Pre-K Now! Part 2

I have been enjoying my exploration of the Pre-K Now website.  Although I feel that much of their e-newsletter is not directly relevant to my personal professional development, they do present valid concerns throughout the early childhood field that pertains to Pre-K.  Many of the articles in the e-newsletter simply do not involve the area in which I teach. 

The website itself, however, has many resources that are relevant to my current professional development.  

One section in particular that I enjoy is the Pre-K Advocates section.  Often, I feel that Pre-K is not seen as being a valid step in a child’s education.  Many times parents will tell me that their child needs to go to Kindergarten and learn to read, regardless of the fact that they will not turn five until they have already begun their year.  I like this section because it voices the reasons as to why Pre-K is important as well as gives us information on current pre-K accomplishments, affordable pre-K opportunities, and ready-made slide shows that advocate for the programs.  I also enjoy the educator’s link. 

In the Educator’s section of Pre-K Now, I have utilized the Pre-K Teacher’s Resource Center, as well as the Virtual Classroom Tour.  It’s helpful to have a visual of what a developmentally appropriate classroom looks like.  I was happy, after going through the virtual tour, to assess my classroom and pleased that we have a quality classroom available to my students.  In the Resource Center, I appreciate the tips and ideas to implement in my classroom. 

One issue that I found interesting in the e-newsletter was an article discussing politicians and how they often fail to see the benefits of early childhood education and cut resources to such programs.  “When political beliefs cause politicians to deny solid trends in empirical research, those beliefs need modifying. Preschool teachers work cooperatively with both the young children and families they serve to ensure long-term results.” (Gartrell, 2011)  It amazes me that with the amount of research there is supporting early childhood programs and the lasting impact they have on child development and learning, that politicians still seek this out as a suitable place to make financial cuts.

In addition to the article listed above, the Pre-K Now website offers an entire section on policymakers and how they affect early childhood education programs.  It not only speaks to policymakers that are letting us down in this field, but it also glorifies those that are helping and gives us the tools we need to make a case and advocate for the importance of Pre-K programs. 

References:

Gartrell, D. (2011). Politicians ignore studies in cutting early childhood. PreK Now.