Some current international research topics in Australia include meeting children’s emotional needs, children’s mental health, childcare quality, and school reform. I was stunned to find that some of the same issues that are affecting American children like childcare quality and school reform are also affecting children worldwide. Our news coverage has been inundated with education cuts and hiring freezes in school districts, and it looks like this is an international trend as well. I was also amazed that Australia is looking into the emotional needs and mental health of children. My passion has always lied in this area, but it is reassuring to know that awareness is being created internationally.
While searching the website, I did find some surprising facts and insights. I viewed their Code of Ethics, and I found it to be similar to ours. They value democracy, respect, integrity, and justice to name a few. They also made it clear that nobody has to make a decision alone, and that we are all working together for the better of the children. I also read some of the articles in their archive. There were only two articles written for this year, and I was uncertain why. I realize that our country encourages professionals in all fields to continually read up on current issues and trends. As an educator, I am even required to have a certain amount of hours of training each year devoted to learning new material. However, Early Childhood Australia does have links to the Australian Journal of Early Childhood and Every Child Magazine though.
I did not really find anything noteworthy on Early Childhood Australia. I found a section called Everyday Learning Series. This section includes resources for all early childhood professionals. I looked at the link for meeting the emotional needs of children, but I found it to be a piece of a chapter. There is a link for you to purchase the material, but I was disappointed. The site also requires a membership if you want to really access anything. I think that we are fortunate in America that we do have a lot of resources at hand that are free. As an educator, I am always looking for free resources, and I rather spend the extra money for activities and supplies that my students can use in the classroom.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI also chose this website to look into. I was quite excited when I came across the Everyday Learning Series because I thought it would be useful for parents and educators of young children. Unfortunately as you also found it is not accessible to everyone. The website demonstrates a need to look out for all their citizens especially their Indigenous people in Australia and it was quite disappointing that this resource would not be available to everyone. Those who cannot afford to have such resources and knowledge would be missing out.
Nice information Stacy, it seems that the basic standards in regards to the code of ethics are universal. It is important that children are respected and valued as important members of our society. That their safety and well being comes first over all other things.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that the international research form Australia was not what you expected in regards to resources free of charge. You are right we are very fortunate to have so many resources available for us without having to pay a penny in the Unite Estates.
Thanks for sharing your observations.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI too chose the same website as you! Howver, I thought the website provided losts of information for parents with young children. I especially like the handbook for parents that is available for parents who have children starting school in the Fall.
The only issue have is having to pay for resources, but what I found tht was available without paying for I was happy with. Hopefully, more countries in the future will provide or offer resources to parents and educators without having to pay for them.
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI looked at the Early Childhood Australia website as well, and had the same reaction as you-I wish that more of the resources were available for free because a lot of people could benefit from them! However, like Lori above said, I was happy with the resources that were available for free and there was a pretty wide variety of topics. It was interesting to gain new insights to topics that we talk about here and realize that many of the issues we deal with are discussed and researched globally. Like you, I was surprised and glad to see that this organization has such a focus on mental/emotional health and indigenous issues; I was very impressed with this. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Stacey you seemed to have viewed the website in detailed and found some things that were of interest to you and some that did not spark much interest. It is noteworthy that you found their code of ethics to be of similarity to what is found in America because after all, children need to be respected and integrity upheld. It is surprising that they did not have an up-to-date information for sharing but at least we have the website to check for future information.
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