• Things addressed on websites included:
• Children's Health and Nutrition

• Separation anxiety

• Transitions to school

• Gaining resources as a country to aid in the countries development.

Things I did not know....I was aware that adults get empty nest syndrome when their children go off to college but, I was not aware that this type of  syndrome could happen even earlier.  Early childhood Australia did a great job exploring separation for parents and young ones.   Its crazy how we do not necessarily prepare our children for the kind of anxiety or even, trauma that they can endure through being separated.

                         Everyone involved in transition to school experiences changes at the relationship level. As                     children leave prior-to-school settings they, and their families, may lose contact with staff,                       children and other families from those settings. Some children start school with friends, but                     their friendship groups may change considerably as they adjust to school. For children                           with special education needs, and their families, the changes in relationships are often                           major, as prior-to-school support ceases and new relationships with new resource staff                           need to be built.

Perhaps we as educators can find a way to help children and parents better segway into this transition.  

The other thing I noticed was that the African sites were very barebone and lacked the design, color and detail as the other sites.  I do not know if this was intentional or not but,I it does help to drive the message home.

Classroom Research

I was doing some research on teaching strategies that could appeal in my classroom.  This method I found was amazing.  I have spent the greater part of the afternoon watching videos and seeing these strategies played out in  not only small children's classrooms but in high school classrooms.  Here is an example:

This is interactive, fun, and it helps kids understand despite language barriers, income, and culture.  This kind of activity is exactly what I want to see in classrooms that are sensitive to cultures and diversity.  you all should try it!

Let the Research Begin!

 I chose to research cultural differences in the classroom.  I see this as such an interesting subject.  I have dealt with this for years as an Early childhood educator.  I have seen food be an issue, i have seen language be an issue in the classroom and we are now even understanding when children are coming from same sex households.  There are lots of articles but none that quite tell you how to deal with the issues.

I hope to walk away with cutting edge ideas about how to set up a phenomenal all-inclusive new age classroom.  I did respect the simulation exercise though not much was gained from it.

Do you all have quetions in regards to my topic?  Any suggestions?  I am open and excited!