Web Resources

All of the information this class and other classes I've taken so far at Walden University are relevant for my professional development. This week we read about stronger funding of quality care and education during the early years. Arguments occur between economists, neuroscientist, and politicians. I've read about unintended consequences which is something that happens. When policymakers are creating policies that can and will enhance the life of children often times they are not worried about any consequences. Numbers matter when it comes to early childhood education, but things can occur while policies are being created. Economist talk about paybacks that will occur in the future by looking at units and commodities. Paybacks are the positive outcomes that will occur in the future because of things done now that will have an effect on children. If children start in early childhood programs the less likely they will be to drop out of school, and will lower cost for social service programs in the future. The reason why social service programs cost will be lowered is because children who enter in a early childhood program will be less likely to need social service assistance in the future. Scientist think if children don't get everything they need by the age of 3 then the use of title I haven't been pushed enough. In order for the future workforce to be a strong one researchers suggest that there has to be a strong headstart program now. There were many resources to choose from this week as well as searching the web. It's important and will benefit the future generation if headstart programs are strong and have funding to support young children in the program.

Poverty

In almost every country in the world children are more likely to be living in poverty than adults. Poverty in children is a challenge and should bind us globally. While reading about childhood poverty three insights I gained from studying the website is:

1. Children make up nearly half of the people living in extreme poverty.

2. Poverty is a violation of a child's rights because they have a right to an adequate standard of living which includes their health, education,  nutrition, care and protection. When children grow up in poverty it is a direct violation of these rights they have.

3. When children fall into poverty it can last a lifetime versus an adult who falls into poverty because adults normally fall into poverty temporarily.

In Ghana studies show high malnutrition rates among children. Children are more vulnerable in a high poverty situation because of their ages and they can't make decisions. Children depend on their parents, other siblings, care takers, and other family members to make decisions for them. Some children escape poverty but some live the rest of their lives in poverty. Poverty rates for rural areas in Ghana is higher. Education levels of head of household is high at around over 40% with no education. Since so many children live in poverty malnutrition happens and children become high risk for morbidity and mortality. One in five children was stunted or short for their age because of not receiving adequate nutrition over an extended period. Children become underweight because of poverty.  

Sharing Web Resources

The organization I chose is The National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The organization works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children from birth to age 8, by connecting practice, policy and research. The vision for the NAEYC is all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring that children reach their full potential. A current issue/trend that caught my eye is that they had Tips for Welcoming dual-language learners on it's site. Some things educators can do just to name a few is to create a welcoming environment in the classroom for the children and their families. Make sure we stock shelves with books from different cultures and ask families to bring photos of children and share some things that interest the child. Also in the class you can play music from their cultures.

Establishing Professionl Contacts

This week I have tried to establish contact with other professionals around the world. Although I haven't heard anything back from anyone I'm still hopeful I will get some emails back soon. The steps I took for establishing contact was I went to the blog resources for the week and started from the top and started reading then I sent 4 different people an email. Since I hadn't heard back from anyone I decided to listen to the radio podcast but of course I wasn't able to; so I went on the website for Save the Children which is a U.S. based non-profit organization working on behalf of children worldwide. While on the website I saw that you can sponsor a child in or outside the United States the cost is $30 a month. The website shows a picture of the child and age. The money given to the organization help change lives of children around the world. They provide programs that focus on early childhood development, health, nutrition, as well as primary education. I saw and read some real live testimonials from sponsors. In 2015 there promise of 87% of al money went toward programs. Save the children help over 120 countries.

"My Supports"

Factors in my daily environment that support me is first and foremost God, my family, a favorite cousin, my church family, friends and co-workers. God created man in his own image, he created male and female. He created me and I'm thankful daily for everything I have in life. When I need support I read my Bible because it helps and comforts me. My family, supports me in everything I do, they encourage me to do whatever my heart desires. They not only encourage me but they care for me, help me with anything I need, understand what I'm going through and when I feel unsure about anything they reassure me.  I have two daughters one who is 27 and a 10 year old. Believe it or not  when I decided to go back to school they both were so happy and excited for me they said you can do this, you were born for this. My cousin who is also a very special friend always encourages me to keep going and not to give up on things I've started; she tells me all the time how smart I am and she's proud of me. It makes me feel so good to hear her say those things and we've been through so much together she's more like a sister to me. I have a guy friend who is always praying for me and he tells me I was born to inspire and teach the future. I thank him all the time and he tells me no need to thank me just make me proud like your already doing. The church family I have offer spiritual guidance to me, they support me and guide, pray with me. I have co-workers who support me in doing a great job they show me things I don't know and when I need help with anything concerning my job they are always there. Everyone has an impact on my life daily and I'm forever grateful.

My Connections to Play

     "Play is our brain's favorite way of learning"-Unknown-               

 

 

"Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs" -James L. Hymes Jr.-

 

When I grew up in the 70's play was something we did on a regular basis. I learned so much by simply playing. I became a little creative child drawing things I saw outside, I loved riding my big wheel pretending it was a car. I can recall me and some of my cousins riding them to the park down the street from where we lived to race around the track. Sometimes I would take my doll, and pack up my tea set with some water in a mason jar to have a tea party at the park. We pretended to be at fancy places where rich people went to have tea. Those days were so special and the difference in play then and play now is that we could actually go without an adult because everyone knew each other and if we did anything wrong the neighbors would tell our parents or spanked us themselves. My parents and grandparents encouraged us to go outside while they cleaned the house and cooked; we wasn't allowed in the kitchen while food was being prepared. The other difference is that now so many children stay inside instead of playing because technology has taken over with video games coming out with new games monthly, facebook, instagram, snapchat is like the gossip channel. Children at a young age have set up all these accounts to see what their friends are talking about and posting all sorts of pictures often. Technology also has to be monitored because there are some predators out there who will send messages to children girl or boy to see if they can get a response. Throughout my life play has made me who I am today, I've learned so much from playing, I know how to pretend by changing my voice to be someone else; I taught myself how to ride a big wheel and bicycle. While playing with dolls I learned how to change clothes and comb hair. On the sketch pad I learned how to spell because I would practice writing sentences and spell different words. Jacks was how I started counting fast, adding, subtracting all from throwing a ball up in the air while grabbing one then to jacks at a time and so on until I picked up all the jacks without touching another one. Play has been a try it out, do it yourself part of my entire life. In order to learn to do something we try it out first and then soon it can be done by yourself without anyone's assistance. Play lets you be free to build, grow, develop and learn all those wonderful things that will be essential in your day to day life. 

 

Relationship Reflection

We define relationships as the way in which two or more concepts, objects or people are connected; or the state of being connected. Relationships are very important to me because they have helped me become the person that I am today. In life we come across so many people who bring something to our lives some positive and some may be negative. We take life experiences and learn from them all good or bad. The relationship I have with my daughters are like no other one, I have not only taught them but I've shown them how a woman is suppose to carry herself. I talk to them about life issues that could possibly have an affect on them. I want them to always know that I'm there for them through everything life throws at them. We pray together and that's how I raised them and I'm sure they will do the same when they have children. Communication is very important in relationships, how can someone know what you are dealing with and feeling if you don't tell them. Challenges come in relationships when there is a disagreement or difference of opinion on a particular subject. In order to maintain a healthy relationship we should be respectful of other peoples opinions and feelings on a certain subject matter.

 The relationship I have with my cousin is awesome. Whenever I call her without any hesitation she come. If anything happen in the family she is always there and she doesn't complain about being there. She always ask if I need her to do anything for me. I talk to her everyday about something that may be going one and she calls me to ask my personal opinion or what I think about something. Our relationship has stood the test of time.

 I've known my friend for over 20 years and she's so compassionate and caring. This lady will give you  her absolute last. Over the years I never asked her for anything but somehow she knew if I needed something. This is true definition of sisterhood, she has held my hand through so much in my life including my marriage and divorce.

 Last but definitely not least my bff Guadalupe Hilliard has been the true definition of the word friend. Our relationship started when we both started working for Head Start. We ended up going to the same center location and have been friends every since. She has been my reason for staying at Head Start because she has helped me when no one else would. She's shown me things I never knew how to do because she has many years of experience in working with children. I can recall a day when I was told my room wasn't kid friendly, this was my first year teaching and they wasn't trying to show me how to get it kid friendly. Well Ms. Hilliard stayed after she was already off the clock and helped me move furniture around. I was so frustrated I wanted to go back to working at the bank she talked me into staying. I thank God for allowing us to cross paths because we have a great relationship.