Center on the Developing Child Harvard University:
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University houses the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. The newsletter from this organization, I have found to be highly relevant in regard to all we are learning through our master's program, and to the educational needs of New Mexico where I live. The Council is chaired by pediatrician Dr. Jack Shonkoff, and at this time focuses upon the understanding that the study of early childhood is a science of multiple disciplines. Therefore the members of the council are from various disciplines including: pediatricians, neuroscientists, teachers, sociologists, psychiatrists, etc. The council also places emphasis upon the study of how stress impacts all areas early childhood development, including cognitive development. Through the collaborative efforts of early childhood specialists from various scientific fields the council endeavors to affect positive change in policy regarding all aspects of early childhood. Below is a link to a collaborative effort between the NSCDC and USC in the form of a short visually stimulating video about environmental aspects that affect brain development. To view this video, check out the link below: http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/multimedia/videos/brain_hero/?utm_source=Center+on+the+Developing+Child%27s+mailing+list&utm_campaign=b58733026a-jan_news&utm_medium=email
The European Early Childhood Research Association:
http://www.eecera.org/
For this organization, I am in the process of gaining membership, upon which time I will have more access to the site and be able to learn more about it. At this point, I know that within the EECRA there currently are 11 "Special Interests Groups" (SIG's), which I have listed below:
- Birth to Three
- Equity and Respect for Diversity
- Leadership and Integration
- Leadership Mentoring for Early Years Services
- Learning and Participation
- Mathematics Birth to Eight Years
- Outdoor Play and Learning
- Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and CAre
- Transitions
- Young Children's Perspectives
- Working with Parents and Families
The International Montessori Council:
http://www.montessori.org/
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association
http://www.montessori-namta.org/
American Montessori Society:
http://www.amshq.org/
North American Montessori Center:
http://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/
http://www.montessori.org/
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association
http://www.montessori-namta.org/
American Montessori Society:
http://www.amshq.org/
North American Montessori Center:
http://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/
As a Montessori teacher, the above sites are extremely important to my practice as an EC educator. In regard to the topic of changing demographics and diversity, I have to say that I know of no other sources that better address and embrace cultural diversification. Cultural competency is of the greatest priority in the Montessori classroom. Through the curriculums of geography, culture, peace, and family involvement, the culturally diverse populations that typically gravitate to Montessori schools are well served through respect, inclusion, and cultural knowledge.
The following are non-web versions of resources to which I subscribe:
The Journal of Early Childhood Research
The National Association for the Education of Young Children
Thanks Dot!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to have all the links for Montessori. It has always been an interest and is not available anywhere in my area. My contact in Ireland indicated that though Montessori is very popular, especially among the wealthy, it is not endorsed by the Dept of Education. Were you aware of this and do you have any ideas why this might be the case?
Hi Tammra, Thank you for your comments. I do not know why Montessori is not endorsed by Ireland's Department of Education, but I am well aware of it. However, I can offer a reasonable guess. Maria Montessori developed and tested her method through a process known as scientific observation, and experimentation. Montessori's "experiments" entailed changing aspects of the early learning environment, and then observing how the learning and behavior of students changed as the environment changed. Until recently, there has been very little means by which to empirically test the Montessori method. Now however, more and more research is being done, and several of the sites listed above have sections regarding research that specifically targets the Montessori Method. When it comes to Departments and Ministries of Education, they are heavily influenced by culture... the views and opinions of the local people. They are not always based upon scientific evidence. Until recently most educational policy had to rely on theory as complete empirical evidence simply has not been available. If you are interested in learning more about the Montessori method the book by Angeline Stoll Lillard is a must read. Dr. Lillard is a psychologist out of Stanford University, and had devoted much of her research to the Montessori Method. She has received many awards for her work and is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. The book is entitled, "Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius". In "Montessori a Modern Approach", by Paula Polk Lillard, you'll find a great introduction to the Montessori method. Modern research strongly supports the Montessori method, but not a lot of people know that. The method is very old and the research is extremely new. In regard to the future of the Montessori method, I humbly predict that one of two things will happen: Research findings (that are inadvertently supportive of the Montessori Method) will become mainstream to the point where educational policy, as in Ireland, will be altered and improved in ways that are "unknowingly" similar to the Montessori method or some smart, charismatic chap will recognize that the Montessori Method is a great way to practice all we are learning about early childhood development and learning, and implement it by name. I feel the former is more likely to happen than the latter.
ReplyDeleteSome articles of note are:
Murray, A. Montessori elementary philosophy. (2011) Montessori Life. Spring 2011
Bagby, J. & Sulak, T. (2011) Connecting montessori practice and metacognition. Montessori Life. Spring 2011
Cossentino, J. (2005) Revitalizing expertise: A non-Montessorian view of the Montessori method. American Journal of Education.
Edwards, C. P. (2002) Three approaches from Europe: Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. ECRP (4) (1).
Dot,
ReplyDeleteThe Harvard site you listed looks to be quite interesting. I have used some articles from some of their journals in papers I have written. Their work and research is extremely relevant to the work that is being done in early childhood education. From my web research this week I believe that New Mexico is one of the leaders in early childhood education. That is wonderful!!!
Working with Head Start, my go to resource is:
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov
Good luck with your contact in the European Early Childhood Research Association. Like you, my contact in Europe thinks that America is more advanced in its work with early childhood.
Happy Mother's Day!
Thank you for the Mother's Day wish, and Happy Mother's Day to you as well. I'll be spending most of my day writing my week 2 paper. Maybe my girls and I will do a little gardening later. As a resident of New Mexico, I do not see anything impressive about the ECE situation in the state. I would love to take a look at what you have found in regard to ECE in New Mexico. Can you send that? If there is something awesome going on in ECE, I want to know about it. If nothing else, it might give me more of a reason to be optimistic about the future of New Mexico. Thanks for your comments!
ReplyDeleteHi Dot,
ReplyDeleteI am curious about the Montessori method and did some initial research on being trained in this method and gaining certification. It doesn't appear to be something that can be done while working full time. I am curious as to what your training entailed.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, Thanks for inquiring. My Montessori Training was on two levels. First I worked as an assistant to an AMS trained Montessori teacher, for several year. This was where I really learned to put it on in action. In regard to formal training, I went through the North American Montessori Center out of British Columbia. It is an online program, and is often advertised in "Young Children". It was a fine program, but without the extensive experience I had in the Montessori classroom beforehand, I'm not sure it would have been adequate. Nevertheless, I had no other choice for Montessori Training because the nearest AMS training center to Santa Fe, New Mexico where I live is in Boulder, Colorado. I would have had to move to Boulder to take the course, leaving my family behind, and that was not an option for me. If I remember correctly, you are located in/near the San Francisco- Oakland area, and there should be some excellent choices, there for on site Montessori training, which I strongly recommend over online training. Montessori training is typically very intensive. Many programs are designed to delivered during the summer, when teachers usually have time away from their classrooms. Programs vary in length, but the most I have seen have a summer of classes and a few weekends for assessments, and a year-long practicum. Good Montessori training is extensive, thorough, and often rigorous, very much like a good Master’s Program. Indeed, some schools, like Xavier University, offer accredited Master’s degrees in Montessori Methodology. If training is a possibility for you, you should visit AMS and/or AMI training centers in your area to observe. You should also visit AMS and/or AMI accredited Montessori schools in your area, if you have not already. There are also some excellent Montessori conferences around. Good Montessori training is well worth the effort, and the connections you make with other, highly professional, EC educators, are not only stimulating, but can be invaluable to your work. I hope this information is at least somewhat helpful.
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