Consequences of Learning About the International Early Childhood Field

     This course has shown me that I have been living in a box.  Over the past seven weeks, I have learned to see the larger picture regarding the field of  early childhood education.  There are several things that have stood out to me:
 
1.  The effects of poverty on children and families.  The levels and types of poverty may vary from country to country, but poverty is everywhere.  The numbers are alarming!  Poverty is extremely detrimental to the healthy development of all children.

2.  The accessibility to quality early childhood programs.  It saddens me that every child cannot participate in early childhood programs.  This may be because there are no programs, the programs may be unaffordable, the programs may be to far away from home, there may be a lack of teachers, etc.

3.  The lack of quality programs.  Programs, curriculum, teacher credentials, and lack of teachers also vary from country to country.  More must be done to build up these programs.

I firmly believe that every child in this world should be able to attend quality early childhood programs.  Research clearly shows the benefits of quality early childhood programs for children.  If everyone could work together not only to get programs funded, but to advocate the importance of early childhood development, poverty will decrease and countries economies will be better.

I have learned a tremendous amount from all of my fellow bloggers!  I would like to thank each and every one of you for helping me be successful in this journey.  I would like to wish all of you continued success and look forward to writing to you in our next course!

Christina