Looking forward...

Zero To Three has always been an organization that is most appealing to me. Something that has drawn me to the group, is that all of their information is extremely user friendly. On countless occasions, I have recommended visiting the website to parents with infants or toddlers in order to gain some new perspectives or supports related to their specific situations, and the families had come back to me telling me how great the videos are, or how useful a particular article was. Regardless of SES or educational background, parents/caregivers with access to internet can locate and utilize their many resources. 

The International Play Association is one that has always served as an inspiration to me. Although the organization is international, theirs is a national chapter here in the U.S. The chapter was started in 1961, and is founded off of the United Nations' Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) Article 7, paragraph 3: "The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavor to promote the enjoyment of this right," (1959). Not only does this organization spread the word of this law, it works to maintain and create legislature protecting play in the lives of children across our country. 

The Council for Professional Recognition is a U.S. organization that works to support professionals in the field of early care and education by keeping current on the latest findings and trends in the field. Just as it is important to support children and their families, we must also make sure that a great deal is being done to support all future educators, regardless of the length of their education. This particular organization works strongly to support CDA candidates through their development and regulation of credentials and assessments. 

One particular job that I have been interested in for a few years is that of a Lead Teacher at the University of Vermont's Campus Children's Center. As a teacher in this program, I would not only be responsible as a member of a Reggio Emilia teaching program for 2-5 year olds, but also for overseeing the work of practicum students from the university's education program. Having interviewed for this position a few years back, I was fortunate enough to see how involved the school community was. During the hiring process, I was interviewed by a panel of school administrators, university administrators, classroom teachers, and a panel of school families. Upon the conclusion of my final interview, I was required to participate on an open-forum panel led by families in the school community. It was a major fuel towards my passions behind support families in the school environment; I had seen a school community function so beautifully by collaborating greatly with families. 

Some Favorites in the ECE Community

As I think of specific early childhood care and education advocacy groups that are highly appealing to me, the following three come to mind:

• Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood.

This organization is working within the early childhood community to address the growing issues of technology in our youngest children’s lives. I have seen the negative effects of over-commercialization in childhood, as well as the lack of technological literacy experienced by parents and caregivers. As the world is rapidly changing, this organization is working to support adults in appropriately exposing children to technology, as well as addressing the highly negative impact the commercial world has on children.

• NAEYC

As an active member of NAEYC for the past several years, I have been fortunate enough to feel the power of it’s community. This specific organization houses several communities of practice, be in professionals dedicated to preserving play in early childhood classrooms, professionals dedicated to supporting health and wellness in young children and their families, along with a multitude of other issues. NAEYC has inspired me time and time again to remain active in the field, as they are one of the leader producers of research in the field within the U.S.

• The Child Advocate

When I had first come across this organization, I was amazed to see how many specific topics they work to address. Aside from the range of topics, I was (and still am) totally awestruck with the clear availability of various supporting professionals within each topic. For example, when looking through the information published by the Child Advocate’s website regarding drugs and medications, specific research articles are available alongside links to additional (outside resources).

Looking at specific jobs within the field that I would be interested in, these are a few that stick out to me.

• Family Advocate with Youth Advocates Program, Inc.

This specific role would require me to utilize my background and training in child development, as well as policy systems. As a family advocate with this non-profit organization, I would be responsible for providing home-based supports to young families with young children, home-school connections through relationships fostered at the child’s school setting, as well as center-based support groups.

• Program assistant for Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood

In order to assure my qualifications for this position, I would need to emphasize my own technological literacy. Along with that, I would be required to share in my enthusiasm and understanding of the impact the commercial world has on children. The job would specifically require me to help design campaign outreach, and maintain a level of flexibility when support different components of the organization's office. This position is ideal to me, as it would allow for me to see the many layers of a complex organization.