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Technology and youth
Technology and youth
influence of community development theories
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Abstract
The well-being of a community is in the hands of its citizens. Together, individuals can make a difference to their existing situation and future development. As a librarian at Public Library, it is important to realize the different demographics of the community one serves. One aspect which I have felt lacking in the community is the development of the local children, in particular teenagers. The following report has been developed with the view to communicate the potential of an outreach program, “Children of Tomorrow”, for improving the occupational growth of the future generation. The plans, implementation, and promotion of the program have been outlined with the view to resolve the problems of the local community.
Introduction
Community growth is an important aspect of human growth and development. It is a long-term investment which requires the participation of both the people of the community and the stakeholders such as the government administrator at large. While there are many activities, programs and social schemes which can be developed to contribute towards community growth (Kelly, 2004), none has a longer impact than the development of intellectual growth. Intellectual development as scholars believe can have a great influence over the current community growth as well as in the future (Vobora, 2008; Hage, 2004). That is why developed countries of the world emphasize on investing in community development, growth programs and advancement initiatives. In the United States of America, though the government has developed numerous national programs to improve the intellectual pool, these initiatives have to be carried out at the local community level. In this, the researcher believes, the role of a libr...
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...lopment: The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) towards a Social Equity Agenda. Journal of the Community Development Society, 36(1), 28
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Vobora, A. (2008). Children's Reading Program an Investment in Our Future. The Register-Guard, B13.
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Meyers, M.K. & Gornick, J.C. (2003). Public or private responsibility? Early childhood education and care, inequality, and the welfare state. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 34, 379-411.
I am a firm believer that the quality of the child care directly affects the child’s development in the classroom. By eliminating the need for competing preschools to continue to improve their curriculum and to remain relevant in the field of early childhood education, we risk falling into the same trap K-12 education has fallen into. In other words, individual classroom freedom will be lost when teachers are forced to follow the governments blanket and mandatory regulations. I choose this concept because I feel it is important to allow a wide variety of options to families in order for them the find the right fit for their
But, there is hope: a loving, supportive environment that encourages children to grow into themselves. Preschool. Government programs are in place to help low-income families offset the costs, and national agencies provide multidimensional support for preschoolers and their families. Seven hours in a classroom doesn’t fix the problems at home. Rather, these programs are designed to help low-income families through a multi-faceted approach, attacking several issues in one mighty blow (Olson, Ceballo, and Park 427). These programs offer a variety of resources, including parenting classes, stress management courses, family counseling, and nutrition education. Through these programs, the entire community is assuming responsibility for taking care of its children. After all, it takes a village to raise a child.
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Children who participate in quality early learning programs tend to be more successful later in school. They are also most socially and emotionally competent. In addition those children show higher verbal and intellectual development during early childhood than children who do not participate in early learning programs (A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care). In order for a child care center to be a quality center they must have an educated staff, a program accreditation, and good health and safety practices. Parents choose high quality child care for many reasons. These programs prepare children for school in which they gain intellectual and social skills. Also the programs are a good opportunity for children because they receive age-appropriate learning materials and activities to let the children learn and grow.
...promote safety, learning, socialization, and family involvement. Choosing the right early childhood program shapes the fundamental foundation of a child’s future, secondary only to that of the first caretaker, which was established at home.
Childcare has become an essential tool in an ever-changing and growing society. The cost of living in Canada has increased, and society has adapted; women have joined the work-force, and dual income families are necessary to retain a decent standard of living. Hence, there is a demand for adequate childcare. By enrolling a child into a childcare program, there are many benefits, such as allowing parents, single or not, to continue their careers and/or attend school, as well as provide children with a developmental and educational foundation that will benefit them later on in life. With these benefits there are also negatives. The cost of higher-quality childcare is expensive, and lower-income families can often not afford to enroll their children in such programs. If they are enrolled, it is likely to be in a lower-quality facility, where the children will not receive as adequate an education and experience. Additionally, if a child is enrolled in child care he/she may spend too much time away from their family, thereby loosening the familial bond. However, there are possible solutions that have the potential to outweigh the negatives. Overall, the benefits of utilizing child care in Canada outweighs the potential negatives by encouraging children’s developmental growth, giving parents time to work in order to ensure a better quality of life for their family, and provide alternatives to low-income families.
The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (1985) states they have changed professionalism over the past 60 years by working to promote high-quality early childhood programs for all young children and their families by working towards two major strands of activity to support this specific goal, which are: one, to facilitate the professional development of individuals working for and with young children birth through age eight and two, improving public understanding and support for high-quality early childhood programs”. The NAEYC has also made entrances available for individuals who want to receive either a, two- and four-year degree, by offering professional development training sessions, seminars and course work for student-teacher early childhood education professionals who are working an intern training position, under the leadership and guidance of both a mentor-teacher and their early childhood teacher education specialists; in which this type of training is based on the age and grade level of the children the mentor wants to teac...
Morrison, G. S. (1976). Chapter 6: Early Childhood Programs APPLYING THEORIES TO PRACTICE. In Early childhood education today (10th ed., pp. 5-31). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill.
Reynolds, A. J. (2000). Success in early intervention: The Chicago child parent centers. Lincoln, Neb: University of Nebraska Press.
My beliefs and values about early childhood education is based upon understanding that all children are unique individuals who need a caring, nurturing, and secure environment in which to grow and develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Children under the age of three are in critical stages of development, it is my belief that a quality child care environment will have a positive impact on a child’s development and make a significant difference in the life of a child and his or her family. My philosophy of early childhood education and the elements I believe are necessary in developing a developmentally appropriate child care environment is rooted in my views and beliefs about experimentalism, progressivism, multiculturalism, and the influence of philosophers such as Dewey, Piaget, Montessori, and Vygotsky. Furthermore, I believe young children will thrive and grow in developmentally appropriate child care programs that possess the following elements: (1) teachers who see themselves as intentional, responsive and respectful facilitators of learning, (2) the ability to build a community of learners, (3) implement an effective curriculum that allow children to explore their natural curiosity about the world.
Historically the early childhood sector within Australia, including childcare services such as family day care, kindergarten and pre-school services, has been fragmented, with little consistency across the various states and territories (Elliott, 2006). Due to the lack of a clear federal or state based framework regulating staff qualifications, and the lack of consistency in approaches to curricula and programming (Elliott, 2006), each state became responsible for the development of its own curricula framework (Lee, 2007).
Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the partners of today. Young people are social actors of change and progress. They are a crucial segment of a nation’s development. Their contribution, therefore, is highly needed.