The International Early Childhood Field

            Throughout this course I had a great opportunity to converse with two international professionals and discuss major concerns about children, families, professionalism as well as personal teaching experiences within the field of early childhood education. Through my contacts I acquired helpful information which relates to their commitment and passion for the field. Along with their commitment and passion for the field I acquired at least three consequences learning about the international early childhood field and they are cultural differences, poverty plus budget issues and defining quality of education.

            As I spoke with N. Wright my international contact for the country of the Philippines she expressed the importance of teachers having “cultural competence” (N. Wright Personal communication 2012) Teachers need to “enhance their cultural competence”, in other words get to know your students personally as well as their family values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds. She discusses teaching with little discrimination and judgment as possible. I understand this method for professional and personal development because without cultural competence and knowledge about the students we teach even internationally the consequences which may arise are lack of building relationships with student’s children and families. This issue can trickle down to being an effective teacher.  

            My second consequence learning about the international early childhood field is the poverty plus budget issues within one of the country of Thailand. Talking with P. Wetzel about budgeting and lack of school supplies helped me realize the importance of utilizing resources for teaching in the classroom. P. Wetzel shared her personal experience as a first grade teacher teaching in Thailand. She talked about her students saving chop sticks to use as counting material, using rubber bands and tying them together to create a jump rope to play with and using left over newspaper to cut or tear to make puppets. From her experience I saw her method of not only recycling ever day materials that most students take for granted but utilizing everything around us as teaching tools. She emphasized how the schools she taught at was very poor and was surprised to see that when she traveled to the United States years ago how most child development centers or preschools had little to no problem using pasta, rice or beans for craft projects. I began to understand the importance of children and families in other countries living in poverty with not enough of the essential foods like pasta, rice, and beans that can feed many children and their families. I couldn’t help to realize how policy changes in early childhood programs with using food as craft materials really impacts lives even teachers.

            Lastly quality in education internationally is slightly different than the United States. From other blog readings and international education websites I determined some countries have children in school for longer hours, are involved more within their community and need several support systems to ensure young children have their basic needs met first.  This information contributes to my professional and personal development because learning about cultural differences and education priorities builds my knowledge as well as opens up my awareness to accepting differences in teaching methods.

            One international early childhood education goal I would hope to see in the near future is building solid relationships with other international educational professionals. I trust the more communication is made with other professionals the more shared information and knowledge is learned between groups. Through communication educators can form better alliances that contribute to better futures for our children.

            I would like to take a moment to thank my colleagues that contributed to my understanding of issues and concerns within the field of early childhood education. As I continue my quest in early childhood studies I hope my colleagues continue to stay passionate about the field and continue to work hard in building and investing in ways to make better lives for our nation. I have enjoyed this course.