Sharing Web Resources, Part 2
 



     Several weeks ago I shared information regarding the organization I chose to further study.  The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is the organization of choice and the web address is as follows: www.acei.org. The organization reaches out and provides a wealth of knowledge on what's taking place on a global perspective. 

     While navigating through the site, what I have found relevant to my professional development is the publication articles that provide information on various early childhood development programs.  I came across the bulletin titled, Early Years Bulletin, an ACEI publication that offers information for professionals on teaching and caring for children ages 0-6. This is a great resource for me as a Director of a family child care program. It can be utilized in such a way that I can share information with my staff and in-home family child care providers that are keeping up with training or doing a special project. Many of my providers seek to achieve their CDA and this is a great way to share information knowledge and inform them of current issues and trends that are taking place not only locally but in a global aspect as well. Also, they are affiliated with other organizations that can also be a great contributor to my professional development and help me to become more versed within the early childhood field. 

     One of the resources that I found to be enlightening is the promotion of ACEI's campaign tilted: Love Me, Teach Me.  The campaign speaks volume to me as an individual and professional and as to deeply focus on the very-being of a child. The heart of the campaign is to "promote the needs and rights of children everywhere. The campaign is built upon four cornerstones, each contributing to the well-being of children and related intimately to children’s needs and rights. These four cornerstones are See Me, Hear Me, Love Me, and Teach Me, and they apply to all children, worldwide. The campaign is named Love Me, Teach Me because these two cornerstones contribute most significantly to a child’s overall development and well-being (ACEI, 2014). The campaign is one that I will definitely be sharing with my colleagues and organization that can be marketed throughout our Child, Youth and School Services programs.

  

     One of the resources available on the website that adds to my understanding of how economists, neuroscientists and politicians contribute and support the early childhood field is that they provide a publication called Global News.  The link provides many archive articles and publications that address issues and trends on  a global level and gives opportunities for economists, neuroscientists and politicians the chance to voice their opinions and concerns about what is taking place on a global aspect. In particular, an archive publication titled: The World Economic Forum is an organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global. regional, and industry agendas. Conferences are held on a yearly basis to discuss economic issues that impact growth and development.  Additionally, ACEI also has implemented the Institute for Global Education Diplomacy. This is a summit that is also held each year and gives opportunity for advocates to come together and focus on issues and trends in education and early childhood. 

     One of the new insights about issues and trends that I have gained pertaining to the early childhood and educational field is the fact that there is a global attack on education that has impacted many countries that have been involved in wars. Unlike the U.S., military soldiers have taken over schools, universities and buildings that have robbed children of their well-being and educational experience. When this take-over is implemented many schools and facilities are forced to close. It is said that when children remain in schools with a military presence, they can be exposed to sexual violence, forced labor, and forcible recruitment. Girls are often the target of sexual abuse by soldiers and many parents will keep them home from school. Reading about these occurrences has opened my eyes and appreciate that I live in a nation that has not experienced these types of issues presented.  Thankfulness is the "Word" of the day.  There is so much to be thankful and grateful for.  Learning of these global issues that affect children have only made me more compassionate as an individual.


References

https://www.acei.org