I mentioned in last week's blog that I became a member of NAEYC. The link to the NAEYC is http://www.naeyc.org I have been enjoying the perks of membership, looking through archived issues of YC: Young Children and in so doing found some articles that address the issue of dual language learners - the topic I chose to write about this week as one of the issues of changing demographics. The articles offered practical suggestions for reading storybooks to dual language learners, strategies to involve immigrant families in their children's education, and hands-on teaching practices to foster communication skills in dual language learners. Please see my reference list below for specifics.
The website also has all of the NAEYC's position statements on important issues in the early childhood field. One of particular interest this week was their stand on Assessing Young English Language Learners. The stand offers recommendations for: using assessments for appropriate purposes, what constitutes culturally and linguistically appropriate assessments, what to be cautious about when using standardized assessments, what the characteristics are of those conducting the assessments, what the role of families should be in assessing, and what the needs are in the early childhood field to better facilitate assessment of dual language learners NAEYC, 2009).
The e-News comes out monthly and provides information on upcoming NAEYC conferences and training sessions and offers a link to register. If you are looking to enhance your professional resource library, e-News gives listings and descriptions of new books and resources published by NAEYC which you can purchase or pre-order with the link provided. e-News also gives a sneak peak of upcoming YC issues as well as issues of Teaching Young Children.
References
Chen, J. & Shire, S. (2011). Strategic teaching: Fostering communication skills in diverse young learners. YC: Young Children, 66(2), 20-27. Retrieved from http://naeyc.org
Gillanders, C., & Castro, D. (2011). Storybook reading for young dual language learners. YC: Young Children, 66(1), 91-95. Retrieved from http://naeyc.org
NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on assessiing young English language learners. Retrieved from http://naeyc.org
Vesley, C., & Ginsberg, M. (2011). Strategies and practices for working with immigrant families in early education programs. YC: Young Children, 66(1), 84-89. Retrieved from http://naeyc.org
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteCertainly NAEYC is a great organization to learn about, but what I like the most, is that this website offers information for families too, with what I think is an easy to understand language. I found useful information for families about children’s development, issues that families are worried about, suggestion about books that will help parents to address some topics with their children, as well as what families should take into account for when looking for a quality program for their children.
About the international professional contacts, I haven’t heard anything from any of my possible contacts. Now I am trying to reach one professional in Mexico. I hope your contact in German can connect you with the other one in Sweden.
Suzanne, the NAEYC is an excellent web resource. The site provides current research and information to improve the quality of teaching in early childhood education. I have read the position statement or developmentally appropriate practices and the joint statement on inclusion. Therefore, I agree that every teacher should have this resource in their toolbox.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteNAEYC professionally provides us with such great resources and information. Young Children curtails the articles and makes them user friendly and applicable for us as Early Childhood educators. I find the articles helpful. NAEYC is such a strong proponent for the field, in its research and knowledge. I find that it too is always focused on the Trends and Issues surrounding our profession.
I received emails from two of the International organizations, which I contacted. Both of them appreciated my interest, yet stated they were too busy to take the time to correspond. I understand, and I was not totally surprised, I was just a little disappointed, for I was hopeful.
Millie