Sharing Web Resources: A Deeper Look into Early Childhood Australia's Website
- their position statement
- early childhood news
- their publication - the Australian Journal of Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Magazine
- Research in Practice Series
- Everyday Learning Series
- Voice Newsletter
- QIAS/QA Support
- Resource Themes
- Legal Statements
Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?
I decided to search the area- Resource Themes. This link led me to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
This framework was endorsed by the Australian government in 2009. All early childhood education programs around their country are to use this framework. The link then provides a resource list that may help practitioners in implementing this framework by giving practical tips such as:
- links to where the EYLF itself and information for parents can be downloaded;
- links to some of the evidence about high quality early childhood practice;
- links and books to support educators to understand the EYLF principles, practice and the EYLF learning outcomes; and
- links to ECA publications that have been specifically written to support practitioners to work with successfully with the EYLF.
If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?
I have subscribed to their newsletter a month ago but I have yet to receive a copy.
Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?
Though I am yet to get a copy of their newsletter, their website was able to provide some information on equity and excellence especially under the link on Resource Themes and the Early Years Learning Framework. The Australian Government seems to value addressing the issue of equity and excellence as their EYLF includes principles that deal specifically on these issues. The list of resources for EYLF includes:
EYLF Principles
- Principle 1: Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships
- Principle 2: Partnerships
- Principle 3: High expectations and equity
- Principle 4: Respect for diversity
- Principle 5: Ongoing learning and reflective practice
- Holistic approaches
- Responsiveness to children
- Learning through play
- Intentional teaching
- Learning environments
- Cultural competency
- Continuity of learning and transitions
- Assessment for learning
- EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
- EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
- EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
As I navigated through this area/link, I was able to read a few articles on diversity and respecting children cultures inside the classrooms. In one article, Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Dora Pulido-Tobiassen discuss the nee to begin by partnering with parents in raising up and caring for children in a diverse classroom. They say this is very important for everything we do, even the minute things like how we touch children and diapering are affected by our cultural values. They also have articles and books on responsive teaching and reciprocal learning as well as a tool for analyzing learning environments and quality assessment guidelines for all programs (day care, child care and after hours child care).
Another article that I found interesting is by Montgomery (2001) that focused on creating a culturally responsive, inclusive classrooms. He suggests that programs and teachers conduct self-assessments to check their competency and responsiveness. Furthermore, he advises that programs use a range of culturally sensitive instructional materials and methods. In addition he explicitly expresses the need to create a classroom that respects diversity and individual and cultural values. Collaboration with other professionals and families, fostering an interactive classroom and employing ongoing and culturally aware assessments are his other suggestions.
What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?
Through the exploration of this website I was able to see that it is not only the US and my country that face issues on equity and excellence. I am however, very happy to note that the Australian Government is trying to address these issues by providing programs and a framework for EC programs in their country to follow.
Sources:
the Early Childhood Australia's website focus on resource themes: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/resource_themes/eylf_early_years_learning_framework.html
Montgomery (2001). Can be accessed through the ECA's website or through http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutCEC/International/StepbyStep/ResourceCenter/CulturalandLinguisticDiversity/VOL.33NO.4MARAPR2001_TEC_Article1.pdf
Gonzales-Mena & Tobiassen retrieved February 8, 2012 through the ECA website or http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teaching-quotdiversityquot-place-begin
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 4:41 AM
5 Comments:
Elizabeth,
I like the info. on the diverse classroom. I think that is something that we must do if we are going to be great teachers.
Elizabeth
I really liked the information presented through Montgomery’s viewpoint. I also believe that a culturally responsive classroom that values diversity incorporates manipulative that is culturally specific or sensitive to children’s culture. In my undergraduate practicum, I was required to work with an ESOL child as I taught the child specific learning objectives. Luis’ parents were from Mexico and his culture valued socialization. As I orchestrated activities for Luis, I incorporated his passion to interact with others. In this way, Luis not only grasped specific learning objectives, but he also was allowed to learn in situations that respected his learning preference. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth,
I like how your findings helped to you see that it's not just your country and mine that do things differently. It is great to learn that the Australian Government is trying to do things to change their preexisting trends and issues. Great post
Hi Elizabeth,
I especially appreciate the resource themes and early years learning framework you posted--what a wonderful model for any learning environment!
Elizabeth, great info on the Australian website. I found the information on the diverse classrooms very interesting.
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