North America

Learning Resources

Required Resources

• Course Text: Early Childhood Education Today
  • Chapter 6, “Early Childhood Programs,” pp. 139–167
  • Chapter 7, “Child Care,” pp. 170–190
  • Chapter 8, “The Federal Government,” pp. 197–213

Optional Resources

You can choose from among these readings and resources for information to help complete your Application this week.

• Web Site: The International Montessori Index
  http://www.montessori.edu/index.html
• • From the main page, click on Materials: http://www.montessori.edu/prod.html
  • From the main page, click on FAQs: http://michaelolaf.net/FAQMontessori.html
• Web Article: Becoming a Montessori Teacher
  http://www.montessori.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=50&Itemid=51
• Web Site: American Montessori Society
  http://www.amshq.org/
• Web Site: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Web Article: Reflections and Impressions from Reggio Emilia: It’s Not about Art!
  http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v3n1/hertzog.html
• Web Article: Reactions to Visiting the Infant-Toddler and Preschool Centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy
  http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v3n1/bennett.html
• Web Site: Reggio Emilia Philosophy
  http://www.ourladyofvictories.ecsd.net/pdf/Reggio Emilia.pdf
• Web Site: North American Reggio Emilia Alliance: FAQs (related to Reggio Emilia Philosophies and Experiences)
  http://www.reggioalliance.org/faq.php
• Web Article: What is Waldorf Early Childhood Education?
  http://www.iaswece.org/waldorf_education/what_is.aspx
• Web Site: Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)
  http://www.waldorfearlychildhood.org/
• Web Article: What is Early Head Start?
  https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc
• Web Article: Learning, Thriving, and Ready to Succeed: Infants and Toddlers in Early Head Start
  http://www.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/EHSsinglesMar5.pdf?docID=7884
• Web Site: National Association for Family Child Care
  http://nafcc.org/
• Web Site: National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center: Intergenerational Child Care
  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/family/part/childcare_part_nccic.html
• Web Site: National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies: Military Partnerships
  http://www.naccrra.org//
• Web Site: United States Department of Defense: Military Child Care
  http://
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  Advocating for High-Quality Care and Education

  As Barbara Bowman remarks in the Week 1 DVD program “A Call for Leadership,” early childhood professionals at every level—from child care aide to the top administrator—have specialized knowledge about young children and a responsibility to inform their community about what young children need in terms of care and education. No matter what career choice you make, taking a leadership role to support and promote high-quality programs will be an aspect of your job as an early childhood professional.

  In the Morrison course text, review the sections “What Constitutes Quality Care and Education?” on pages 182–187 and “The Effects of Care and Education on Children” on pages 188–190. Consider the following questions as you read:

  • Why is it important that early childhood professionals make children’s families and communities aware of why quality is essential in early care and education programs?
  • How can early childhood professionals make children’s families and communities aware of what constitutes quality care and education for young children?
  • What, if any, results from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study in Figure 7.4 surprise you?