Hopes, Goals and Thank You

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

As a teacher, I always want to create a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment to all children and their families. I want them to feel comfortable, safe, and being accepted no matter where they come from. We are role models for our children and the community in upholding respect for diversity and acting for social justice and equality.  We can be the sources of inspiration if we stand firm to our beliefs and implement them into our daily teaching practices.  Teachers are one of the most “external parties” of children. The teacher’s interaction and responses with children have profound impact on shaping student’s self-esteem and self-image.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

One goal is to respect and cope with a great understanding of diversity, equity, and justice.  I truly will want the different families, young children and any of the staff that work in a public school.  I would want them to have feel very comfortable with me just as well as me working with many staff members on an everyday work hour and parents feel that their children are safe with me. Plus I would like to reach to the goal of having my parents trust by being involved in seeing that their children succeeding in learning academically not in non-threatening environment.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

Time really flies. The assignments in this course are much more challenging that I originally think of.  Some of the issues are very uncomfortable to me but the experience was eye-opening.  Many thanks to my colleagues who leave inspiring words and support in my blog and discussion posts. I am eagerly looking forward to meet again!

   

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

Japan

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

 1. I would research the different languages that are spoken in the Japanese family and then I will try to learn a few words or phrases just as well as the meaning of their writing because it’s so different from American writing. Plus I would try to find a translator who can speak every type of the different languages in their cultural may speak so that the translator can be able to help me communicate with the Japanese family.

 2.Next I would also learn about the economic conditions of the country and the area of the country that my family is from with the problem that they may be facing.  I would try to find out what type of work the family may have been involved in before they left just as well as knowing what good work ethics they can do. I know that I would have to provide the family with support in their change to the job or job’s in America.  I know that I will explain to the family how different the life style is in America from how it is in their country.

3.  I also would do some research on the education systems in both areas so that I can compare their education to how it is in the new location with a listing of best to the lease. So that the family can have the right to determine rather or not the family has any type of knowledge. Then with any type of early childhood education program have the family ever had involvements of being a immigrating to America for help for children/families as well. By meeting with the family discussing their understanding with educational experiences with many great expectations in how I would give my very best support with my great ideals and good benefit goals for their children/child and family.

4. I would gather the entire family together to sit down and discuss with the family relationships with how their family relationships can work.  I would bring up to discussion with the family intergenerational relationships just as well as the understanding of the role of the children/child in their culture. I would also make sure that I would give them the understanding that everyone do things way different from how they may be use too because people have different beliefs about things some may be the same.

5.  I think I would reflect on any of the biases that I would strongly hinder my relationship with the family just as well as work on many ways to overcome the different biases in helping the Japanese family.

  

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

     I think by me trying to strength my understanding of many different families culture by trying to find many different ways to communicate with them. The main thing I would mainly do is learn about the families goals, values, beliefs, and plans on what great ideals the family are looking forward of doing.  I truly believe that I could accommodate the family which I would also tell the family that I could be I great help for their family in supporting the best for their family.  I think that it would be a two way of the both of us learning about each other cultural. Plus I would say how it is very intriguing for me to learn so much about them that most ways. How their different beliefs about things may also be a great impact to me and how knowledge would be a great impact to them about the two countries.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I few years ago I was getting my Associate degree at the local community college. I watched and listen to a lady talk to her child like she was worthless because he had a learning disability. She was upset because she had no one to watch her. The lady had no daycare or family to keep her. Another thing that made me upset was she assumed that people belittled the child and told her she was stupid and no one wanted to keep her. I really wanted to tell the lady that this was her child and how could she talk to her own child that way. Looking back today I think about my grandson with his disability and how he needs all the love and care he can get. Children are helpless and they look for the adult to protect and care for them. She made it like it was the child’s fault that she didn’t have anyone to watch her while she attended school. How can a parent belittle their own child when you are the one to protect them from that.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

I’m not a doctor but from years of experience and studying child development it seems the little girl may have autism. I say this because of how the mom was yelling at the child and his reaction. The mom said things to her like you don’t know anything, your dumb, you’re a waste of space and while she was saying these things the little girl was having a break down because of the noise and extra attention. She was rocking back and forth humming to herself. I was sitting in the courtyard of the school at a table reading some assignments and the lady and child was at the table in front of me. I was hoping someone besides me was listening to and would say something. I end up saying how can you talk to your own child this way. Your child deserves to be loved. This poor child had endured more than anyone should ever have to and no one thought she was worth the time because as her mother had told her she was disabled and she had no idea what was going on. I just knew this child needed someone to stand up for her.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

This incident made me feel like people are ignorant and people that have a disability are rejected by their own family at times. It also made me think that children need people in this world that want to take time with them even if their own parents don’t.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I was already going to school to work with small children but this really was my point where I wanted to work with children with disabilities. This is what made my decision to work for a Head Start program where 10% of children have a disability. It also was my choice to work for Head Start because I wanted to offer children an opportunity to learn. Head Start is also free for low income families so this would give them the opportunity to work or go to school. Also the children with disabilities will receive free services that will help with their education. This also may be the only time the child gets the love and attention they need.  This one small helpless child had to deal with bias, prejudice and oppression by her own mother. Amazing to look back and see that changing point in your life was a moment in time.

Practice Awareness of Microaggressions

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

When Head Start close for the summer I help out at a daycare center. One of my good friends name Esmeralda is a teacher in the one year old room. Esmeralda is from Asia. So one day we had a luncheon for the staff and parents. That day I was working with her and it was our turn to go get out our plate. When we walked in it was a couple parents and other staff in the room. So Esmeralda fixed her plate and another staff member said “Esmeralda I can’t believe you are eating other foods besides white rice, you always eat white rice is that all popular food that every Asian people eat”? I looked at Esmeralda and she looked like she was so angry. Esmeralda said “what you say”/ The other staff said “I was just wondering because that’s all you eat”. So then that’s when I said “my husband is from South Carolina and he eats white rice with everything. I told Esmeralda to ignore her that some people are just dumb. I felt bad because from learning about different microaggression I knew this was a form of micro-racial.

In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

My experience with microaggression affect my perception of prejudice and stereotypes because I have learned that if people do not understand something they will tend to assume and make presumption. It makes me upset to know microaggression happens outside the level of awareness of well-intended individuals. It makes me disturbed when I observe hatred towards people of any culture, race, gender or ability. This week I learned to never assume things, ask meaningful questions and be kind and respectful.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week I was ask to share with 3 people their definition of culture and diversity.

Person 1 is the cook at the Head Start center I work at. Her definition of culture is the way of life and the belief of your people. She said her definition of diversity is being able to adapt to different cultures and beliefs and accept those differences. She stated that diversity is made up of different cultures.

The second person that I had the opportunity to talk with is my next door neighbor. She is an elderly women who shared with me that “she thought culture was her beliefs and what her mama and papa taught her as a little girl growing up”. Her definition of diversity is “simple that we all have differences the people who look the same are different she explained no two people are alike in the world, we all are created to be different”.

The last person I asked about culture and diversity is my co-worker. She was born in Mexico and has been America for 15 years. She expressed “culture is what I was taught in my country to be educated and have a good life”. She said “my family has a very strong culture, we have traditions and believe deeply in our religion. She said “diversity to me is America”. She mention that “I came to America because it is a free country that provides opportunities for people, you can find people from all over the country in America”.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are similar to the answers that I have received from the people I ask the question to. From gaining knowledge and understanding I learned that “a person’s cultural group is related strongly to his or her ethnicity, which reflects the place of origin and cultural background of the person’s ancestors or relatives who lives hundreds of years ago” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). Culture is much deeper and more significant that just costumes, holidays, foods and objects and things are easy to see, taste and define in everyday life” (Derman-Sparks, 2010). We all are the same but different on the outside. We should get to know other people and their culture.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I did not have any omitted because they covered everything about culture. It helps me understands what is culture and diversity. I have learned a lot from the three people I interview. When you have friends that are of a different culture or have different beliefs and you spend ample amount of time with them. Their beliefs and cultures kind to affect/effect your family cultures and beliefs. I do not feel like this is wrong. We are all different with different views. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

I have always believed that culture plays a very important role in our lives, it influences the way we live, our view of the world, our values, our dreams, and even our fears. After reading their responses I also agree that culture is handed down or learned by observing family or society. We can choose to follow it or we can choose to follow a different culture. Diversity allows us to recognize that we are all unique and that we may share the same skills, abilities, views, believes, and behaviors.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J.O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

My Family Culture

A description of the three items you would choose

1.   Cell Phone

2.   Family Photo Album

3.   Cash

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

1.   I would take my cell phone because it has everything on it. It has pictures, the bible and my contacts to keep in touch with everybody. Since I have the bible on my phone I am able to read the bible from my phone. I can use my phone to look at pictures and have memories of my family.

2.   The photo albums is dear to me because it is visual images of some the memories of the good times and places that my family and I have experienced.  I have pictures of weddings, birthday celebrations, holidays, family reunions, and even the birth of the babies in our family.  I love taking picture and sharing memories while looking back.

3.   We all know we need cash to survive. In order to survive we need money to buy the things we need.

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you.

If I were told that I had to give up two of the items and only keep one, I think I would be sad and heartbroken but I would have to keep my cell phone. Keeping in touch with my family and friends and being able to have memories from pictures and being able to communicate is important to me. The pictures make me smile, laugh, and cry.  I can actually feel the moments and memories of the many different experiences of the love, and joy when looking at the pictures.   This would be helpful to me when I begin my new journey in another country.   

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise.

I had a hard time picking three items but it was even harder to pick one of the three. After this exercise I gained insight that I truly love my family and even know we go through struggles and hard times I thank God that he chose these people to be in my life.  I enjoy every minute that we spend together and I look forward to making many more memories.

Until Next Time

It is hard to believe we have finished another course! We are just a few more away from earning our Master’s degree! I would like to thank Dr. Parrish for the feedback on the assignments. I have learned so much about communication, collaboration and conflict resolution. I would also like to thank my colleagues for your encouragement and comments both on the blogs and the discussion boards. Each one of you have been so positive and encouraging! I trust that I supported my colleagues by asking them questions in the discussions that had them thinking up of new answers. I hope all my colleagues the best in grasping whatever professional endeavor they are chasing. I know that you all have a bright and important future. Maybe we will meet again in another course. I hope that we can keep in touch!

Adjourning

This week we are continuing our look at teambuilding. Our question is as we have learned to be in groups what can be learned from high performing groups. When the group is high performing everybody can become independent and work independently. “The high performing team functions without oversight and them members to become independent” (Abudi, 2010). I have had many positive as well as some negative experiences when working in group projects at school and also in the work place. I think that many of the negative experiences that I had were because of a lack of communication or a misunderstanding that happened between members of the group.

I do believe that high-performing groups have been the hardest to leave for me. When we all work hard and in unity, we get to appreciate each individual and we get to appreciate them for their effort and dedication to the activity and to the group. But, I Also think that even though low-performing groups are a relief to leave, they always leave a sad feeling inside of me. I feel bad because things didn't go smoothly like I would have liked, especially if I was the main one involved in the conflict or disagreement. I don't like to feel that I failed myself or that I failed others.

During one summer, I had the opportunity to work on a project with an amazing group of individuals. After we turned in our group project, we went to the campus pub and ordered food and fine spirits and had a great time reminiscing about the weeks that we had spent together working with the children (practicum) and completing our final project.  I don't even want to think about adjourning with this great group of colleagues that I have met while working on my master's degree. Just thinking about it is making me emotional. I have learned so much from many of my colleagues. Their ideas, thoughts, and constructive advice and feedback has opened up my eyes to see things from a different perspective. Even though, I cannot literally hear them, I have learned to be a better listener and to be more aware of the messages that they were conveying when I read their posts. 

“When a group has to adjourn they will miss working with each other but have vowed to remain friends and keep in touch on a personal level” (Abudi, 2010). I do think that adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it brings closure. Like in any situation, It helps us to close that chapter and move. I also believe the graduation is how we adjourned. Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it means that have ended.

Reference:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Conflict Resolutions

One disagreement that I recently experienced was with my 14 year old daughter. Every weekend she thinks she has to go somewhere. The conflict we had was because she wanted to stay out later than her curfew. Her curfew is 9 or maybe 10 depending on who she with and what they are doing. Last week her and her friends went to the skating rink. It closes at 10 so I told her I would be to pick her up. Around 9:30 she called me asking could she go to her friend’s house and go to McDonald's. I couldn’t get her to understand that I love her and 

I am watching out for her safety. All she see is a lot of children hanging out and she think it is okay to do the stuff her friends do.

One strategy that I will do is to continue to discuss (every time she goes out) that way when I say I’m going to pick her up then that’s what I’m going to do. We will hold this discussion before she leaves so she will have that understanding. I explained to my daughter the reason why I don’t like her hanging out and I want to pick her up myself because that way I know she is safe.

“One of the 3 R’s is respect. “I will continue to talk, treat and approach her with respect because positive relationships/interactions are the foundation for future learning and relationships” (Chesire, 2007). When I asked her about our discussion, she appreciates that I always talk to her with respect and that she appreciates that I care for her well-being and that I give her a chance to share her feelings and thoughts. She also said that she understands that even though she’s a teenager now she is still my little girl and that she needs to follow the rules that I set for her because they are for her own well-being.

Reference

Chesire, N. (2007). The 3 R’s: Gateway to Infant Toddler Learning. Dimensions of Early Childhood. Volume 35, No. 3.

EDUC 6165 Week 4: Who Am I as a Communicator

For this assignment I had my mom and my daughter evaluate me. The things that surprise me was how differently my daughter saw me as a communicator. In the communication Anxiety Inventory she scored me on the low side (32) which means I would be very comfortable speaking in public and have no anxiety. I scored myself as a 53 so that means I must play it off well. I am anxious in certain situations and comfortable in others.

I think the one thing that surprised me the most was my listening style. My score revealed that I am people-oriented. I am empathetic and concerned with the emotions of others. In some way I can see that but some ways I don’t. As I get older I have learn to be empathetic. When I was younger I really didn’t listen first and was ready to say whatever came to my mind. Glad I grew up!

This week I gained insights that I have work to do to be a more effective communicator. I gain insights in understanding that I maintain a good balance between respect and consideration for other’s viewpoint. I gain insights on how to refine how I came across and state my intentions in clear and respectful ways and not let the feelings I have towards them affect my communications with them.

Week 3 Communicating and Culture

Yes I find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures. I have a Spanish child in my room and he or his mom doesn’t speak English. There is an older brother in the home that can speak English. Sometimes she brings the brother to translate. I know how to speak a little Spanish but I can understand it more when someone is talking to me. So basically I can understand it better than speaking it.

My first strategy would be to communicate with all families. There are 2 translators where I work so I will make sure to get them involved so the parents will feel comfortable. I want to have confidence in being able to confront them with anything and being comfortable talking to them.

My second strategy is to have enough confidence to learn and speak Spanish. I want to have confidence to confront the families with a good-morning how are you in Spanish. My strategy would be to first learn the words that are important to them. I want to be able to communicate with the child while they are in my care. I want to be able to understand their needs and wants.

My third strategy would be to learn enough Spanish to communicate with my families even if it just simple words. I want to be able to communicate without a translator so I can get to know their culture. I want the families to feel included like all the other families.

Week 2 Communiation Skills: Language, Nonverbal, Listening

This week we were asked to watch an episode of a television show in silence and then watch the show with the sound on and the sound off. This week I decided to watch an episode of the show The Real. The Real is a panel show with 4 outspoken female host who are all going through varied life experience, which include motherhood, new marriages and experiencing the single life. This week when I watched they had Ayesha Curry on the show. From what I observed the ladies on the show seemed to enjoy talking to one another. The body language of the group was positive. I didn’t observe any eye-rolling or any folded arms that suggested any kind of animosity. When I played the recording back and then listened to the show it seemed that their body language match what was actually taking place. Before watching with sound from the body language and the facial expression I observed I assumed that the relationships were positive and they were genuinely happy to be with one another and enjoyed talking to each other. They also seemed to have positive interaction with the celebrity guests that were on the show.

EDUC 6165 Week 2 Blog

When I first looked at this assignment I knew I wanted to write about my onsite administrator. I have worked under her for several years. When she first interviewed me years ago I was amazed by her communication skills and leadership skills. When she communicated she was always calm and to the point. When she conducted staff meetings she communicated clearly so we would understand what she expected of us.

She was a great listener and very compassionate to her staff. She had an understanding of us and would be there anytime we needed to communicate. When I need someone to talk to she was very understanding. A couple weeks ago she ask me to be the back-up OSA. By her teaching me to communicate. I want to show the other teachers I can be a leader. I hope to continue learning how to communicate effectively and learn to be a great listener. I want to be an effective leader.

When I think of Research

Over the past several weeks this course has helped me gain many new insights into the world of early childhood research.This course taught me about the proper process in which to design a research study.  It allows for us to study different important topics within the field to see what positive things are helping children develop and what negative things need to be worked on.

Why is your simulation important to the field of early childhood?

My simulation is important because play can play many different roles in the classroom. Plat is natural for children to do and it is a big part of their childhood. Play is a way children express their feelings and emotions.

If you were to conduct your simulation proposal, who would benefit?

Children and their families will benefit from my stimulation. Teachers will also benefit because they will get to know the children while they play. They will be able to develop a relationship with children and their families.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

My perception of the early childhood profession has been modified as a result of the course in that I realize that in order to fully understand children, research has to be accurate. I would like to say a big, “Thank You” to all of my colleagues and hope that you will have fun in moving forward in your endeavors.  Maybe we will be in another class together.

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

Some the current research topics of this week five are ECDVU Sub-Saharan Africa: Mission Statement, Early Childhood Australia a voice for young children and European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

I chose to explore Early Childhood Australia site. One new insight that I have gained from this site is the information provided about the “National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program.” The program is designed to help ECP’s (Early Childhood Professionals) meet the criteria of setting up an appropriate designed early education environment. They first help you understand the links between EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) with NQS (National Quality Standards). They offer resources to help professionals learn about appropriate environment settings as well as incorporating good practices in the classroom with learning videos, forums, social media outlets, and funding and sponsorship resources.

 What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The supporting best practices tab offers very insight information for learning, play, feelings, behaviors, teaching, children’s rights, and developmental stages. Each topic has many subtopics that can be useful to some of my colleagues for their research simulation. For example, my research stimulation is about behavior. 

Reference:

Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research that Benefits Children and Families- Uplifting Stories

I would do research that benefits children and families I would do how parenting has changed in recent decades. I can remember my grandparents keeping me while my parents worked. During the summer we played outside all day. We came in to eat lunch and breakfast and went right back outside. Whatever my grandma cooked for us that is what we had to eat. There was no choosing what you wanted to eat. Whatever our parents or grandparents told us to do we did it. Time like this has changed so much. Children now can do what they want to do. Its not all on the children but what the parents allow them to do. I look at the children in my classroom and when they do something wrong and we let the parents know they act like its no big deal. The children take their parents as a joke. I can say I’m going to call your mama they say go ahead I don’t care. If I got in trouble at school my parents would beat my butt. I knew better not to get in trouble or embarrass my parents. All they had to do was look at me and I knew I better straighten up.

Parents want to be their child’s friend instead of being a parent. I had my children at the age of 15 and 21. Some say it comes from children having children but I raise my children the same way my parents and grandparents raised me. I was very understanding with my children but they know when I mean business. Parents now are relaxed and lazy. They are not teaching their child structure, respect for others and themselves and the value of an education. Out of this research I want to gain knowledge to help these parents improve their parenting skills and give them the resources that they need.

Your Personal Research Blog

The topic I choose to do my research the benefits of play and learning and how they are connected. I chose this topic because I want to reach out to families and others about the importance of play. When children play on their own or with other children they are learning and creating. Children have a strong opportunity when they engage in play. It allows them to create, explore and interact with the world around them. Children also build self-esteem when they have the opportunity to play. Research supports the notion that play is essential to physical, social, cognitive and emotional aspects of a child’s development.

Play is important to the development and growth in early childhood development and I am interested to see what current research has to say and prove. From the course so far I have learn to use the eight steps to evaluate websites and analyze information. The information I have learned will be helpful to me by selecting valuable resources to apply to my research.

I will greatly appreciate it if any if you have advice, insights or resources that may help me on my topic the benefits of play and learning and how they are connected. Listed below are some resources that I have already found that I would like to share with you guys

Resources:

Hurwitz SC. To be successful: let them play! Child Education 2002/2003; 79 :101-102

Isenberg J. Quisenberry NL. Play: a necessity for all children. Child Education 1988;64 :138-145

Barnett LA. Developmental benefits of play for children. J Leis Res. 1990;22 :138-153

Final Blog Assignment

Post at least three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development:

One consequence of learning about the international early childhood field for my personal development was that it showed me how much work still needs to be done. We all need to come together and address the issues as a whole world. I think if we all stand up as a community and all communities come together we can make a difference in this world.

Another consequence has been that I have learned that there are barriers to quality early childhood care in every country. I learned that it is just not in the US but all around. Other countries have it harder than we do and it hurts me to see that innocent children have to go through certain things.

Another consequence of learning about the early childhood field on the international level is seeing what solutions that are working. They also introduce provide solutions to the issues. It provides a different aspect or look into a common thread, which helps spark new ideals .

Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations

One goal is for me to continue to support the National Head Start Association. I want to make donations The Dollar Per Child campaign. This way I can help make a difference in someone life.

I want to let my classmates to know it is time for us to work together and learn from each other. It is important for us to learn the issues in our field around the world. We should be that advocate for our children and families.

Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

For my blog post this week I am doing the alternate assignment. For this alternate assignment, I reviewed UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage. Before this week I was not familiar with this site but it had some very interesting information. It had a lot of information about what we have been discussing in this class. “There are four main links on the site titled: “Access and Equity,” “Quality,” “Investment and Funding,” and “Coordination and Integration”(UNESCO.ORG).

One insight I gain is that families and children that live in poverty don’t get much attention from the government like families and children that are more privileged. The privileged families have access to quality early childhood programs. Its like children that live in poverty don’t matter to the government if they have quality child care or not.

Another insight I gain is funding is still one of the main problems when it comes to quality child care. It seems no matter where in the country funding remains the biggest obstacle in promoting equality in accessing quality early childhood education. Funding is especially a big obstacle in areas where poverty is high.

Another insight I gain is that UNESCO has a goal of finding solutions to increase inclusive education. “This is so important because 75 million children are currently excluded from education for several reasons including poverty, disability, inequity, child labor and speaking a minority language”(UNESCO.ORG).. “One of UNESCO's main goals is to develop the full potential of every individual” (UNESCO.ORG).

Reference:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

Sharing Web Resources Part 2:

At the beginning of the course I chose the site National Head Start Association. This week we were asked to expand our knowledge of the organization.

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

When searching the website none of the links I found go offsite. I did learn that Head Start got an increase in federal funding. The $610 million increase will give children the opportunity for a head start. “This increase will mean that programs can better support teachers and staff, more children will have access to full-day, full-year early child education, and more infants and toddlers will start off life with the Head Start advantage” (National Head Start Association).

The negotiated omnibus FY 2018 appropriations bill released late Wednesday night includes $9.853 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, a $610 million increase over FY 2017 funding. The bill includes:

·         $216 million for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Head Start staff (approximately a 2.2% increase, which is in line with inflation)

·         $260 million for partial day, partial-year programs to extend the duration of their services to better meet the needs of working families

·         $755 million for Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnerships (a $115 million increase over FY 2017).

Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

I chose The Dollar Per Child campaign. The Dollar Per Child campaign is NHSA annual fundraiser that helps us ensure millions of children and families are represented in Washington, D.C. The DPC is the main funding for Head Start advocates. Head Start provides children with an opportunity. Through Dollar per Child (DPC), NHSA ensures that the voices of these at-risk children and their families are heard. You can make donations through their website or by sending checks.

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

I have not gotten a newsletter as of yet.

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

“Head Start supports families facing difficult circumstances and seeks to mitigate obstacles to learning in the early years” (National Head Start Association). The Head Start program main focus is to help families and children from low-income families. The program provides education for children to grow. It also provides health services to children. Parent Involvement is a big in the Head Start program. They serve on the policy council and volunteer in the classroom and also participate in classes and workshops.

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

I learned that if you are an alumni or if your child attended the Head Start program you can join a campaign to encourage former Head Start children and parents to identify themselves. They can share their experience with other former members. They will also have opportunities for professional growth.

Reference:

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/

Week 5 Blog Assignment

The Global Children’s Initiative is a non-profit organization which is part of the Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child. The center reaches out to all children even worldwide. They especially reach out to those that are at risk of health and development issues that are due to poverty. “Many children fail to reach their full developmental potential by age 5” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). The center reaches out to different policy makers in other countries to do research on early childhood and how it is important to every child’s development.

The insights or ideas I gained:

1.  There are many people like educators, researchers  and politicians that are working together to improve the early childhood field around the world. When it comes to child development quality childcare is important.

2.  The center reaches out to organizations to help children that may experience a disaster. The center encourages these organizations to work with these children for a large amount of time. This will give children and families enough time to get pass it.

3.  The center works with other countries like Brazil, Canada and Mexico. “In Brazil the partnership has been successful in creating a science driven early childhood movement” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). “In Canada the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative counter the separation between science, policy and practice work” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). AFWI is seeking to close the gap in “what we know” in science and “what we do”  and policy and practice (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). In Mexico the “Latin American Innovation clusters connect with the center to enhance child outcomes through adult capacity building” (Center on the Developing Child, 2018). The center works with these countries to improve young children’s condition.

Reference:

The Center on the Developing Child, (2018). Retrieved from   (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/) on April 7, 2018.

Sharing Web Resources

For the past couple weeks I have been learning about the Children Defense Fund. I have learned some very interesting things. The Children Defense Fund as a program called the Student Health Outreach. This program helps graduates and undergraduates to train in community services such as insurance and health care for families and children. This can help with my professional development because I can get a chance to move up and be a speaker and advocate for these families not only in the classroom but other places as well.

I know poverty is huge around the world but after looking at resources like the Children Defense Fund it is help out there. As professionals we need to help our families to find these resources and let them know there are programs and organizations that can help. Parents may not have access to this resources so that is when we step in to help. We must be that voice for our children.

The Children’s Defense Fund works with many children to help them out of poverty and protect them from abuse and neglect. “The Children's Defense Fund has challenged the United States to raise its standards by improving policies and programs for children” (Children Defense Fund, 2010). “Over the years, they have become known for careful research on children’s survival, protection and development in all racial and income groups and for independent analyses of how federal and state policies affect children, their families and their communities. We let the public know how effectively their elected officials stand up for children” (Children Defense Fund, 2010).

Reference:

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/endingchildpoverty/  

Getting to Know International Organizations

For my blog this week I will continue to talk about The Children’s Defense Fund. “The Children Defense Fund is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for more than  40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children” (Children Defense Fund). They help children out of poverty, protect them from abuse and neglect, make sure they have health care and quality education.

I learned that the founder Marian Wright Edelman worked with Martin Luther King as counsel for Poor People’s Campaign. In her career she fought for the people that were struggling with poverty and discrimination to help them over come it.

One insight I gained was in “2015 more than 14.5 million children in America were poor, two thirds in working families” (Children Defense Fund). In 2017 the census reported child poverty is at its record high in the United States children under the age of 6 are the poorest.

Reference:

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/endingchildpoverty/  

Sharing Web Resources

The National Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization that believes every child has a chance in life. “NHSA mission is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and educated” (National Head Start Association). Head Start helps the families as a whole. When the families are helped it helps our community. The association has protected the most vulnerable children. It encourages parents to be more involved and engaged in their child’s life, education and the community as well. NHSA guides , accept and encourage families in their daily struggles. Families are helped to find services and jobs while their children is in a safe learning environment.

In 2002 to strengthen and keep families together NHSA came up with the National Native American Heritage Month. “The goal is to keep families together by connecting parents to their cultural heritage and traditions, connecting with past generations in order to bring purpose and direction to future generations” (National Head Start Association). In November 2017 the NHSA held a night were families sang songs, dance had certain animals and children were allowed to do art about their culture. This keeps families in contact with their heritage and culture.

Reference:

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/