Sharing Web Resources, cont.

www.naeyc.org

Information relevant to my current professional development:
This week as I searched more through the NAEYC site, which I have chosen for this class' blog posts contained quite a bit of information found in "member only" areas.  So I took a step this week in my professional development and joined the organization, gaining rights to the member only areas.  In regard to my current professional development, I believe this was a valuable step.  The member only areas gained me access to many current research articles, the online magazine Young Children, as well as a subscription to the magazine "Teaching Young Children".  I believe adding these options to my professional development will allow me to find current research, trends, and issues right at my fingertips!  There is so much worthy information on the site about all walks and issues in the early childhood field that I will turn to this site often to further my knowledge of children.

Controversial ideas/New thinking about an issue:
When signing up for the website, you are asked to select from a variety of topics that interest you, which will include you in their forums.  As I was scrolling through the list, one particular topic caught my attention which was a forum for Gay/Lesbian parents and families.  This caught my attention as I often struggle in this area as a devout Christian and the knowledge that there is a good chance that I will be working in the future with families that live a Gay or Lesbian lifestyle.  Although this goes against my Christian beliefs, I must acknowledge the lifestyle, accept the child and the family, and work through the internal prejudices that often surround this topic.  It is an area that I struggle with and know that I will continue to need to work through this idea and other family situations that may go against my religious beliefs, but must accept as part of the families that I will work with.

Information regarding economists, neuroscientists, and politicians:
I did find in the current research tab an article titled "Research News You Can Use: Debunking the Play vs. Learning Dichotomy," written by Dr. Kyle Snow.  This article suggests that the political drive behind No Child Left Behind and the Common Core Standards is causing some parents and policy-makers to look at early childhood programs more like education classrooms.  This would lend itself to this week's discussion regarding play in early childhood and the struggle to maintain play while stressing the learning components that accompany it.  This article also suggested that the science of play supports the view of early educators by stressing the importance and the focus on play that early childhood programs should have.  It also provided links to another NAEYC resource which focuses on DAP and play in early childhood classrooms.
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I feel like making the choice to join NAEYC at their student membership rate will increase the impact that my own research has on my Master's program and the importance of tying research based ideas to our current learning.  I am excited to learn more about issues and trends that are important in the field of early childhood.