The NAEYC has an incredible amount of resources and information for anyone that works with children. Anytime a particular subject comes up that I need more information such such as this week's discussion assignments, the first place I search is the NAEYC website. For example and article I read just a few days ago- NAEYC Calls for Investments in Early Childhood Education to Make America Stronger-This article discusses the importance of all professionals working with children to urge Congress to provide more funding to early childhood programs (NAEYC, 2008). The argument certainly justifies the fact that for many years early childhood education has been inadequately funded, yet the to maintain these centers has increased greatly (NAEYC, 2008). The article includes information from economists that support investing in childhood education. They say early childhood education lead to a significant return on investment, and that high-quality programs prevent higher costs later through les remedial education, lower juvenile crime rate, and lower school dropout rates (NAEYC, 2008).

Reading articles such as the one above, adds to my understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, and politicians support the early childhood field.

Some specific information I found on the website that seems particularly relevant to my current professional development is pertaining to the importance of play for children both inside the classroom and at home. There are wonderful articles, suggestions and ideas on how to correlate play with lesson plans. There is also an area on the website where you can pull resources to share with the families. This is especially important to give out to parents so they too, can be more informed about how important and vital it is for our young ones to engage in exploration and imagination. Some of the topics include :
1.Assessing and Scaffolding Make Believe Play
2.Chopsticks and Counting Chips
3.Playdough-What's standard about it?
4.Block Building and Make-Believe for Every Child
5.Block off time for Learning
6.Recess-It's indispensable: Test scores do not improve when recess is cut
7.Why Do Babies Like Boxes Best?

Over the years, whenever a professional issue or controversy has arisen, again I can look to the NAEYC website for information, resources and support. Now, I have had students over the years whose families did not celebrate Christmas and/or other holidays. I have always completely respected that and together we would make appropriate arrangements for these children at times when we were celebrating. Personally, it frustrates me that we are not supposed to call it a Christmas party, but a Holiday party is ok. However, there have been a few issues that I thought the parents were becoming unrealistic with their demands on what their child should be doing whist the party was taking place. As an advocate of young children, it really upsets me to see a child get embarrassed or feel shameful by their parents. In one particular issue I was dealing with I had the support of my staff and other professionals in the field that I could turn to. The NAEYC was again another helpful source to find articles on this subject matter. One such article is -Anti-Bias Education Holdiay Fairness.

Resources
http:www.naeyc.org/newsroom/

The blogs I responded to this week:
Reem Husseini
http://sharewhatwelearn.blogspot.com

Donna DiMillioFebruary 2, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Reem- The article from UNICEF that you blogged about this week is very informative. It is a sad situation that so many millions of children have to suffer.The long-term results are so devastating and uncalled for. However, it is encouraging that decision makers such as neuroscientists, politicians, and economists are making a stance to support quality early childhood education for all children.

Donna

Susan Anderson

http://teachingearlyedu.wordpress.com

Susan- The information regarding the assessment resources on the NIEER website if helpful, thank-you, I agree with you completely about hiring early educators with degrees. Many teachers in preschool programs, as least where I live, have associate degrees. It would be wonderful if early education programs would offer incentives such as tuition reimbursement for those willing to continue on with higher degrees.
Donna