Final Blog

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL……….

I really enjoyed reading your post and responding to each one of you.  I really feel that each one of us have a passion for children and that we all want what is best for children in the early childhood field.  I look forward to seeing some of you in future courses. 

My hope for working with families and children is to gain knowledge and be able to help.  Having a positive altitude and a passion to help families is a positive.  I hope to continue to have the desire to help families and children in the near future. 

My goal is to make a difference in families lives and to be able to provide them with resources that are available to them.  Helping families and educating them in regards to their children and their homes can be rewarding when working with families.  Educating and knowing that I did my job is a goal that I always strive to succeed. 

BERMES PEOPLE

I have worked with a Burmese Family this year.  I had a Child Protective Service investigation that came in on the family. The referral stated that a 15 year child had just had a baby from a man that was 25 years old.  The hospital made the referral and our agency accepted the referral.  First of all I did not know anything about Burmese people.  I did not know that Burmese people exist.  The first thing I had to do is research.  I Google Burmese people and read about their culture and where they are from.  The main important thing was their language.  Our agency did not have any one to speak Burmese language.  This investigation lasted for a long time.  I made several calls to find an interpreter.  I found out that there were a group of Burmese people that resided in our county.  I finally got in contact with the people that were helping this particular group.  To make a long story short, their culture allowed older men to be with young girls.  The mom stated that her daughter and the man were married.  The judge order the couple to get married legally in our county or charged was going to be pressed.  The couple was married and the family is doing well. 

Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

A memory of an experience with involving bias, prejudice, and/or oppression is when I was working in the field on a new case.  I had to go to the police station to see if I could get a detective to go out with me to a home.  I arrived at the police station and went up to the desk.  There were two ladies working the front office.  One lady appeared to be on her lunch break and the other lady was helping a man.  I stood there in line over 20 minutes, listening to the lady help the gentleman about rental property in the area.  No one acknowledge that I was there or why I needed help.  I had on my DSS badge and still was not asked for any assistance.  I felt that I was not acknowledged because of my race.  I felt that if I was an Indian I would have been asked for assistance when I walked through the door.  The town I was in population is majority Lumbee Indians.   I felt some type of way in regards to the Lumbee Indians at the time.  Lumbee Indians are trying to get federally recognize by the state where I am from.  At that moment I felt that they should not get federal recognize if they can’t recognize others.  I had to calm myself down and walk out of the building.  It was just a thought for that moment.  I know that I could not think that all Lumbee Indians act and behave in this way.  I ended up going to the home without the detective.   

Microaggression

One example of microaggression that I remember is being called the little black girl in the neighborhood.  As a child I felt that I was different and did not belong.  I did not have an adult to tell me any different.  My mom never took the time to tell me why I was different or why they call me the little black girl.  As a child I felt as I did not belong and I knew as a child that I had to get all the education that I could.  I knew that I could not be just the black woman.  I wanted to be smart, intelligent, beautiful and successful.  I was determined to be all the things that I desired.  As an adult I realized that my color was not a factor and that I could do anything that I put my mind to.  As a parent, I talk to my children all the time because they are growing up in a diverse population.  I let them know that their race do not determine their life or their goals. 

Cultural and Diversity

Three people that I chose to ask about culture and diversity is my supervisor, my husband and a co-worker.  My supervisor is a Native American.  My husband is African-American.  My co-worker is Caucasian. 

My supervisor stated that culture is a person ethnic group and where they come from.  She stated that culture can break down by the ethnic group’s language, food they eat, clothing, dancing and religion.  She stated that diversity is the different cultures in a population. 

My husband thought I was given him a challenge question.  I had to let him know that there was no right or wrong answered.  He stated that culture is his family background and his belief.  He stated that culture plays a major factor in family traditions and rituals.  He stated that diversity is like the melting pot.  He stated that the melting pot was a bunch of ingredients’ mixed in a pot.  He stated that the world is has different kind of people and that we all are different and that we share the same world. 

My co-worker stated that culture to her is her family tree and her religion.  She stated that her culture is her ancestors and family traditions.  She stated that diversity is all the cultures in the world.  She stated that every culture is different which makes the world to be a diverse place. 

I did not have a hard time getting the three people that I chose to answer the question.  I think that they were all correct and describe culture and diversity in a similar way. 

Family Culture

A description of the three items you would choose:

1.      Family Photo book- I would take my family photo book because it would allow me to look at my family and some of the good times that we had.  Looking at pictures would help me remember what they look like at that time in my life. 

2.      Paper- I would take paper, hoping and praying that I would be given the opportunity to write my family that I have left behind.  Communicating by letters may be an option for me to keep in contact when I arrive to this country.

3.      Cell Phone- I would take my cell phone because I may get the chance to call my family.  Talking with them on a cell phone may be another option if I have services in the country that I am going to.  If I am not able to talk with my family, I would be able to look at the videos and pictures that I have in my phone.   

Upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you.  I would choose to keep my family photo book because my cell phone will eventually need to be charged and since I could only bring 3 objects, my charger did not make it with me.  In regards to the paper I chose, I may not be able to find someone with a pen or paper to write my family.  If I did have paper and pen the other problem that I may encounter would be finding a way to mail my letters to my family.  Living in another country may have different methods of how they delivered certain packages. So with that being saying, my family photo book would allow me to look at my family daily, even if I am in another country. 

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise.

I have learned that it would be hard for me to choose rather or not I would take my husband and children.  Family means a lot to me and I would rather for my children to have at least one parent in their lives.  Having 3 children and a husband means that if I was given the opportunity to take them I could not because I would have to leave someone behind.  My family culture is important and I would like for my family to stay together and be able to know their family.  I come from a big family and Holidays are the times that we all get together to enjoy each other.  I would like for my family to continue these holiday traditions because family is important and I value every member.

International Early Childhood

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood for me are (1) Researching other countries around the world has made me aware that there are children all over facing some of the same issues that are occurring in the U.S.  I have gain knowledge on programs that are out there that are seeking out and trying to make a positive impact in regards to children.  (2) Being able to understand and provide resources to families that will help their children with developmental stages and education.  I am now able to be a better advocate for children and their families.  (3) Resource cites in this course have given me a different prospective of the world globally.  I probably would have never look at these cites if I was not enrolled in this course. 

My goal in regards to what I have learned in this course is to continue going on web sites to see what is going on in other parts of the world.  I have gain knowledge on children’s development and education in different parts of the world.  I planned to educate families and children that I work with on early childhood and children’s development. 

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

UNESCO’s, “Early Childhood Care and Education" website:

I went to UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage.   I have learned new insights about issues related to international early childhood education that relates to my professional goals.  I work with children of all ages and I have chosen Early Childhood as my major because I would like to understand them more and be able to educate adults on childhood developments.  I feel that parents need to be educated more and understand their children, especially in the early childhood field.

Quantifying the quality of the early childhood program has always been a major factor to me.  I always thought the children do not have equal opportunities to attend early childhood programs.  Inequality is a factor and will remain a factor as long as there are certain criteria that make a child eligible for the program.  

UNESCO’s is an organization that focuses of the importance of children’s education and their development across the world.  Child advocates from across the world work with each other to implement ideas and come up with ways to improve areas in the early childhood program. 

I have gained knowledge throughout these courses because it has made me think about my professional goals.  One that stands out the most to me is educating parents on the developmental stages in early childhood.   I was more focused on educating the adults and being able to provide services to them.  I guess my mind frame was more less thinking about my current procession as a social worker.  I wanted to be able to have knowledge and provide them with resources and other options to help them with their children.  Half way through the course my mind has changed and I would like to help and educate children in the early childhood field.   

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php

National Black Child Development

National Black Child Development

The link that I chose to further explore is the children’s Health and Nutrition.  This sections talks about the how African American children are on the rise for obesity.  The article discussed how studies are trying to educate parents and kids on eating healthy snacks.  NBCDI provide families with information in regards to physical activities that will help keep children active.  Physically activities were discussed and was stated that it helps children with their developmental stages, medical problems and sports. 

I did not receive an e-newsletter from this cite.  There was a section that noted what was going on this week. 

This Week in Black History

This week is Black Child Development Week!

October 10 ^th

In 1859, L.R. Johnson invented the bicycle frame.

October 11 ^th

In 1987, A. Miles patented the elevator.

October 12 ^th

In 1854, Lincoln University was founded.

October 13 ^th

In 1914 , Garrett Morgan invented and patented the gas mask.

October 14 ^st

In 1964 , Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

October 16 ^st

In 1940 , Benjamin O. Davis Sr. becomes the U.S. Army's first African American brigadier general.

Health and nutrition is related to the Early Childhood field because it is important for parents and caregivers help to understand the overall growth and development of children.  Health plays an important part of the brain and body that may be over looked in a child.  Nutrition affects the body and health which may lead to several developmental delays in the early childhood settings.

Observing children and paying close attention to the children in early childhood settings would allow them to have an equal opportunity in learning by providing a healthy lunch and nutrition snacks during the day.  

http://nbcdi.org/home/nbcdi1/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2010/08.

International Contact Part 2

I never heard back from any of my international colleagues.   I listened to the podcast on the World Forum Foundation website.  Susan Lyons discussed the "Innovative Teacher Project" (World Forum Foundation, 2011). This project was based on Susan Lyons and other teachers coming up with a new approach regarding learning in the public schools becoming a diverse population.  The approach that they came up with to early education is the Reggio Emilia Approach.  The Reggio Emilia program was established in Italy and is not a curriculum.  The program is an approach to learning.  The program is designed to encourage children to be creative, practice critical thinking skills, problem solving and to interact within their community.

I looked up the website “Global Children’s Initiative” from Harvard University.  I read the article called, “Experiences Build Brain Architecture".  The article talked about how the experience of children’s development skills affects the brain and is the largest growth spurt time frame.  High quality experience has been known to be a factor that causes a positive brain development.    Global initiative has partnered with the Early Childhood Innovation Project to come up with an assessment tool to improve early childhood programs and give the children the opportunity of quality education.

This section focused on this particular program that was developed in 2006.  The center focuses on building a unified science of health, learning, and behavior.  Global Children’s Initiative has three domains:

1.     Early childhood development

2.     Mental health

3.     Children in crisis and conflict situations.

The center focuses on these areas to help improve in these areas.  These domains are broken down into these 3 categories and faculty and students research and try to research there domain.   

The web cast and the website provided me with a lot of information on high quality solutions and programs that are available in the early childhood education.  High quality schools are the focus to be available to all children and there are many programs that are trying to help improve the quality of education.  I feel that it is important that all children be given the opportunity to experience quality education.  Research is important to me and should continue to help improve the education and understanding our children in the early childhood field.

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2010). Global children’s initiative.  http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/

World Forum Foundation Radio, (n.d.).  http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php

Harlem Children’s Zone’s Wesite

Harlem Children’s Zone’s website……….

The organization agrees with researchers that confirm that the early-childhood years are the key to building a strong foundation for future educational success.  The program works with children and families in these critically important first years. The early childhood programs provide their services free to the public, which is possible because people donate money to the organization.

The organization has ten programs that comprise the HCZ Project which targets on the geography.

Nine focusing directly on the needs of children and one on the broader community:

Youth Services

·  The Baby College is a 9-week Saturday series of workshops that offers parents and other

caregivers of children between the ages of 0 and 3 both the range of information and the

supports necessary to raise happy and healthy children who enter school ready to learn. The 6 workshops cover such topics as ages and stages of development, discipline, bonding, safety,health, and nutrition.

·  Harlem Gems is a universal pre-k program located at PS 149 that prepares four- year-old children for entry into kindergarten. Harlem Gems offers extended day activities throughout the school year.

·  Family Support Center is a walk-in storefront social services facility that provides families in crisis with immediate access to professional social services including foster care prevention,domestic violence workshops, parenting skill classes, and group and individual counseling.

·  Parents Help Center is a drop-out prevention program based at Public School 207. It serves children with severe academic and attendance problems.

·  Harlem Peacemakers/SMART: Harlem Peacemakers identifies and trains college aged young people who are committed to making their neighborhoods safe places for children and families. Through the School Success Project, Peacemakers work in elementary school classrooms and run after school and summer programs enriching children’s educational and recreational experiences. SMART (Shaping Minds Round Reading and Technology) is

designed to significantly improve the reading skills of each participating student. Using trained staff, this computer-based literacy program offers children personalized reading instruction, tutoring support during and after school, and lending libraries.

·  Fifth Grade Institute To recruit and prepare local students for the transition from elementary to middle school, Harlem Children’s Zone created the “5th Grade Institute” in fall 2003. The 5th Grade Institute operates in four Harlem elementary schools, providing eight 5th grade

classrooms with daily after-school academic help and enrichment. During this three-hour period, a certified teacher and 3 assistants provide focused attention and academic coachingto small groups of students.

·  TRUCE (The Renaissance University for Community Education) is a comprehensive leadership program for adolescents. The program promotes academic growth and career readiness using the arts, media literacy, health and multimedia technology. Participating students work on Harlem Overheard, a community newspaper; the Real Deal, a cable

television show; HOTWorks, a theater program; and/or Umoja Media Project, a violence prevention initiative.

·  TRUCE Fitness and Nutrition Center offers a free, 8,000 square foot exercise facility to

youth and the broader Harlem community. The program promotes academic growth and helps youth develop skills in nutrition, fitness, presentation and advocacy.

·  The Employment and Technology Center offers dropout prevention services for young

people, aged 14-18 who are enrolled in and attending school full- time. The center also

provides free use of computers and participation in computer training classes to neighborhood residents as well as a Saturday literacy program.

Community Development

·  Community Pride is a resident- and community-driven neighborhood revitalization and community building program. The program organizes community beautification projects,helps tenants become homeowners through the city’s TIL program, and works with tenant and block associations. During the HCZ Project’s first three years, the primary emphasis of its management was on

getting new programs started, and on refining existing program operations and service delivery.

These programs have grown rapidly, serve significant numbers of individuals, and have met Phase I goals for growth and market penetration. The long-term goals of the HCZ have not being met because of the scale of participation is not sufficient.

This website had a video of President Obama speaking and supporting the Harlem Children’s Zone organization. He spoke on the early childhood programs and working with children living in poverty.   President Obama stated:

“There is no reason we should spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to imprison one of these kids when they turn 18, when we could be spending $3500 to turn their lives around with this program. To really put it into perspective, think of it this way. The Harlem Children’s Zone is saving a generation of children for about 46 million dollars a year. That’s about what the war in Iraq costs American taxpayers every four hours” (HCZ, 2009).

This statement made since to me because there are billions of dollars spent every day in our country on war and helping out other countries.  I feel that we should help our own country before we go to the war or help out other countries.  I feel as if our country tries to protect other nations and countries instead of focusing on issues that exists in the U.S.

References:
Harlem Children's Zone. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.hcz.org/home

Childhood Poverty

I reviewed a case study from the web site www.childhoodpoverty.org.  I chose to read the case study from Bakyt: Missing out on school and play because of poverty.  This article talked about an 11-year-old boy living in southern Kyrgyzstan, in a town called Kokyangak.  In Bakyt’s family, the children are the main breadwinners.   He and his two older brothers work in a coal mine. Bakyt’s mother is disabled and cannot walk. She receives a monthly pension of about 450 Soms. Bakyt’s parents are divorced, and his father does not pay any child support and does not provide any support to the family. Bakyt’s grandmother is old and sick. The family lives in a two bedroom home.

An insight that I have gain from reading about this family is that the children had no other choice to be in the work field at an early age.  If the children did not work their family would not have had a chance of survival due to the mother and grandmother being disabled.  The family ate the minimal of food that they had.  For breakfast, Bakyt has tea with bread, and for dinner the family usually eats fried potatoes or fried macaroni and bread with tea. They do not consume butter at all and drink tea without sugar. They cannot afford to buy much tea, so they dry the tea bags and re-use them several times. Reading this part of the article made me think how people in general take things for granted.  This family is surviving barely and the children are not receiving their education because they are trying to provide for their family.  Poverty exists all over the world and there are people out her that are wasteful when it comes to food and money. 

Health is another issue that the family had which was a result of poverty.  Due to malnutrition and hard physical work, Bakyt and his sister are often ill, and last winter they both suffered from bronchitis.  They were treated at the local hospital, and the medicine and treatment were free. Bakyt is very concerned about his family’s poor health: “Thoughts about my mother’s disease and the fact that he cannot help her always bother him.  The grandmother health is poor as well and she is sickly and cannot walk either. Those who are poor should not get sick and if you are not healthy and do not have money nobody needs you.  Bakyt thought that in his case with our mother, nobody needed her except his family.  When I think about the health care system we have in our country, I feel sad because I work with families that have Medicaid or Medicare and will not go to the doctors as they should.  There are families out here and many countries that are not given the opportunity to have health check up or any medical assistance. 

The article made we look at things in a different prospective especially when it came to children being the provider for the family.  I never thought about children working in the fields to take care of their families.  I realized that poverty exists all over the world and children are held accountable for taken care or their families. 

Save The Children

Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

Newsletter: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXGIpI4E/b.6213813/k.4C6/eNewsletter_Sign_Up/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=8rKLIXMGIpI4E&b=6213813&en=kvlQJ4ORKhlQJ3MOKcINI4NSJfLZiOSJmLYL4OSJrK9JsJ

                                                                                

I chose this particular cite because I am a social worker in child protective services and the title caught my attention.  I am always looking for ways to help me in regards to helping other children. 

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation.

Save the Children creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.  

 1. Children are protected from harm through physical and psychosocial assistance.

2. Children learn and develop with age-appropriate care and education

3. Children are healthy and well-nourished

4. Children thrive in food-secure and economically viable households

Selena's Story: Staying in School

The article caught my attention because it talked about how the program helps children with their education.  This article talked about Selena, an 8-year-old that was not always a picture of confidence and enthusiasm. Selena came from a poor background family.  Neither Selena nor her seven siblings before her had been exposed to early stimulation or any form of education before entering school.  Save the Children works with teachers, particularly preschool and first grade teachers, to ensure that students have the support they need to stay in school and succeed.  I am a social worker in child protective services and it is my job to endure that the children are safe and basic needs are being met.  Education is a part of their basic needs.  I talked to teachers in regards to kid’s academics and behavior.  This article hit home because I am the first child in my family to attend college and now I am working on my master.  Coming from a family that has little education made me want to break the cycle.  Now that I have kids on my own I want them to continue the cycle that I have broken and take their education seriously.   

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I was unsuccessful getting feedback from the emails that I sent out.  They were delivered back to me as well.  I am posting blog late because I was unable to log in my blog. 

I used The World Forum Foundation Radio. These link provided  podcast conversations with early childhood professionals. I listened to an interview of TJ Skalski ; Principal of The Mother Earth’s Children’s Charter School (MECCS).   She is originally from the Blood Reserve and raised in southern Alberta, she eventually left to complete her education, including a Masters of Education degree.  I chose this particular one because in my field of work, I work with a lot of children from different tribes and their culture plays a big part on the way they are raised. 

The Early Childhood Organizations I have chosen to explore is:

National Black Child Development Institutehttp://nbcdi.org/

I chose this particular field because I am always interested and learning and gaining knowledge about my own culture. 

Reasearch In Early Childhood

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?  I have learned that there are many types of research that are conducted and a researcher has to follow rules and stipulations just like everyone else even though they are experimenting. I’ve learned that there are risk factors in a research project that is important to be able to receive the necessary approval to proceed with a project.   

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed? I realized that research is not as boring and as simple or as complex. There are several things in a research that must take place to have accurate data and get the results for the research.   

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn? I’ve learned that the use of valuable research tools like triangulation is important in research.  I learned a lot about qualitative and mixed-method research designs and how the two relates to your experiment being conducted.  I've learned that planning is essential and very important part of research. 

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? I must say the only challenge I had this semester was getting my assignments submitting due to my lab top difficulties.  I had to read and catch up because I was a week behind the others.  The reading and discussion was very helpful and help the complete assignments. 

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? I’ve learned that children being used in research has being improved over time and that there are certain requirements and consents that are needed in order for a child to be part of an experiment.

Research In Australia

Early Childhood in Australia

What are some of the current international research topics?

 Research in Practice Series focuses on the practical, 'hands-on' aspects of early childhood – making them ideally suited to early childhood workers.  Research topics international are

Stars are made of glass: Children as capable and creative communicators

The Early Years Learning Framework: Building confident learners

The Early Years Learning Framework: Getting started

Optimistic careers and children: Pathways to confidence and wellbeing

Nurturing the spiritual child: Compassion, connection and a sense of self

Dealing with bullying together: Prevention and resolution

Portfolios: Documenting a journey

Treasures and collections: A touch of magic in the early years

Learning’s from High/Scope: Enriching everyday practice

The Code of Ethics: A guide for everyday practice

The Circle of Security: Roadmap to building supportive relationships

Greening services: Practical sustainability

Dreaming Stories: A springboard for learning

Discovering letters and sounds

Capture the moment: Using digital photography in early childhood settings

Diversity and difference: Lighting the spirit of identity

Managing change with infants and young children

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? Reading the mission statement made me think about the age of a child that is focused on in our country.  Early Childhood focuses on young children but at one age do we really consider our children to not be part of early childhood.  Are there factors that make them not to be considered as being in their early childhood stages?

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? I found a lot of interesting early childhood newsletters and articles.  Here is a listing of a few articles from the site. 

How does your state rate? New report examines states’ progress in early childhood reform

Tips to minimize stress during your child's first year at school

The new Australian Curriculum is about content, not about how teachers deliver it.

Quality childcare more important than cost.

Reference:

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