EDUC 6162- Week 8: Final Blog Activity

I've had the time of my career exploring U.S. websites and International websites in the early childhood field. Although I haven't received a response from the 2 early childhood professionals, I spent a great deal of time exploring several websites, especially the NACCRRA (The National Association for Child Care Resources & Referrals Agency). I also enjoyed listening to the podcasts featuring the EC Professionals. They addressed goals, efforts and solutions for issues such as poverty, hunger, water instability, literacy, abuse and child rights.


As a result of learning about the international early childhood field, I have gained 3 amazing insights.
1. I share similar goals with the E.C. Professionals featured in the podcasts.
2. I have already donated over $50 to the Feed The Children Foundation.
3. I was able to learn about the efforts that activists took to ensure clean water for all children.


One goal that I am currently pursuing is developing a fundraiser to increase awareness of the importance of literacy for all!


The best part of  sharing my blog experiences is having the support of my colleagues and other early childhood professionals. I don't know where I'd be without my wonderful colleagues!

Week 7: Blog Activity

After visiting and exploring the UNESCO website, I have gained 3 new insights/ideas about issues related to international early childhood education that relate to my professional goals. Literacy begins in the first few years of life. When toddlers are able to recognize symbols such as the McDonalds logo, children are learning to read. Therefore, literacy is significant to early childhood. UNESCO shares important information about literacy. I learned that 1 in 5 adults is not literate and about two-thirds of them are women while 67.4 million children are out of school.

 1. However, UNESCO has been dedicated to improving global literacy by keeping literacy high on national, regional, and international agendas. I admire how UNESCO tries to promote literacy for all.


2. I also discovered that UNESCO advocates for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes that attend to health, nutrition, security and learning and which provide for children’s holistic development. This goal is related to the effective practices and programs course that I studied some time ago.

3. I have learned that UNESCO has a goal of finding solutions to increase inclusive education. This is so important because 75 million children are currently excluded from education for several reasons including poverty, disability, inequity, child labor and speaking a minority language. One of UNESCO's main goals is to develop the full potential of every individual.





References
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

SHARING WEB RESOURCES

At the beginning of this course, I chose to explore the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Amazingly, this organization is currently known as Child Care Aware. I actually like the new name because it captures my attention as a future child care provider. This organization/website has a new area called "ChildCare Aware Training Academy." There are at least 5 additional topics that are highlighted in this new area. They include Getting Started, Business Plans, Management Plans, Training Program Planning and Resources. I chose to search and explore the area of Program Planning. Program planning helps child care providers choose and create lesson plans and fun activities that will nurture children's development. This area offers tips on planning a curriculum that focuses on all areas of child development. The areas of child development include cognitive/intellectual, language/literacy, social, emotional, physical, cultural, and approaches to learning. I did not find any information on this website that directly relates to the issues that I studied this week. However, I get more excited each time I visit this website. There's always something new to learn. Exploring this organization is assisting me with a wealth of knowledge and resources to increase equity and excellence in the early childhood field. Having access to these educational organizations is a constant revelation that no child should be left behind........regardless of their varying needs and abilities!

Week 5: Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 2

I am still waiting on a response from the 2 early childhood professionals that I chose to contact during the first week of the course. I listened to a podcast featuring Susan Lyon. She is a teacher who founded the Innovative Teacher Project. This project is a network of schools. Public and private schools participate in different projects to explore how children understand the world.

I visited the "Global Children's Initiative" website. The Global Children's Initiative has constructed activities that relate to early childhood education in (3) domains:

• Early Childhood Development
• Child Mental Health
• Children and Crisis

It is essential for this organization to focus on these 3 domains. They play a vital role in the future developing child. If professionals don't address the 3 domains listed above with effective tools and resources, learning outcomes in the educational setting will be negatively affected in each child.
After visiting this website/organization, I've gained 3 new ideas.
1. Early childhood development is most effective when parents, teachers and the children spend time playing, reading, and learning other skills together.
2. Children need unconditional love from everyone including supportive and encouraging teachers. This will lead to more self confidence and improved mental health in children.
3. Children of all ages experience a wide range of crisis such as abuse, domestic problems, family problems and substance abuse. Providing counseling services and prevention programs can help children reach giant milestones.

All children will not have access to the same services, but professionals, families and other organizations can make a difference in the life of at least 1 child. This is equity and excellence at the minimum level!

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.

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/

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!