week 3- conversation partner learnings

Week 3 blog assignment

The conversation partner I have is Professor Hui Li of Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong and Winnie Leung, an early childhood teacher in an early childhood center, Canada.

Dr Hui Li is focusing on Chinese literature and language learning and early childhood education. He told me he did researches together with some scholars from the universities in China. Though he also did researches about early childhood curriculum in Hong Kong and studied the education system in Hong Kong. He provided government advices on the project relating “using Chinese language as the principle teaching media.” In this project, there were a lot of noises whether this should be executed though some parents disagreed. Since Chinese is the mother tongue of the population in Hongkong, using Chinese language will help children understand better. Some parents view that Hong Kong being an international city, English is very important for the future career and development of the children…. Anyway the argument went on and on.

Winnie is a teacher in the early childhood center. She loved children very much. Anyone taking teacher as a profession, someone must have passions and love to children. Or else she will not do a good job. She said a few of teachers in her school just took it as a job. She could feel that they did not like the children saying they were annoying. This was not good for both sides. She also had children from another minority group. She can tell they are living in a barely sufficient condition. She will try her best to provide more support to them in terms language and attention.

I find more information about the poverty in China. More than 18% of people living in China are below the UN poverty line 1.75 USD per day. The free education provided by the government is only 9 years from primary 1-9. Not much is being done by the government on early childhood education. The theory of the government is the children don’t have to start school till age 6 to Primary 1. Under the scheme, government is providing lunch and books free for the 9 years. There was a situation. A 6 year old boy went to the school and he had to walk an hour every day before arriving at the school. He always took the school lunch and ate a little and kept it in the lunch box. The teacher found out he brought the food back to his little sister who was aged 4 studying in the same school for kindergarten. The kindergarten did not provide food to children because it was not within the 9 years scheme. So his little sister could only bring the food from home that was just a piece of sweet potato. The little boy shared his food with his sister by bringing it to her kindergarten. How sad the situation was. This is not the only example.

Early Childhood website

The site that I have picked is “Australian Early Childhood Advocacy Organization”. This organization has been established for 75 years since1938. It is a mature and very rich information website. The link is as below:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/about_us/about_early_childhood_australia.html

It is a non-government and non-profit organization for the voice for young children acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in early childhood field.  Its vision is 'Our role in achieving this vision is to be an effective advocate for young children and a champion for quality outcomes in early childhood education and care' (Early Childhood Australia)

One has to be the member to get the newsletter and membership is not free. But there is a lot of information that is available for free. It has introduced their vision, the organization structure, code of Ethics, position statement and branches in each State of Australia. All the updates or information from government about early childhood news are listed. They also organize conferences and events for parents and early childhood professionals that everyone can participate. Speeches from their members at conferences and seminars are published at their site so that everyone can share what the experts said.  They also publish “Australian Journal of Early Childhood” and “Every child Magazine”

There is a session named “Supporting Best practice” in the website. It provides advices and information on emotional foundations for learning, everyday learning and play, Feelings and behaviors, learning about babies and toddlers, learning about children 3 to 9 years, learning and teaching and children’s rights. It has comprehensive information for families, early childhood professionals and schools administrators. There is section on “Diversity and inclusion”.  It includes information such as the benefits of inclusion, checklist for inclusive environments and children with disability. It is quick and easy tips for educators and the teacher.

The most recent news in the newsletter is about the extension of funding by government on preschool education. The website is very good that they have highlighted the list of updated news posted in the website so that members can identify those easily.  Other recent news includes Long Day Care Professional Development Program, New Playground Standards for Australia, Nominations for Education and Care awards, NSW Advocate for Children and young people.

This is a useful website and comprehensive updates on early childhood advocate.

I have tried the websites provided to look for professionals. However, all those emails were not updated and bounced back. Finally i got a feedback from an Australian professinal. Unfortunately her mother was sick and she could not have the time to help me.

So then i looked for early childhood department or faculty of universities from Hong kong thinking i am also from Hong kong. It maybe easier. I sent them the emails and explaining a bit more about my background etc. I got an answer from a professor from Hong Kong University that he said he would try to help but not promised.

I am still looking for the second contact. In the process of looking for the professionals, i found it interesting. You can find a lot of personal information from the internet. There is no more secret and privacy and confidentialilty in the internet world. Everything is searchable! Actually it is quite scary!

for the second part of my assignment, I have identified "Australian Early Childhood Advocacy Organization" for my studies. This is a very sophisticated and mature website with a lot of information and updates. It has been for more than 75 years already. There are a lot of useful information on childhood development and government updates. Here is their advocacy and vision:

Early Childhood Australia

...voice for young children since 1938

Early Childhood Australia is the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field.

OUR VISION: Every young child is thriving and learning

'Our role in achieving this vision is to be an effective advocate for young children and a champion for quality outcomes in early childhood education and care'

I am trying to subscribe as a member of this organization.