Final Review of Issues and Trends in Early Childhood

Learning about all aspects that affect Early Childhood is important. With the good comes the bad and you have to accept all aspects of the field. Three things that I can say that are consequences to learning about the International field of Early Childhood for a professional and personal stand point is:

• Globally, we have things to overcome in the field of Early Childhood, not just in our own back yard.
• Overseas do not have the same resources financially that we do here. So we must pay to help those in need. It could be costly at our own expense. The rewards could be great but comes with a price.
• Finally, I feel like we have not made much head way in the progress of Early Childhood if the conditions are so widespread. The problems and issues seem so great. It is a little disheartening. I am truly sad. I wish, pray, and hope for an end to the suffering children are faced with. 

One goal that I have for the International field of Early Childhood is that we continue to press forward for improvements in the lives of these little heroes. I say heroes, because they are overcoming great odds. We need to continue to bring awareness of this issue. Jerry Lee Lewis use to have telethons. Perhaps that's something we need to revisit to bring awareness. We need to optimize the technology that is at our disposal. 

Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

As I go deeper into my study in Early Childhood Studies, I am proud to be a part of an organization that works so hard in the area of young children. This week, I have learned and stressed the importance of being perceived as more than a "babysitter". It is my hope to help change that perception and be regarded for what we really are, "Professionals", working for the holistic development of children from birth to age 8 (at least). I love what I do and hope that comes across to others I am around. I want the behavior and attitude I have towards working with children to be a contagious behavior. I know that what I am doing can be perceived as contagious because we all want to see the best in kids. Adults make a difference in children's lives. Experience and further education will bring about the positive changes we need in regards to the profession of Early Childcare.
You can have a love for children, which is the start to a prospering career. At my job, that love can transfer into a fulfilled career. We will take that love for children and offer an opportunity for growth and development in the form for education through modules and then a CDA. We want each person to continue and grow. Not only do we want the best for our children but for the staff as well. In this career, there is always new information coming about in the growth and development of children. We want our teachers to be fully prepared to handle various children and situations when regarding children.
It is my goal and dream one day to no longer be in a classroom and be the one to help guide those that are in the classroom. Not that I don't love being in the classroom and being hands on with children but I feel it is now my time to move forward and lead the younger generation. I think it the time has come to now educate and guide those that working with children. I want to take what I know and have experienced and spread it to them. I feel now is the time. Also through my course of studies I want to be an advocate for children. Never before would I have thought as a path I would walk, but I see that being a professional and an advocate go hand in hand. As a professional I see it as my duty to spread the word and advocate for the profession and children. I am really surprisingly excited about this new adventure.



After exploring the website, UNESCO I am excited to see another organization with the interest of Early Childhood Care and Education across the world. It is so important to make a difference in the lives of children. I can see that the interest should not just lie in our country but in others as well. They too continue to partner with other countries and organizations to improve the lives of children and their families. It also is interesting to me that they are not interested in an monetary help but want you to get involved through their join us tab. I see their goal for excellence and quality for children through their projects, resources and achievements sections. As I have seen through other websites, they are in various countries in the world. It is my hope that through all these organizations, we are making a difference in the lives of children.

Navigating through websites

Because we are talking about policymakers and advocates. I have decided to explore this section of the website, www.zerotothree.com. In this section I found that this area has some good articles that I would be interested in learning more about. For example, there was an article about “preventing expulsion from preschool and Child Care” I can not believe that this is happening, but at the same time I can see how. Once I researched the page a little more, I saw that there were videos related to the subject. This kind of opened my eyes to the fact that this is happening in the field of Child Care. I am actually shocked and perhaps disappointed in my peers. Children are going to act up and have temper tantrums. I feel that if a child is resulted to being expelled then the teachers are not taking the time to look at the child to see what is going on. This kind of behavior tells me that there is so much more under the surface of a child that he/she is not telling. This behavior at times also tells future problematic systems like undiagnosed special needs, etc. We are letting children fall through the cracks. This makes me sad, upset, frustrated, and disappointed all at once.

Also, researching the Global Fund for Children shows me that they continue to advocate for children. However, what they do for children is not free. The emails that I have and continue to receive from them are to solicit money people who show interest in their website. I have not yet donated any money, but am intrigued to find out, what I happens if I do. Is that the next step of involvement with this group? I don’t doubt that money they receive has only the child’s best interest at heart. It would appear that they are concerned as I am with the education and well-being of young children. Especially ones, that do not live in our country, but ones that live abroad.

Other things I learned this week is that we are continuing to press on towards the good fight for early childhood education and the inclusion of preschool children. It seems that the issues we have are not new. That tells me that we are still fighting for young children. In my opinion progress seems to be made but is it at the rate that many of would like? It would appear not. The question is then, how do we get things moving faster?  

References:
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/policymakers-advocates

Working Globally

Working Globally

After reviewing the website presented this week (6/10); I have found that it is interesting that the in the world “200 million children fail to reach their developmental potential by age 5” (Center on the Developing Child, (n.d). I find this information interesting because here in the United States we have many children too who fail to reach the same goal. As we have come to find out that many factors are the reason why this happens.  My question and thought is this……If children in the world fail to reach their developmental potential because of location, poverty, stress, etc.; then why do we have children failing to meet standards by age 5 as well if America is suppose to be considered the land of opportunity?

Another question that made me think as a result of things I came across in my research of this website is that if people worldwide know and understand that “the early childhood years are to be the initial building blocks for lifelong health, not just school readiness” (Center on the developing Child, (n.d); then why isn’t there more of a change? Are people not listening to what is being said? Do they care or what? So then, why does it continue to happen if people hear and understand what research has proven?

Is it because when applied in a scientific way does the world, politicians, etc. treat it the same and finally acknowledge the issue. Well I see the attention the issue has gained but is there really any change that has taken place? And if so, how and at what rate? Are we going to fix this problem 100%? I don’t think that the issues we face with children failing really is anything new. There has always been a child or children out there that will fail to be developmentally on track. Now we say that is by age 5. What was done with the children then? Were they overlooked? Were they told they were stupid? Or even, were they sent to a special place away from their families, which really is the worst answer. I feel that in the past our methods to now have improved. I feel that increased knowledge has increased which is better. I do however also feel that the issues were always there.

In reality I feel that we should have always had a look at this. Even if it was kept in the back of our minds. I feel strongly about this because it affects kids. I see it now how first lady’s have taken a personal conquest to improve children’s education and the standards. My question is why now? We have always had a first lady. Now this is taking a turn into a history lesson, but I am sure you get the point. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad we are addressing the issue but why not sooner and that we way we could have had a better plan in place or that plan could have been improved because the issue has already been addressed, tried and tested. When it comes to children, they are our responsibility to ensure children are meeting the standards developmentally. We cannot expect children to have made that goal themselves. They look to adults for guidance and direction. I think that because the numbers are the way they are we have failed children. When I say we, I mean, scientists, teachers, parents, policy makers, etc., we have failed our future.

Is it wrong to tell a higher official that they are doing it wrong? That is how you open their eyes by telling them they are wrong. There are better solutions. The children are our responsibilities.

The focus for these countries and globally “brain” development. While I find their focus to be interesting and I understand how brain development is important but should that really be the focus as to why children are not developmentally ready? Is poverty a bigger problem? How much of that contributes to the issue? I see it as a contributing factor but in a way and at times I see poverty as a small factor to the issue for these programs.

 The Global Fund for Children: Excellence

Through the GFC and its partners they teach the children lifelong skills that can improve their lives for the better and make them self-sufficient. It is not just a donation they receive but also a way for them to improve their lives for the better. They can do things on their own once equipped with the right skills to sustain them. That to me is great. This happened to Jerish, a receiptant from the GFC and it’s partners. “She now has the ability and was trained in baking and agricultural” ( Global Fund for Children, 2015).

References:

 

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/

 

http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/how-a-livelihood-program-changed-a-rural-girls-life/

 

Sharing Web Resources WK4

I have learned that if you have questions and no one around to answer the question, the world wide web is available. The information found on the web is outstanding. However, not all information is good information too. You have to use common sense and try only to use creditable resources for information. With that said lately I have been researching websites related early childhood development. www.zerotothree.com is one that has caught my eye. Each week or more I have received emails from them that has definitely given me a better understanding in my job and career. The emails alone are informative to help the lives of children. They are also very informative to the adults in their lives. Just recently I got an email from them about a weekly youtube series they are sponsoring or posting on the topic of Daddy’s matters. I think this is great. It gives an insight to how a dad matters in a child’s life. Some dad’s just don’t know how to get involved or really understand the impact they have on children. I am loving this idea. I fully support this. I feel that this is just another thing that this website and team have put together to put knowledge out there. I love it!!! Professionally, I feel that this and others like this is a great way to support families and teachers to support families we work with. Now it just so happens to be around Father’s Day that this is presented but in reality we can celebrate Dad’s all the time.

If I am going to be honest, which I strive to be, I have not found anything on the website to be controversial in my eyes. When it comes to children, it all needs to be addressed and told. If we try to say well we did not know, then ignorance can be the excuse and in my opinion its children we are talking about, that’s not a proper excuse in my eyes. Kids didn’t ask to exist so it is up to us to advocate, educate, and spread the word.

The website provides information and resources about building strong families like in the areas of child welfare, home visits, other basic needs, etc. Then there are resources and information provided for early learning experiences. These include early intervention policies and areas for early childhood systems. The website also gives you an opportunity to join the policy network offering ways to work with politicians for ECE. We want them to hear our concerns being that we are in the field.

Now that I have had time to sit down and explore the website more thoroughly, I love this website. There is not much I can say that does not help me in my career to help support me daily or those around me.

www.zerotothree.com

I have learned that if you have questions and no one around to answer the question, the world wide web is available. The information found on the web is outstanding. However, not all information is good information too. You have to use common sense and try only to use creditable resources for information. With that said lately I have been researching websites related early childhood development. www.zerotothree.com is one that has caught my eye. Each week or more I have received emails from them that has definitely given me a better understanding in my job and career. The emails alone are informative to help the lives of children. They are also very informative to the adults in their lives. Just recently I got an email from them about a weekly youtube series they are sponsoring or posting on the topic of Daddy’s matters. I think this is great. It gives an insight to how a dad matters in a child’s life. Some dad’s just don’t know how to get involved or really understand the impact they have on children. I am loving this idea. I fully support this. I feel that this is just another thing that this website and team have put together to put knowledge out there. I love it!!! Professionally, I feel that this and others like this is a great way to support families and teachers to support families we work with. Now it just so happens to be around Father’s Day that this is presented but in reality we can celebrate Dad’s all the time.

If I am going to be honest, which I strive to be, I have not found anything on the website to be controversial in my eyes. When it comes to children, it all needs to be addressed and told. If we try to say well we did not know, then ignorance can be the excuse and in my opinion its children we are talking about, that’s not a proper excuse in my eyes. Kids didn’t ask to exist so it is up to us to advocate, educate, and spread the word.

The website provides information and resources about building strong families like in the areas of child welfare, home visits, other basic needs, etc. Then there are resources and information provided for early learning experiences. These include early intervention policies and areas for early childhood systems. The website also gives you an opportunity to join the policy network offering ways to work with politicians for ECE. We want them to hear our concerns being that we are in the field.

Now that I have had time to sit down and explore the website more thoroughly, I love this website. There is not much I can say that does not help me in my career to help support me daily or those around me.

www.zerotothree.com

e.com  

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

While I have still struggled to make contacts with any individuals in another country. I was able to do some research on UNICEF's page with regards to child poverty and found some interesting facts. I researched and explored the information regarding Jamaica. I have friends who are from Jamaica and they have told me of their childhood or experiences there that are no where close to the ones who have come to understand about this beautiful traveling destination. As they call it, it ain't "visitor Jamaica", it is more like the "Stabbing Jamaica." This too is a famous line from a movie starring Chris Rock. Anyway, as I did more research I have come to find that

1. There are policies in place to end child poverty in Jamaica. So as I never thought my friends to be liars, there are children in Jamaica suffering and in poverty.

2. The International guidelines and commitments include to eliminate the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage or compulsory labor, child prostitution, the use of children to traffic drugs, and other activities that is harmful to children development. (while I know that this type of things happen, it kills me to know that there are people out there who use children as a means for any of this to happen. They are children who do not deserve to endure such a thing or live a life like this. I know it may sound ignorant like it doesn't happen, but I want the best for ALL children).

AND

3. UNICEF is very concerned with the poverty with Jamaica and does what it can to provide education and resources to the country to combat child poverty ( I am glad there are programs like UNICEF to help with children, they need an advocate, worldwide).


Poverty with Children from Jamaica exist because of health issues. Children are exposed to diseases and HIV/AIDS, low education, and deprivation.

Information for Jamaica can be found on

https://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/files/Jamaica_Child_Poverty_and_Disparity.pdf

Sharing Web Resources

As I dig deeper into the early childhood field, I find myself needing to stay current with trends, issues, and policies that affect my world. In order to do that I have decided to reach out to some resources on the web that are available to me. The first is an organization I have been acquainted with from work and through my studies. It is www.zerotothree.org. Their mission is       

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society that has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential.

They supply resources to support a child's growth and development to include, the teacher and their families.

As I was exploring the website. Something that caught my eye was their attention and support to the military community.
Military Family Projects          

ZERO TO THREE is proud to support military families. We work to increase awareness and collaboration throughout the military community so that parents and professionals can more effectively care for very young children and their families

ZERO TO THREE conducts many projects that support the health and development of infants, toddlers and their families. Through these, we bring the expertise and knowledge of our organization–and field–to bear on very young children. Our work ranges from supporting very young children in military families with a deployed parent to promoting early literacy skills and operating the Early Head Start National Resource Center. Explore the breadth of these initiatives and more by reading about each in greater detail. 
 
I am a military brat as well as military spouse. This community is unique and I am intrigued to get to know more how they support and work in my community. There I have the opportunity to learn more about things that affect a military child like stress and trauma as well as ways to support them.

I then wanted to explore an organization that caters to international affairs. I have decided to subscribe to receive newsletters from the Global Fund for Children at http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/.    

Their Mission and Vision is

 

Our Vision
At The Global Fund for Children, we envision a world where all children grow up to be productive, caring citizens of a global society.

 

Our Mission
We work to advance the dignity of children worldwide. We pursue this mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with many of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth.


I have asked both websites to send me newsletters and I will check their blogs on a regular basis to stay informed and current with what they are working on.