Technology and the Benefits of Early Learning

Introduction to Technology and Learning

     New Technology is growing rapidly worldwide and children/adults will eventually be required to own and know how to operate certain electronic devices.  Technology is not waiting for people to catch up.  It is moving forward as a means of communicating with others weather it is in a photo, email, lessons, cell phone, the internet or etc.  I believe that young children 3 to 5 years old can benefit from academic learning activities on the computer if the activity has sound, vivid colors, music, playback recordings, include a program that will improve a child’s speech and language in his/her own home language and they will develop a speed and focus for completing a task. It will also encourage children to learn how to follow step by step instruction to complete an activity.  After children have completed an activity, there should be a reward  (GREAT JOB CERTIFICATE), to take home for completing each lesson.

     The above activities will motivate children to complete the next task.  Today, young children are learning the basic concepts of academic learning by using software that helps them to focus on letters, numbers, colors, reading, math, science, social studies, shapes, and etc. on the computer. The early hands on experience will eliminate boredom and will lend a head start with future technology at home, school or in the work place.  My belief is that, the more that technology is used by young children and adults the more that we will become interested in buying and learning how to operate all types of technology. For me, using different forms of technology has eased my fears and curiosity about cost but more than anything it has made it just a little easier for me to be able to follow the instructions that gives me an idea of how to use the product.

A Note of Thanks and Support to My Colleagues

During my journey of learning how to become an advocate, I have found that my role consists of many things. For example, it takes much of applying professional skills, self determination and an understanding of how an issue is to be presented to assist or benefit others. My colleagues have supported me by giving me their thoughts and ideas about education programs for young children and their families. During the entire quarter, they gave their input on how early learning contributes to future success. One colleague brought to my attention that there are several funded child education programs that are either or both federal, state and grant funded. Some examples, of the programs are Early Head Start, Childcare, Head Start, State Pre-K, Head Start/Childcare/State Pre-K, State Pre-K and etc.

The federal funded programs usually provide services for the child and their family. We discussed the similarities and differences between each program. We know that the programs are provided for children who are living in poverty.  They are also below income, low income and at income level but we could not understand why there were so many programs out there. Further discussion lead us to remember that funding is the key issue for each program. We both hope that, in the future, all children will someday be able to benefit from a quality early education.

I have supported some of my colleagues by giving professional input and motivation through discussions.   I have suggested websites to visit that might be helpful to them as they continue the process.  My wish for them is that they will continue to lead in their role as an advocate. I hope that their efforts bring about rewards of change and progress.  I hope that their plans are heard documented and put into action. Everyone had a great cause that they were fighting.  The one thing that I would like to tell them is to keep up the fight because one day it will eventually pay off.  

My Personal Advocacy Journey

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Albert Einstein

I'm inspired to become an advocate because I understand that every young child deserves a chance to have a quality education. I'm excited to have found out that although one can do very little to convince congress that an early education is important; it hasn't prevented many advocates from lobbying on behalf of the poor and low-income families.

The challenges that I will probably continue to face are with the families who would like their young children to attend school but cannot afford to do so because they do not qualify for childcare subsidies and/or they are over income for Head Start.

The Advocacy Action Plan can only be effective if I am able to implement it so that others become passionate about its importance. I would have to find the additional time and resources to collect important data that will support the interest of my plan.  The research, timelines, history and etc. has to be true of facts and support realistic goals.

My belief is that we all have a least one thing that we would like to change or improve in our profession.  Our young children cannot speak on their own behalf.  As Einstein stated, “the imagination embraces the entire world.”  We should become advocates knowing that it all begins with the Imagination.

Enlisting and Providing Support (Quality Childcare for All Children)

It seems as though advocacy support for low income families is shared all across the world. My question is; with all of the data and research to show that young children benefit from a quality early childhood education, why is it taking so long to provide a stable budget that will support their educational needs?

The resources and information that I am seeking is; evidence/facts to show why the government, city and state has not made early education a priority. What are the members of congress really saying about early education? The "Race to the Top" is an opportunity for all childcare/pre-k/Head Start providers to receive funding for quality services. How will the award impact a community of low-income children/families who are enrolled in a early childhood program that is not rated quality yet can provide assistance to low income children and families who are in need?

The National Center for Children in Poverty (http://www.nccp.org/) has been a helpful tool for me as I have moved forward towards advocacy efforts.  It has researched information about children and families, policies, early education and etc. The course text (Informed Advocacy in Early Childhood Care and Education, by Judith Kieff) was also helpful in and more of a resource because it contained step by step information on how to become an advocate.  The book included facts about policies, assessments, planning and etc. helped me to expand my topic.

Learning to Become an Advocate

Learning to Become an Advocate
I have learned that an advocates role is basically to rally for the rights of what is right.  Advocacy can become an effective tool when one becomes "curious" not only to seek out answers to solve important issues but to also discover ways to handle situations in a professional manner. When this is done, families tend to listen and want to become apart of changing policies that benefit not just themselves but also for others.  In fact, advocacy can suggest that one "believes strongly" in their support efforts.  They may have a "vision" of how to change broken systems that limit the most who are in need.  They will research and speak out on topics that are of interest.  The more knowledge that an advocate gains will bring about positive actions.  These actions could eventually turn into a "passion" for making changes, becoming decision makers and also for learning how to be most effective at what he/she is doing.

A characteristic that would effect change is in the example that is given in chapter two of the "Early Childhood teacher who worked with a senate subcommittee to draft legislation in order to broaden financial support for Early Childhood Programs."  Funding for Early Childcare is important because it determines what families will and will not benefit from the program.  Because childcare funding is an important political issue, it also affects the kind of materials that children will use, the quality of academic programs and also the effectiveness of the program overall.  For example, one of the questions that one might ask is; will funding provide the program with services such as health, mental health and nutrition for children and families?       

Course Text: Kieff, J. (2009). Informed advocacy in early childhood care and education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.  Chapter 2, “Contexts for Advocacy”

by Deborah Ingram at 10:38 pm

Discussion #5

During my research, I learned that poor people are serioulsy divided into to groups, the haves and the have nots.  I have learned that the poor people who have are more likely to teach their children language/vocabulary without going to school  and thier children are more likely to succeed  in school.  Although, I believe that the odds are very much against the poor families who have.  I have to  support research. 
I learned that their are many people advocating for the rights of quality early childcare for young children.  I have learned that the State and government have some who are strong supporters advocating to cut education for young children because they believe that research that is conducted on a child's brain to show that  early learning, is a myth.
One challange that I overcame while completing my research paper was that I learned how to use the outline as a tool so that my paper would make sense.
An insight that I gained was that all young children may never reap the benifit of an early education because of money, beliefs and power.
A misconception that I have corrected is making sure that my paper is composed of research and not my own thoughts and experiences.

Discusion #4

The challanges that I am experiencing  while writing my research paper is that there is so much information that is available for early childhood educators, families and interested readers.  My belief is that much of the material is very useful for professionals in the field of Early Childhood because the information ensures that everyone has up dated knowledge about services, interactions, instruction and etc.  There is all kinds of information on line about educationg young children.   I have become over whelmed with information and citing references and citations.   I believe that I should have been familiar with some of the resources because it would have been much easier for me to organize my paper.

By putting together an outline, it gave  me ideas of how to make sense of my paper.  The advice that I would give my colleagues is to complete an outline before you search for research materials.

I would like to know if my colleages used  more than three topics and questions in their outlines.