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.