Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sharing Web Resources
The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies is changing its name to ChildCare Aware of America. The name change seems more relevant to my professional development. This website explains that a well-trained child care workforce is needed to meet increasing demands. This organization is dedicated to supporting prospective and current child care providers. The NACCRRA has partnerships, programs, and resources that are designed to help child care providers learn more about how to start a childcare business, sustain their childcare business, keep informed on current legislation and policies affecting young children, continue professional development and have access to hundreds of fun, learning activities to do with children in their care. One idea on this website has made me think about issues in new ways. The NACCRRA is leading the first-ever nationwide initiative to prepare childcare programs for disasters. To help ensure the safety of children, NACCRRA offers resources that childcare providers can use in planning for and recovering from any catastrophe that strikes.There are a number of budget bills pending in Congress that could affect child care funding. Parents need child care in order to work, making child care critical to the economy. It is important for parents and providers to inform their Members of Congress know that child care funding is critical in communities.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Getting to Know My International Contacts
Earlier in the course, I chose to contact 2 early childhood professionals outside of the U.S. However, I have not received a response from either of them. I am currently proceeding with the podcast that features early childhood professionals. Delfena Mitchell is the director of the Liberty Children's Home on the outskirts of Belize. Many of the children she works with were abused, abandoned or neglected. I really appreciate her sharing her work with some very special children. According to Ms. Mitchell, a 9 year old boy named Joseph came to live in the program. He had not been able to speak for over a year because he had been abused and witnessed his sister being abused. He totally shut down. Ms. Mitchell and her staff worked with Joseph by home-schooling him. This failed. On 1 particular day, Ms. Mitchell and Joseph went horse-back riding and Joseph suddenly started speaking. He revealed to Ms. Mitchell gruesome details of his grandmother beating him with a stick. Joseph also explained how he would hide under the bed so that others would not take away his food while he was eating. Once the horse ride was over, Joseph began to shut down and stop talking again. Ms. Mitchell felt a sense of relief because progress had been made. After a combination of medication and schooling, Joseph now speaks everyday. I've gained an insight that 1 person can make a difference in the life of at least 1 child. As professionals, we should never give up on a child.
Poverty in India
Many of India's children are affected by poverty, making their lives extremely difficult. I've learned that almost 62 million children under the age of 5 are malnourished and 34% of newborns are significantly underweight. Unfortunately poverty is a vicious cycle of disadvantages that begins at birth, continues through childhood to motherhood. It is then transferred to the next generation. As a professional, I can't save the world, but I will make donations that will improve the life of 1 or more children. The issue of poverty will victimize many in the future years, but millions of caring people can afford to help in some way!
References
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
Poverty in India
Many of India's children are affected by poverty, making their lives extremely difficult. I've learned that almost 62 million children under the age of 5 are malnourished and 34% of newborns are significantly underweight. Unfortunately poverty is a vicious cycle of disadvantages that begins at birth, continues through childhood to motherhood. It is then transferred to the next generation. As a professional, I can't save the world, but I will make donations that will improve the life of 1 or more children. The issue of poverty will victimize many in the future years, but millions of caring people can afford to help in some way!
References
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Week 2: Sharing Resources
I selected The National Association of ChildCare Resources and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). The link to this international website is http://www.naccrra.org/.
This organization focuses on promoting national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community childcare resources & referrals. The current issue from this website that has caught my attention is related to childhood obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama has made several announcements of "Let's Move! Childcare (LMCC). As a result, almost 2,000 participants have registered online and joined the fight against childhood obesity. The members have committed to increasing physical activity and healthy eating habits in children. This will promote healthy environments for children in early care and education settings. The NACCRRA has developed a series of webinars highlighting some of the goals.
I've learned that I can do more to help fight childhood obesity. This website has increased my awareness about child-health related issues. I plan to join the existing 1800 members in the Let's Move event. Another way to help is to set an example. If we want our children to eat right and be more active, we have to do more than just talk about it. We have to do it ourselves. The parents, teachers and childcare providers have the biggest influence on the children. The children will imitate what we say and do. As a result they will pass these same habits on to their own children. EVERYONE GET READY, GET TOGETHER & LET'S MOVE WITH THE NACCRRA!
This organization focuses on promoting national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community childcare resources & referrals. The current issue from this website that has caught my attention is related to childhood obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama has made several announcements of "Let's Move! Childcare (LMCC). As a result, almost 2,000 participants have registered online and joined the fight against childhood obesity. The members have committed to increasing physical activity and healthy eating habits in children. This will promote healthy environments for children in early care and education settings. The NACCRRA has developed a series of webinars highlighting some of the goals.
I've learned that I can do more to help fight childhood obesity. This website has increased my awareness about child-health related issues. I plan to join the existing 1800 members in the Let's Move event. Another way to help is to set an example. If we want our children to eat right and be more active, we have to do more than just talk about it. We have to do it ourselves. The parents, teachers and childcare providers have the biggest influence on the children. The children will imitate what we say and do. As a result they will pass these same habits on to their own children. EVERYONE GET READY, GET TOGETHER & LET'S MOVE WITH THE NACCRRA!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
EDUC 6162 --Week 1 Blog Assignment
PART 1: ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS
During my journey of becoming an early childhood educator, I am excited and curious to expand my knowledge about child development or any child related issue by contacting 2 early childhood professionals. There is a wealth of resources available in helping me to make my choice. I was able to use The Global Alliance of NAEYC link to conduct my search on the professionals.
1. I am interested in conversing with Blesilda Rios. She is a representative for "The Center for Early Childhood Care & Development." This organization is based in the Philippines (OMEP Philippines National Committee).
2. I am also attempting to communicate with Jane Lim. She represents "The Association For Early Childhood Educators." This is based in Singapore (OMEP-Singapore).
PART 2: EXPANDING RESOURCES
I feel very eager to explore the naccrra (The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies). This organization/website is a great advocate for child care. I am planning to operate a home-based daycare center that will eventually grow into a center-based childcare facility. This website will increase my awareness of current childcare issues.
During my journey of becoming an early childhood educator, I am excited and curious to expand my knowledge about child development or any child related issue by contacting 2 early childhood professionals. There is a wealth of resources available in helping me to make my choice. I was able to use The Global Alliance of NAEYC link to conduct my search on the professionals.
1. I am interested in conversing with Blesilda Rios. She is a representative for "The Center for Early Childhood Care & Development." This organization is based in the Philippines (OMEP Philippines National Committee).
2. I am also attempting to communicate with Jane Lim. She represents "The Association For Early Childhood Educators." This is based in Singapore (OMEP-Singapore).
PART 2: EXPANDING RESOURCES
I feel very eager to explore the naccrra (The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies). This organization/website is a great advocate for child care. I am planning to operate a home-based daycare center that will eventually grow into a center-based childcare facility. This website will increase my awareness of current childcare issues.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
My Supports
Support is help that people desire and willingly provide to others. All of us need support at some point in our lives, whether daily, weekly or rarely. There are different kinds of support that I need. I receive emotional support from my mother, financial support from my sister and medical support from my doctor. It is very challenging to be visually impaired. I can no longer cook independently. My sister cooks for me. I miss the days when I could lock my door, run to my car, get behind the wheel and drive. My brother has to transport me from one place to another. I am so thankful for the services that my family and friends offer. I am now attending a school that is training me to use a white cane to improve my independent mobility. The same school is now teaching me how to trust my new guide dog to help me get around town while walking. I also have neighbors that volunteer to cook food and transport meals to me. I also have been awarded a personal assistant who helps me complete daily tasks like paying bills, using the restroom, doing laundry, washing up/showering, getting dressed and locating important items around the house. I don't know where I'd be if these wonderful people and services disappeared. My life would be more difficult to live. I would have no decent form of transportation. I would not be able to cook on my own. Using the bathroom would be a complete disaster. I never thought that I would be in this situation. I really miss all of the wonderful things that many people take for granted each day. I am happy that doctors will be able to restore my eye sight in the next 12 months. In the process of my recovery, I've just been admitted to a special school that teaches independent living to people with my condition. I am very greatful for all of the support systems that exist!
Friday, January 27, 2012
My Connections To Play
"Play is the beginning of knowledge."
Anonymous
"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."
Kay Redfield Jamison (Professor of Psychiatry)
Each summer, my friends who were the same age as me would come to my house and ask if I could have some company. Most of the time, my mom or dad would allow them to watch movies with me in the living room. About 5 of my friends and I would play "House." We used the sofa pillows to build this house. We would pile up in the play house and pretend that there was a wolf outside, waiting to eat us for dinner. My mother thought it was so amusing. She would fix ice cream and cup cakes for all of us to make the "pretend play" even more exciting. My favorite form of play was sociodramatic play. My friends and I would play "Mother and Father." Someone would always play mother, father, sister, brother, and dog. We used grass for the food. We used mud to make the cakes and pies. We also used dirty water for chocolate milk. My mom and dad would support me by allowing me to play outside for several hours during the summer. "Pretend play and sociodramatic play" was also a relief from the constant bullying that I experienced in school. I think play today is different from the play in which I engaged in as a child. Today technology has invented so many advanced or high-tech games that children don't have to use a lot of energy to play anymore. The down-side to this is that the rise of obesity is increasing. Some parents are facing mounting pressures so they are not able to monitor childhood play as much as they should. Sometimes children are not able to engage in play because they are busy helping parents with chores and other responsibilites.
Anonymous
"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."
Kay Redfield Jamison (Professor of Psychiatry)
Each summer, my friends who were the same age as me would come to my house and ask if I could have some company. Most of the time, my mom or dad would allow them to watch movies with me in the living room. About 5 of my friends and I would play "House." We used the sofa pillows to build this house. We would pile up in the play house and pretend that there was a wolf outside, waiting to eat us for dinner. My mother thought it was so amusing. She would fix ice cream and cup cakes for all of us to make the "pretend play" even more exciting. My favorite form of play was sociodramatic play. My friends and I would play "Mother and Father." Someone would always play mother, father, sister, brother, and dog. We used grass for the food. We used mud to make the cakes and pies. We also used dirty water for chocolate milk. My mom and dad would support me by allowing me to play outside for several hours during the summer. "Pretend play and sociodramatic play" was also a relief from the constant bullying that I experienced in school. I think play today is different from the play in which I engaged in as a child. Today technology has invented so many advanced or high-tech games that children don't have to use a lot of energy to play anymore. The down-side to this is that the rise of obesity is increasing. Some parents are facing mounting pressures so they are not able to monitor childhood play as much as they should. Sometimes children are not able to engage in play because they are busy helping parents with chores and other responsibilites.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Relationship Reflection
Relationships/partnerships are so important to me. Without relationships, life doesn't have much of a purpose for me. Everyone needs someone. Relationships are the reasons that babies develop emotionally. Without relationships, learning doesn't take place. If learning does take place, application would be useless. Without teachers, parents, and other care providers, many children would not learn to read or even care for themselves. Relationships create a path for language and interaction with others. I love and appreciate everyone that I currently have a healthy relationship with.
Mom has made a difference in my life. The time she spent with me was priceless. We ate at McDonalds every Friday. She allowed me to have friends over as a reward for weekly chores. She worked as a nurse which made it easy for her to care for my eczema as a child.
Dad provided for me and my siblings. Although he didn't make lots of money, he made sure food was on the table and the rent was paid. He encouraged me and my siblings to go to church. He taught us how to give respect in order for us to get respect.
My niece was born 12 years ago. She was the greatest gift that a family could ever wish for. Although her mother lives in a different state, she looks to me as a 2nd mom. She tells me that she loves me because I do everything for her including the laundry, the dishes, cooking and cleaning. She also says that she couldn't ask for a better mom.
My relationships with these people have taught me that the family does have a major impact on the success of a child. I plan to nurture the children in my daycare business the same way that my family nurtured me as a child. The love, affection and time spent with my family is more valuable than any material things that I received as a child.
Mom has made a difference in my life. The time she spent with me was priceless. We ate at McDonalds every Friday. She allowed me to have friends over as a reward for weekly chores. She worked as a nurse which made it easy for her to care for my eczema as a child.
Dad provided for me and my siblings. Although he didn't make lots of money, he made sure food was on the table and the rent was paid. He encouraged me and my siblings to go to church. He taught us how to give respect in order for us to get respect.
My niece was born 12 years ago. She was the greatest gift that a family could ever wish for. Although her mother lives in a different state, she looks to me as a 2nd mom. She tells me that she loves me because I do everything for her including the laundry, the dishes, cooking and cleaning. She also says that she couldn't ask for a better mom.
My relationships with these people have taught me that the family does have a major impact on the success of a child. I plan to nurture the children in my daycare business the same way that my family nurtured me as a child. The love, affection and time spent with my family is more valuable than any material things that I received as a child.
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