Looking at the article “Assessing the Quality of Early Years Learning” I found out it was important information I feel is relevant to my current professional development. For many years I worked in a classroom where children range from 15 to 36 months in age. As an educator I understand that the first three years of a child’s life are the most critical time. The early years of a child life is where the most development is taking place. At this point the brain is also developing as well. It is important to provide children with a high quality learning environment that will support and enhance their developmental skills. Children learn best when all areas of an integrated, carefully planned, curriculum are implemented informally using methodologies that are interactive, practical and enjoyable. Children should have opportunities to experience much of their learning through well planned and challenging play. (CCEA, 2003, p.7).
I like the fact that children experience much of their learning through well planned and challenging play. Play should not be omitted from a child’s learning plan or environment, but it should very much encourage. From my own experiences I found out the best observation done on children is while they are playing. The information I found that made me think about things in a new ways was the important of play. Dr. Grace statement “Economists, Scientists, and Politicians Supporting the Early Childhood Field” in the video segment talks about “the loss of childhood and how we're just trying to fight for childhood, because we don't let children play like we once did and all because we don't have time to play”(Laureate Education, 2011). I believe it is so important that children have an adequate amount of time to play throughout the day. As I reflect back on my younger years when I use to play or make up games to play it was the best years in my life. It seems like every child on my block had fun as we played together games such as: Mr. Freeze, rock teacher, hopscotch or hide go seek etc. Children who are living in poverty cannot enjoy playing games or even have time to play them, because there focus is to work so they can provide for their families every day.
The information in the “Early Childhood Highlight” article helped my understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field. Even though there is a need for an increase to improve early head start and preschools programs for low low-income children who are living in poverty to receive funding for high quality education. “The federal government has also demonstrated an interest in supporting school readiness. The Obama Administration has maintained a focus on early childhood by including $5billion of new funding for childcare, Head Start, Early Head Star, and programs for young children with special needs in the American Recovery and reinvestment Act”(Child Trends, 2014).
After exploring the websites about low income families or children living in poverty, I did not realize the vast amount of information I found. Also, I did not realize the large amount gone out to better different program in support of quality care and learning for young children.
References:
(2010). Early Childhood Highlights. Trends Child, 1(3), 1-12.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Issues and trends in the early
Childhood field: Economists, scientists, and politicians supporting the EC field.
Baltimore, MD: Author.
Walsh, G. & Gardner, J. (2014). Assessing the Quality of Early Years Learning Environments, 7(1). Retrieved from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v7n1/walsh.html
Hi Latonya,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog. "Assessing the Quality of Early Years Learning Environments" seems relevant to my current professional development as well. Thank you for sharing the article. It is important for teachers to have enriching interactions with infants and toddlers. Reading stories, singing songs, talking, and playing with infants and toddlers contributes to their development and increases cognition. I agree that the best observations done on children is when they are playing. We can learn a lot about children while they are playing.