TIME WELL SPENT.....

The journey started in May 2011.  There were a few breaks as a result of career pressures and health issues, but I persevered.   Now one chapter has closed and another will be opening in the near future.    

As I complete my Masters of Science in Early Childhood Studies with specialization in Administration, Management and Leadership, I reflect on my journey and all that I have learnt.   

I can definitely say that it has been a whole lot of learning.    With a background in Law and no training in Education, apart from the upbringing of a child, I was clueless and sometimes at sea as it related to the theories and issues.   It was surprising to note the depth and breadth of knowledge in the field of early childhood studies, and humbling to note that my studies had only touched the tip of the iceberg.

Three areas that stood out to me in my course of learning were:

1. The role of other disciplines in the field of early childhood studies.   It was interesting to note that Economists, Neuroscientists and Politicians can be Early Childhood Advocates.   On the face of it, these fields appear to be unrelated to the wholesome development of children, yet they are all inter-connected.  The knowledge from economists help to enforce the point that from a business perspective, it is important to have a world-class educational system which would translate to a workforce with high educational standards.  Neuroscientists and other scientists examine the development of the human body and mind and how particular factors (for example, poverty and stress) can retard that development.  Politicians link government policies to the day to day running of educational centres and they play a pivotal role in developing policies that govern the field of education and they also have a say in the manner in which funds are allocated.
2. The study of poverty has been an eye-opening experience in relation to the debunking of the myths that poor people are that way because of their own attitude.  This is so far from the truth, as some are caught in a vicious cycle of trying to make ends meet with no end in sight.  Right thinking citizens must be educated and equipped to lessen the gap that exists between the “haves” and “have nots” and destroy the inequalities that exist.   Education in and of itself cannot stand alone.  It has to be viewed in the context of a child’s physical and mental health, living conditions, and family structure.  If a child is hungry in the morning before school, they will not be in a position to concentrate on what they are being taught.  If a child is subjected to physical and mental abuse in their homes, they will be emotionally and mentally scarred thus inhibiting a teacher’s ability to teach them effectively.  Child Poverty must be defined in the context of the whole child – lack of  material, spiritual and emotional resources needed by the child to survive develop and thrive.  Therefore, an early childhood professional must view the child in light of these factors and determine whether the child is “poor”. 
3. The role that leadership and advocacy play in the field of early childhood education is important.  Without being actively involved in the field of early childhood care and education, I am able to envision the legislative processes, social issues, and public policy that affect young children and their families.   With this knowledge and background I now have the ability to advocate on behalf of young children, their families and the profession, from a position of  strength.  My knowledge of the laws, both in Jamaica and the United States of America (to a lesser extent), makes me able to appreciate and understand and also have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws, regulations and policies that affect professional conduct with children and their families.   The research that was conducted during the course of the program opened my eyes to the several professional organizations, resources and issues that also affect the welfare of early childhood practitioners. 

One long term goal is to continue to stay abreast of developments in the field of early childhood education in Jamaica and the world.  Currently I have no affiliation to an early childhood institution and it is easy to become bogged down in my current career and forget all that I have learnt.   

However, I intend to keep up-to-date with developments and let my voice be heard in whatever way possible.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to Dr. Kevin Dartt for her constructive and insightful direction over the past few weeks and getting us through the Capstone in manageable steps.  Your weekly newsletters were a source of encouragement and all your comments and notes were greatly appreciated.  

To my group members, it was great being on this journey with you, and I hope that you learned from me, as much as I learned from you.    We will all go our separate ways and it is hoped that our paths will cross again as we continue to encourage one another and learn from each other’s experiences and knowledge.

All the best in your future ventures and let us endeavour to utilize the learning tools that we have gained in this program.