Professional Hopes and Goals

First and foremost I would like to thank all of my colleagues for your continued support as I move throughout this program with you.  Having your insights have given me new knowledge on how to make professional goals and different aspects to becoming a positive role model for children.  I look forward to working with all of you in the next course.

A goal that I would like to set for my career in the early childhood field related to diversity, equity, and social justice:

I will make all families and children feel welcome and secure in the education setting in which we are in (classroom, center, etc.).  I will ensure that all families feel like part of the family and welcome their culture into our learning community. 

One hope that I have for working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds:

  I hope that I can eliminate any form of micoraggressions that I may have, subconscious or conscious, and welcome any child into my classroom.  I want my community to be positive and I hope that every family and child that I work with feels the warmth and a sense of belonging in my community.  I also hope to learn about the many cultures that will be coming to me.  

My family is from the country of Egypt.

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family (child care setting)

1.       Ask how the family handles rewards/consequences for behavior.

2.       Get to know the family and child (children) through discussions.  Ask questions about family, culture, heritage, and traditions. 

3.       Include the family in a visit to the classroom to observe how culture is integrated into the daily work of the children. 

4.       Explain rules/procedures/consequences to the family and express the importance of justice to the parents.

5.       Before the family arrives, talk to the other students and families about the new family joining our mini society.  Give a brief history of the country from what I know and have researched.

6.       Inform the family that they are welcome at any time to share artifacts that relate to what we are doing in class.

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

With these preparations, I hope that the family will feel welcomed and comfortable to be included in our mini society.  We have created a classroom of productive members of society in which they are accepting of all.  I hope that this family will feel the warmth and ease into the transition of their move to this country.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Opression

An incident of bias that I can recall was in my orientation class with an African American professor.  This was a full class with new students and it was a mixture of all races.  This particular teacher though was very biased towards students of African American descent.  At first I brushed it off as a personality conflict and I was being overly sensitive.  However as the course progressed, the teacher became more aggressive towards the rest of the students in the class.  She became insulting and extremely mean towards us.  However, the African American students were always talking with her before and after class, she spoke "their language" and would never make them turn in work or if they did it could be late.  

  We were not treated equally for the entire course; fifteen weeks of this discrimination.  At first I was angry, then I became sad because here is an adult that is a role model and educating children and she is exhibiting biased behaviors.  There was a great group of adults for this woman to work with and get to know, but she refused because we did not fit in with her.  

  In order for this incident to turn into an opportunity of greater equity, this teacher would have to change her view point on people of other races and cultures.  Her biases could be relayed to the other adults in the room and reinforce negative behaviors.  If she could change her thoughts and views, then perhaps she would be open and meet new people and gain new insight to the world.

Awareness of Microaggressions

Microaggression is much more prominent than I once thought.  This week alone I observed other students using racial microaggression towards each other.  These were not done to be slanderous or harmful, but still comments were said.  The particular microaggression that I observed this week was with a group of sixth grade students.  These students were all working together (I work in a school where  60% of the population is Hispanic) and one of the Hispanic students said to another a comment regarding their skin color and calling them chocolate, etc.  The students laughed it off, but I immediately corrected the behavior and we had a discussion about harmful things are said and even though people may laugh it off, the effects are long lasting.
  I was saddened that these students at such a young age were already making comments to others about their skin color.  What shocked me even more was that the racial aggression came from another minority group.  I knew that people would discriminate against others, but I never really reflected on the fact that other minority races would be so hateful towards each other.
  I do not want children to grow up with so much hate and aggression towards each other.  Even if they feel that they are joking or that the other students don't get offended on the outside, the children are still affected.  As a future early childhood education professional I will make it part of my mission to embrace all cultures and instill in children that the diversity of each other is what makes us so great!

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

When doing this assignment I decided to ask various people that are in my life their definitions.  I could have asked several different teachers, but I want to gain the insight of definitions from people who are not in the education field. 

My first person of contact:

My long time friend of 20 years, Falon

Culture:  To me culture can mean many different things.  I am a biracial female who has not had an easy life in Detroit.  I have seen many sides of many different people and not all of them are pretty.  My culture is me being able to share my life with my mixed daughter.  I share with her my African American culture and I share my Caucasian culture.  Not one culture is dominant over the other and I share with my family and friends all parts of me.  

Diversity:  To me diversity can come in many forms.  Some people take diversity too far and it becomes hate.  I have been a part of hate crimes before and it was not pretty.  I was scared but also didn't understand why I was being blamed and tormented for being different.  I am accepting of different people, so I don't understand why people aren't accepting of me.  Diversity is being able to share all parts of my culture or anyone for that matter, and not be made to feel like they are wrong for being part of a culture.  

My second person of contact:

My cousin and best friend, Krystal 

Culture:  Culture is being able to represent who you are without being looked down upon or told you are wrong.  

Diversity:  Diversity is the difference between the different cultures that are represented through different activities from a given culture.  

My third person of contact:

My lead teacher from student teaching, Laurie

Culture:  Culture is my favorite part of the classroom!  I love seeing what new races and blending together in my class, so that we can share stories and become an even larger family.  Thus culture is the bringing together of multiple ideas, beliefs and traditions that create a unique outlook on life.  

Diversity:  Being diverse is what makes us so great!  As we start the school year, we look at what makes us all different and we talk about diversity!  Diversity is what makes us who we are and lets us learn from others to be even more unique.  

Overall, my three contacts had similar thoughts on diversity and culture.  All of the contacts also felt that these are necessary aspects to having a successful place for children to learn and grow.  Even though all of the contacts are not education professionals, they still know what it means to be diverse and have a sense of culture.  

My Family Culture

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The first item that I would choose would be my photographs.  Through photographs I will have memories and insights as to how I was raised and traditions were celebrated.  Photographs and pictures seem to be a constant in many cultures.  Cultures share their memories through various modes of literature, storytelling, art, pictures, etc. My pictures will represent my life.  

The second item that I would choose would be a stuffed animal from my childhood.  This animal is destroyed and in terrible condition, but this toy is part of what made me who I am today.  My family still laughs and tells jokes about this toy and my behavior with it, so it has been a part of the family as long as I have.  

The third item that I would choose would be my jewelry box.  Inside are pins, charms, rings, bracelets, etc that have been in my family for years.  All of these mementos would spark interesting stories and prompt from more story telling from my culture.  

If I was only told that I could keep one of the items with me, I would be devastated, but I could pick.  The stuffed toy and the pictures are irreplaceable, but I will have those memories.  The jewelry box contains items that cannot be replaced as well, but are from generations before me.  These items represent more than my life, they represent my family and where we came from.

After thinking about the questions for this post, I started to wonder what I have in my life to bring with me if their was a crisis.  Honestly, I am not sure how people would remember me or my family.  Many family traditions that I had when I was little are not being passed down yet, simply because I do no have anyone to pass them to.  This thought makes me wonder how will my culture live on when I am gone.

When I Think of Research

First and foremost I want to thank my colleagues for all of their continued support and comments throughout this program.  It has been a rewarding experience to work with all of you and have your support.  I look forward to what the next course has to offer with all you.

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
• Throughout this course I have gained many new insights.  Research is not a one size fits all model and there are several steps that must be taken to ensure that a study is properly prepared and implemented.  Also, as a researcher, I have several roles that I can play in a study.  I can be an observer on the outside or I can become involved in the participants.  Also, the participants can be selected through various means.  Essentially what I thought I knew about research was a fraction of the larger picture.  
• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
• Research in this course has definitely shed some light that there is more information available to me than I could have ever imagined.  I need to ensure that I am selecting quality methods, setting up structured studies, and evaluating many sources of information.  Research and studies will be more involved than I originally thought, but I am excited for it. 
• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
• Planning, designing, implementing and conducting research in a study are all involved aspects of a larger picture.  I need to ensure that every aspect of a study is completed to its fullest extent.  Early childhood is a branch of education that is not talked about often in the debate over education and early childhood needs to be fought over to gain more support.  
• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
• Some challenges throughout this course were being able to evaluate the good professional information from the great professional data such as other studies or results.  Also, I discovered that planning a study is not as easy as a I thought it could or would be.  Every time I would develop an idea for the study, I would have a counter thought.  It was very frustrating and times and I had to tell myself that some parts of the study would be in depth and take time to put into place (identifying variables for example).  
• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
• As a result of this course I have grown a deeper understanding and fondness for early childhood professionals.  As an educator I am used to the under appreciated and over worked aspects of education, but early childhood is even more over looked.  In my years of education I have not heard much regarding early childhood and I know have seen it first hand.  As much as education is under funded, early childhood is underfunded more.  In a sense early childhood is the forgotten one when in fact it should be invested in the most.  Children at this age are most impressionable and need the most support, so why is it that more is not given to them?

Research Around the World

Early Childhood Education in Australia

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/



   It is difficult to only choose one international site to look at.  Since I am currently in education I often wonder if other countries run their programs similar to the U.S.  I want to know if the same educational pains are felt globally or only in the U.S.  When I looked at the Australian early childhood education website I discovered that the U.S. is not alone in the battle for funds and support in the early childhood field.  

To address the first question of current international research topics, some of the topics are the same as the U.S.  In a September 4th media release it was announced that over 140,000 early childhood education professionals will be caring for over 1 million children in over 16,000 centers across Australia.  Similarly to the U.S. there is a high need for more funding and assistance through grants and federal monies.  Early childhood professionals want to invest in quality training for professionals to ensure that the must current ideas are being implemented in the the field.  New and affordable care is needed for families that have young children.  Like the U.S. many families cannot take part of what programs are available due to money troubles.  Political parties need to become more aware of these issues and address them as a high priority.  Young children are leading the way, but professionals and adults are letting them down. 

In the second question I was asked if there were any surprising insights, facts, or ideas about early childhood that I gained from this site.  I did obtain some new information about EC from this site.  The U.S. is clearly not alone in the battle for funding and development of EC programs and institutions.  Australia is doing its best to accommodate families in need with what funding they do have.  The country has also implemented the RIPS program which is Research in Practice Services.  This is a purchasable service and it includes a variety of topics that pertain to the early childhood field.  Many links are also posted on this site to provide professionals and caregivers insight into the current issues of EC.

Lastly, I commend this site for providing many supplemental materials and support to professionals, caregivers, and parents.  A free news letter can be sent to you electronically (which takes about 20 seconds to fill out), and this program has been in the works for 75 years.  Australia is doing its best to support best practices for EC environments and the professionals involved.  

Research that Benefits Children and Families

Share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: Perhaps you can provide real-life examples of research benefits to children and/or families; maybe you are familiar with stories of people who have been positively affected by research; or you came across a published research article concerning children or families which you find exciting and would like to share with your colleagues.


   I currently work in a Title one low income school that has a free and reduced lunch rate of 93%.  This is a poor community with government housing and subsidized living, and low income homes.  The population of the school ranges from mostly Hispanic to Caucasian.  Teaching in a Title one school is not without its challenges (as I have also total in a wealthy community as well).  However, the research that I have been conducting on poverty and its effects on cognitive development in children has given me a new found insight for some of the children at this school.  Currently I work with low achieving children in mathematics in grades 4-8, but I interact with all grades at some point.  An article I read stated that once children fall behind academically, they are at a huge disadvantage because it is extremely hard to catch up.  Schools unfortunately fail these children by employing unequipped teachers.  Programs such as Teach for America place inexperienced professionals in failing low income schools and ask them to teach children who need the most help.  
  There are programs that are being implemented in my district to help these low income families such as free preschool.  Children are enrolled in half day preschool and receive all of the academics to prepare them for kindergarten.  Children are also given two meals at school per day and are offered free tutoring before or after school.  The school offers many opportunities for the children and families to better themselves and their children, but sadly not all of the families take advantage of the programs.  However I do see progress in the children I work with; even if it is only a few at a time, at least I am changing lives.

Research Simulation

The topic that I decided to research more in depth is poverty.  Poverty in general is a global issue, and threatens the development of children daily.  All too often the news presents stories regarding death, abuse, and neglect of children.  I see it daily in the school where I work and the community in which I live.  Poverty does pick a race, culture or gender to affect; it is an issue that needs addressed.  

I did come up with three sub topics to the poverty issue which are how poverty affects children cognitively, physically and academically.  I want to know if children can escape the stereotypes of poverty to become successful adults; if that is the case how and why do some children succeed where others do not.  

I have seen both sides of the fence, and the grass is not greener on one side.  I have worked in a high poverty, title 1 school and 93% free and reduced population school with 900 students and I have also worked in a school that was white collar, stay at home moms, and less than 5% free and reduced lunch ( the only reason there was even that amount of free and reduced lunch is because the school had open enrollment one year).  I have observed a huge difference in the children from school to school and I wonder what the cause is.  Quite often I wonder how many children or families use their economic stance as an excuse.  I am very torn on the subject and really am interested on the research studied effects of poverty.  

Thus far I have discovered that poverty is an issue and it does affect children, but to the extent to which it affects them is undetermined.  I would thoroughly appreciate any input or sources that anyone of my colleagues have deemed credible and reliable.  Please note I am not saying poverty is used as an excuse for unacceptable behaviors or failures, but these are the thoughts that I want to look into.

Collaborative Learning Community Throughout the World

• Post at least three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development 
• Since the start of this course I have been awakened to new organizations that exist throughout the world. Reading and  listening to professionals from all over the world has inspired me to take on new challenges and goals.  These professionals prove that even through the toughest of times there can still be success for ECCE programs.  Also, these professionals have all represented the idea of hope and passion.  Not one of the professionals or organizations ever complain that they were not paid enough; it was always that there was not enough money for the programs.  All that the organizations and care facility are asking for is professionals that are extremely knowledgeable and can adequately perform the necessary and duties to fulfill their jobs.  Lastly, with obtaining this degree I have opened myself to a expanding field that can take me to all parts of the world.  I will have opportunities that many other people can only dream of.  I can take my passion and go any where.  

• Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations
• One goal that I have as it relates to international awareness and the spirit of collegial relations is to continue on contacting and following other organizations.  I would like to make contact with other organizations around the world and spend more time reading their missions.  I am excited to see that even across the world, ECCE is coming together to form one community. 

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

UNESCO:  A Program to Help All

As with any early child care programs, this organization focuses on EC Care and Education (ECCE) for children from Birth to age 8.  Their goal is to watch for health, nutrition, security, and learning which provide children with a holistic environment (www.unesco.org).  
  UNESCO held its first WORLD conference on ECCE issues in September of 2010.  Here they adopted the Moscow Framework for Action and Cooperation Harnessing the Wealth of Nations.  This organization works globally to find the best care and environments for children all over the world.  
  UNESCO mission as stated on the website is that foundations of human development are laid during early childhood years requires an integrate approach of care development and learning.  It also is a leading organization among international policies regarding ECCE.
  ECCE should be looked at and is more than just a "prep" stage.  With today's policies are placed within a larger context of social development, gender equality and poverty reduction.   
  UNESCO is a huge supporter of EC development and wants to build a SOLID foundation for a LIFE LONG learning of children.  
   The first goal of UNESCO was the program 2000 Dakar Framework for Action which calls upon an expansion and improvement of comprehension for ECCE.  Here organizations collaborate with officials and policy makers to review and develop national policies and procedures.  
  UNESCO has been around for many decades starting in the 1950s.  This organization has been around for many policies, and has achieved the accomplishment of getting support, but worry is why is there not more being done with this support from officials and policy makers.  I think that UNESCO has amazing ideas, but like everything else in education, it is glanced over and thrown to the side.  
  Personally, I feel like EC is treated like the ugly step child and is "out of sight out of mind".  This saddens me because this is where the most of our money should be invested!  Perhaps if more professionalism, time and money were given to these ECCE programs then we as a nation wouldn't have so many citizens in jails, prisons, and living off of welfare!

Reference:
www.unesco.org

Sharing Web Resources

The Internet has so many resources that it can become overwhelming.  It is helpful when there is some sort of guidance to navigating sites, especially for reliable information.  

• Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?
• As I have been navigating the sites that I have been recommended or I have found on my own, I find more and more information that supports my reasoning for becoming involved in the early childhood field.   I also found valuable information in the articles that were on many sites.  Information can be found in bulletins, newsletters, e-letters, blogs, facebook and various other social media outlets. Information is being posted on the severity of the early childhood crisis, but it is being ignored.  One site would lead to ten other sites that give even more information!

• Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?
• Childrensdefense.org is one of my absolute favorite sites to obtain information from.  One reason I like this site is because it is so user friendly and isn't overwhelming.  Yes, there is a lot of information, but it is laid out nicely and it isn't loaded with a lot of professional jargon.  On this site there is policy and programs listed, library, taking action, and supporting their work.  I have looked at several job postings here because I strongly believe in their philosophy and mission.  This organization developed out of civil rights movements, which to me means there are even stronger roots in this organization.  As with many other organizations and programs, it is underfunded and doing its best to stay active and help as many people as possible.  
• If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?
• I follow this organization through Facebook, so quite often I get updates regarding news.  Sadly, one of the posts I see all too often is the amount of children that are killed by meaningless violence. One can also subscribe to receiving alerts.  One link from the site took me to the Washington Research Project which was used to expose schools and organizations that were misusing funds. This was started in the 1960s and was the bases for the Children's Defense Fund.

• Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?
• The newsletter and updates provides a lot of information to all readers.  
• What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?
• There is more to helping families and children with only food and education.  There needs to be a change in standards through which society sees these families and the programs that are there to help them.  Children are suffering which is not there choice.  Parents are put in situations that are not always preventable.  This is why these organizations exist.  There are not enough people looking at these organizations to help, and their missions need to become more prevalent in society.

Getting to Know International Contacts

• Share the new insights and information you have gained from these conversations (or the podcast and Harvard website)

                      This week I listened to the Podcast from world forum foundation and the speaker was Delfina Mitchell.  Delfina Mitchell is the Director of the Liberty Children's Home in Belize, Central America.  This home was started in 2005 and is licensed to house 40 children that have been the victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment or neglect   Generally the home serves the children from the ages of birth to 5 years old, but if the child comes in with older siblings, accommodations are made.  Belize is the number one country for child abuse.  One child in particular was described on this podcast; his name was Joe and he been at the home for 9 months.  As a rule, the children are given a healing period to cope with what they went through before being put back to school and regular duties.  Joe came in with his 6 older brothers and sisters and had been the victim of physical abuse and observed his sisters being abused.  Joe shut down from this stress and had not talked for over a year.  Joe had been home schooled and then sent back to public schools.  He was kicked out of the public school after 1 week.  The center started spending time with him and taking him outside to the gardens and working with the horses.  He started to open up and talk and it was then that the center found out that Joe had been physically abused with a whip from his grandmother or other adults.  When he wanted to eat he would have to take his food and hide under his bed so no one would take the food.  After several months, Joe started talking more and everyone at the center would listen because he had never talked before so they were interested in what he was saying.  

  This is a perfect example of a great foundation that is under funded but provides a great place for children to go to.  

            The website I looked at this week was the Global Children's Initiative.  This from the center on the developing child at Harvard University.  This program draws on lessons and data from the US by engagement and leadership development.  There are three area that are focused on:

1. Re-framing the discourse around child health development
2. Supporting innovative, multi disciplinary and research of demonstration projects
3. Building leadership capacity in child development research and policy.  

The Initiative is building a portfolio of activities in 3 domains:

1. Early Childhood Development
2. Child Mental Health
3. Children in Crisis and conflict situations

Contributions for these efforts are from Mother Child Education Foundation.

Smaller countries are using science of data and research to drive their programs for early childhood.  

• Describe in particular the additional information about issues of equity and excellence you acquired from your international sources

I am amazed and inspired by the countries that are working to develop programs for children and their families.  Even with little supplies and money, these countries are providing the best they can for children.  The US has so many resources that we should be doing more for the children here and in other countries.

Reference

http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/

Developing Professional Knowledge

• What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?
• As this class has progressed I have been fortunate enough to developer a deeper understanding of the world and its outlook into the Early Childhood community.  The section that has intrigued me the most has been the stand that economists and business professionals have towards developing a foundation for young children.  I think it is fantastic that large money making companies want to help develop programs to better the children and families to make them more productive for society.  However, I am hesitant to believe that there are not other motives for these big companies.  As a potential employee for a non profit organization, it would be extremely beneficial to build relationships with these businesses.  
• Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?
• The Rand Corporation is one of the corporation articles that has stood out to me the most.  The corporation has built up the idea that a program that is developed correctly and then implemented properly can in fact build functional members of society later in life; thus saving tax payers money in welfare and educational expenses.  In an ideal world, it would be great to think that economists care about the genuine well being of children in poverty, but in actual it is to save themselves money and hassle in the future.  However, if that is their end goal, I ask this, is it worth letting the corporations spend big money on beneficial programs simply to let them think they will get something bigger out of it?  I feel if corporations finally want to give something back to community, we should take it!
• What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?
• These professionals are developing new insight to the field of early childhood.  It has taken time, but the increase of poverty has finally found global attention.  I believe that these professionals do support the early childhood field, but again, I feel that there is more to there positive attitude then simply helping the needy.  There have been poor families around for decades, why the change of attitude within recent years?  
• What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?
• I would like to explore more in depth the different research that has been done to determine how these companies can profit off of helping the poor in later years.  I would like to see how the data was collected and how they collected there data.  Also, it would be interesting to see how they then analyzed the data to create their hypothesis.

International Contacts

• Introduce your conversation partners (or the podcast participant) to your colleagues
• I decided to listen to a podcast from TJ Skalski on the World Forum Foundation.  I actually listened to a few different ones, but TJ was had one of the most interesting stories.  TJ is a principal at Mother Earth's Charter school in Canada.  Her school is only one of 13 charter schools in Alberta, Canada, so generally she encounters a unique population of parents and students.  TJ herself grew up in Canada but struggled in life with growing up.  Her mother actually lost citizenship and had to regain it, which was a process for her mom and the children.  However, TJ's grandmother was a large influence in her life.  Her grandmother continuously reminded her that she was a teacher first and foremost, even when TJ was working for the government as an educational professional.  Professionally TJ is only in her second year of leadership (as of the podcast from 2010) and is the first principal to stay for two consecutive years.  The school had only been open for five years and she was the fifth principal.  The school had also been through two superintendents in that year alone.  The year of this podcast is she was on her sixth superintendent and new governing board.       Her school takes in children from all levels of income.  TJ stated that when kids come to her they are damaged, wounded, scarred, hungry, depressed and had a strong feeling of worthlessness.  Therefore the vision of the school and the leadership is to reinvest in the children and foster a community where culture and language are a priority.  TJ is working desperately to turn this school around, and as of the date of the podcast, she was on the right track.
• Share what you have learned so far from these exchanges (or from the podcast and website)
• The first fact alone from the website startled me; that over 600 million children world wide live in poverty.  I had never thought of how great of a number it could be, but this is heartbreaking.  Over 10 million children die under the age of five from easily preventable diseases.  The international community has set the goal to meet the Millenium Development Goals by 2015.  These goals include cutting poverty by half, cutting deaths by 2/3rds and ensuring that all children have at least primary education.  Save the Children, the Chronic Poverty Research Centre and partners in China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia have worked together to help achieve the goals set.  
• Describe your new insights and information about issues of poverty
• Poverty is a larger issue than I anticipated.  I am eager to find out what ways I can help as a professional to ease the pain of poverty in families I am working with.  Are there not enough systems in place to help?  Do families not take advantage of the programs that are available?  I want to look more into my area and see what programs are available and ways in which the programs can be promoted to help more families and children.  

Reference

http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Web Resources

Children's Defense Fund

http://www.childrensdefense.org/

About the organization:

    "The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. We champion policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority.

We are a national organization with the capacity to work for children at federal, state and community levels across the country. We have our headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices in California, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Through these offices, we expand our work into North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas and New Jersey. CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, Tenn., is our home for spiritual renewal, character and leaders"

- See more at: http://www.childrensdefense.org/aboutus/#sthash.7cfjmrd6.dpuf

Mission Statement:

The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.            - See more at: http://www.childrensdefense.org/about-us/#sthash.7cfjmrd6.dpuf

One current issue that I have become increasingly aware of from this organization is the amount of children's deaths from senseless acts such as shootings.  I currently get posts from this organization on my facebook page and I read the current postings.  Daily I will get posts from the organization at the astronomical deaths and other data from children and their families.  I have been shocked several times.  

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensDefensedFund?fref=ts

Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education: Contacts

  Fortunately, I already have a contact with the UNICEF Foundation through a parent whose child I taught this year.  He put me in touch with UNICEF because he had helped with them in the past and wanted our class to help with the Trick of Treat for UNICEF program.  As a class we raised money for the entire month of October, my second graders worked very hard and we raised over $200 as a single class.  For this assignment, I was able to contact the people who worked at UNICEF who helped organize the Trick or Treat for UNICEF.  

  As for the second contact I have not yet heard back, but it may be due to the holiday week.  I sent a general email asking for information, so I am sure they will respond by next week.  Again, I think I emailed too late in the week and haven't heard.  I will post as soon as I hear from them.  

  After one of our previous classes, I really got began to research and follow the Children's Defense Fund organization.  I really like their philosophy and what they do for families and children.  I follow their feed on Facebook as well, so I get continuous updates regarding data, statistics and information.  I have even considered a career with this organization and have begun looking at applying for it ASAP.  It would require re location across the country, but I really do like this organization.  
  Another organization I follow is the Zero to Three.  Again, this is an organization that I was exposed to through another class.  I have always thought of how great it would be to help improve children's well being and thought process at an early age.  I think that if children can see the world differently, then certain ideas can be re-taught to them.  
  TIPS:  I always choose an organization that I agree with the philosophy and their ethics (which is most of them), check to see how I can be of use one day with my degree, and simply which one is of most interest to me.  I definitely love helping children and I had never thought that I could help families too, so now, that is where my interests lie.  

My Supports

Environmental Factors that are supportive to me:

   This post comes at a time in my life when, coincidentally, I have been asking myself the same question.  I have had some troubled times in my life and not feeling supported is an area in my life in which I have struggled with for years.  Having moved across the country I put myself in a situation where I would not have  the supports of my family and friends.  However in time, I have realized that even in Michigan, I did not have the supports I thought I did.  

  Moving to Arizona, I have developed some supports.  Some of these supports have been tested and broken, where others grew stronger.  Looking at what or who I have to support me today, I would have to say my biggest supports are my close friend and co-worker, Jon, my friend Ronnie and Janet, and a great friend that moved to Christopher.   I don't feel that my family is of a great support to me, and definitely not a daily support.  All of the following people help give advice, listen to my problems, support my decisions, and try to make my life better.  Without these people, I don't know that I would be much use to anyone.  I would definitely be a different person, and not a better one I a sure.  Without these people I would not be where I am today.
  It is difficult for me at times to see and hear of the support of my family to other family members.  Out of six grand children, I am by far the most successful with having two college degrees, working on a third, have a career, a house and a car, but yet my decisions are all wrong or I could have made better choices.  I would love to have a family as part of my daily support system, but sadly at this time, my immediate family is not one of them.  One day I would like to have a family of my own that supports me and I support them.  I want to be a better support system for my family one day then I have had in the past.  

  I think I would be in a different part of my life had my family support been different.  I don't know that I would have moved 2,000 miles away, that I would never go home to visit, or even call.  If my family was more involved in my life, I think I would definitely be a happier person, but those are all "ifs".  I can choose to make a difference and have my family in my life, but it is their choice too to be involved.  So without family, I have made the best with the amazing friends that I have.  They are my family and I would be lost without their support.

My Connections to Play

1. “Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey
2. “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman

These two quotes are simply the start of what play represented and meant for me as a child.  My dad was always saying, "go outside and play".  My dad also built my sister and I a large Barbie house, a fake school classroom, and a giant play room.  We had so many toys that they were kept under the stairs in a giant toy bin.  My parents would not allow us to watch television during the day in the summer, nor would he let us watch it for hours at night.  As a child, I was also very involved in sports and dance.  Technology was not an option, and in school we were given ample time to play outside and socialize.  

  

Cabbage Patch dolls were a must in my house!

I would never go any where without my popples.  I had everything popples!

Barbies were played every day!  My doll house looked exactly like this!

As a child, my mom and step-mom were the most supportive adults in regards to my play. I was a huge fan of Punky Brewster.  She had a cartoon, dolls, costumes, you name it!  I loved to dress like Punky and act like her.  From what I was told, my dad thought I was a little off because I would wear the creative outfits and act differently than other children.  I was taken to the doctor for testing or to see what was "wrong" with me and the doctor laughed.  He said there was nothing wrong with me and that I was simply a creative and unique child with a vivid imagination!  My mom continued to let me wear what I wanted (whether or not it matched) and would buy me any crazy item I wanted.  My dad did not agree with this and tried to stop it many times.  My step-mom as well did an amazing job supporting me as a child.  She came into my life when I was 4 and help to encourage my creative style and play attitude.  She would always make sure that I had enough supplies for whatever I was doing (school, doctor, etc.) and would take time to play with me.  

I strongly believe that play today is opposite of what I experienced as a child for the majority of children.  I do not have children of my own, but from what I have encountered through teaching and my family, children are given items that tell them what to think or how something should be done.  Some children still engage in play and those children seem to be the ones with most unique personalities.  These children are able to express themselves creatively and verbally and perform the highest on cognitive tests.  Sadly, there is not time given in schools for children to play or even socialize.  However, when I was observing in a preschool, play was essentially what the day was comprised.  It was structured play, but still play.  

  Technology sadly has become a babysitter and the way to socialize children.  When you say the word play, children immediately think of video games and computers.  When time is suggested for extra recess, children do not want to go outside, instead they want to play on the computer.  I have had children even waste their time of extra recess to watch children play games on the computer.  I am saddened by the lack of socialization among children.  Also, oddly enough the children who like to socialize and play are the ones that society and their peers consider "weird".

Without the play that I had as a child, I do not feel that I would be the creative and imaginative person and teacher that I am today.  Being given opportunities to learn about social contexts and life through imagination, I have become an adult that has common sense.  I know how to behave in given situations and I knew what was expected of me as I grew from child to adolescent to adult.  Without play I am concerned with the way that children will grow into adults.

Reference:

https://move-with-me.com/blog/25-quotes-about-the-importance-of-play

Google Images 

Relationship Reflection

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).

Relationships are extremely important to me because there was a time in my life when I did not feel like I had a single relationship that was good or great.  I felt very alone, I became withdrawn, and would lie to anyone who would ask me what was wrong.  I never made plans to go any where and I would stay at home on my couch in pajamas all day.  The only relationship that I did have and still do is the relationship with my dogs.  At that time I had three dogs.  I found joy in staying home with them, and did not feel a need to leave.  However, this was not the life I wanted to live. I had moved to Arizona leaving behind a horrible relationship and found myself in another terrible one here.  After 2 1/2 years I said it was time to better my life.  I still had not made the choices to improve relationships at this point.  As time passed, I carried on with myself and still was content on being with my dogs.  However, this past August, I started working in a new school with people I really liked hanging out with.  I started going out more, and opening myself up to a relationship, friendship or otherwise.  I started feeling more confident in myself and wanting to go out.  In February, all of the progress I made took a turn for the worst when I had to put my beloved dog to sleep.  She was my baby and had had her since a puppy.  She became extremely ill and very fast.  As I watched her be put down, I realized that this relationship was the best one that I had ever had.  My dog was loyal, caring, listened and was always there (in that special dog way).  After her death, my friends came out of the woodwork to rebuild the relationship we had lost.  WIthout the support and help from friends and family, I would have never made it through that terrible time.  I am now becoming happier with myself to have a better relationship with myself.  I know listen to encouragement and support from others and have become more social.  These relationships were not built over night, and it would take a lot to break them.  These are the relationships that support me and who I am.  Without relationships, I don't believe that we as humans truly exist. 

As I reflect upon the statement to list positive relationships or partners I have had or have currently, I was sad at first.  I could not think of many positive relationships, even within my family.  Then I realized, the relationships I have now are well worth the terrible ones I have had in the past.  Currently, I have my best friend Nick, whom I can tell anything to.  I then have my work friends, about four of them.  I have a positive relationship with my mom and talk to her every day.  My cousin is also my best friend and never judges a single thing that I do.  I have other relationships that are acquaintances and those are positive, but not like the others.  I am perfectly happy not having a boyfriend or husband at this time in my life, and I always have my dogs. :) I am only 27 and have plenty of time.

Over time, I have grown apart from some of my relationships.  Age, time, and schedules are simply a few reasons why these relationships did not last.  The main reason is a lot of the relationships that I had were negative and I decided they were not healthy.  I chose to get rid of them.  Another main reason that some of my relationships don't exist is I moved acorss the country leaving my friends behind to start a new life.  I am extremely happy with this choice and would never change it.  

The most common characteristic that all of these relationships has is support.  These people all support me no matter what decision I make.  Also, these people are all caring, kind, and understanding and will listen.  We have fun together and enjoy each others company. 

Having had such versatile experiences with relationships, I plan to use these experiences to help families and children with theirs.  It is important to learn from our mistakes, but to pass this knowledge onto others.

 

 

Technology

" Television has changed the American child from an irresistible force to an immovable object" Laurence J. Peter.
http://www.zona-pellucida.com/media.html

   Technology has drastically changed the American child.  Children used to be peaceful, energized, and young people.  Parents spent time with their children and work came second.  Vacations did not come with computers, iPads, and smartphones.  Parents spent time with their children.  Instead vacations now entail iPads for kids, cell phones for parents, and computers for anyone else. Children would get off of the couch and go outside to play! Today, 8 year olds cannot stand in line for 5 minutes or perform a simple pe test. Growing up we would play outside every chance we had. We climbed tress, built forts and played hide and go seek with neighborhood kids all night while our parents chatted away. Now, kids would rather whine that they do not have the latest apple product or that their game system is old. Kids don't like to be outside and would rather whine and pout then see the sun shine on their face. As an adult, I am quite concerned that this youth will be running the nation one day as I will be too old to anything but teach. I'm concerned that technology is ruining the social skills needed to improve the culture and society in which we live.  If patents and families would start taking the time to parent their children instead of throwing them in front of a television, their social behaviors would be ,inch,ore advanced and not those of a bratty two year old.

To Test of Not to Test

   It seems in Education we are always looking for the data or research to support an idea that is new or innovative.  We tell teachers that we must teach these standards to prepare the children for the next grade level, and that they will be given a test at the end of the quarter or the year.  BUT the schools say, don't teach to the test, however you will be graded and deemed a quality educator or not based on your child's test results.  Huh?  Professionals are supposed to "assess" a child's comprehension level or mathematical knowledge, but the don't teach to the test.  
  Looking back, testing was never stressed the way that it is today.  Children were assessed and data was given, but it was simply used as a tool to increase the child's skills.  Today, tests are given because we want to make sure teachers are doing there job.  Since when do professionals need babysitters?!  
  I do believe that children should be assessed on the skills that they were supposed to learn.  The best way and most sensible seems to be through unit or benchmark assessments.  Teachers are given immediate feedback and then can plan differentiated instruction for the next quarter for those children.  I do need to add that these assessments need to be fair and test the child's abilities, not how well he or she can read.  For example, if a child is reading at a first grade level in second grade, then the child should be tested on second grade standards but with a text he or she can read.  Thus aspects of the child and his or her abilities can and should be assessed.  
  In other countries, there is not a huge emphasis on testing on the younger grades.  In European countries children are taught all subjects through age 12/13.  Then a content specific test is created and given to the children.  This generally determines their course of classes for the next three years.  More than likely these classes will also prepare the child for his or her future career.  Children then graduate from high school at age 16 and move on to their vocational or college school.  Children in these countries are far more successful than the U.S. yet we refuse to adapt or even look at the model.  The U.S. with everything wants immediate results and will take the shortcut to get there.  Then, when a program does not work, the politicians get mad!  Education takes times.  It took the U.S. years to screw up the education system, it will take years to fix.