ECE Passion, Hopes, & Aspirations

As I am from a small town, the relationships and bonds are indeed rich.  When there is an issue effecting our community there are many people that engage to contribute to finding or helping with the solution/solutions.  As we are aware the field of early childhood education/development has been a topic of interest for years, for decades.  It has changed in many ways over time and is in a great awakening to say currently.  Facts and findings from science and research has recently brought forth more evidence promoting the need for equity and quality in the field of early childhood education/development in many ways.  Improvement in programs for children of all diverse backgrounds, changes in funding, standards and requirements to improve infrastructure, increase training and educational requirements, and more.  Due to the increase of requirements for early childhood education/development, many community colleges offer courses.  Some websites, NIEER, (such as the one I have been following this course) supporting early childhood education/development has imperative information and training seminars for professionals.   As a former employer of a local childcare center, I was given the opportunity to take classes that my director paid for to increase my knowledge in the field of early childhood education, but to also increase her star rating.

            When I reviewed the website NIEER this week searching for issues of quality in the field of early childhood education.  The article “The State of Preschool 2016: Raising the Bar on Quality, Quality and Curriculum: State & Local” by Allison Friedman-Krauss (2017, May 26) strives to present the key findings and progress of the new benchmarks that have been incorporated in many states.  These new benchmarks raise the quality standards of early childcare education/development.  Increasing the support teachers have and the interaction amongst the children, there has indeed been an increase in quality for many children.  The article also presents a table of the previous standard benchmarks verses the current benchmark standards:      

(Friedman-Krauss, 2017).  Enhancing the new benchmarks and aligning with our state on the years of early childhood, beginning at infancy.  Collaborating together and working for the same mission, to serve a better outcome for children.  Striving to contribute to the development of the child, a holistic approach to the child.  (Friedman-Krauss, 2017).

            In regards to my goals, hopes, dreams, and aspirations, they intertwine in the passion I have for children to never have to suffer adversities without proper assistance to overcome the obstacles life has presented them with.  I think my passion or spark established in me at a young age, I unfortunately had many adversities I never understood and the adults attempting to comfort me did not give me the answers I wanted to hear or the understanding I needed.  As we have seen the research of children prime years are the early years, we see how this could have been an issue for me, or any other child.  I feel with proper training, such as I am currently seeking and a true passion for children and their well-being will guide e in the right path where I may be needed in the population of children.  I hope to one day own my own childcare facility.  I have pondered the idea of wanting to open a children home for children in the state system, foster care.  From my experience these children suffer many adversities and have no one to turn to.  They are turned into the world when they become of age and left for the wolves to say.  Many have no family or support, limited education, limited to no funds, and more.  Does the state not find a issue with this?  Do not get me wrong, they are offered a training or transition training to inform and education them on adulthood.  As science has proven, the brain develops until the age of 25.  So what are we doing to our youth?  I strive to be a voice for those without a voice.  I challenge each of you to evaluate how you can make an impact in a child’s life.  How you can become abreast of current facts and findings in the world of children?     

           

Reference

Fried-Krauss, A. (2017, May 26). The State of Preschool 2016: Raising the Bar on Quality.          NIEER. Retrieved from http://nieer.org/2017/05/26/state-preschool-2016-raising-bar           quality