Sharing Web Resources: Week 4
The Website I browsed through is Early Childhood Australia.
- What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?
The organization's website had numerous sections but among all the sections I gravitated towards two. The first is the section on their Code of Ethics. I found this very relevant to my current professional development for we do not have a document like this to follow in my country. The US organization, NAEYC has the Code of Ethical Conduct, Australia has the Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics but our country does not have a specific organization that has come up with a similar document. In my teaching, I try to follow the NAEYC Code of Ethics and have recently also included the one made by the Early Childhood Australia as I found them very similar and useful.
The other section I was very interested in was the section Early Childhood News Archive. This section includes press releases related to early childhood education. I articles I read were very diverse and relevant. They covered topics from the simple like how to minimize stress during a child's first year of school, to the more political, philosophical and cultural topics such as reforms, investments, quality standards and the like. I found this helpful for as an early childhood educator, we should never stop learning and always strive to find new information related to our field. We should also be abreast with issues and trends that affect our country but also in the global level.
- Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?
I was surprised to read a press release entitled, "August 2011 - Media release: Malaysia solution must not extend to children under any circumstances". Apparently there is a possibility that unaccompanied refugee children living in Australia will be brought to detention in Malaysia. The Early Childhood Australia vehemently opposes to this plan as they said it is a violation of human rights as well as their rights as children and refugees. I agree with the agency's sentiment that children's interest should always be considered in any policy of government decision. I do hope that the Australian government will prove to be compassionate and child-centered and will not push through with their initial plan.
- What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?
As I browsed through the website especially through the news archive, I was able to see that the ECA is advocating for a more comprehensive and holistic quality program. From what I read, it seems like politicians, economists and the Australian Government have been seeing the importance of early childhood education as they have raised funds, budgets, provide allowances and education rebates and even state in another news release that quality child care is more important than cost. They also included articles on health issues and their effects of the development of young children. ECA has been advocating for a unified program that will be able to provide for academic, nutritional and holistic development of the children in Australia.
- What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?
As I browsed through the website, I saw that there were articles about early childhood trends and issues in other countries like the US and Canada. This made me realize that it is indeed necessary to be abreast of what other countries are experience to be able to learn from their mistakes and victories.
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 8:39 AM
5 Comments:
Elizabeth: Can you please relate for me what specific ethics in Australia’s code of conduct impressed you? I am very interested. How is Australia’s code of ethics similar to your country’s code of ethics? I also was very impressed that you are now incorporating Australia’s code of ethics into your own professional career. It seems like you selected a wonderful organization to examine. I look forwards to learning more. Keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing your post!
Elizabeth,
The NAEYC provides updated information for educators. I constantly visit this site and I have downloaded the code of ethics as part of my job and my education. Thank you sharing your resources.
Elizabeth,
It is amazing how different cultures have some of the same thoughts but they are able to apply them better than we do in the US. We should definitely have a code of ethics but I think that it turns into politics when people ask if we are allowing our government to run our schools. Truth be known our government should be a part of our educational program so that they can support our needs.
Elizabeth, it is indeed important that professionals (whether early childhood educators or otherwise) must always keep abreast of the developments in their field. It is also very instructive to read about developments and policies in other countries. I enjoyed reading your post.
Elizabeth,
It is great to have a Code of Ethics. It gives us in the profession a great standard to work by. It's great to hear that you use it as well. It will be very benefical in the long run.
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