11 years now. Although we spend our social time with a seperate group of friends, we are still very close. This relationship has grown as we continue to help each other in any way we can. Denise would give me the shirt off of her back if asked. I would have to think about it if the tables were turned. :-D

I have a best friend named Tonya. She knows me better than my own blood sisters and brothers. We became very close friends after she lost her newborn son as she and her husband held him together. Because of our friendship many have tried to explain it by giving us nicknames such as, Mary and Martha, Paul and Silas, Jonathon and David. The one that stuck is Salt and Pepper. Someone said we bring spice to every situation. Guess who is salt. We minister together. We cry together. We travel together. I have sat in the hospital as she battled illness. She has verbally fought for me. We council each other. We pray for each other. We even feel when the other one is upset or sick. Our friendship is very rare. One author called a friendship like ours, soul-friends. Because of our friendship, we both have grown as a result of our friendship spiritually, emotionally, and cognitively. We even have clothes alike that we bought without the presence of each other. I couldn't make this up.

Both of these relationships are important to me and can be challenging at times. As a friend to both, sometimes I must overlook my thoughts or feelings on an idea or event in order to make the other comfortable or happy. For instance, at our national church conventions I want to talk to everyone I can on the first day. Tonya feels she has all week to see people so she goes to the room while we are on a recess. Every year we fight over which we are doing, meeting and greeting or going to the room. I recently learned that something from her childhood was the reason she didn't like meeting and greeting. I wouldn't have known this without communicating or observing my friend.

Denise and I are partners financially because we split the bills or take responsibilty of certain bills. This must be done through collaboration. Tonya and I are partners financially, spiritually, and professionally. Since becoming friends we have incorporated 2 nonprofit companies, started a women's annual conference, become Bible college professors and board members, as well as an international ministering team.

Learning to compromise in order to accomplish tasks with my friends has given me experience when working with my customers as an administrater of a day care. However, the knowledge I have aquired through these relationships will also give me experience as an EC professional working with children and their parents. As with the friendships when I had to disgard my desires in order to help them, I have the understanding that I must understand that my desires are not always the best as I collaborate with others.