Self- Reflection

             The topic of concern that needs to be investigated to further strengthen cultural background is; “The Influences that Early Childhood Education provides for Children in a Diverse World.”  This topic supports the need to understand do children who are exposed to early learning in different cultures and countries benefit differently?

            The exposure of early learning for children is very important in the development of the stages that children experience for birth to kindergarten.  It is necessary for adults to understand what children experience and at what age these experiences take place. Fisher (2003) states;

            The developmental assets provide a framework for long-term action that recognizes the importance of ongoing, positive opportunities and relationships across at least the first two decades of life for all young people. That recognition means that the work of asset building doesn’t happen through a single event or program; it needs to keep on happening. Sustaining asset building can be challenging. “We went slow and built credibility for the concept of a holistic approach. (p. 14)

            Evidence has proven that early learning is beneficial for early development however; children who are not exposed to industry-based materials are equally exposed to these same educational experiences.  After viewing the video “Observation of Young Children Documentary” and comparing it to the video, “Babies”, I find that children who live in other countries that aren’t exposed to industry-based materials have the same advantage of education than children in America.  Industry-based materials are toys or store-bought materials that are manufactured and sold in stores.  These materials are geared toward promoting growth in children developmental skills such as motor and cognitive developments.  When I viewed the video “Observation of Young Children Documentary”, I noticed that cultures other than American were not exposed to industry-based materials however; these same children were exposed to tools that were from nature such as the infant from China who played with a stick and a can versus American children who are given store-bought manipulative.  Education in America is surrounded by educating our children with store-bought materials, computer technology and media influences that other countries aren’t exposed too.  These same cultures that aren’t exposed to Americanized materials average out the same and even high than cultures that are exposed to those types of materials.  What this is telling me is that in the field of early childhood learning, development is produced by the content of the materials being used, not the quality.

            In this investigation, I would continue gathering resources and data to support the idea that other countries strengthen early development in children by providing stimulation that is natural and non- manufactured.  This could be the solution why other countries who enter the United States are highly educated, have closer relationships with their cultures and strive harder to achieve in academics and future careers.

 

Fisher, D. (2003). Assets in action: A handbook for making communities better places to grow up. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute Press.

 

My Introduction

Hello everyone. My name is Tyrone Brown. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina; originally from New Jersey. I am a Pre-K co-teacher of three, four and five year old children. I have been teaching for 18 years with young children. I received my A.S. degree in education from Kaplan University online and my BA degree in Childhood Education and Master’s degree in Family and Community Services from Ashford University. 

I am currently working on my Doctorate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. This is my 1st class here at Walden University. My future goals are to continue learning about early childhood education and. Career wise; I will continue teaching young children in a pre-school setting with options to be a school counselor or social worker. I love working with young children. I have a love and passion for children and education.

My professional philosophy in this field is to improve education by being a positive role model for our young children and supporting the programs that uplift and recognizes the differences in our youth. As a positive role model and educator, my presence in the classroom and in the community’s outreach programs for youth, will give our children more encouragements to push passed the negative sterotypes of their community; which in turn will improve education.  My hopes are that these same youths will grow up and break the chain of negativity by breaking the barriers that plague the community through being a positive role model for our youth, from what they experienced with me being in their lives. What guided me toward achieving a higher advance degree is to show the youth of today that achieving a Doctorate’s degree can be obtained no matter where you come from or you economic status.

  I believe that social change starts with making a change in our community. I feel that in the community that I work in, being a positive presence in the classroom will give our youth greater opportunities to succeed in life by providing positive influences, motivation and incredible developmental assets that will build and strengthen them to become progressive citizen of the community.  Jack P. Shonkoff ( n.d.) states, “A strong Foundation in early childhood results in much better and effective development later. A weak foundation really puts us behind.” This is a form of social change.

When I think about social change, I think about being diverse in my teaching. I support any type of diversity that makes a grave difference in how children think and taught. I support Margaret Bancroft theory that supports programs that emphasize nutrition, exercise and the mainstream of diverse learning into the classroom. Bancroft believed that children with disabilities shouldn’t be institutionalized but mainstreamed into the classroom. Margaret Bancroft’s experiences in special needs can shed light on the issues that surround special needs and the importance of early diagnosis in young children. “All children with disabilities from preschool-age through age 21 have access to free and appropriate special education services that meet unique learning needs.” (Sector in early childhood field, 2012).  

Bancroft theory also supports Martin Luther’s theory that all children need to be educated.  I feel that each educator in the field should broaden their perspective knowledge of education to increase diverse learning and acceptance; which will educate our children and create a better world in which we live in. After viewing The Decade for Childhood 2012-2022, The Education for Sustainable Development (2011) asks the questions;

What constitutes sustainable development and what conditions are necessary for a community to thrive in terms of family, health, and the environment? As a professional working in education, how do we ensure a bright future for our children and support them to grow into active, productive citizens?

         To answer those questions, I feel that educators need to constantly learn about the changes in our education system; learn how to adapt to the changing views of the world and provide a safe, welcoming environment for you children.

 

Association for Childhood Education International. (2011a). The decade for childhood 2012–

2022. Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/acei-news/decade-for-childhood-initiative-highlights-childrens-rights

 

Jack P. Shonkoff, M. (Speaker). (n.d.). Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change [Video].

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Sectors in the early childhood field.

            Baltimore, MD: Author.