Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

One topic that I found new is the application of science in Brazil. I know that through science a child can discover the world they live in and discover the world outside of their binderies. Through science a child can learn math, social skills, inventions and critical problem solving. In an effort to promote science the Global Children’s Initiative, began the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância. These groups work with the local experts and targeted the “science of child health and development to guide stronger policies and larger investments to benefit young children and their families in Brazil” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). In Zambia the existence of a gap in the field of early education is an issue there as it is in America. Assessments are in place “to measure the full impact of the anti-malaria campaign on Zambia’s human capital development, the ZECDP created a new comprehensive instrument for assessing children’s physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development before and throughout their schooling careers—the first assessment tool of its kind in Zambia” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). The third new issue is Un Buen Comienzo (UBC), “A Good Start,” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). This program is to develop a quality program in language development of the 4 and 5 year olds. This project also targets the “intervene in critical health areas that improve school attendance as well as socioemotional development, and it seeks to involve the children's families in their education” (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2014). I see that an effort is being made in other countries to develop a quality early childhood educational program. In these counties they also face a gap among different schools. The effort is being made to close the gap so that all children can have a chance to succeed and improve their future. Reference Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),

Sharing Web Resources

The professional development information that is relevant to me is the information or involvement of the economists, neuroscientists, and politicians and how they are involve in early childhood education. The website which in which attracted me is U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for a Competitive Workforce. (2010). Why business should support early childhood education. This website forces on the issues of children and families who live in poverty. Attention is being drawn to those children and families who live in poverty. In 2010 there were “approximately 20.3 million 6 children under age five across America, 45% of whom are minorities7 and 21% of whom live below the poverty line” (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2010 pg 13). Learning about how economist, neuroscientists, and politicians support early childhood education and their benefitshas given me new insight on how important their involvement and support is in early childhood education. Helping the families who live in low income household to succeed in their future is important for a healthy economy. References U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for a Competitive Workforce. (2010). Why business should support early childhood education. Retrieved from http://icw.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/ICW_EarlyChildhoodReport_2010.pdf

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

My connection to a professional in another country has not yet been established so the alternative that I chose to investigate was childhood poverty in Canada; what I found was astonishing. The CBC news reported that the poverty rate for children in British Columbia is the highest and states "The number of poor children in B.C. was 153,000 —enough children to fill the [Vancouver] Canucks' stadium over eight times," it said in reference to Rogers Arena, which has 19,000 seats” (www.cbc.ca/, pp 7, 2013). The government officials are advocating making the wages to increase and or to increase the welfare rate for single mothers who seem to be the hardest affected. The insight that came form this site was the number of children that are being affected with poverty right here in our back yards. Canada is not a third world country yet it faces poverty in the same manner. This is saddens me while at the same time is very informational and shows me that I have to advocate stronger for poverty issues and support groups that are making a difference. Reference B.C. has highest child poverty rate in Canada: report - British ... - CBC www.cbc.ca/.../canada/.../b-c-has-highest-child-poverty-rate-in-canada-report -1.2440909

Sharing Web Resources

The newsletter that I found resourceful is the, National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, they have been operating since 1987. The agency’s vision is “A nation that supports the development and learning of all children” (Childcare awareness of America, pg. 2, 2014) and their mission is “To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership and support to community Child Care Resource and Referral” (Childcare awareness of America, pg. 2, 2014). This agency also provides training, promotes national guidelines and partnerships and provides information to the families (Childcare awareness of America, pg. 2, 2014). The newsletter caught my attention on child obesity. They reported that the numbers are going down. This is a relief to me because we have been promoting physical education in our center and are training the children about healthy choices and healthy living. The site also gave more information that can help childcare providers’ insight on other issue going on in our state and globally. National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies http://www.naccrra.org/ (Newsletter: http://capwiz.com/naccrra/mlm/signup/ )

Establishing Professional Contacts

Macedonia Foundation for Educational and Cultural Initiatives of Macedonia (FECIM) Suzana Kirandziska Email: skiran@soros.org.mk China – Hong Kong OMEP National Committee for Hong Kong Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association Dr. Betty Chan Po-king 20 Somerset Rd. Kowloon Tong, Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: 852-23396005 Email: sannas@ycef.com These are the two contacts that I chose. I have families that are from these areas and understanding their trends and issues will help me in my profession. Part of being a quality center is having a clear view of the families and accepting their diversities. Expanding Resources The issue in which I found interesting is about brain development and how important it is to keep a child active and engaged. Parent and childcare providers need to understand how the brain functions. We need to learn how we can enhance healthy brain development. The first three years of a child’s life is important and we as educators need to reach the child at this age in order for them to succeed in the future. “The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development. A newborn's brain is about 25 percent of its approximate adult weight. But by age 3, it has grown dramatically by producing billions of cells and hundreds of trillions of connections, or synapses, between these cells. In this section you will learn about the many ways parents and caregivers can help children get off to a good start and establish healthy patterns for life-long learning” (Zero To Three). References The Global Alliance of NAEYC has e-mail addresses for early childhood professionals worldwide:http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ )

"My Supports"

My first support is God; he has given the strength and my support team to get through my journey. My main supporter is my husband, and then will come my sister and parents. My husband is very supportive in my college career. Being that I am working fulltime and keeping up with other demands he is very understanding and patient. He is very helpful around the house and joins in with the household chores. If he sees that I stressed with other issues he will step in and manage the budget and will order take out. My sister is another supporter she is always available to step in and help out when needed. My parents are both in their 80’s and support me when ever needed. My mother will cook for me and my father will drive my daughter to places or allow me to borrow his car when my car is in the shop. Without these people in my life helping me, I would not have been able to return to school for either my bachelors or master degree in Early Childhood. They never ask for anything in return or expect it. I am in gratitude to them forever and thankful to God for all the blessings he has given me.

"My Connections to Play."

Quotes I you feel summarize what play represented in my childhood. “Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson STRONG SUPPORT My parents were strong supporter in different forms of play time for me and my siblings. My father worked at the steel mills and worked different shifts. In the summer time when he had the weekends off he would take us to the parks, where would meet other family members. We had cook outs and play in the sandboxes, climb trees and have races. He also would take us to the Chicago museums; there we would have picnics and go on bike rides along Lakeshore Drive. If it were a rainy day my mother would help us set the kitchen up into a grocery store. She would help me make purses out of aluminum foil and give us coins for our register. We helped my mother in the garden and we would have our own section. One year we had a pumpkin patch and we decorated them for Halloween. My parents were always looking for ways we would be able to play and interact with others. In the winter we were outdoors making igloos and having snowball fights. We would come in and she would have hot chocolate with cheese and crackers waiting for us. Our play station was outside. Play today is different for our children. In many households both parents have to work to make ends meet. They work long hours which leaves little time for the children to play outdoors. With technology we find more children on the computers playing game, watching television or on their electronic games. The art of outdoor play even in school is fading out. My fondest memory of being young was play time. Through play I was able to be creative, use my imagination and explore. In my adulthood I understand how important play is in a child’s life. As parents we encouraged and made time for my children to play outdoors. Explore and travel. As a teacher I encourage play as a form of learning. Many children tell their parents they play all day however; the parents see an increase in their child’s vocabulary, social/emotional skills and academic skills. I give the credit to their success to the art of “play”. Reference http://www.oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/02/21/quotes-about-the-importance-of-play/