CHILDREN ARE

When it comes to describing children, children can be describe into one simple word....


C-Creative

H-Hero

I-Imagination

L-Loving

D-Dreamer

R-Radiant

E-Extraordinary

N-Nurturing

No matter how short or small all children are identified in some shape or form



.

Word's We Don't Say

It was a time when I was 11 years old and my baby brother was about 8 years old. We were at the grocery store with my mother and my brother blurted out “that’s one huge fat black lady”, I looked and my brother and said “hush”. The lady of course overheard him and replied “I know he anit talking about me”. My mother apologizes to the lady and spank my brother on the prima censes for his behavior. He also apologizes to the customer, but he learned valuable lesson. Never express what you feel without hurting someone else. Since that day, I too learned to keep my mouth shut.

Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism

After reading this article from Toronto District School Board, I found some information that I quoted from this article that is quite interesting. You may view more information from this website concerning “Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism: A K-12 Curriculum Resource Guide” below is the hyperlink.


“Anti-homophobia education is no different from education to combat harassment and discrimination related to race, religion, gender, disability, or class. People will only be treated with respect if the biases, stereotypes, prejudices, myths, and negative ideas about them are dispelled.

Furthermore, students, teachers, and administrators must have first-hand information and understanding of the experiences of groups that have been underserved, misrepresented, and discriminated against. All this requires education, which in the context of addressing homophobia and heterosexism means anti-homophobia education.

For example, in the younger grades, when students are discussing or reading about different kinds of family arrangements, a storybook that portrays same-sex families may be included. Later, when students are learning about common stereotypes and misconceptions about a variety of minority groups, discussion about common stereotypes and misconceptions about LGBTQ people may take place.

Anti-homophobia education does not encourage children to become lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, or queer. Sexual orientation (whether one is or will be attracted to people of the same or opposite sex) is deep-seated and personal, and cannot be changed or influenced by reading a book or hearing a presentation.”

Retrieved from: http://word.ca/TDSB%20Equity%20%20Inclusive%20Curriculum%20-%20See%20page%2010%20!.pdf

My Appreciation

Hi All,


I have enjoyed my time here and will miss the team. Thank you for all the support, insights, and help you have provided me over the past 8 weeks.

Professional Hopes and Goals

A hope I have when working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is to understand the real life experience of the families and children I want to teach.


One goal I would like to set for childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to increase awareness of workplace diversity, but also to develop and enhance skills among early childhood professionals to help us communicate more profoundly in the future. Differences in race, sexual orientation, education and work experience can cause tremendous damage. Although diversity training cannot all together change individuals’ beliefs, it has the ability to increase awareness, impart knowledge and educate educators further on how to accept differences among fellow employees.

I have enjoyed my time here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with all of you. Thank you for the support, guidance, and encouragement each one of you has given me. I am looking forward to this new challenge we are getting ready to embark on, as they say the journey continues, I will see you on the other side. Until then be blessed.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Barbados


Capital: Bridgetown

Population: 279,254 (since July 2005)

Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Become aware of my own cultural background.

Think about it in terms of my family values, beliefs, customs, and culture and how it has influence my attitude and behavior. Understanding my own culture is important because of the tendency to regard my own cultural group as the center of everything and the standard to which all others are compared.

Become convinced that just because someone else’s customs and beliefs are different from mine, that there are no right or wrong cultural beliefs.

All beliefs and customs can be correct in the culture in which it occurs.

Establish personalized contact with individuals and their families.

Most people would like to believe that they are a “name, not a number.” Contacting a person or calling their telephone shows that you care than a letter or a form found in a mailbox.

Learn more about the people that I serve.

Gaining and accessing information from community supports, such as churches and ethnic organizations is a great way to start building and maintaining a cultural network.

Accommodate the needs of individuals and their families.

I will always keep in mind work schedules, transportation needs, religious or cultural holidays and child care arrangements when scheduling meetings, visits, etc to meet the needs of the family.



The culture in which a person lives impacts their attitudes, thoughts, feelings and actions, whether they have a developmental disability or not. Being able to bridge the gap between our own cultural background and the cultural background of the people we serve will: strengthen, support, and facilitate our role in assisting people as they plan their preferred future. There are many benefits in being culturally responsive. Among the benefits is the ability to:

Foster more understanding of the person and how the person operates, feels, and the ways in which they live their life, let people know they are thought of as individuals, as human beings,

Effectively communicate culturally sensitive choices and their consequences and be aware of many possibilities and respond appropriately.

The sum of these positive benefits is the ability to be responsive to the needs of individuals and their families as they make choices and plans, which often are based on a framework influenced by their cultural background.

Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

An example of microaggression, I dealt with when I was a child, was the fact that I was singled out. I had a friend, who I thought was my friend, but actually wasn’t. When it came to the two of us laughing and talking everything was fine, until she started hanging out with her other friends and completely forgot about me. While being in her presence, her friends would laugh at me, call me names and pick on me and all she would do is laugh. At times I defended myself, by talking about them in front of them as well as finding ways to make them angry as well as her. Once her friends started disappearing, she re-entered the stage of being my friend. Being called poor, trashy, dirty, calling my mom names, because she wore a wig hurt me. As time progressed, I ignored their comments as well as the girl who I thought was my friend that never was. The next school year, became better for me. They realized that I was a person, who cared less about what they thought. It took a while for me to understand, that they pick on people who are less than them (their lifestyle) but not better than them. Sure we moved into a better house, with better clothes, and my attitude was the same, except I ignored them completely, I made myself stronger.

Awareness of Microaggressions

An example of microaggression, I dealt with when I was a child, was the fact that I was singled out. I had a friend, who I thought was my friend, but actually wasn’t. When it came to the two of us laughing and talking everything was fine, until she started hanging out with her other friends and completely forgot about me. While being in her presence, her friends would laugh at me, call me names and pick on me and all she would do is laugh. At times I defended myself, by talking about them in front of them as well as finding ways to make them angry as well as her. Once her friends started disappearing, she re-entered the stage of being my friend. Being called poor, trashy, dirty, calling my mom names, because she wore a wig hurt me. As time progressed, I ignored their comments as well as the girl who I thought was my friend that never was. The next school year, became better for me. They realized that I was a person, who cared less about what they thought. It took a while for me to understand, that they pick on people who are less than them (their lifestyle) but not better than them. Sure we moved into a better house, with better clothes, and my attitude was the same, except I ignored them completely, I made myself stronger.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

My husband thoughts on culture and diversity is the roots of where you come from, learning from diversity (other people as well). Diversity means learning from other culture. Learning from others makes you a stronger person.


My brother-in-law thought on culture and diversity is culture meaning family backgrounds, customs. For example, Mexicans celebrate the day of the dead, where they remember the loves, family history and past generations. His definition of diversity is do not know the meaning.

My best friend definition of culture and diversity is the quality of understanding a person’s belief, values, ideas, family background, religion, customs that make us different from others. Diversity means understanding and respecting different people such as their gender, race, age ethnicity just to name a few.

With their regards to culture and diversity, I can’t help but agree. Each one of them gave me their personal definition of both words and I respect and understand their meaning of culture and diversity. However, their response is what makes them unique. I can’t give them the definition of culture because the term of culture is endless. An example of what I leaned so far is based on my husband, my brother-in-law and best friend definition. Each one discussed the importance of learning and understanding a person’s beliefs, values, ethnicity as well as family history. As I got to know each one of them, I had to accept and respect their values, beliefs, ideas, ethnicity and religion. What makes them so special is what they value and believe in that makes them unique; I guess that’s what I love about them, their opinion!

My Family Culture

Three items I would take with me are:


• My grandfather’s flag, from the military representing freedom.

• My family album, representing events as well as faces that I love

• My bible, because it represent my belief and faith in the lord.

My feelings if I were told only to keep one would be disappointment, angry, betrayed, and upset.

My insight is realizing that my family heritage is important to me. It defines who I am, what my family represents, what my family values are as well as what we believe in. My family has come from a long line of ancestors who worked hard to make their name mean something. I want to continue the legacy as Thomas who never gives up.

When I Think of Research...

As I look back at the beginning of this class, I have gained knowledge about research. In this experience I
have learned how to:

Find and understand raw data and information

Ask a research question

Survey the literature

Formulate an informed opinions through the study of my research

Manage my resources

Cite sources

Entered the discussion, or conversation, of other writers and scholars in my field

Learned how others in my field use primary and secondary resources

Decide my point of view, for my research

Collect Evidence

Draw Conclusions based on the research

The research process is, for many of us, is just the way we do things. We research the best buys in cars and appliances, best schools for our children and ourselves as well as the job we all want. Research expands and adds to our experience and knowledge, providing us a broader base for thinking and writing. It enables us to become experts in areas not directly related to our everyday life. When we engage in research, we build valuable critical skills that serve us in other areas of life. We learn to ask interesting and thoughtful questions, gather and interpret data, read critically, form opinions, manage and understand conflicting information.

Challenges I had was finding valuable resources that tied into my study. I acknowledge the source of all evidence as well as help from my colleagues, my teacher, and the web and to each of you, I say thank you! My perception of an early childhood professional is that we are people who work with or on behalf of children and families in early childhood settings.

Research Around the World

The topic I will be discussing today focuses on Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in Africa. After reading several research topics done by students in Africa that are in different committees, I will list a couple of them for you. The topics listed here are topics that were interesting to me that focused on early childhood devlopment . Parents’ and Other Caregivers’ Perception of Early Childhood Development Needs and Quality: A Study of the PLAN-Assisted Programmes in Bawjiase, Ghana by Stella Etse, Improving Multisectoral Cooperation and Coordination in Support of Early Childhood Development Programs in Tanzania by George Kameka Incorporating Indigenous Stories of Basotho in an ECCD Programme at Leseli Community Centre by Phaello Ntsonyane Traditional Child Care Practices in Tanzania: Supplementing PLAN Training Programs by Leoncia Salakana Using Indigenous Material for ECCD Curriculum in Malawi by Mary Phiri.


From reading about the article, “Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in Africa”, I learned from exploring this international early childhood website was “the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) is an innovative(pioneering) and multifaceted(all around) approach to addressing ECD capacity building and leadership development in Africa. The ECDVU is supported by a range of international, regional and local organizations, including the employers of participants. It is a unique training and results-oriented program that uses face-to-face and distributed learning methods including: residential seminars, web-based instruction, CD-Rom and print material support, and a 'community of learners' strategy within and among cohort countries. To meet the ECDVU’s child and social development objectives, it employs a number of approaches to post-secondary education that are ‘non-traditional’ in nature, it includes: recognizing the strengths and expertise that exist locally and regionally; incorporating these ‘voices’ and experiences into the learning process; promoting sustainable, interactive networks that reach rural as well as urban populations; and using computer technology as a means for developing strong information and communication systems within Africa.” This is awesome!



Noteworthy information:

How the candidates are chosen through networking of the ripple effect and the generative curriculum approach each candidate must meet. Candidates are chosen by their country committees as emergent leaders to improve the well-being of children, families and communities in their countries.

Retrieved from:

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

Due to the high volume of child obesity, I decided to readdress this topic once again. Child obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Child obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Child obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.

In discussing child obesity, I came across a native woman who lives in Albany, GA that has a passion about child obesity and ways for children to say healthy and stay fit. Pamela Jackson founded The Youth Becoming Healthy (YBH) Project in memory of her brother, Bernard Green, who died in February, 2004 from complications of morbid obesity and other related illnesses. Pamela Jackson decided to meet with the local school system in Albany, GA and create a policy to benefit the youth’s health and eliminate child obesity so the children won’t suffer like her brother did.
Fitness centers have been placed in elementary and middle schools giving the students the opportunity to participate in a safe and physical activity program at the school they attend. Community leaders partnered with Pamela Jackson to provide nutrition, education and other services, to meet the needs of the students. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts to fight childhood obesity including one of CNN's 2009 Heroes and profiled on Larry King Live.

Pamela divides her time between her non-profit organization, consulting business and working on her doctorate degree. She is also an advocate for implementing mandatory PE in all elementary and middle schools, as well as a policy maker, making changes at the state and federal level.

Please click this link to see an advocate at work!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5xvJyGHpw

My Research Journey

The topic I chose to analyze and do research on is ways parents and teachers foster social developmental skills in young children. From infancy, children are active member in our world. Interactions with parent(s) are the first type of social exchange for infants. An exchange from the parent(s) and the child creates an attachment. Exchanges such as facial expressions, movements, and verbal interactions help create an attachment. With an increasing number of children enrolled in center-based programs, educators and caregivers play an important role in promoting the development of social skills. By analyzing ways to foster social development in young children will strengthen my social skill as an adult so that I can build a supportive relationship with families and their children.

My personal experience in relation to the topic would be based on my infant stage, where I learned facial expressions, hand jesters as well as body language. Through these examples given by my parents was a guide to promote learning. As an educator, it is our role to facilitate and encourage social behavior as well as provide the assistance to develop a social network that supports our young children.

If any of you have any insights or information concerning ways parents and teachers can foster social development for young children, please email any information is valuable.

Final Blog Assignment

People, who do the same type of work from another country understands the different roles we take. Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field from my professional and personal development are language barrier, manners, and respecting their culture.


In many other countries, people take the time to learn a language, and therefore can speak several different languages. However for me, I found it hard to communicate with another teacher due to English being my first and only language.

Having manners are like doing a project, it is not just business but the way things are done. We need to take the time to get to know the people who we are working with instead of rushing. We need to read a little about the culture and be polite.

There is pop culture and there is culture. We have media culture and fast food culture and some icons of our country that are a part of another world. As we are a young country, there are elements of culture and history of other countries that may not be so important to us, but is important to them.

One goal I have is help promote an understanding of cultures and the changing cultural patterns.

Getting To Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

After viewing the webpage from UNESCO “Early Childhood Care and Education “what I found out that was interesting was……………………………….


“The mission of the UNESCO Education Sector is to:

• Provide international leadership to create learning societies with educational opportunities for all populations.

• Provide expertise and foster partnerships to strengthen national educational leadership and the capacity of countries to offer quality education for all.

• Work as an intellectual leader, an honest broker and clearing house for ideas, propelling both countries and the international community to accelerate progress towards these goals.

• Facilitate the development of partnerships and monitors progress; in particular by publishing an annual Global Monitoring Report that tracks the achievements of countries and the international community towards the six educations for all goals. ”

However reading, Dakar Framework for Action Education for All: Meeting our Collective Commitments discusses, six education goals and strategies that is designed to enable all individuals to understand their right to learn and to fulfill their responsibility to contribute to the development of their society focuses on these six goals and strategies as follows:

• “Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.



• Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality.



• Ensuring the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life skills program.



• Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults.



• Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.



• Improving every aspect of the quality of education, and ensuring their excellence so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.”



With “Dakar Framework for Action Education for All: Meeting our Collective Commitments” focusing on the six education goals and strategies is an essential tool that will make a better future for young children as well as addressing appropriate learning for young people and adults.

Reference:



Retrieved from: (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),

Retrieved from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001211/121147e.pdf

Sharing Web Resources

In viewing the e-newsletter from Harlem Children Zone (HCZ) website, I just learned that they are building a new school and community resource center in New York City. “The Obama administration’s vision for community revitalization challenges housing authorities across the country to undertake comprehensive plans for neighborhood development that integrate housing, schools, commercial corridors, community facilities, improved infrastructure and transportation.


Through a partnership with the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), NYCHA is taking on this challenge to transform communities, and empower and engage residents. The Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ)/ Saint Nicholas Houses Project will bring to the community:

• A new charter school, operated by Harlem Children's Zone, will be located on the grounds of Saint Nicholas Houses. HCZ's Promise Academies have outgrown their current facilities and they have been looking for a location within its Zone to build a new school building.

• Building a school at St. Nicholas Houses also provides an opportunity to re-introduce West 129th Street between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevards. Building a school and community facility at St. Nicholas Houses meets the dual goals of NYCHA revitalizing public housing neighborhoods and HCZ expanding services to families in public housing.

• No residents will be displaced or buildings demolished as part of this plan.”

Education is not depending on a child’s family background. Student learning is fostered by policies that consider the strengths that each child brings as well as being active, engaged, and supportive to meet the expectations for each student. Giving low-income and minority children a challenge and rich learning opportunity can have a profound positive impact on their lives, and that is what Harlem Children Zone does.

New insight for this week from the e-newsletter is “for children to do well, their families have to do well. For families to do well, their community must do well also. That is why HCZ works to strengthen families as well as empowering them to have a positive impact on their children's development.”

References:

http://hcz.org/

http://www.hcz.org/images/stories/pdfs/St.%20nicholas%20groundbreaking.pdf

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

“The Center on the Developing Child has launched the Global Children’s Initiative as the centerpiece of its global child health and development agenda focusing on approaches to child survival, health, and development. The Center’s commitment to global work represents both an acknowledgement of moral responsibility to meet the needs of all children and a critical investment in the roots of economic productivity, positive health outcomes, and strong civil society in all nations, from the poorest to the riches. The Global Children’s Initiative seeks to advance the Center's core mission globally by implementing a compelling research, public engagement and leadership development agenda in child health and development that is grounded in science and engages researchers, public leaders, practitioners, and students from a wide range of institutions around the world. Specifically, the global program will focus on three strategic areas:


• Reframing the discourse around child health and development in the global policy arena by educating high-level decision-makers about the underlying science of learning, behavior, and health, beginning in the earliest years of life;

• Supporting innovative, multi-disciplinary research and demonstration projects to expand global understanding of how healthy development happens, how it can be derailed, and how to get it back on track; and

• Building leadership capacity in child development research and policy—focused on both individuals and institutions—in low- and middle-income countries to increase the number and influence of diverse voices and perspectives that are contributing to the growing global movement on behalf of young children.”

Retrieved from:

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),

Sharing Web Resources

“For children to do well, their families have to do well. And for families to do well, their community must do well. The Harlem Children Zone (HCZ) works to strengthen families as well as empowering them to have a positive impact on their child’s development.”


In reading the article from Harlem Children Zone (HCZ), “Winning the War on Poverty through Education” by Geoffrey Canada sparked my interest. What seemed relevant to my professional development are his thoughts on how we could abandoned poverty and overcome it. Starting now to the next five years Canada believes we need to reform the bureaucracy, end the public school monopoly, attract and retain more great teachers, make teaching and learning full-time jobs, and create incentives for excellent teachers. Through Canada beliefs, Canada states “the casualties and ghosts of the abandoned war on poverty sit in our classrooms, walk our streets and waste away in our prisons. This is truly the American Nightmare: impoverished, uneducated and unemployable amid a land of plenty. What made me think about the issue in a new way is that we can continue to ignore them and pay the price or we can call up the nation’s capital and resolve the country’s war on poverty. In relation to the economics, science and policies, if we win poverty we could eliminate crime and violence, drug treatment and welfare and focus on the getting families and children out of poverty. New insights about issues and trends in early childhood field that I gained from exploring the website is HCZ continues to offer innovative efficiently programs that are aimed at doing nothing less than breaking the cycle of poverty for the children and families they serves.

Child poverty in Kyrgyzstan

The article on Kyrgyzstan saddens me. I was unaware of the poverty this country faces. I thought child labor was diminished, but reading this article it still continues. Children in Kyrgyzstan are working to benefit the needs of their family, instead of the parents working and the child attending school. The situation for these children will only get worse. After reading this article I’m afraid the risks of poverty will develop for the children to pass that poverty on to their children. “Until 1991, Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet Union. At independence, Kyrgyzstan was one of the poorest ex-Soviet republics with an estimated 32.9 per cent of the population living below the Soviet 'poverty line'. In the early 1990s, as Kyrgyzstan suffered a series of economic shocks, the proportion of people living in poverty rose to over 60 per cent.  By 2001, 47 per cent of the population lived below the government poverty line, while 13 per cent were living in extreme poverty.” Unlike other countries, Kyrgyzstan has much higher levels of health and education than many higher-income countries. Though health and education levels are still much higher than in countries with a similar income, there are some signs of a decline in school enrolment.  “In 1999, UNICEF estimated that while 2-3 per cent of children have dropped out of school completely. In 2001 an estimated 7 per cent of children were malnourished, and approximately 14 per cent of the population had no access to health services.” A disease called of tuberculosis has re-emerged and taken a toll on teenagers in Kyrgyzstan.“These declining levels of child welfare are related to both to pressures on families who may not be able to afford the costs of education or health care, and due to a massive decline in the resources available for these key services. Poverty has also led the to children work a range of jobs, from working on family farms, to agricultural labor for others, domestic service, selling or working as porters at markets. Recent research estimate that approximately 24 per cent of children work either full or part time, similarly since transition there are now homeless or 'street' children in Kyrgyzstan's cities, and some reports of child prostitution and trafficking.”

What I learned so far from the website is that these children living in poverty are the ones who lack  the resources they needed to survive as well as  enjoying their rights as child so that he or she can live and achieve their full potential by becoming  equal members of their society. These children deserve a proper education, and we need to provide and honor that.

My new insight about the issues of poverty is that poverty is not only based on family income but the parent’s education. Poverty affects a family’s ability to provide for their children in many areas. For example, if the parent’s cannot afford proper healthcare a child could become ill or malnutrition if the parents cannot afford the basic needs for food. The challenges the children face is inevitable.

Retrieved from:

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#12

Sharing Web Resources

The name of the organization I selected is Harlem Children’s Zone. The goal for HCZ is to prevent generations of children from Harlem from being in poverty. HCZ is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive network of education, social-service and community-building programs servicing children from birth through college. The program is offered free to children and their families who need assistance to getting out of poverty. Just this week, the president and CEO, Geoffrey Canada of HCZ spoke with Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News about Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) and education reform as a part of their weeklong coverage of education discussing education, poverty and the budget. A quote I like about this organization is “whatever it takes”. When I think of this quote, I think about what extremes do I need to take for this child to succeed.

An issue/trend I will discuss is the interview with the president and CEO, Geoffrey Canada with Brian Williams. Geoffrey Canada mentioned high quality teachers being the number one ingredient as a drive source for performance in the schools. In response to this comment I agree however, tough choices are made in reference to get rid of teacher based on seniority and not based on teacher effectiveness. There is not enough money to keep teachers who are ineffective; I guess that might explain furlough days. Geoffrey Canada also mentioned how children are struggling and failing in the education setting and not providing enough support and funding in order to prevent this disaster from happening. I loved his interview because he touched so many points about the education of our children and the effects of being a teacher.

You may watch the interview by clicking msnbc.com and watch Geoffrey Canada on the education reform.

The link for the website is http://www.hcz.org/home

Establishing Professional Contracts

In trying to contract two professional educators outside of the United States was hard for me. I sent out two letters to brasilia@unicef.org  and cario@unicef.org informing them of the school I attend and the interest in meeting two professionals outside of the United States. My goal is to grow and understand the issues and trends explored in another country besides the United States. After waiting two full days, I decided to take the alternate assignment in part one. In selecting one of the early childhood settings, I chose to read each episode of the individual. I decided to choose someone who interest intrigued me, who shared similar values and the steps he or she took to become an advocate. I chose Delfena Mitchell program, Liberty Children's home, because I am interested in the way she is able to receive children and what precautions she takes in order to break the ice with children and nurture them. I also chose TJ Skalski program, called the Mother Earth's Children's Charter School (MECCS) because she relates to my story in so many ways, however I never left the United States. Her passion and ambition to provide and build children's dreams similar to what I want to do.

My question and concerns for this assignment is "What is the most challenging thing that happened thus far in regards to getting information from early childhood professionals in other countries you have? Can we choose an early childhood professionals from the World Forum episodes as a contact to get to them and their passion of work for our assignments?

My Supports

My mother has always instilled in me and my siblings how important education is. My father has always told me to do my best and never let anyone bring me down. My siblings have always been supportive in whatever I do. My husband has for the last 14 years of being together (married for 5 years) has always told me to go above and beyond my dreams. Without the love, guidance and support of my family and friends, there is no telling where I maybe. If my parents were not here, I would reflect on all the memories they have instilled in me for the last 32 years of my life.

The only challenge I have is not living up to the expectations my family and my friends have set for me.

My Connections to Play

Quotes:

Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.

Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist                                                

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.

Henri MatisseFrench painter                                                                       

Retrieved from:www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes

Retrieved pictures from www.picturesof.net/search_term_pages/children_playing.h...

Playing is a much needed activity in early childhood, because it helps prepare a child for school. When a child is engaged in hands on activities, they learn to refine their listening and reasoning skills. They are able to learn through touch, sight and sound.

As a child, I remember playing teacher, being a cook, policeman, doctor, decorator, singing songs, making sand castles, collecting sea shells, ran races and playing family games with my family. Each time we played it was about exploring and learning. We learned how to solve problems, expand our vocabulary, share, negotiate, and enjoy each other’s company. With my friends, I played with as well as the coaches at school, promoted play. It gave us a chance to unwind, relax, and laugh with one another as well as keeping us physically fit. Unlike today, parents are not promoting play at home. Playing is done at school or by playing video games, googling on the internet and watching television. Whatever happened to playing outside until the street lights came on? By children playing video games, watching television and googling on the internet are not worried about weight. Instead obesity is becoming a common problem among our children today when it states that they need more physical development.

As a child, I had an urge to learn new things through exploration as an adult I still learn by exploring.

Chid Obesity

Child obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Child obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Child obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. Diabetes is something that is apparent on both sides of my family; both parents have it. With me having young nieces and nephews who struggle with weight, I decided to do research to see how other kids compare.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Council indicate that obesity rates have quintupled among 6-11-year-olds and tripled among teens and children ages 2 to 5. Many schools and child care centers are heeding the medical and government warnings about overweight children and changing the type of food being served and the amount of rigorous exercise planned on a daily basis.

An investigation of the pediatric population of Pescara province, Italy, in 2001 - 2002 academic school year concluded that the obesity problem is urgent. In both Italy and the United Kingdom there are nearly twice as many boys aged 5 to 17 who are obese than in Germany or the Czech Republic. Coupling the lack of physical activity with the prevalence of junk food, excess sugar and fats in the diet, one can expect this trend to produce an even larger segment of the world population having Type 2 Diabetes.

30 per cent of British five- to nine-year-olds are overweight or obese and this is expected to rise to 36 per cent by 2011, shows the Datamonitor report. Italy currently has a higher number of overweight children than the US, although the US leads in obesity figures. By 2011 however, the UK, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands will have almost caught up with the rate of obese children in the US (16 per cent).

Another study done showed that the actual number of children of elementary school age (6–11 years), estimated that there are 383,000 obese children in Italy; 105,000 in the north, 63,000 in the centre and 215,000 in the south. In terms of childhood health outcomes associated with obesity, the estimated numbers of prevalent cases of selected cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and conditions among obese elementary school children in Italy are also high. There would be approximately 100,000 children between the ages of 6 and 11 with hypertension and with high cholesterol (3% of the entire school age population), more than 150,000 with hyperinsulinemia (4.6%), 45 000 with glucose intolerance, more than 125,000 with hepatic statuses, and nearly 5,700 with type 2 diabetes (0.2%).The estimated number of children affected with each health problem was double for southern Italy compared with northern Italy despite the slightly larger population of children in the north.

There are more than 380,000 obese children in Italy, with a disproportionate burden in southern Italy. Providing the type of comprehensive care recommended to clinically treat obesity, which includes family involvement, a developmentally appropriate approach, behaviour modification, dietary changes, and increased physical activity etc. The estimated number of obese children in the south is double that of the north is of particular concern in an area with a chronic shortage of funds and long waiting lists for specialist services.

After doing this research, learning more about child obesity has had a tremendous impact on me. It has made me more aware of this trend that seems to be happening globally. I never thought Italy, which is one of the worlds most notable fashion place and famous diets, would have an issue with child obesity. In my future work, I plan to instil in my students the importance of eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I will let them know how this may affect their everyday activities including their school work.

Sources:

·         Gallus S, Colombo P, Scarpino V, Zuccaro P, Negri E, Apolone G, La Vecchia C. Overweight and obesity in Italian adults 2004, and an overview of trends since 1983. Eur J Clin Nutr 2006; 60: 1174–1179.

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