I have signed up for a newsletter from National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), however I have not received it yet, so this week I chose to review the organization's policies and focused on NAEYC's A Call for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. This policy outlined the importance of high quality education and described the goals for all early education programs. NAEYC makes it clear that the responsibility for improving early childhood programs does not rest with one group or level of government. In order to provide our children with the education they deserve we must work together to achieve the high quality education and environment to have the best short- and long-term results.
NAEYC states the principals needed in order to achieve the goals and included was the need for equality for all children regardless of family status, income, disability, gender, national origin, ethnicity, or race (http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence). Diversity is also needed to ensure programs respect each family's culture differences and are flexible to the needs of the child and family (http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence).
This supports the importance of educating teachers and administrators on the importance of being respectful to every family's culture and traditions. With the changing demographics in our country, classrooms are going to be diverse. To be able to provide the best for our children, teachers must be prepared. It is the responsibility for every level of government and early childhood professionals to ensure our children have the best chance for success later in life which can be achieved through increasing the quality of our early childhood programs.
NAEYC. (n.d). A call for excellence in early childhood education. Retrieved
from http://www.naeyc.org/policy/excellence.
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Hi Jennie,
ReplyDeleteI have used the NAEYC website many times over the course of my career. Early in my career I worked at a private preschool that was accredited by NAEYC. Even though I left that school years ago due to a move I have used NAEYC materials as resources. Their position statements are so well written and clear. For me it has been easy to relate to and see the importance in any topic they are talking about. I have learned so much through this organization and believe that their positions are what is truly best for children. It is back with some much research.
Hello Jennie,
ReplyDeleteNAEYC is a great organization, who knows the best practices for early childhood education. The article "call for excellence in early childhood education" This fits so well with our current issue at hand, demographics and diversity, ensuring that all cultures are respected, celebrated and welcomed!