Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 2

Of the many studies on the importance of early childhood, one specific finding is that early learning impacts development and the primary grades. These positive outcomes include children of varying abilities and many cultures; early learning benefits all children. Following the importance of early learning is the actual quality of the learning process and/or environment. Assessment strategies and tools are starting to take place in early learning centers to reflect these positive outcomes on our children, then ideally will inturn increase government budgets for early childhood education. As preschool teachers it is important that we stay cognizant of our teaching practices, assessment strategies and learning outcomes in our classroom because it is ultimately for the children and the future of early learning.

Teachers College, Columbia University. (2009). Early childhood care and education: Worlwide challenges and progress. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 11, 1–44. Retrieved from http://www.tc.columbia.edu/cice/Issues/11.00/PDFs/11_Complete_Issue.pdf

Getting to know international contacts-part 1

“Over 600 million children world-wide live in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4” (www.childhoodpoverty.org). This is the same estimation of the poverty in the United States. In the U.S., according to Save the Children, nearly 1 in 4 children American children live in poverty (http://www.savethechildren.org/).

“Poverty experienced by children, even over short periods, can affect the rest of their lives” ” (www.childhoodpoverty.org). This why the early childhood programs that are available for children and families in poverty need to stay active and strong (check out my video bar and the bottom of this page- Head Start’s window of opportunity).

“Today's poor children are all too often tomorrow's poor parents” (www.childhoodpoverty.org). It is hard to imagine as we think and plan for the present that our young children do become adults, and do have a place in society. It is our responsibility in aiding the evolution process of our families and society. My 10 year old son shared a quote with me yesterday, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. By failing to prepare (nutrition, nurture, support, spirituality, education, etc.) our children…

Sharing Web Resources

The international organization that I chose is Save the Children, http://www.savethechildren.org/. Save the Children provides emergency response and program services for food and shelter, child protection, education, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, and more. The newsletters I receive often focus on one topic and then branch related topics with a variety of media tools. Save the Children is a trustworthy charitable organization, on the website it reveals approvals by InterAction, BBB Accredited business, Four Star Charity and American Institute of Philanthropy (www.savethechildren.org). I have thoroughly researched the careers section on this website. It posts available opportunities globally and descriptions of job opportunities. Through the email newsletter this month I was led to a section for advocating for particular issues and there are options to have conversations via twitter, and to contact congress through phone and email (www.savethechildren.org). I signed a petition to help children in poverty in America. If you want to sign this petition, it takes less than 5 min., go to www.savethechildren.org then the the 'Take Action Tab', and its under "Freedom from Poverty for America's Children".

Establishing Professional Contacts & Expanding Resources

This week I have explored the World Forum Foundation website, http://worldforumfoundation.org. It brings awareness to how many people in the world immerse their lives and purpose to children and families. It covers many areas of concern from curriculum to HIV/AIDS.  I joined the NACC (Nature Action Collaborative for Children), to receive weekly newsletters. I plan to share the insights from these newsletters.

I also receive newsletters from Save the Children. This organization has had a positive impact on my community; therefore I like to be informed of what they are doing. Below in this blog are some postings about Save the Children.

I find it resourceful to put websites on my desktop and use them in my work and college courses. The emails I have sent to establish connections failed, yet there are many resources and voices on the web.

Establishing Professional Contacts

I emailed the contacts from NAEYC’s website on their Global Alliance list, for Spain and Netherlands. I wrote that I was a student seeking to establish professional contacts. I also subscribed for newsletters from Save the Children, got on their Facebook site and explored some articles.

I am curious to find out information on childbirths trends and issues in Netherlands and Spain. I have such questions: What is the nature of how and where births take place? Such as, do the majority of mothers have normal births at home or in hospital settings, or do the majority of mothers birth in a hospital settings with medical interventions? Are there any studies in .... organization(s) on the outcome later in childhood that relate to the mother and baby’s birthing experience?

After joining Save the Children on Facebook as well an article, “Premature Birth Endangers 15M Babies Worldwide” from ABC media. In this article I found it interesting even though preterm babies have a good chance at survival in the U.S. verses other countries it “ranks 6^th on the list of 184 countries with the highest rates of pre-term births, far higher than other high-income countries”. Also, for example, in Asia pre-term births are related to adolescent pregnancies, where pre-term births in the U.S. are connected to “…high rates of C-section deliveries and induced labors account for the nearly 500,000 premature births annually” (Gann, 2012).

 Reference

Gann. (2012) retrieved form http://www.savethechildren.org/

My Connections to Play

The play that I remember most is outdoor and dramatic play, usually a combination of both. Also dancing and bike riding, this too incorporated some type of dramatic, pretend or fantasy play for me as a child. I remember playing for hours in the sand and small waves when visiting the ocean. Creating forts out of bushes and trees near our home where we would play 'house' or have thematic club. I was really into creating dance routines, comedy productions and being the lead in my group of friends. I often initiated themes and projects.

 "Play involves a free choice activity that is non-literal, self-motivated, enjoyable and process oriented. Critical to this definition is the non-literal, non-realistic aspect. This means external aspects of time, use of materials, the environment, rules of the play activity, and roles of the participants are all made up by the children playing. They are based on the child's sense of reality" (Wardle, 1987, p. 27)." (Wardle, 2010).

When I was younger, adults provided me space, materials and freedom for play. There are differences in play for the children that surround me now as an adult than when I was a child. At home and in the preschool's where I work children are provided plenty of materials, yet limited indoor space and outdoor freedom for play. What these children do have more of than I did as a child are adult guidance and interactions.  The limited outside freedom comes from increased safety issues and an increase of fear on the adults part. Also the lack of outdoor space in general. The importance of spending time with children is more consistent my life now.

Wardle, F. (n.d.). Play as curriculum. Retrieved August 1, 2010, from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=127

Relationship Relfection

Positive factors in my immediate relationships are respect, affection, empathy, laughter, understanding perspectives and being helpful. These aspects of my relationships are what maintain and develop these relationships. Challenges in the relationships are unhealthy dependency patterns, misunderstanding perspectives, time, and individual intentions. Understanding that relationships grow from positive outcomes and difficulties are important. Special characteristics of my relationships and partnerships are genuine care for one another’s well being and engaging in aiding in the development of that well being.

"Good relationships depend on finding a reasonable balance between being able to track your own feelings at the same time as you track other people's" -Sue Gerhardt "Why Love Matters"