Getting to Know My Professional Contacts-Part 1

Upon visiting various organizations’ websites, I established some contact as to a few email responses. The responses led me to no personal reference that I can utilize to speak with someone on a weekly basis. NAEYC, gave me a link to a newsletter which is now submitting me emails about their current efforts in the field. The newsletter is called FINE. They can be located by going to (www.hfrp.org). And their mission is to help families be a part of their children’s life, and throughout their children’s adult years. They strive to bring families together. They also work on other projects such as Early Childhood Education, Complementary Learning, Out-of-School Time, Evaluation and other research areas. UNICEF sent me an email stating that they do not hire staff to work with student projects, but they did offer a lot of information to research on their website. They post many newsletters, and have various groups of volunteers and people who visit different countries to help those in need. I resorted to the alternative to the assignment because I have not established contact with an official. I visited the World Forum Foundation and listened to a podcast from World Forum Radio. The link can be found by going to: (http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio/). I listened to all 5 of the 10 podcasts in the current work section and found two people who have definitely made a difference. Delfena Mitchell is a Director of a children’s home in Belize City. She works with children under age five to aid them from abuse, neglect, and orphaned. Her example of a little boy she saved is special because the little boy came to her not talking for over a year, and after treatment, he talked again. Another touching podcast was from Meridas Eka Yora. He works as a founder of three boarding schools in Indonesia. His efforts resulted from the massive Earthquake that hit the Indian Ocean in 2004. He has no children of his own, but he and his wife love the children who come to them. He treats the children as his own. He also works with children who were orphaned due to the disaster. In the Earthquake and Tsunami, over 500,000 Indonesian’s were killed. From all of this research, I found that it is so amazing that there are so many dedicated professionals all over the world that put up their time, effort, and love for children to help them overcome abuse, poverty, natural disasters, and diseases. I gained tremendous knowledge in that although, there are World Organizations that work day in and day out to help children through rescue efforts, volunteering, and through donation efforts, we can’t always save all of the children. Lastly I learned that all it takes is one professional who has a voice for a cause, and positive things can happen. By taking these few individual Organizations and the people from the podcasts examples, we can put our dreams into play, and make a difference as well. References The Harvard Family Research Project. (www.hfrp.org). UNICEF. (www.unicef.org). World Forum Foundation. Retrieved from. (http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio/).

Sharing Web resources

The link I chose to learn more about is UNICEF, but although they responded to my email and said they don’t hire a staff just to help out with school projects, they do have a lot of information pertaining to a cause, which is helping parents, families, babies, and children worldwide. I decided to change my views on such a large organization, and move toward a United States organization. I chose ZERO To THREE. They work for a cause as well. They support children, teachers, families, and other professionals in the Early Childhood Field. The link to the ZERO TO THREE website and their mission statement can be found by going to: (http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/). From here one can sign up to become a member, receive newsletters, and view a database of previous newsletters, find lesson plans, and read about current trends and policies within the field. I found one book review from a newsletter from The Harvard Family Research Project titled: “Inviting families into the classroom: Learning from a life in Teaching” By Strieb, L. Y. (2010). This newsletter reflected the topics we are studying at this time. Family involvement is an important part of teaching culture, getting families to have a voice in the classroom, and offering support by collaborating with teachers. “Such involvement both helps parents to understand the teacher’s role and teaching strategies, and offers a chance for parents to share their talents, skills, and cultures with the class” (Streib, L. Y. 2010). The newsletter offers various tips on how Streib used different strategies to involve parents in the classroom. Also, she gives great conclusions as to the benefits of involving parents in the classroom environment. I truly believe that having resources to help acquire new information pertaining to my field of study, helps one to keep updated and informed in the field. Lastly, by finding another source that works with young children, we can gain new techniques and find out useful tips and other ways to help families professionally. References Strieb, L. Y. (2010) Inviting Families into the Classroom: Learning from a Life in Teaching. New York: Teachers College Press. ZERO TO THREE (www.zerotothree.org/about-us).

EDUC 6162-1_ISSUES AND TRENDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field Part 1: “Establishing Professional Contacts” I checked out the The Global Alliance of NAEYC, along with UNICEF. Both of these organizations work on a global level to help children and families in need. Upon visiting The Global Alliance of NAEYC, I found their mission to include not only helping children around the world, but they offer supplies and materials, and collaborate, and share information on a global level. I clicked on the World Forum Foundation and learned that they work with others to “exchange ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings” (http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp). When I went to the contact us link. I found an address which is in the United States; they are located in Redmond, WA. I also found some phone numbers, which I can try to call and speak to someone about keeping up on new efforts. Lastly, I found an email linked to the World Forum Foundation. I sent an email and I hope to hear a response. I also had the opportunity to join the site and become a member, so we’ll see what kind of member benefits are in store for my new knowledge database for the betterment of young children across the globe. I haven’t heard anything yet from the contacts, so I may have to result to working on the alternative to Part 1, for the purpose of this assignment. References The Global Alliance of NAEYC (http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance). The World Forum Foundation (http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp). For UNICEF, I found that they too, work hard to help families and children on a global level. I looked at info by country and found that they serve over 70 countries around the globe. I also was able to perform a search and found over 200 newsletters about different topics about children and their health and safety. I had the wonderful opportunity to subscribe to their e- newsletter as well. I feel that through UNICEF, I will find many topics to learn about, and be able to keep updated about current events around the world. Lastly, I sent a contact us e-mail, and hope to hear a response. One helpful tip about UNICEF, is that they help children on many accounts, they help treat Malaria, they offer nutrition, they help with immunizations, water sanitation, and many other efforts. References (http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html). Part 2: “Expanding Resources” The Early Childhood organization I chose to study is ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (http://www.zerotothree.org). They are a US based organization that “ is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers” (http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/). ZERO TO THREE has various projects targeted to help military families, parents, and early screening for school readiness. ZERO TO THREE also has a professional journal with many articles one can read about how children’s and families’ lives have changed and benefitted. Lastly, there are also handouts and brochures parents and teachers can view and print out for references and tips. I had the wonderful opportunity to register with ZERO TO THREE as well. Hopefully, they give me some valuable input. References Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/ (May have to use http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ ) (Newsletters: http://zttcfn.pub30.convio.net/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/ and http://capwiz.com/zerotothree/mlm/signup/ )

My Connections to Play

“

Play provides the ultimate curriculum for social, physical, and cognitive advancement

”

(Wardle, F. n.d.).

“

Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers

”

(.Ginsberg, K. 2007). When we engage in play, we are letting loose, and using our deepest imagination to manipulate our world. Here are a few images that I used to utilize on a family outing to the Beach:

These images represent the items I had many opportunities to utilize when we traveled to the Beach. I could spend hours and hours with just these three items. However, the water, sand, sand creatures, people, and bird life created even more endless opportunities to take advantage of. All I needed to enjoy my time at the Beach was my imagination and the natural environment around me. The cool breeze offered new and unique smells, while the water created beautiful waves, and an abundance of water to use to make sand castles, and swim in. The Beach was my playground as a child, and today as an adult. I now have the opportunity to take my children there and watch them do what I did when I played at the beach. My grandfather opened up many opportunities for me and my brother to engage in play. We took many trips to the park, beach, we traveled to Mexico, Texas, and Lakes, and Rivers. We had opportunities to play outside in the front and back yard as well. We had so much freedom as children. I remember taking my bicycle and riding around the neighborhood with my brother. We even used to travel for miles and explore different tree species, plants, and meet neighborhood children. We had no rules when we played, except basic life skills such as no fighting, stealing, staying out late, and especially not talking to strangers. These were not play based rules; they were just instilled upon us since birth. My grandfather gave us insights as to different names of plants, we planted our own garden, and we ate fruit and vegetables out of trees and gardens. He taught us how to enjoy ourselves outdoors by allowing us the time to explore and use our imagination. As I reminisce my past, I notice that I do not see play like I used to when I was a child. I barely even see children outside. Once in a while, I see children chasing each other in a neighbor’s yard, or a neighbor child playing a hand held gaming system. I feel that parents don’t have time to allow them to go outdoors, and the issue of safety due to a corrupt society. In my city, there have been ten shootings in one month. I understand the fear for children to be allowed outside. In my childhood, I had many life lessons as I had the opportunity to play outdoors. I had my share of bumps and bruises, which gave me the experience of trying to be careful not to fall, or how to take care of scrapes and cuts, I learned how to ride a bike, I can climb trees, I can grow a garden, I can cook, I know my weather patterns, I know smells of dirt, mud, sand, asphalt, rocks, worms, bugs, and various other animals and insects. Our young may not get the opportunity to enjoy the same freedom as we did, but I do hope that there are ways for them to learn and experience nature, science, discovery, and the ability to use their imagination as I did. The role of play is essential to learning life skills, the use of a creative mind, and opportunities to engage in a peace of mind and wonder. The role of play has created fulfillment in my life because of the many experiences that have taught me the things that I know today. Without it, I often wonder if I would have learned the skills that I know now. I know my Grandfather has contributed to these skills as well. But it was his allowance that let us venture out and explore that gave me the many benefits of motor development, physical, emotional, cognitive, and social experiences.

References Ginsberg, K. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191. Retrieved from (http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playfinal.pdf). Wardle, F. (n.d.). Play as curriculum. Retrieved August 1, 2010, from (http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=12 7).

Relationship Reflection

Relationship Reflection: Relationships are the whole reason why children become socialized and develop healthy interactions with people and peers. Good relationships are essential to supporting a child’s social development. A child who has developed a good relationship with his or her family, and others in society such as, teacher’s, doctors, and peers, can learn how to maintain friendships and gain a tremendous amount of information the world has to offer. Educators have long known that family involvement is vital to children’s success in school” (Souto-Manning, M. 2010). Children who have healthy support groups usually do better and school, or drop-out less. My personal web of relationships/ partnerships include: my boyfriend William, my 2 daughters (Christy and Sophia), my brother Richard, my Doctor and his Assistants, my Teachers, my Colleagues, my Church Pastor, my Friends, and my children’s Grandparents. Although the list can go on and on, I have developed a large network of trusted and dedicated professionals that I have learned from, gained knowledge from, and most of all…these professionals have made me what I am today. They have helped me in time of need, and offered their knowledge as a tool for me to utilize in my own life. It is from the wide range of important relationships that I have encountered and developed in my life that teaches me to be a good influence to everyone I meet. Here is a few of the supports in my life:

The first picture is one of my boyfriend of ten years, and our two daughters. These relationships are important to me because they are of my immediate family. Between the love me and my boyfriend share, we created two little girls whom I have developed a strong bond with. The bond I have with my girls is one of love, trust, devotion, dedication, and many other positive aspects of humanity. The love and partnership that I share with my boyfriend is similar, except that we are a relationship that we developed from friends. We did not create each other. But we certainly created a love for each other and our daughters. From that, it is our responsibility as parents to make sure that we teach our children right from wrong, important things that we know, give them love, and lead them into the right direction by helping them when they need it and offering our advice. In doing so, I can rest assured that my daughters can develop a sense of empathy towards others, and be confident in their decisions to make the right one’s without inflicting harm on others. The second picture is one of me and my baby girl. She is my youngest child. The relationship I have offered her is love, protection, care, guidance, and communication. I respond to her needs and teach her about her world around her. She is the whole reason I have a drive to make her world a better place. Moreover, my baby’s smiles, and her responses to my interactions shows me that she has love to offer me in return of my contribution of being a mother to her. Some insights that I have gained regarding challenges to developing and maintaining relationships are one’s in which we lose the loss of a loved one, or we find a dedicated teacher who touches our life, and then we move on to another grade in school and lose contact with that special teacher. Another challenge that parents face is the workforce has got them gone for long periods of time, and the relationships that they want to build with their children are torn between work and responsibilities of running the home. “In today’s fast-paced society, teachers and families face competing demands for their time, energy, and resources (Anderson & Sabatelli 2007). The workforce can sometimes make it difficult for parents to be involved in their child’s class, or to spend time reading to them, which can be discouraging for parents to try to spend quality time with their child. “For adults who work fulltime, it may be impossible to volunteer in their children’s classrooms” (Souto-Manning,M. 2010). Special characteristics that make these relationships partnerships are the ability to communicate, offer time, and offer healthy interactions. Also, by responding to a child’s needs, shows that we have formed a relationship of care and empathy. By working in collaboration with families, we can learn about their culture, their childrearing techniques, and their diverse contributions to society. Moreover, this strategy of forming healthy relationships with parents can better serve the children because they can form a trust for the teacher and feel comfortable with them. Lastly, by developing positive partnerships/relationships, we can better serve our duties as professionals in the early childhood field because children can come to a safe, guiding, nurturing, and fun environment to learn and play. Also, parents can feel comfortable in bringing their children to a safe environment and offer their wisdom and expertise. Lastly, the partnership of teacher and parent forms, which makes the duty of a teacher a whole lot easier. If everyone is happy, the children benefit. Because the teacher can focus on creating an environment that supports child development. References Anderson, S., & R. Sabatelli. (2007). Family interaction: A multigenerational perspective. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Souto-Manning, M. (2010). Family involvement: Challenges to consider, strengths to build on. Young Children, 65(2), 82-88 Retreived from. (http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqcentral/docview/197637257/fulltextPDF?accountid=14872).

When I think of Child Development

More Quotes about children: "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald "Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today." — Gabriela Mistral "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!" Retrieved from. (http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/quotable/). These quotes about reading and children are inspirational to me because they are true about the benefit of books and reading. I value books in my house, I love to read, and I love to offer new and exciting books to my children. Books offer new information, as well as a journey, or escape to a world of imagination, which makes us unique. Lastly, books are a way to offer children a new way to obtain information other than their relatives, or through the internet. I would also love to give a shout of thanks to all of the important people in my life at the moment. My colleagues and Instructors are important for helping me through my journey to advance in my field of study. I value all of your remarks, criticisms, and words of wisdom. You indeed help me go another day with true passion to teach and love young children. I hope that you continue your positive path towards making an impact in our world, and to value the job that you do because it does help others. You helped me. Thanks again and take care. References Reading Rockets: Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle. Retrieved from . (http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/quotable/).

Testing for Intelligence?

• Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to "the whole child"), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning. I do believe that children should have testing to measure if they are developing or progressing as expected via their age. Also, I believe that some tests can let teachers and parents have ideas as to where a child needs improvements or is advancing. I also, believe that as teachers and parents learn about how children learn, they are also developing strong bonds and relationships with the children. • In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world? (Choose a country or region of the world for which you have a personal affinity.) School-aged children are tested in West Germany, the Netherlands, and England just as it is in the US. Standardized Tests are used for special needs assessment and educational guidance and there is some trend toward increased use of graded objective tests. Germany uses testing to measure intelligence, while standardized tests are rarely used because “it was generally found that teachers do not use standardized tests of their own accord, mostly because tests are not tailor-made for what the teachers have been teaching” (Neville, P. T. November, 1986). • What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues? I feel that testing children to see if they are progressing in school is a great way to see if they are ready to move on to higher learning. Also, by watching them in their natural environment, with their peers, and during play, we can really see how a child is developing and grows. The issue of testing can be a way to measure competency, and to measure skills of the whole child, but testing can also discourage children, especially the kind of test that measures intelligence. I feel that observation is the best way to learn from a child. References Neville, T. Postlethwaite. (November 1986). “The use of Standardized Tests in Secondary Schools in four European Coutries. National Center of Educational research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. (38 pp.). retrieved from.( http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED304455.pdf ).