Consequences of Learning About the International Early Childhood Field

One of the the consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is it brings an awareness that otherwise would not be present in an early childhood educators thinking. This awareness make a person think about what exactly is happening in the hours a child is not in the classroom. Any educator that has a heart for children cannot help but wonder about the health and well being of his or her students in and out of the classroom. There are so many situations out of the control of the children that maybe could be influence by an educators willingness to help.

The second consequence is having the knowledge of resources that can help an educator learn and grow within his or her field. It is important to maintain an open mind during and after a degree has been accomplished. There will always be new new techniques and perspectives that can help an educator. Personally I want to continue learning and growing so that I can provide the children I have the honor to work with and help the best of what the world has to offer. Their families may not have the necessary tools and part of advocating for children is filling in the gaps that may exist in a child's home life. Reading, researching, and continuously learning can be a huge advantage in any field but especially in a field that is growing everyday day.

The third consequence I was made aware of while learning about the international early childhood field is how amounts of children and opportunities available outside my my personal community needing help. I don't have to limit myself to helping just the children in my hometown, or even the state I live in because there are so many innocent children world wide that desperately need someone that has a heart for helping children. I know I cannot save every child but I can help by learning and growing and someday maybe helping and organization like Save the Children either by taking part in one of their many great opportunities or maybe coming up with my own idea that enable others to help and feel good about the good that be done when helping the younger generations grow into positive influential role models with communities around the world.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

While listening to World Forum Radio this week I learned about TJ Skalski who is the principal of Mother Earth Children Charter School in Canada.   Out of 13 charter schools this school has an indigenous focus.  She feels he being at this school was a calling.  Her grandmother influenced her to teach, she always told her “she would be a teacher and always be a great teacher”.  After a very rough first year she can admit her first year was “hell”.  The vision and focus of the school is about reinvesting in the kids and creating a place where culture is a priority.   Culture and language is a priority so that it can be revitalized within the community.  Based on her family values she believes it because of that she is as strong as she is in her own culture.  She is helping children that feel like they are not worth anything so she works to inspire the kids to want to do something with their lives and beyond the walls and want something bigger and better for themselves.

She is teaching the kids based on her own experiences and it shows the children that they can become something great.  So many educators can do exactly that.  Teaching by example is a wonderful option that many do not utilize.  Children watch the adults in their lives and want to be like them so the way we as educators act around the kids will be a great influence on what the children learn.  We teach one thing we should practice what we teach since children are so impressionable especially the young children.