Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

For Part 1 of the assignment this week, I tried to use the websites provided but was unable to make contact as most the emails were all returned. I then went on the computer to Google Maps and typed in early childhood learning centers in Milan, Italy. It pinned a school called American School in Milan. I immediately went to the website. I found a contact person with an email address. I emailed Sara Griffith and told her the name of our school and the project we are beginning. She sent an email back telling me that she is the admissions director and would not be able to help. She passed along my email to the principal of the early childhood center. He emailed me right away saying that he would like to set up a Skype meeting. We have a Skype call set up for this coming week. I am excited to be able to discuss issues and trends in the early childhood field with him and compare and contrast the US and Italy. I am also working on reestablishing contact with my cousin in Israel. I traveled there last year with my mom and we met for the first time. She teaches English but her dad told me she has many contacts. Phone calls are hard because of the eight hour time difference. I found out that the best way to reach her is through an app called “What’s App”.This is an app used for text messaging overseas without worrying about additional charges. You just have to make sure the other person has the app as well. I look forward to a growing relationship with my cousin through this project. I hope that my colleagues will have a similar experience when establishing international contacts.

For Part 2 of the assignment this week, I chose two websites to research and study further one is Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families and I have signed up for their newsletter. Upon initial browsing of the website, I found it to be very informative and easy to manipulate with information useful for families and professionals in the field. I also chose The National Institute for Early Education Research and signed up for their newsletter as well. Again, upon initial browsing of this website, I found it informative. I think I will gain valuable knowledge and insight into the current issues and trends in the field. I look forward to the continuing journey. I hope that other colleagues will choose these same websites and newsletters so that we may be able to share what we are learning and engage in meaningful conversation regarding our growing list of resources in the field of early childhood.