EXPANDING HORIZONS

EDUC 6162

In the field of Early Childhood expanding horizons is imperative. Being a professional in a learning environment involves creative thinking, innovations, being responsive to children and families, and embracing collaboration from colleagues and other professionals so that learning and development are effective for future success. This is what professionals aim for.

By expanding horizons, professionals look at outside sources in order to gain knowledge and ideals such as creative thinking that helps effective learning. Researching and utilizing values from leading organizations proves beneficial in the field of Early Childhood. From a personal position, I have found organizations such as The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as a helpful tool in order to familiarize and relate ideas and functionalities in a learning environment. It helps me know the purpose as to why learning and development are important to a child's well-being and future success. The NAEYC promotes values involving the importance of play being implemented in daily curriculums, embodies positive child behaviors toward learning and how to achieve them, as well as providing guidelines that professionals can utilize to ensure ethical and appropriate treatment and opportunities for children and families are met. Using NAEYC is a great source for aspiring educators and professionals. 

Another organization that allows the expanding of horizons is Zero to Three. This organization values passion, collaboration, and respect which is what I find vital when working with children and families in a learning environment. Having passion is what makes a classroom harmonize, collaboration is what makes creative thinking and innovations most effective and productive, and respect for children and families who have different beliefs, preferences, and attitudes is what establishes effective partnerships. Zero to Three is a great source to turn to so that expanding horizons becomes achievable and educators can become more enlightened in the field of Early Childhood.

This week, I have acknowledged and become more aware of the different organizations that focus on early childhood learning and development as well as familiarizing myself with values that each leading organization strive for. THERE ARE SO MANY!

As I expand my own horizons, I found out what podcast was realizing that this is another great way to accumulate sources so that my ability to teach remains effective. Listening to Michael Kalinski, host of World Forum Radio, I have learned that this source is great because you are not just reading an article but you are listening to passion and dedication out loud. Michael Kalinski explains that World Forum Radio seeks to collaborate on an international scale discussing issues around the world relative to Early Childhood studies. When considering expanding horizons, sometimes it is better to listen to other professionals in a different way in order to remain aware of not only what is happening close to us but what is also happening globally.

HOW SOURCES BENEFIT PROFESSIONALISM IN THE CLASSROOM

1. Given higher awareness of purpose in ECS

2. Collaboration of others gaining different angles and insights for childhood learning and development

3. Utilizing own professional attitude such as being communicative, creative, and responsive learning from leading organizations.

Works cited

The National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org

World Forum Foundation Radio. Retrieved from http://www.podcastchart.com/world-forum-radio/episodes/world-forum-dio-george-forman

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org