As you know, innovative research in the field of Early Childhood Education is not only happening nationwide, but also internationally. One of the influential web sites that gave me an opportunity to read and think about early childhood, from another perspective, was Early Childhood Australia. They are very similiar to that of NAEYC.
Some current research topics that they touch on involve recent updates on COVID19 and is “advocating to the government, on behalf of the ECEC sector” to identify information that would present itself useful to the community. Other topics include, professional development, child advocacy, learning, health, and nutritional resources, as well as trainings and coolaborating programs like In Their Shoes; where “children have better childhoods when the adults in their lives relate to them with empathy” (ECA, 2020).
There were some surprising insights about early childhood that I gained from exploring this site. As mentioned above, ECA partnered with another organization calle In Their Shoes. In this program, they provide real scenerios that adults can empathize with. They believe that “children have better childhoods when the adults in their lives relate to them with empathy and try to see things from their perspective. They also believe that “children are amazing learners and active contributors to their own learning and experiences, and those of others. They deserve our respect for them as partners—as people who have the right to take an active role in their own lives” (Stonehouse, 2020).
Another noteworthy insight that I found informative was the inclusivity of how much information they had on meeting the needs of children with special needs. They collaborated with another organization called Early Childhood Intervention Australia that shares a “commitment to inclusion in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Its purpose is to create a vision for high quality inclusive practices in early childhood education and care” (Early Childhood Australia, 2020).
Resources:
Early Childhood Australia. (2020). Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
Early Childhood Australia and Early Childhood Intervention Australia. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ECA_Position_statement_Disability_Inclusion_web.pdf
Early Childcare Intervention Australia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ecia.org.au (under construction)
Stonehouse AM, A. (n.d.). In Their Shoes. Retrieved from http://www.in-their-shoes.com.au
Bridging the Gap in Early Childhood Education 
Hi Allison,
I really enjoyed your post because sometimes as educators or educator professionals we can forget that we were once a child. I think that empathy plays a huge role with educators in order to help children to overcome some of the obstacles that they are face with daily. Sometimes, I believe that if most teachers and parents would empathize with children ; I believe that it will reduce or eliminate some of those challenging behaviors that many of us are challenged with daily. Empathy is the common factor for teachers to have an open mind to embrace compassion on children’s way of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I agree with you and I love what you said, “Empathy is the common factor for teachers to have an open mind to embrace compassion on children’s way of life.” Very powerful statement.
LikeLike
Hello Allison,
Great post! The information that you shared about the Early Childhood Australia organization was informative. I find ECA and the US early childhood organizations to be similar in many ways. ECA is a lot like NAEYC early childhood education; both organizations advocate for the best interest of young children. However, I did not know that Early Childhood Australia collaborated with other organizations such as; In Their Shoes. As I visited their site and read over the scenarios, I understand where empathy plays a key role in children’s lives. It is important to mention that children have feelings too, and all children need an outlet where they can express themselves without feeling emotionally neglected. In my opinion, the best way to meet children’s needs is to show compassion through love.
LikeLiked by 1 person