Sharing Web Resources

The name of the organization that I chose is the NAEYC organization which is the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I have also joined the Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. The NAEYC is to help build better futures for all young children. NAEYC is the world's largest organiztion working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000 members, a national network of more than 300 state and local Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations. The NAEYC Academy sets and monitors standards for high-quality early childhood education programs and accredits programs that meet these standards. NAEYC Accreditation has been helping parents make the right choices and improving the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children since the early 1980s. NAEYC is the leading membership association for those working with and on behalf of children from birth through age 8. NAEYC convenes thought leaders, teachers and other practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders and sets standards of excellence for programs and teachers in early childhood education. NAEYC members include teachers, paraeducators, center directors, trainers, college educators, families of young children, and the public at large. The NAEYC holds public forums, has a National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, the program also and monitors standards for high-quality early childhood education programs and accredits programs that meet these standards. The program also provides periodicals as well as books resources to draw from early childhood theory, research, and practice to offer essential principles, fresh perspectives, and strategies for fostering children’s development and learning.  One current issue that caught my attention is the Culturally responsive curriculum for and about indigenous people. 

The Zero to Three Program is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. The Zero to Three issue that caught my attention is child development at nine pivotal stages of early life from 18 to 24 months.

I have learned from studying these resources the importance of becoming familiar with early childhood organizations to stay current in the field and to connect with other professionals as well as attend conferences and training on important issues to be proactive with the changing demographics and diversity.

Resources
http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc
http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/