The End

Well week 8 has finally come to an end and our first graduate course is complete. It seems weird to say that, but couldn't feel happier about it. I am so glad one step of my journey is complete. Although there are many more steps to take to complete my journey, this feeling of completion is very settling. Wish everyone the best of luck as they enter their next courses.

Code of Ethics

NAEYC:

I-1.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

     - I think this ideal is important because as a professional in this field you should be on top of the up and coming teaching techniques and ideas as well as the newest resources available. Continuing your education and training can only help you in the end be a better advocate for young children and their families. I also think it is important as a professional because I would not want to be a parent who was sending their child to work with a teacher who was unaware of the criteria in this field.

I-1.10—To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.

     - I feel this ideal is important to me because I would not want to be the child who was left out of an activity or picked last for something due to my culture or language. I feel it is very important that all professionals in the education system no matter what age level, stress how important it is that every one is included in every activity and no one is to be left out for any reason. This happens often in classrooms and may be times where it is not brought to a teachers attention and goes unnoticed. This will only lead to the child being left out most of the time. This is many ways can be seen as early signs of being prejudice and that is not something that I believe a professional should be allowed to happen in their teaching environment. 

DEC:

4.We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services.

     -I think this ideal is very important because form experience as being a new professional to the field it is very heart-warming to feel welcomed by the other professionals in the building. I know right now I may only be a substitute teacher in the field but I am respected by the other teachers in the school as a professional and they are willing to help me out when and if needed. I also feel giving new professionals a mentor helps them understand how that specific school system operates and how to approach certain topics and other professionals in the building. 

References:

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from

http://www.dec-sped.org/

Early Childhood Resources

Position Statements and Influential Practices:

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf

• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf

• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families.(FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf

Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being:

Articles

UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

Websites

World Forum Foundation 
http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php
This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage  

World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
Read about OMEP’s mission. 

Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/about/
Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these state

Selected Early Childhood Organizations:

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
  
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
  
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
  
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
  
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
  
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
  
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
  
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
  
• Children’s Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
  
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
  
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
  
• Institute for Women’s Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
  
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
  
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
  
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
  
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
  
• Voices for America’s Children
  http://www.voices.org/
  
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library:

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Additional Resoures:

Books:

Karp M.D, Harvey.(2003). The Happiest Baby on the Block. 

Sears M.D, William and Martha Sears, R.N.(2003) The Baby Book:Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Two.  

Webites

http://www.ecechicago.org/parent/

Quotes

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." Maria Montessori 

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." Dr.Hiam Ginnot

"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed." Maria Montessori