My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose to research is "How important is teaching preschoolers about culture diversity in the  classroom.?"  The reason I chose this topic is becasue a lot of preschool teachers does not include lessons or activities that reinterate culture in their classrooms.  Many head start centers that I have observed in my community, do not incorporate an enviorment that provide diversity.  Classrooms should provide diversity through instructions, activities, and displays, to teach children about other cultures standards of living.  Does anyone have any suggestions about my topic, or any resource information that would helpful, if so please share the information with me.  I am open for any suggestions.

Final Blog

Learning about the different organizations and exploring websites of other countries has been a great learning experience for me.  Although I never did receive any feedback from my initial contacts from other countries, I was able to gain valuable information from reading my colleagues blogs about the educational experience in other countries.  The consequence that I learned from blogging on a weekly basis, is the livelihood and struggles of families and children in other countries. Another consequence I learned was there are many resources and organizations out there to help families and children  Knowing that there are a lot of organizations that can help with issues and trends faced in the communities was very inspiring to learn.  Another consequence I found to be encouraging and inspiring was receiving newsletters and updates on important issues that affect our children and families.  This was a great learning fun filled course in which I acquired a great deal of information, information that I will be able to use with the families and children I serve.

UNESCO Webpage

The UNESCO website is a great site that contains valuable information on Early Childhood Education issues around the nation.  This website works on behalf of early childcare program, and provides a range of programs that promotes education for children from ages birth to 8.  Through Access, participating countries have committed themselves to expanding and improving comprehensive early childcare and education, especially in early childcare .  Government in these countries ensure an equitable distribution of resources among different populations and those children and families that lives in disadvantaged regions.  UNESCO promotes culture and peace among different countries in an effort to prevent conflicts by tackling causes of problems by dialogue and negotiating among individuals, groups, and nations.  This organization also supports the needs of all population, including the population vulnerable to HIV and young people in school settings.  This organization plays a leading role in educating individuals about HIV.  Gender equality is also supported through this organization.  This organization is responsible for ensuring gender-specific programs, and gender mainstreaming within five areas of competence.

Getting to Know International Contacts part 2

The newsletter I received from Hope to Haiti adds to my understanding of equality in early care programs.  The newsletter I received talked about how ladies at the Belleve Churh of Christ in Nashville sewed fifty pillowcase dresses for children in Haiti.  Many volunteers from twenty congregations across the United States wrote notes, purchases items, sorted, filled, and wrapped 1258 joy boxes for the children of Haiti.  The boxes are on their way to provide toys, school supplies and special surprises to the children in Haiti.  I think is was one of the act of kindness shown by communities that support children and families in need.  As early childhood educators, we are obligated to advocate for families and children in need, and find ways to assist in educating our young children.  Hope for Haiti Organization is doing a great job in supplying children with basic necessities to survive.

Global Children's Inititiave Article

As I viewed Global Children's Initiative, I learned that this organization is committed to meeting the needs of children in the area of economic productivity and health crisis.  Global Children Initiative has a Innovation Partnership with other countries trying to find strategies to reduce development barriers to learning.  This organization addresses issues in mental health and crisis situations, in which I think was very important for organizations to address mental health issues with children and families.  This organization is committed to finding solutions to help fight the problems that families and children are facing with education, health, and nutrition. I was impressed with the research information that this organization is doing to make it better for young children and families.

Sharing Web Resources

I received the newsletter from NAEYC for the October/November issue, and it was very interesing and informative to read the section about voices from practitioners through teacher research in Early Childhood Education. The article discussed gender identity in early childhood classroom during story dictation and dramatization.  I find the topic to be relevant in my current professional because of the cultural diversity issues we are faced with in the education system.  As an educator, it is important to explore issue that pertain to gender identity when working with young children.  The article talks about how children dramitize stories in the classroom, they tend to use gender sterotypes and segregate themselves by gender.  The article talks about the importance of not culturally dividing play domains into separate boy or girl games, because this type of social action create gender identity which may cause gender sterotyping.  I think this was an important topic of discussion, and contained informtion that I can use in the classroom setting.

Getting to know your International Contact Part 1/ Poverty Article

Since I have not heard from my contacts, I decided to read the article on poverty.  I knew that poverty played a major part in America's economy, but I was unaware of the world-wide poverty level of over 600 million children that are living in poverty.  Poverty affects all ages, not only children, but adults as well.  According to the article, a global poverty research project has been implemented to help reduce poverty in countries such as China, India, and Mongolia.  These countries are researching information and forwarding it to policy makers in an attempt to help poverty.  Poverty is a serious issue in America.  We as educators must advocate to our policy makers to help our families and children, when it comes to hunger, medical care, and education.

Sharing Web Resources

Website: http://www.naeyc.org/

The organization I chose was NAEYC.  This organization was founded in 1926, and is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children, with nearly 80,000 members.  This organization offers a large selection of educational resources for early childhood professionals and others, including books, brochures, videos, posters, and periodical.  This organization also has a newsletter in which I signed up to recieve.  NAEYC has a great deal of resourceful information for Early Childhood Educators.

Personal Contact

I have sent contact emails to the following countries: Canada, Netherlands, and Haiti. I received the email information from the NAEYC website. I have not heard back from contacts at this point but hope to hear from them in the next few days.

Global Children's Initiative

As I reviewed Global Children's Initiative, I enjoyed exploring the efforts and hard work this organization has done for children and families.  One issue I find to be important is the Early Childhood Innovation Partnership.  This program is committed to finding new strategies to reduce developmental barriers to learning.  This organization has also been focused on issues in mental health and children in crisis situations.  I was impressed with their concerns with addressing mental health issues. This organization have provided a great deal of research and public engagment to address issues with funding in delivering mental health services to children.  Children in crisis is another issue that Global Children's Initiative is working on. This organization is developing strategies to address issues dealing with children and families in disaster and emergency situations.

Sharing Resources Part I

I recieved a newsletter dated 7/23 from Children's Defense Fund about America's Default.  This newsletter spoke about how America has already defaulted on their promise to children.  Many children are without healthcare coverage they need to survive, and are living in poverty.  The good news is that 40 members of congress has responded to calls and letters from citizens asking them to spare our children from all budget cuts, including medicaid and children's health insurance programs.  Congress have now developed new proposals to deal with issues in children health care and education. 

International Contact Part 1

Since I have not heard back from my contacts, I chose to read about poverty in India.  India's population is second only to China's with 260.2 million living in poverty as of 1999-2000. Rural poveryt is strongly associated with lack of assets, skills and low levels of health and education which limit people possiblities of benefiting from economic growth.  Over the last 5 decades, they have made efforts to alleviate poverty through economic growth.  In India 400 million of the population are between 0-18 years.  Under the age of 5 are malnourished and 34 percent of new borns are underweight because a lack of resources to support the needs of children.  I learned from reading about poverty in other parts of the world that it is a global problem, not just in the United States, it's a problem everywhere.  When I read how children suffer for food, education, and medical care, I really want to do something amazing to reach out and help fight this epidemic.  As a educator of early childcare, I am commited and will continue to be committed to working with children and families who are in need of resources.  I have learned so much from the different websites about issues and trends in other countries, and I will continue to send emails to my contact so I can find out what's going on in Nigeria and Chile with children and families.

Issues and Trends: Changing Demographic and Diversity

National Black Child Development Institute is one of the organizations I selected on last week to disucss during this course.  The National Black Child Development Institute mission is to improve and protect the quality of life for children of color and their families by giving every child a chance, with the focus of early childhood education, child welfare, elementary and secondary education and health.  This organzation main goals are to provide valuable information and resources to all individual who work directly with children in particularly, child care professionals, educators, social workers, and academicians.  Although the newsletter did not contain any information about demographics and diversity issues, it provided useful information about advocating for more funds for the learning enviornment for teachers that teach  prek-3rd grade.   I hope the next issue will have information about issues and trends in early childhood education.

Establishing Professional Contacts

I have sent emails to the following countries, Chile and Nigeria.  For some reason my heart fell on contacting educators in these countries to learn about the education programs they have for young children.  As of this date, I have not recieved any feedback, but I hope to hear something in next few days.  I also sent a request for newsletters and alerts from the National Black Child Development Institute,NAEYC, and National Head Start Association.  I chose these organization because they have a great deal of information and activities that involves early childhood educators. As I browsed their websites, I enjoyed reading the different activities they engage in and the valuable information they provide to educators.

My Supports

Support means to me being there for someone who you love and cares about.  The support system that is important to me in my life is my daughter, my co-worker, my sisters, and my employer. My daughter is always there to push me in my studies. She is there to motivate me when I'm feeling down and out.  I can honestly say that my daughter is there to help me around the house and run errands for me when I need to be on the internet.  When I'm feeling depressed about life situations, she is there for me to talk to and help uplift my spirits. My co-worker, one in particular (Rosalind), is always there in helping me make important decisions.  Rosalind is there to keep me on the right path while at work.  When I have problems on my job, she is there to tell me " shake it off, everything will be alright".  Rosiland is like a sister to me, she comforts me when I need her to.   Rosalind is the co-worker that encouraged me to go back to school. She was the one that said, you can do it, just give it a try.  My employer is also a good support for me.  I can't thank my job enough for allowing me the opportuntity to work with children and families.  My employer supports me in my studies.  They allow me to have access to resources I need for my studies.  My employer also allow me time off when needed if I become overwhelm with  life challenges.  I love my employer because they truly show love and concern for me.  My family is there regardless of what the situation may be.  Oh if it was not for my sisters, where would I possible be today.  My sisters are very supportive of me.  They helps me with my grandchildren when I need to study for exams and complete coursework.  When my daughter is working, my sisters will help me with my grands in any way they can. My family supports me in many ways than one.  Without these supports, it will be very difficult for me to work and go to school.   If it was not for my daughter, I would have given up long time ago.  If it was not for my co-worker, I would not have made it this far.  If it was not for my employer, it would very difficult trying to work and go to school.  If it was not for my family, it would be very hard on me as a whole.  My support system is the one that keeps motivating me to push forward.   The support that I have in my life makes my life much easier and fulfilling to work hard at whatever it is I want to have in life.  The benefits of my support is that I have people who loves me and want me to succeed.  If I didn't have these supports in my life, I don't know what I will do.  I probably would have dropped out of college by now, moved away, and have to start all over again trying to accomplish my dreams.  My supports have a great influence in me pursuing my dreams.

My Connections to Play

Quotes about play:

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity.”

Kay Redfield Jamison

 

  

Play was a large part of my childhood, and I engage in a lot of play with my grandchild today.  I had fun with my neighborhood friends.  We would play ball in the street all the time.  Most of the time, we played outside whether it was in the streets or at the park.  We also played outside in the rain.  In my adult life, I still enjoy play such as riding a bike or playing on the slide with my grandchild.  Play is an important part of growing up.  It helps a child to grow and explore the world around them.  Play helps children learn different skills such as problem solving, sorting, and grouping items together.  I believe that young children should engage in play because it’s a great learning experience, and a part of child development.

I loved to color, this was one of my faovrite past times.
My granddaughter and I spends a lot time coloring.

 I still ride my bike today.

Relationship Reflection

My relationship with family brigs meaning to life.  Without a relationship with your loved ones, their is no happiness.  I get happineess and fullfillment with being with my family.  My family consist of my daughter and my two grandchildren.  I also have three sisters and two brothers.  I enjoy having family gathering with my siblings, and talking with them about our childhood experiences.  My siblings and I are a well bonded family.  I can call and talk to them about anything at anytime of the day.  My grandchildren motivates me to work hard and strive for sucess.  My daughter and I are like two sisters, we console in each other.  I try to instill in my daughter that life is what you make of it, and always try to remember that your family will always be there for you when others turn their backs on you.  My daughter and the grandchildren spend a lot a time together.  Having a family relationship and establishing a strong bond with the ones you love, can bring true meaning to family. Establishing a bond with other members not related can also bring a family type relationship.  I have several close friends that I love to be with.  I spend time with them as well, because being with people you enjoy being around, helps me create a sense fulfillment knowing their is someone who really care about you.  Relationships are one of the most important aspect in my life.  Without relationships with family and others,  there is no meaning to life.

Children Quote

Young children learn best when they become active workers rather than passive learners. Author-Bropy (1992)

I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support and feedback during this course.  I enjoyed all of the wonderful discussion forums during the entire time we spent together.  Good luck to each and everyone of you.

Testing Children

Parents want to know that their children are performing up to standard.  For years, school districts have used standardized test to keep track of student performance and to make comparison between themselves and others.  In my opinion, these types of test does not measure what children know and can do.  Children often believe they are being tested on material they have covered to see how well they comprehend the material, in reality, these test are putting pressure on children to memorize information.  Standardize testing labels children because they does not provide useful information about the individual child.  In order to assess children to find out what a child is learning, I feel that assessments such as observations records, student work samples, data from running records, and recording of student's performances are indeed ways to measure students' achievement.

In the country of Korea, the entire education system is geared entirely to the test.  Principals and administrators are concerned only with how their school fare competitively against others.  The test results are only used to determine which are the best students, and then categorize them.  The students achieving the best scores are sent to specialized charter schools for an education in technology, science or other pursuits.  The poorest test achievers are sent to industrial schools.

Ref:
Woelders, A. & Moes, E. (2002). Testing and Education in Korea. Retrieved from http:/bctf.ca/publications/newsmagarticle.aspx?id=11224

Poverty

Poor children lag behind their peers in many ways beyond income children are less healthy, and have experience with emotional and intellectual development.  When I was growing up, my parents were poor.  I was reared in a family with four sisters and three brother, and we went without a lot things.  My mom didn't work, but my father worked on a farm.  It was times when we had only enough food for one serving.  I can recall the times that we shared the same clothing and shoes.  I believe that we will have always have families that are less fortunate than other, but in today's socieity, there are a number of agencies that can assist families with resources.  We have the food stamp program that assist families with food purchases.  There are also services that assist families with utilitiy bills assistance. In many states the Salvation Army help families with clothing items.  

Africia is one of poorest contries in the world.  In much of Africa south of the Sahara, dry conditions of land keep them from growing crops to keep stocked.  One of six african children dies before the age of five due to poverty. Povery is the main cause of hunger in Africian.  Many organizations are coming together to help other countries with food supply.  Feed the Children is an organization that sponser food to children in other countries. 

Immunizations

I chose this health topic because immunization is one of the cost effective ways to prevent health problems in young children.  Working in a childcare setting, I know that children can be exposed to many virus and diseases from other children.  Therefore, it is important that children receive vaccinations before they start early care program to prevent the spread of diseases.  This topic is meaningful to me because several years ago, there was an outbreak of chicken pox at the center.  We later learned that these children had not had their chicken pox vaccinations.  Immunization is a proven method to childhood diseases, and we must make sure children have their vaccinations before entering school.

Unlike other countries, immunizations is not mandatory in Canada.  Some providence require certain vaccination before children attend school.  Most children in Canada are immunized against nine of the diseases under programs offered by the government.  Parents of new born must decide to pay out of pocket for newer vaccines.  Canada has faltered when it comes to providing children with immunization.  Canada is trying to put in place a system that will treat all children, not some, with immunizations to protect them from disease.

Ref:
Naus, M. & Sscheifele, D. (2003). Canada needs a national immunization program. Retrieved from http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/168/5/567

Birth Experience

My first birth experience was that with my daughter. In my state, pregnant women can birth children in the rooms they will be until they are relased from the hospital.  The rooms have everything they need for childbirth.  During this experience, I was astonished how precious it is to acutally see a new life enter this world.  The nurses comes in and check on the patients and give them medicine to help ease the pains.  The nurses also let the patients know how far they are from childbirth. My daughter was in so much pain, but I was there to comfort her and hold her hand through the process.  When it was time for the baby to come, I coached her with breathing and pushing.  Once the baby arrived, it was one of the most enjoyable moments I had ever experienced. Bringing a new life into the world is something that you should never forget.  It is an experience that you can tell others about.  The reason I chose this experience to discuss is because child birth can be a joyous occassion or a sad one.  Fortunately, my daughter gave birth to a healthy baby girl.  It is important that women receive the proper care and nutrition when pregnant, so they can deliver children without health defects or illnesses. 

Birth in Germany

Birth in Germany can be performed at a hospital, a birthing clinic, or at home.  After birth, a midwife will visit daily until the baby is ten days old.  The nurse will check the physical health of the mother and baby.  An employee in Germany must inform their employer as soon as possible if they are pregnant.  Prenatal care and birth is paid by the employer.  Every pregnant woman is entitled to ten or more examinations during pregnancy.  Almost all prenatal examinations can be done by midwives or doctors, the only exception is the ultrasounds must be done by gynaecologist.  For pregnant women who don't work, the welfare state covers all prenatal and healthcare costs.  In many ways preparing for childbirth in Germany is similiar to United States.  People who work, have access to insurance that covers prenatal care.  Women who are unemployed have access to government assistance to help with prenatal care.  It is very important that women get the proper vitamins, minerals and nutrition they need during pregnancy to help with normal growth and development of children.