I found two sections in the Association for Childhood
Education International (http://www.acei.org/)
website much related to the topics we have been discussing over the week. The
first one is about the Institute for Global Education Diplomacy, and can be
found under the programs and events tab. The second one is under the global
action tab, and among other themes, it is related to play in early childhood
and standardized testing.
On April 17-20, 2012, the Georgetown University Conference
Center, in Washington, D.C. will host a professional learning event called
Institute for Global Education Diplomacy (http://www.acei.org/programs-initiatives/institute-for-global-education-diplomacy.html),
presented by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). The ACEI recognizes the impact that children’s
education, development, and well-being have on the social and economic situations
of every country, and it is through this event that they want to encourage
professionals in the field of education to become effective agents of change in
relation to reforms, improvements, and progress.
In regard to the standardized testing, the ACEI has its
position about the use of this way to assess the children’s progress; they also
talk about what parents need to know about the standardized testing.
About the importance of play, the
ACEI also published their position on play in early childhood, as well as these
recommendations to take action and promote the learning in early childhood programs
through play:
“1. Place an article in your
local newspapers and community newsletters
2. Write a letter to the editor
of your local newspapers and community newsletters
3. Send published letters and
articles to your member of Congress
4. Write or e-mail to your state
legislators
5. Write or e-mail to you
national legislators
6. Organize a community forum” (http://www.acei.org/global-action/the-value-of-play.html). These same recommendations are suggested for taking
action on the standardized testing issue too.
After exploring this website I am
more aware of the importance of taking action in the early childhood field,
because as Dr. Grace mentioned we need to talk for children, not about them (Laureate
Education, 2010).
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Economists, scientists, and
politicians supporting the EC field. In Issues
and Trends in the Early Childhood Field. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1341054_1%26url%3D
Good information, Caty on how to make our voices heard. I came across another tool to use as a director to educate parents. The Alliance for Childhood published a very practical and educational list for parents entitled "Tips for Parents: When Kindergarten Testing is Out of Hand" (http://www.allianceforchildhood.org). It talks about academic pressure being "pushed down" to kindergarteners and informs parents why academic testing is so developmentally inappropriate. It listed signs of stress and how parents can help their children cope with the stress and most important it gave suggestions on how parents can make their voices heard in defense of their children. The parents can have a strong voice when they follow these suggestions:
ReplyDeleteTalk to the principal,talk to other parents and educate the community, ask the PTA to have informational meetings about using observations and work-based assessments instead of standardized testing, talk to your pediatrician about the effects of inappropriate testing and get him/her involved, use the school website or blog (http://www.allianceforchildhood.org).
I am thinking of sending this home with my families at the end of the school year as they look to the upcoming school year and entering kindergarten.
Suzanne,
DeleteI think we have plenty opportunities to advocate for children, because we can get in touch with parents and give them information about how any change that is made to the program and curriculum will influence their own children.
I also think it is our responsibility to let parents know the effects that decisions taken have in their children.
Thanks for sharing the link.
Caty,
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the brief I highlighted this. ACEI believes that as today’s children continue to experience pressure to succeed in all areas, the necessity for play becomes even more critical. ACEI supports all adults who respect, understand, and advocate legitimizing play as an essential pathway to learning for all populations of children. When working with children, adults should use their knowledge about play to guide their practice, (Isenberg & Quinsenberry, 2012).
I highlighted this reference because it reminds me of what Dr. Grace said, that we talk about children, but we don't talk for them. (Laureate, 2012).
Play is the fundamental right of all children.
Caty,
I enjoyed your post, I also continue to find interesting and thought provoking information on the website.
Millie
J., Isenberg & N. Quinsenberry, (2012)Values of Play Issues in Brief. The Association for Education International.
“Economists, Scientists, and Politicians Supporting the EC Field” (approximate length: 11 minutes). Conversation with Dr. Cathy Grace (Director of Early Childhood Development, Children’s Defense Fund).
Millie,
DeleteYou mentioned how critical is to let children play, especially after living under the pressure some academic areas may cause, and I agree with you, because with more opportunities to freely play children would be able to release their stress.
Caty,
ReplyDeleteThank your for the information on play and the sites. I agree that we have to take action to make policy changes happen. I agree that we should write our legislators and make our voices known. As educators, we have to be advocates for our children.
Tammy,
ReplyDeleteIf parents and teachers do not advocate for children, who is going to do it? This is why we have to speak for them, and not only about topics related to them.