Early Childhood Research From Around the World

This week in EDUC 6163-Building Research Competencies we were tasked with looking at one of three different websites from different places around the world. The website I chose was the site described as the Australian version of the United State’s NAEYC: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/. I did not have any previous assumptions logging into this website because I honestly did not have a clue about what type of research is happening outside of the United States.

Some of the issues that I found on the ECA (Early Childhood Australia) website was (ECA, 2011):

·         Learning through play

·         Supporting Best Practices

·         Challenging Behaviors

·         Early Literacy

·         War, Disasters, and dealing with grief

·         Child development

Does this sound familiar? Does it sound like we are visiting a site based in the United States? Yes!  This was incredibly amazing to me to see such similarities in success and struggles. Regardless of where we are the world, we are facing the same issue at some point and level. This was the surprise in Early childhood education that I was looking for.  Although I do not wish any stress on another person, I had to admit that I am relive that we (the United States) are not the only other ones dealing with and going through with difficult situations.

There are numerous links for parents to use and share if they would like. The website is free and user friendly.

The mission statement for the ECA is, “Early Childhood Australia will advocate to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years.”(ECA, 2011).

The mission statement for NAEYC is, “NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources” (NAEYC, 2011).  

There are numerous links for parents to use and share if they would like. The website is free and user friendly.

References

ECA. (2011). Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children. Retrieved June 4, 2011 from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/.

NAEYC. (2011). National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved June 4, 2011 from http://www.naeyc.org/about/mission.