Early Learning Study Group

We’ve posted our most recent discussion online!  You can listen in by clicking here!

We had a very interesting discussion about several important issues recently.  If you’d like to hear a recording of the conversation, you can find it here.

Stay tuned for more to come!

On September 11, 2008 we held our first web based study group for the Ohio Voices for Learning. The Ohio Voices for Learning is a state wide non profit torgnization that supports dialogue amongst early childhood education professionals around issues in the field that enhance practices. Our group is one of over 80 other study groups in the state.

This is a very new undertaking for all of us! As many new experiences are I am feeling challenged and exhilarated at the same time.

Our group is unique first because we are not doing a face to face in our monthly discussions and second we are an electic group. The one common denominator is that we all have one very important focus in our lives and that is that we make a positive contribution to the learning of young children.

Of our group 6 are in organizations that are part of the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) which is a collaborative between the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Early Learning & School Readiness and the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services. ELI offers low income families full day/full year services, educational experiences developed by skilled teachers, and a curriculum aligned with the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards. For many of the families the program is offered at no cost. Joining us also are 2 public school preschool teachers who oversee inclusive classrooms, 1 director of a Head Start center, 1 early childhood education consultant, and 1who is co-director/founder of a summer enrichment program for at risk children. Needless to say, we all bring our own perspectives and years of experience (I am guessing that combined we have been in the field over 100 years.) to the discussion. As my co-hort, Deb, states we all bring a different “lens” to the topic at hand.

In our discussion on September 11 I found that as we discussed the first readings from our book, The Power of Observation, I found that “observing” did not need to be using just the visual. As I listened to our discussion I realized that like with observing children, I was getting to know, respect and appreciate these amazing educators with their strong commitment to children’s learning. I understand Deb’s frustration with the toddler teacher. BUT this group of educators facing the same challenges of low pay, long hours, and demanding work still keep their focus on the needs of the children. These educators are the leaders that all children need. Listen to the September 11th podcast.
Nancy

You can listen to the recorded discussion here.

September 12, 2008
My observation lens in on overactive! Yesterday, while at the dentist I became internally enraged. I was sitting passively in the dentist chair reflecting on how much this was going to cost me. The technician did most of the work. The dentist supervised to make sure nothing went wrong. But what about all those children out there having bad things happen to them that effect much more than their tooth? What about the small toddler I saw yesterday whose teacher took the telephone out of her hand, because she wouldn’t and couldn’t share? Please tell me what two-year-old knows how to share? When the child stood crying in the middle of the room all of her classmates stood in stark amazement –frozen in time. Will that happen to me to, they must have thought? The teacher had no idea what she had done -The damage to her relationship with all the children. The essence of a classroom in my mind has much to do with the relationships built between child and teacher, and children and children, and between teacher, parent, and child. Where is the expert overseeing the early childhood educator? How can these hurts be remedied? Why do we not place and pay for trained educators.

And because I never do anything once, here are the exact sentiments using different words. Interesting how one observation can be explained in different ways…..
It cost me $1,551 to cap my tooth. That’s a lot of money for a small ache, and a small part of my body. Yet, early childhood educators remain undertrained and underpaid, and therefore continue to cause big pains in the lives of children. And what gets me is that parents don’t have a clue that they are being misguided. A young colleague of mine began a mom and me class in a school I used to work at. She was not impressed with the program, so I ask about the teacher. She assured me, “Oh she’s certified”. I asked her if she knew what that meant. She assumed is meant that the teacher was a trained early childhood educator. Well, she is not. I know the teacher, and even if she were trained, she would not be a candidate to work with toddlers. I guess what I am saying is that our culture is not yet paying enough close attention to the needs of young children and the costs will be more than financial.

Deb

Use this place to place your goals for this group. Your blog is a place to reflect on the book. What are the groups common goals, what are your own goals. Use this as an on-line journal and get feed back from your group peers.