Getting to know your International Contacts

I never got an answer from my contacts and I can't get any communication from the podcast, so I will have to commet on what I have learned from the podcast and the website.

From listening to my podcast, I have learned that there are many individuals who really care about children in poverty and are actually doing something about it. There are schools in California and organizations that are dedicated and designed to help children living in poverty.

According to the website these are the 3 insights I gained:

1. Over 600 million children world-wide live in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4. In many countries, rates are much higher with over 60 percent of children living in households with incomes below international poverty lines. Over 10 million children under five still die every year from preventable diseases - the vast majority of them in developing countries. As one of the most powerless groups in society, children often bear the physical and emotional costs of poverty.
2. Today's poor children are all too often tomorrow's poor parents. Poverty can be passed on from generation to generation affecting the long-term health, wellbeing and productivity of families and of society as a whole. Tackling childhood poverty is therefore critical for eradicating poverty and injustice world-wide.
3. Children in poverty are often seen as one of many disadvantaged groups, all competing for resources, or they are characterised as children with special needs such as streetchildren orphans, or child workers

( items 1-3 are from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/)

Reference
CHIP. (n.d.). Knowledge for Tackling Childhood Poverty. Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Zero to Three

Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org

Zero to three has three goals they work toward: Training professionals and building networks of leaders, Influencing policies and practices, and raising public awareness of early childhood issues (zerotothree, 2012). 

 ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers (zerotothree, 2012).

Our mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers; we achieve this by translating research and knowledge—specifically information about the kinds of early experiences that help children thrive—into a range of practical tools and resources for use by the adults who influence the lives of young children (zerotothree, 2012).

We have evolved into the organization that plays a critical leadership role in promoting understanding around key issues affecting young children and their families, including child care, infant mental health, early language and literacy development, early intervention and the impact of culture on early childhood development (zerotothree, 2012).

I haven't received my newsletter, so I picked a subject from one of the subjects at the top that intrigued me.

Temperament & Behavior
Temperament describes how a child approaches and reacts to the world; it is her personal "style;" in this section you will find information and tools for tuning in to children’s temperament, a key factor in understanding their behavior and the way they interact with others(zerotothree, 2012).

I agree with this 100%. Working with children for almost 12 years, I have seem all types of temperments from them. It completely changes their environment and their view of you, when they are in this state. I believe the best thing we can do as educators is all them to have this temperment, but teach them to control what they say or do during that time. I always tell my students it's okay to be angry or mad, but it's not okay to hurt someone or yourself when you are angry or mad.

Reference
http://www.zerotothree.org

Establishing Professionals Contacts and Expanding Resources

I have tired to contact four Early Childhood Professionls from The Global Alliance of NAEYC. I had e-mailed Singapore, Netherlands which came back undelivered, then I e-mailed Dr. Eric Atmore in South Africa and San Salvador in El Salvador, but I have yet to hear back from them. I feel I am going to have to use the alternative to part one.

The early childhood organization I have choosen to study is Zero to three. I love working with young children and be able to learn about young children are around the globe intrigues me.

My supports

At my job my co-workers support me during my daily work, questions I may have, and when I need help in my classroom. My mother supports me by accepting and helping me with life decisions I have made and she gives me support in my choosing what career path I want to take. I believe it is important to have people support you in life. Life is challenging and when we have to face things alone, we become afraid and unsure of what to do. Having someone there to support you gives opportunity to advice, answers, suggestions, and or problem solving. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have support in my life.


I face many challenges at my job; working with special needs children is not an easy job. These children will cuse at you, hit you, kick you, spit at you, and destroy your personal things. Having co-workers who support and help gives a calming feeling, because they go through the same thing. So basically, we help each other, because we know what each of us are going through. Having supports at my job helps keep me calm and peaceful. When I child does something that could potential harm or really hurt another child, supports help to give patience. If I didn't have supports I am sure I would be okay, but it is so much better having co-workers support and help out.

My connections to play

“If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!”
― J.M. Barrie (goodreads.com, 2012).

Children have always learned and created places for themselves through play.

Donna R. Barnes
Contemporary American psychologist (thestrong.org, 2012).

   

My mom supported my play by allowing me to express myself in play and not sheltering me from interacting with others. I often played alone, I didn't have any siblings in the house and the few friends I did have left after a while.

Play today from what I can remember from my childhood has some similarities and differences. Children have the freedome to explore and be creative, toys such as the barbie head are coming back for children to enjoy. The only sad part is more children are involved in violent play or imagination. There are more violent cartoons and toys for children nowadays. Back when I was growing up we played and fought, but we weren't violent. I hope that children can learn to play without being so violent. I personally don't like my students to play superhero's, they become so involved in the character, they hurt one another. I also hope children can learn to enjoy one another's creativity and explore the world of play as they learn.

I believe play has a major role in childhood and adulthood. Play never grows old, it doesn't matter how old one is, it never grows old. It seems the older one gets, the more important play becomes.

References
The goodreads. (2012). Quotes about growing up. Retrieved from   http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/growing-up.

The strong. (2012). Play quotes. Retrieved from http://www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because it keeps me whole and connected. When I have people in my life that I have a relationship with, whether friend or companion, I feel complete. There is nothing better to me than having people to share your life with, your downs with, your joy with, and your disappointments with. They are the ones to keep you strong and encourage you to not give up. Right now in my life I have my family and three very very close personal friends, that I share my life with. We are honest with each other, that is what keeps our relationship positive. We truely care for one another and help each other in hard times. It is not easy developing relationships or partnerships, there will always be mistakes and let downs. I see mistakes and let downs as a chance to do things better the next time around. I would not be where I am today, without these special people in my life.

Children's Quote

"I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!"-David Vitter, U.S. senator

Thank you to all my colleagues for your advice, support, and participation in discussion in this course. I wish you all much success in future courses and in your career. I know you all will make awesome educators and show how much you care for your students. Once again, thank you.

Reference
Compassion. (2000-2012). Famous quotes about children. Retrieved from http://www.compassion.com/child-advocacy/find-your-voice/famous-quotes/default.htm.