Adjourning experiences

While learning about the five stages of team development, I feel the adjourning stage is most important. It allows us to reflect on our experiences with one another in a group and as individuals. Throughout my life I have been involved in many groups. Some groups include volleyball,softball, basketball teams. Both coaching and playing. Other groups include the jobs I have had such as waitressing and teaching. I have experienced many phases of good byes. The hardest goodbyes I have experienced is when I was playing volleyball and softball in high school. I can remember that it was hard to say good bye because we were a team. We acted as one and cared about one another. The hardest goodbye was when I was a senior. Knowing that it was our last time together, made it hard to adjust that it was over. We have all grown as individuals and as a team. We would always end out season with a farewell party. It usually consist of pizza or ice cream and we would just talk about our season. Now that I am coaching I do my ending rituals a little different than what we did when I was in high school. I always have the girls talk about their favorite memories of the season, talk about the growth of our team and what we need to improve in the next season, hand out pictures of the season to the team, and for one last time say good bye to our seniors and wish them luck in their future endeavors. When I think about the relationships that I have formed with my colleagues is I would want to make sure that I keep in contact. Even though we may be at an adjourning stage and going to the next phase in our education, I would like to always think that I had my colleagues to give me support. That's why I feel that this phase is essential to have especially in team work situations. 

Conflict and Resolution

I have been a business owner for over six years now. I have experienced many conflicts and disagreements within my diner that I have had with my employees. A conflict that I experience at times are employees disagreeing with one another or my employees not agreeing with how things are run at the diner. A strategy that I use when two employees are not getting a long, is talk to both of them one on one. See what the problem is and if it is small conflict, I find ways in which to move on from it. If it is a bigger problem, I would suggest them to talk their differences out. I feel that they are all adults and the best way to resolve a disagreement is to communicate with one another. If violence begins, I as the boss would jump in to manage and stop the disagreement. I also have learned that if my employees have any problem with a customer, I use my communication skills to ensure that my customers leave happy. I would use principles of the 3 r's in my business when conflicts occur. Especially with respect. Everyone in my business needs to give each other respect. Respect is by far the most important principle that will better help me resolve conflict. If we all communicate with each other with respect, we will have more effective relationships and this will keep the customers coming back and the employees working with one another with ease and comfort.

 

Perceptions of me as a Communicator

 

For this project this week, I chose my dad and my husband to take assessments of how I am as a communicator. I feel these two would know more than anyone of how I communicate not only with them as individuals, but other individuals and groups. They both had similar scores from the communication and verbal aggressiveness evaluations. I suppose that my listening styles can improve because both my husband and father had different scores than I did. When I took the listening test I was put in Group1. My husband and father were both in Group 2 for the evaluation. This does make sense. It says that I am business like and like to the point communication. This could not be more right for me. That's why I find it interesting that I was put in the Group 1 where they states I am very trustworthy with people. I actually find it very hard to trust many people. I feel this is because of the experiences I have been through.  But as a business owner I have to be stern.  I respect others, but if they begin to attack on a situation or any circumstance, I am very protective of what I believe in and I am not afraid to show my emotions. I am surprised that my mother and husband have similar views on how they evaluated me. They both have saw me in different situations of how I communicate. Whether my mom comes to support the team I am coaching or my husband and I have a holiday party with fellow co workers and friends. They have both saw me communicate in ways where I have been uncomfortable or fully engaged situations. Throughout this week I have saw that my insights of how I communicate with others may be different to ones that I communicate with in my every day life. Even though they do not see me communicate in all circumstances, my Dad and husband have a good idea of who I am as a communicator. I feel that this has shown me that people do respond and evaluate the way I communicate, whether its in my professional field or personal life. The way I communicate and present the way I feel about things in life is very important to how people perceive me as a teacher, coach, businesswoman, daughter, wife, sister, and friend.

 

Communication in Cultural Diversity

Everyday in my life, I encounter some type of cultural diversity. Whether it is in my diner from my morning guys to my lunch crowd of workers that have 30 minutes to get there lunch in. Or if I am at the school seeing different families interacting before going into volleyball practice coaching 10 different unique female athletes. I feel that the interactions that I have every day, I find myself communicating differently according to the person I am interacting with. My conversations will be different if I am talking to a 65 year old coffee drinking, set in his ways Republican compared to a 14 year old teenage girl about how to serve a volleyball. The ways in which I would talk to men at a coffee table compared to my athletes are different. There is more instruction with my athletes, but while talking to the men drinking coffee, I would consider what they believe in and their backgrounds I would not want to offend them by the things I say.

Especially having a diner in the country, I find that race plays a major role in the culture. We have many people that treat others of different race in our town with disrespect and I encounter this not only at my workplace, but everywhere I go. Three strategies that I could use to help me communicate more effectively is listening to what they believe and ask questions to show that I am interested in learning about their culture and beliefs. Next I would use the Platinum Rule to treat them as they want to be treated. Especially with my athletes, if I as a coach treat them as they want to be treated, they should be giving me the same respect as I would want to be treated. Lastly, I would use my communication skills to show to them that I am interested in their culture. Use good body language and eye contact and be concerned about their cultural diversity.

Communication on TV- The Office

 

 

 

 

 

The television show I chose to watch was The Office. I have watched it before, but only about a handful of times. While watching the show with no sound,  I was able to see the way they communicate with one another without knowing what they were saying. Their facial expressions on this show were expressive. There were many characters and they were all smiling, giving good eye contact, and talking back and forth a lot. There was one guy on there that seemed to use his eyebrows to show communication using his eyebrows, going up and down with them. Then there was one of the workers and a young blonde hair boy about the age of 10. They seemed when I was watching it with no sound that they were laughing with one another and getting along good. At the end the worker gave the kid a negative look. This shows that with non verbal communication that the message that they are trying to get a crossed may not be expressed the correct way.

 

Now watching the show with sound, I had the message they were trying to get a crossed completely wrong. The young boy and the office worker were actually not getting along. The boy said "You know something? Your ugly." This show is a funny show, where a lot of smart comments are said. It is tough telling without sound that they were fighting because the office worker just laughed at the boy. And so did everyone in the office. I feel if I was watching a show that I usually watch, I would have a better idea of the communication that verbally and nonverbal. The way they show body language, use facial expressions, and show eye contact may cause the audience to feel that they know what they are trying to communicate. Its amazing to watch them with sound and then without because you get two different stories and scenarios of what is getting portrayed. This show has clearly shown that communication is not always straight forward.

 

 

Competent Communicator

 

 

 

The person that I chose this week that I feel is a competent communicator is my father. He is a meat salesman for over 18 years now. He helps me at the diner that I have owned and ran now for 6 years. He has always had a way with working and talking with people. His communication is more than just how he talks to his customers. He is very respectful and clearly shows that he cares for them as a customer. He is successful in what he does because he cares for his job, the people he works with, and his loyal customers. This demonstrates that the way he behaves is effective. I would love to have half of the communication skills that my father has. His biggest communication quality that I would like to model is his loyalty of showing that what others feel and say matter. Showing that he cares about their needs is a model that should be advocated by everyone.

Professional Hopes and Goals

 

 

While taking this course, I have established support and trust through my colleagues and professor. Without my classmates, I would not further my knowledge as deep as I did. I have learned so much about them and what they have learned about diversity. There are so many perspectives on what diversity is. I feel this course has broadened my understanding of how complex every individual social identities are. One hope that I have when I think about working with children and their families who come from diverse backgrounds is taking it as a journey and be optimistic to growth and change. I feel that every child and family needs to have a voice to make things more easier in and out of the classroom. One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is experience them together. I hope that myself and others can be honest with one another and need to show knowledge to help each other understand and accept each other. I would like to thank all my colleagues! You all have helped me in someway for this course! Good luck in your future studies and in the field of early childhood education! Study on!!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

This week for our blog we were asked to think about these two statistics...

• About 195 different countries exist in the world today.
• According to the U.S. census bureau, the United States’ population includes individuals and families from 150 different countries.

Then we are asked to think about this scenario...







"You are working in an early childhood setting of your choice—a hospital, a child care center, a social service agency. You receive word that the child of a family who has recently emigrated from a country you know nothing about will join your group soon. You want to prepare yourself to welcome the child and her family. Luckily, you are enrolled in a course about diversity and have learned that in order to support families who have immigrated you need to know more than surface facts about their country of origin."





The early childhood setting that I would choose is a child care center. In hopes one day that I will be running my own day care or center. The name of the families country of origin that I would choose is Asia. I do not know much at all about this country. If I had a child in my center that is emigrating from a country I would first do research online to find more about their culture and the origin of Asia. I would then look at opportunities to experience how to show a fair chance with this family to ensure they are receiving equity. I would look to more into their social identities and what their family believes in and incorporate into the classroom. I would also prepare myself into seeing the inclusion of  their culture and how they deal with diversity.  I would also need to look more into how children learn in Asia. How is the achievement gap? Are they reading and learning about mathematics at the same level we are in the States. The last way that I would find ways to be culturally responsive to this family is finding distinctive and defining characteristics about families in Asia. Do they have the same systems and issues that we encounter in our child care center? I feel that these ideas would help myself, children and their families. Being educated and prepared to address diversity in the child care center provides everyone to be at ease and comfortable. I feel that even with diversity in our center everyone will know each other's background and what they believe in. This will allow everyone to accept each other's differences. Therefore everyone will be benefited.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

 

 

A memory I had that I have experienced prejudice and/or oppression was with the only African American boy in my class. Even though most of us did not treat him differently, I can see now the microaggressions that this boy faced. He was the only African American until middle school. We all knew that he was different because of his color. I feel that he faced oppression because he had to deal with being different from the other children. He was inferior to all of us just by the way he looked. Every day in class, he was faced with biases from other people and this made it hard for him to feel accepted. 

 

 

 

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

 

I feel that due to this incident and being the minority that this had diminished equity. The equity is lessened not only in the classroom, but in the community as well. If children keep picking and not showing growth into diversity of individuals, how is he going to adjust to the classroom setting. He will feel harmed due to the fact that he is a minority. Especially since the other children view him as being different.

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

Looking back to this incident, as a child I feel that my classmates and I were too young to see the oppression that he faced. I feel now that no single child should be treated differently just by the way he/she looks like or believes in.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

The teacher is the person that needs to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity. The teacher is the one who runs the classroom and needs to make sure that each child is getting treated the same. As long as he or she is open to discussing diversity and equity with all, young children and their families will open up to treating one another the same.

Practicing Awareness in Micro Aggressions

This week I became aware of micro aggressions that occur in my daily life and back from another time. The one example that I feel shows the micro aggression I experience is when I play softball in the men's high arc league in softball. I am the only girl that played this year and I heard many statements that made me feel insulted and/or targeted because I was a girl playing with men. These acts were non physical, but were inappropriate to making me feel uncomfortable at times and not even want to play. I feel these were micro insults to me even though I played better than most the men that come. I believe that being the target of a micro aggression actually made me play better and prove to them that girls can play with them. They stereotype that they are better, when in reality softball is typically a women's sport.

While observing this week on my experiences with micro aggressions I have perceived many changes of how I look and feel about the stereotypes that I have on people. I find myself judging people way to quickly, sometimes on their appearance and how they present themselves. After this week, I will research and find more out about their way of life and what they believe in rather than just assume. I believe that for the most part most of my stereotypes of people are unintentional. Especially after this week learning about these interactions I will reflect and accept that everyone is different and lives life differently.

 

 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

As I talked to three different types of people in my life. I talked to my best friend Alisha, whom I feel her and I have many similar ways our culture relates. I also talked to one of my employees at work about how and what she believes for her culture. Then I chose to talk to one of my athletes that I coach. She is the one person who I believe is in some ways culturally different from how I have grown up. She is 14 years old. She defined culture as being at the simple things. Such as gender, race, religion, etc. At her age, I believe this is what they are taught to be culture. Culture in their years, I don't feel expands to what we feel is culture. Until this course, I never looked at deep culture or dominant culture. Her definition of diversity is people not being the same. I asked her to expand her thoughts, and she stated that she believed that everyone is different and they believe and celebrate different types culture. She believed that without diversity culture would be dull and the same.

I feel that without this course, I wouldn't have much knowledge on what is culture and diversity. I have expanded my thoughts on just appearances, such as gender, race, age and class. Everyone's definition is different  for culture and diversity. I feel that with diversity in the classroom especially this will open and influence the minds of young children and early childhood professionals.

My Family Culture

As my family and I are evacuated to another country, I decide to take my family album, my wedding ring, and my softball glove. Being told that we are going to a country that may be permanent, I chose these three items that are dear to my own and families heart.

My family photo album is the most dear to my culture and my life. All these photos explain who is important in my life and families. Pictures explain not only our culture and what we believe in but memories and moments. By just having these pictures, shows that my tradition carries on and is still alive. The moments these pictures describe show our emotions, love, and dedication we give to ourselves and our family.

My next item is my wedding ring. My wedding ring is where ever I am at. I never take it off to even work, coach or play sports. My ring shows devotion and love to my husband. This ring represents who we are a couple and the commitment we give to one another. This item is one item that I would not want to live without or give away.

 

My next item is my softball glove. Not knowing what country we would be living or how long we would be there for, I would choose to have my glove. This glove is not just an item, it represents the love that my family has for all sports. Most of the year whether its for softball, basketball, football, volleyball or even wrestling, my family devotes most our time in sporting events. This glove is an item that I would want to bring with me, to show how much sports play a role in my families culture.

 

After losing our home and moving to another country, I would be completely devastated  if upon arrival I was told I could only keep one personal item.  But thinking about it, as long as I have my family by my side, I would be ok. I would make the best of it, because their lives are more important to me than anything. If I could keep the one item I would choose my family photo album.

I can see after this exercise that items are just items. As long as you have the ones you love and trust by your side, you can face anything that is thrown at you.

When I think of research...

Throughout this course, I have gained many new insights from the resources provided and from you my colleagues. Taking research step by step is very crucial to ensure not only that your using scholarly resources, but to also understand the topic fully. I believe I have the ability now to understand and use research effectively. I have also learned that there are many methods such as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods that give researchers different insights and ways to analyze what is good research.


There are many ways that my ideas about the nature of  research that have changed. I know realize that the way that I do research will reflect the way that I teach. Personally and professionally, I now apply my knowledge of the ways to analyze, gather and use the research. I also now realize that the main topic needs to be broken down into subtopics to be able to evaluate every aspect.


I have learned in this course that there is always ways in which we can plan, design, and conduct in early childhood.  In our field, professionals need to have the knowledge of what is expected in their research. Each topic that is being researched needs to be explored, analyzed and applied to what the researcher is researching on. I have learned through our resources that every step is important to be conducted to find the best information possible.


Some challenges that I faced when doing research is validity. The validity is at times hard to determine. Is the study legit? Is the sub topics the main topics to be explored? Does the research reflect the validity of what the main topic is trying to find? I also had some trouble at first understanding all the methods of the research process. Before this class, I would look at a resource and use it. I wouldn't explore and make sure that it is the right source for my research question.

As a result to this course, I look at our field of early childhood education and see that research should play a major role to the professional and the program. Research is so important to use and discuss in our field. Without researching the issues and topics of early childhood there would be many questions of what is valid and what is not.



Thank you to my colleagues! I wish you the best on your future classes! I have learned so much from all of you in a short amount of time!

Research Around the World

Here is the link to the ECA- http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

 

This week we have a task of looking into an international research link for early childhood education. I chose to look at the ECA (Early Childhood Australia). This is an organization that is a voice for young children. They are now celebrating 75 years of service. There are many current international research topics that are demonstrated on their website.

Here is a list of the topics that I found:

Quality improvement in the classroom

How to make children feel secure, confident and included

National Quality Standards in the programs

Working together in the early childhood settings

Learning and teaching through play

Young children as active learners

Healthy children- Now and Later

Curriculum and standards in the classroom

Young gifted children

And many more are included in the index of the website.

 

I am surprised by how Australia has many of the same issues and trends that the United States has. The mission of ECA is to research and advocate to ensure quality and social justice in all the issues related to education and their care. I am surprised to see all the links one can go to all around the world to show how ECA is supporting the best practice possible. I see that there are many members and students to show how they understand the material and how it is used. The website also provides online services for researchers to explore and discover for the best practice in Australia. I feel that this organization is a major contribution to the excellence and equity in early childhood education. Without sites like these the knowledge of these topics will be very minimal. This type of resource should be used by researchers to gain the knowledge of what is expected in Australia and all over the world.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

What a great research website to use for our journey to excellence-


Click here to explore this website.. http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/?/category/research-news/7/ 







This research website is called Child and Family Web Guide. This research tool gives various of articles pertaining to the wealth of child development. There are many articles that cover social development, education, family and child care, health and nutrition, and other issues.  I find this website very informational, credible, and current. I am excited to share this with all of you and I hope it helps in your journey of researching.

The main topics of the website include every single topic you may think of about researching in our field of early childhood education. For example the category of parenting has topics for single moms, military families, child adoption, same sex parents, cyber bullying, step families, and much more. Another category is education. You can click on topics to enrich your knowledge for bullying, music, health care in school, language delay, literacy, mentoring and more. I hope everyone enjoys this positive example of research in our field.

My Personal Research Journey

~Equity and Excellence~

 

 

The topic that I have chosen to research more on this simulation process is equity and excellence in the field of early childhood education. I chose this topic because as a teacher I would like to make a difference in every single child's lives. While researching I personally would like to know more about ways to serve and understand equity and excellence in the community and in the classroom. I would like to understand more about how diversity plays a key role in developing a quality well run program. I believe with research of this issue, I will feel more comfortable with ensuring excellence to my students. I know that gaining knowledge and learning about our field is a life long process and with this course, it will be one step forward to giving the equity and excellence every child deserves.

 

The research chart was a very useful tool. Using the chart shows the quality the source may or may not have to a certain topic. I like the fact that it has specific questions to the article or website that we are using. I believe that through out this course it will help me to filter out the most important information that I will need to know.

 

Do you have any insight or knowledge to help me with this research topic?

 

I have used some great resources thus far in finding information on equity and excellence. They include:

 

http://www.naeyc.org/research/using

 

http://e3ed.org/

 

http://www.ed.gov/
Hope to see some sources from you as well! Thank you for reading!

 

International Connections-

Through out this course I have looked at many resources from international countries to come to find out that there are similarities as much as differences in the way we teach and develop our young children. I have had opportunities to gain knowledge of organizations such as PACE (The Professional Association for Childhood Education), UNESCO's Early Childhood Care, and OMEP South African National Committee. I have had hopes to getting as much information as possible to ensure I understand the issues and trends all these countries have compared to here in the United States. There are consequences such as not being able to talk to many of the contacts I tried to. I was able to receive much feedback from the web resources. Another consequence is the fact of me not talking to anyone, I could not get a sense of what how they actually feel about the education that is given to all children. I do not believe there is any sense of equity in many international countries. Therefore, this is a major consequence that needs to be focused on to improve it. The last consequence I believe is the communication with one another. There seems to be a lack of collaboration. I do believe that my colleagues and myself have learned from one another. We have shared so many resources and insights to one another. I have learned so much more from them, than I have had with scholarly resources.

My goal is to keep looking for good resources to learn how international countries present education. There is always room for improvement to ensure children and families are treated equally and have excellence in the classroom and community. I would like to learn more about how certain countries deal with the issues that we have here in the States. Such as poverty, equality, communication, standards, excellence, and etc. As this course comes to an end, I will continue to learn about these issues and trends. I will hope to improve and be involved with every aspect of all young children and their families.

Getting to know your international contacts- Part 3

Here is a question for you to think about...

What does it take to have excellence and quality in the classroom?

 

Since I have yet to receive a response I went to the UNESCO's Early Childhood Care and Education webpage and I found many ideas and insights about issues related to internationals early childhood education to my professional goals. Through out my journey as a teacher and profesisonal in the field, I will come acrossed many hopes and challenges along the way. My professionals goals is to make a difference to every single children I teach. As a teacher we are here for the growth of these young children. Another goal I have is to have professionalism and work closely with all my colleagues and families. I believe this will allow myself, the program, children and families get the best education possible. My last goal is to provide the best education possible to ensure every child is getting taught up to the correct standards. I believe if I have the opportunity to accomplish all these goals that I will have many of my professional dreams comes true.

 

Looking through the website I can see the goals and missions of the organization is the same as to my professional goals. The website includes that their goal is to have every child have access, equality, quality, coordination and integration in the classroom. Their mission is to support childhood policy development with the aim to buld a solid foundation for a child's life long learning. (UNESCO,2012) This organization focuses on ideas the same to my professional goals. They revieve and devlop national policies that are affecting children from the age of 0 to 8. The UNESCO also describes one of their main goals is to actively involve parents and communities as tp show the imporantce and the revelence to the needs of all children and their education.

I believe along the same lines that whether we are in the United States or in another country our goals are fairly the same. The ultimate goal of every professional, program, and/or organization should be to ensure that every child is getting the education and experience needed to ensure healthy growth and development.

 

If you would like to see more on the UNESCO. Check out their website at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/)

 

 

 

Sharing Web Resources

This week I went back to the organization of PACE. The Professional Association for Childhood Education. I looked at some outside resources and articles that were available for anyone to look at. These articles and resources are great for advocates of education, teachers to get new and fresh ideas and families to be involved with what is going on in their child's education. This website leads to many scholarly articles and many ideas of what works and does not work in line of early childhood education. I really like where they have a public policy and action center. This is where most of the policies and standards are posted for certain aspects of programs and what is expected. This is also an area where many can voice out and show action in what they believe will make early childhood education show equality and excellence.

One link I followed on this website was the articles that were written dealing with issues and trends that are involved in education. The link I chose was this article on how employers have a tough time filling the skilled gaps in education. While looking at articles throughout this course, we have been looking at why there is or isn't equality and excellence in the classroom. This article states that education is not the only occupations where this is coming into play. Nurses, doctors, and other professionals have less skilled workers just as education does because of the lack of requirements. The website that I looked further into is http://americasedge.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/1302-CA-Sacramento-Business-Journal.pdf

Every week I gain many new insights on what all these resources can provide to use as educators, advocates and role models in our community. There are so many issues that I never realized were so major in young children's lives. I have come to see there are always ways to find information and this course has expanded my knowledge to do so.

Getting to know our resources

Harvard University Global Children's Initiative

Website: http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/

 

 

I chose this week to look at the website of the Global Children's Initiative. I still have yet to receive much feedback from my international contacts. While looking at this website I gained much knowledge and understanding of how this program works and operates. There mission is to ensure that all children have opportunities early in life to be able to achieve to their fullest potential. The GCI focuses on to advance their children with using science to enhance their skills in practices. 

 

This is initiative has many objectives to ensure that children have opportunities all around the world. Some objectives in this initiative is educating high level teachers, supporting innovative multidisciplinary research and demonstration projects, and building leadership in child research and policy among individuals and programs. The GCI focuses on three domains which are early childhood development, mental health and children in conflict and crisis situations.

 

Their first priority for early childhood development is to adapt to successful centers to energize and frame young children at an early age. Their second priority is to generate and apply new knowledge that addresses health and development of these young children in various settings.

The last thing that I believe is very good for advocates and professionals in our field of early education is the Global Children's Initiative works hard to find scholar resources to ensure children are getting the best education possible in the early childhood field. This shows that this program strives for equality and excellence of every child, family and professionals. The center provides research forums among high scholars to share findings and publications to show what's working and what's not. I would suggest this website for anyone in our field. I believe with more programs such as these, early education in every community would be even more successful.

Sharing Web Resources

PACE- Professional Association for Childhood Education-



Specific sections that I enjoyed reading and looking into is the blog section where early childhood professionals voice out their opinions and facts to learn more about what they are teaching and how it works. Its called "Tip a Week Blog." A couple topics I came a crossed where professionals were interacting with one another are what's the best day to advocate for your center, tips for stressed out teachers, how to be a tourist in your hometown and more.. This is helpful in my professional development because this shows there is always somewhere or someone to help with questions and concerns even if someone you don't know. This site is very informative and supportive for all advocates and childhood professionals.

An article that I found quite interesting in how controversial it is for programs to fill the caps with skilled teachers. The website of this article is http://www.pacenet.org/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=186 . I believe this is a major issue in the field then and now. Due to the economy and other situations that occurs, high quality teachers are minimal. There are so many articles on this subject, but it made me realize how hard it is to fill these gaps. Why are schools not hiring the best ones qualified? Why are professionals such as myself still looking for a job around the area for 4 years now? There are many gaps to be filled all around the country.

On the PACE website, there is an article that states what President Barack Obama plans do for early childhood education. This describes to me how politicians and economists are involved to ensure children are getting the best education possible. The article to read more about this http://www.pacenet.org/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=190&type=News. The president states "We know what we have to do...so let's do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind." I really like this quote because it shows that we need to start as early as possible whether its voicing what we believe in, investing into an early childhood program, or studying ways children learn easier and more effectively.


Here are some other articles that are very interesting and informative to learn about issues and trends in education...

http://www.pacenet.org/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=188

http://www.pacenet.org/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=184

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s

For this week's blog I looked into Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s (CHIP). There was a lot of information on this website that proved that this organization is researching, examining and informing families and individuals on families and children living in poverty. There are many ways in which this organization helps children living in poverty is by researching to deepen understanding of the causes of childhood poverty. They also examine economic and social factors to contribute to efforts of getting families away from poverty and informing effective ways to improve or end childhood poverty.

I learned so much from reviewing this website on childhood poverty. Did you know 600 million children worldwide live in poverty? Over 60 percent of households live on poverty lines. This hurts children the most. Children are the ones who have to bear the cost of poverty the most, psychically and emotionally. While looking at the photo gallery on this page, there were many pictures shown of what children had to do in some countries. Some of the pictures included kindergarten children eating flour noodles for lunch, or fetching water for their families, and small apartments that many families live in with one room. I have learned from this website and others that were used this week that millions of advocates have and will continue to fight to end childhood poverty.

CHIP tries to achieve change in poverty by:

• positive action at different levels
• positive change in a range of policy areas
• attention to policy implementation as well as content
• effectively using research findings
• targeting key fora and institutions/departments who make and influence policy

Below are some pictures that I wanted to include that I found with children and families living in poverty.

   

         
 Resources: Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centres. CHIP. UK Department for International Development, Save the Children and the Chronic Poverty Research Centre.
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php

Early Childhood Organization

This week I chose to share to you about the early childhood organization called PACE. This stands for Professional Association for Childhood Education. The website for this organization is http://www.pacenet.org/.

 

The main focus of this orgnanization is to provide resources and services to early childhood care and educating professionals. This is a non profit organization that has been around since 1955 in California. Members of this organization focus to enhance education for professionals, families and their children.

 

This quote was in the newsletter of the March issue on the PACE organization.

 

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

~ Benjamin Franklin

 

I believe that this is and always has been and always will be an issue in the early childhood field and the PACE organization. Teachers need to have the best knowledge and invest time and money to become a high quality teacher. This will not only serve the best interest of the child, but will help the family. The PACE organization focuses on this issues to promote the best possible way for teachers, families and children to get the education that is expected.

 

The thing that I mostly learned about looking at this organization, along with others this week is there are always resources and websites and other professionals there to enhance our knowledge on not only education, but everyday situations in the classroom. These organizations do primary focus on education and how to make it better, but throughout these websites there is so much information to get our brains going on early childhood.I believe if more states had programs such as PACE, this will help everyone to provide a high quality education from the start.   

 

 

Establishing Professional Contacts

Part 1- Week 1-

For this week's blog assignment I made connections with two countries. I chose South Africa and Asia for my two countries to learn more about. In South Africa, I contacted the OMEP South African National Committee, Mr. Eric Atmore. In Asia, I chose the Mongolian Foundation for Open Society Step by Step Program. I reached out to both committee in hopes to learning more about their work and the field of early childhood education. The issues and trends that are faced each day in education is global. I am looking forward to getting learn more about how they are the same and different in both South Africa and Asia. I don't know much information from other countries on the issues and trends in education. This blog assignment will teach me more about the diversity and similarities with these countries.

Part 2-
"We literally hold the future in our hands."
I chose the website of Center for the Child Care Workforce. The website is
http://www.ccw.org/. I believe this website is most important to me, more than the others because there is always ways to improve the education we give our children. The mission statement of this committee is to improve the quality of early care and education for all children. They promote policy, research and organizing to ensure the workforce is well-educated and being a voice in their workplace.
The CCW works to design a workforce into developing their own leadership and advocacy skills. The CCW looks to commit to the issues on the poilicies and practices that are developed in the field. The workforce believes high quality early education programs result in better higher order thinking and attention skills, better reading, writing and mathematical abilities and better social skills and more. This website provides educators and other professionals to remain informed and active with local, state and federal policies.

　

Resources:
Center for the Child Care Workforce. A Union of Professionals. http://www.ccw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=54

South Africa

OMEP South African National Committee
The National Early Childhood Development Alliance
Email:cecd@iafrica.com
Mongolia
Mongolian Foundation for Open Society Step by Step Program
Narmandakh Adiya
Email: nmandah@soros.orh.mn

My Supports

My Supports

 

 

Factors that support my everyday life...

Emotional support from loved ones- Every single day I talk to my father about what's going on with my life. I am a busy woman. I run a diner, go to school and coach two sports throughout the year. My father is a big part of my support system. He just cares and wants to know how everything is going. His support in my life is so beneficial. With him in my life, I am the person I am today. I support everyone thats in my life and I believe I care so much because thats one of my qualities my Dad has taught me to have. If I did not have my father in my life, I would not be half the person I am too. I would not be so driven to do my best and give it my all. I have always given everything I do such as playing sports, working hard at every job I have, or getting high grades in college. Other great support figures that have made a huge difference in my lives are my husband Mark, my Mom, three brothers and the handful of true friends that I have. If any of these people especially my father were gone I would lose a big part of the person I am and the person I am still becoming.

 

Practical Support-My daily planner is a major support to in my daily life. I have many things going on such as working 6 days a week, weekly school assignments, softball practice, volleyball open gyms, long term events. This planner gives me the support to be able make sure that I am where I supposed to be and organized to do everything I plan and have to do for the day. If I didnt have my planner I most likely would double book something I had to do or forget to go to a certain event. I have used a planner ever since I started college and I use it to this day.

 

Physical Support- I would say the most physical support I have is at work. We all work together and support one another to do our best. The benefit to this support is that everyone can benefit from being positive figures in each others lives. Without this support, my diner would not be what it is today. If the support was not there, the diner would not exist because customers would not come back if they don't have good service. Without the support from myself to my employees, to my employees with me and the customers the diner would not be ran the best it could be ran. Support systems whether its at work or with family members is important to every person's life.

 

Challenge- I would say the biggest challenge I can think of is practical support with the grocery list. I could make a grocery list and forget it at home, so I never make one. I always go in the store and get twenty more things than what my grocery list would even have on it. I find it difficult to stick what's on the list. When you see a good snack or see the deals most stores have, its tough to just be supported by the things that are written on a piece of paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Connections to Play

My Connections with Play

Quotes about Play-
 

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” ~ Plato (Greek philosopher)

“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.” ~ James L. Hymes Jr. (child development specialist, author)

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

Here are a few pictures demonstrating young children in play

Throughout my life, I can't remember a time where any of my teachers or parents did not support play when I was younger. As far as I can remember my teachers always set aside time for us to grow and just be kids. These are the times I remember the most from preschool and elementary school. I was at a really fun preschool, where they taught us the basics as well as alot of life activities such as swimming, playing sports, and hide and seek.  It was the YMCA program, in NY. My parents also supported me in every sport that I played in. I have played softball, volleyball and basketball. But I can remember when I was just a young kid where I played softball with my father pitch and catch. He has made life playful in a sense because I can remember always having fun, learning and striving to do my best at an early age.

Play is very different today from what what it was when I was a child. Yes, we had nintendo and other electronics, but we always were playing together with toys and going outside to make snowman or snowangels or even just sitting playing with blocks with one another. Now children at a very young age are engaged in this electronic world of IPADS, IPODS, and XBOX. Children even at the age of 4 and 5 are playing inside on these things rather than playing outside in the sandbox. For example, I own a diner and while they were waiting for their food, they were playing a racing game on their IPAD, they never ask for the stack of coloring books that I have under the counter. Just strange how some families occupy their young children. I really hope as an advocate and professional that I can encourage children to get out there more and more and learn and experience with other children their age. Even as an adult I still am playing in a softball and volleyball league. This was my type of play when I was a young child and it is to this day. It has made me who I am as an individual, athlete, coach, and young professional.