Definition of a key concept taken from the weekly readings from this period, that had not been clear or familiar to me before āDemocratic spaceā was taken from the weekly readings. It refers to the environment created to value the expressions, feelings, and wishes of different people (Moss, 2007). In nurseries, democratic space should give children a choice of communicating, expressing their feelings, and wishes differently (Moss, 2007). Nurseries are public gatherings and therefore use of dialogue in this gathering perpetuates democracy.
Identified issue or debate that you may not have understood yet, or what to think more about from these readings.
Nurseries can create an environment for democratic political practice. The writer talks about the possibility of democratic space saying that it is a choice that citizens can make. In this regard, children and adults get an opportunity to be responsible for certain actions and play certain roles. These roles include making critical decisions on matters that influence them or any other related group, and the society in whole. Children and adults can stand against any form of injustice that emanates from power (Moss, 2007).
Link an idea from (a) or (b) to your workplace or to child or children that you know, or to an early childhood setting which you are familiar with; consider the application of the idea in this context.
Democratic space is relevant in Early Childhood Education. Creation of a democratic environment or community is an important strategy to help people understand their human rights. ECE provides a suitable environment to educate the children on their human rights with the aim of creating a democratic environment. This kind of education helps the children to learn how to make personal decisions (Moss, 2007).
In Saudi Arabia, ECE development evolves slowly (Alsharif & Atweh, 2010). This limits creation of democratic environment. This is because in the entire education system, there are practices designed for learners to understand their human rights. These practices are not practiced consistently.
According to AlSharif and Atweh (2010), there is a need for ECE learners to be provided with challenging opportunities that will encourage intellectual development. Unproductive pedagogies used by Saudi Arabian teachers do not encourage creation of democratic space, and discovery of children hidden potentials.
Teachers need productive methodologies that cater for learnersā different levels of development, and different social cultural factors. Evaluation of pedagogical styles helps create a democratic environment. Use of discussions and group work gives the children an opportunity to express themselves preparing them for a democratic society.
Their exist fear in many Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia. This fear is as a result of this region being associated with terrorism. Provision of education that will empower children and other people of Saudi Arabia to know their rights will deliver them from fear by creating a democratic environment.
Explanation of the development of your understanding through this exchange
The development of my understanding and knowledge draws from the exchange posted by Renee on August 15, 2012 at 07:42 PM in regards to the topic āGlobalization and the futureā.
When we empower people, we give them the capacity to confront both, the present and the future (Ebbeck & Waniganayake, 2003). The concept and role of leadership in early years has not been taken with the seriousness it deserves, especially by the early childhood practitioners.
Early Childhood Policy-Global Contexts is an opportunity for educators and educational stakeholders to explore globalization and the future. In day to day life, I have discovered that the majority of trainers and practitioners in early childhood fail to consider the development of early leadership knowledge.
This knowledge should be considered as an advanced knowledge or training and not taken as an extra curriculum activity to the basic training (Moss, 2007). They fail to realize that leadership knowledge is vital and is a necessary tool for professional development. This tool equips them with ability to provide quality service.
According to Pam Winter’s on issues concerning children, there is an emphasis on childrenās understanding, teachersā responsibility to foster critical thinking, reflection of their understanding, and other peopleās actions (Ebbeck & Waniganayake, 2003). This provides children with the opportunity to learn about their world.
Pam writers also add that this places them in a position to make a contribution to this world (Ebbeck & Waniganayake, 2003). This can only be implemented through the development of early leadership knowledge and skills in ECE.
Overview-concisely summarize the implications of the central ideas during this period, for your unfolding understanding of the early childhood political and pedagogical landscape
Early childhood education plays an important role in the development of a well-informed population. This stage is important in the development of the child’s character and personality. If quality education is provided to a child during this early stage of development, then it implies that the child will probably continue with the same line of critical thinking and reflection of his or her understanding.
This ability enhances the child’s opportunity to learn about his or her world and places him or her in a position to make a contribution to this world (Adamson, 2008).
When we empower people, we give them the capacity to confront both the present and the future (Ebbeck & Waniganayake, 2003). All nations are faced with challenges, such as global warming, and economic crisis among others. 90 per cent of challenges, negative results happen as a result of human’s faults, negligence, pollution, unethical actions or decisions, errors and others.
In my opinion, currently we have leaders from a generation that did not get the opportunity to acquire early childhood education. As a result, the educational foundations of such leaders were very weak, which is evident in their decision making process and critical thinking capacity. Children quickly replace the adults in different roles. Some of the roles in which children replace adults are leadership roles, and management roles.
The major changes in leadership, decision making, developmental issues, risk analysis, and accurate forecasting are taking place rapidly. Their results are realized in our daily lives. The importance of governmentsā investing in the provision of high quality ECE to children is currently very important. This will enhance development of a focused and reliable human resource as a major resource of labor that will benefit the entire nation.
References
Adamson, P. (2008). The child care transition: A league table of early childhood education and care in economically advanced countries. Florence: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre.
Alsharif, K., & Atweh, B. (2010). Potentials and Challenges for Student Teachers in Using Productive Pedagogies in their Field Experience. Web.
Ebbeck, M., & Waniganayake, M. (2003). Early Childhood Professionals. Leading Today and Tomorrow. Sydney: Elsevier.
Moss, P. (2007). Bringing politics into the nursery: Early Childhood Education as a democratic practice. Journal of European Early Childhood Education Research, 15(5), 5-20.