This week we spoke a lot on the
topics of excellence and equity in early childhood. In my conversations this
week with my international contacts we also touched base on this topic. Again,
I am always surprised at how many similarities there are but there are
differences that are also astonishing. In Ireland for example, they worry
heavily on protecting children from abuse and preserving their rights. We do
hold this in serious regards here in America but it is not the forefront of our
everyday focus because the rates are not as high. In fact, I was told that
there is a constitutional vote coming up in Ireland on November 10th,
2012 that would makes the right for children to be protected legal. We deal
with pressuring children academically and “teaching to the test” with a strain
on assessments that are not occurring in the natural environment. In terms of
the bridge with getting elementary, early childhood, families, and communities
on a similar team that has proved to be a hard task for the Irish. They are
just now passing legislation that would focus on the stresses that children
endure (with the most common being alcohol abuse and poverty). They are trying
to promote excellence by providing the basic needs every child is entitled such
as safety, love, and nurture. This week I was not able to be in contact with my
British colleague, Helen, because she is away on holiday (vacation).
As in all of our discussions
through the weeks of this course I and finding more and more how important the
community and the private business sector is. If they work hand and hand we can
begin to build a better future for everyone…
