Final Farewell
There are so many things that I learned from my experience at Walden University.
1) I have a new found appreciation for who I am culturally, and linguistically.
2) I have a new understanding of how important it is to be an advocate for those in need.
3) I have learned the importance of the early childhood years and their impact on academic learning.
One long term goal is to incorporate diversity training in the local school staff in Kinston, NC.
I have truly enjoyed my time with all of you. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors. It has been a journey I have truly enjoyed.
Education is the equalializer. (Nelson Mandela)
Welcome to my blog.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community-Internationally
One organization I found to be interesting is ICF International. This organization works on different aspects of improvement with different governments and commercial clients. They work on research and different ways to improve the quality of life for different people. They work with early childhood education programs in India. They also work with K-12 and beyond. I like the idea that they care about the whole child by providing for a child's entire education not just a portion of it. Their goal is to improve the lives of people through education. http://www.icf.com/markets/education
I have always liked World Vision. They are a Christian organization but they help all peoples regardless of religous affiliation, or culture. World Vision targets communities that live in poverty and seeks to improve their lives through education, health, and any other means that would improve their lives. World Vision currently has dolls that are sold in Target called Heart to Heart dolls in which the proceeds received go to the area that the doll is from. I think this is a great way to encourage young girls to help communities and learn about communities in need around the world.
http://www.worldvision.org
I have always liked World Vision. They are a Christian organization but they help all peoples regardless of religous affiliation, or culture. World Vision targets communities that live in poverty and seeks to improve their lives through education, health, and any other means that would improve their lives. World Vision currently has dolls that are sold in Target called Heart to Heart dolls in which the proceeds received go to the area that the doll is from. I think this is a great way to encourage young girls to help communities and learn about communities in need around the world.
http://www.worldvision.org
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Job/Roles in the EC Community: National/Federal
I have chosen the Robin Hood Foundation. This is an organization that targets poverty in NYC. 100% of all their donations go to help communities in poverty. I know of this organization because when I lived in NYC, this organization funded and built a beautiful state of the art library in our school. Our school consisted of a 100+ year old building that used to be a hospital not a school. We lacked a library and a gym. A grant was written and Robin Hood Foundation responded. They were a blessing to our school community and the library was used for so many community education programs. This is an organization working to combat poverty in impactful way.
www.robinhood.org/
Also chosen, was the Save the Children Foundation. This organization helps American kids living in poverty. I specifically focused on the fact that they have a focus on early childhood education. For example, they launched Early Steps to School Success. This program begins with expectant parents and they follow these families from birth to age 5. I think with all that we have learned about making impacts early this is an organization that is actually doing it. Of course, they also help children in other parts of the world and work on many levels. This is a great organization.
www.savethechildren.org/
When targeting an issue like poverty, regardless of the angle you choose to approach it, hunger must be a part of it. If a child is hungry you need to address that issue. So I looked at Ample Harvest. This is a group targeting farmers and local people who grow their own food and have excess produce. This organization asks that these farmers and local people would donate their excess produce to local food pantries in their communities. Their goal is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries.
www.ampleharvest.org/
www.robinhood.org/
Also chosen, was the Save the Children Foundation. This organization helps American kids living in poverty. I specifically focused on the fact that they have a focus on early childhood education. For example, they launched Early Steps to School Success. This program begins with expectant parents and they follow these families from birth to age 5. I think with all that we have learned about making impacts early this is an organization that is actually doing it. Of course, they also help children in other parts of the world and work on many levels. This is a great organization.
www.savethechildren.org/
When targeting an issue like poverty, regardless of the angle you choose to approach it, hunger must be a part of it. If a child is hungry you need to address that issue. So I looked at Ample Harvest. This is a group targeting farmers and local people who grow their own food and have excess produce. This organization asks that these farmers and local people would donate their excess produce to local food pantries in their communities. Their goal is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries.
www.ampleharvest.org/
Friday, March 9, 2012
Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State
I looked at the Southern Early Childhood Association. Their position statements suggest they support arts and movement education, quality child care, supporting learning with technology and valuing diversity for young children. SECA supports early childhood advocates in the South in keeping up with legislative changes and their impact. A job opportunity that would interest me is that of administrator for North Carolina. Currently, there is no affiliate for my state and I would like to create that. I would need to be well-versed in the business aspect of education such as finance and marketing.
http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/
I also looked at North Carolina Early Childhood Association. this organization advocates for the improvement of the work environment of the early childhood professionals. They also work on legislation. One difference this group is making is their More at Four program which is NC's nationally acclaimed academic pre-K initiative for at-risk four year olds. More at Four targets a specific population of 4 year olds from low-income families and with other defined risk factors that would not be served without this program. A job opportunity that would interest me is evaluating the work environment. I would be able to visit different locations and evaluate the program based on how they were meeting the needs of the educators and students. As an evaluator I would have to get special training in what is required for successful programs in NC.
http://www.ncearlychildhoodassoc.com/
Lastly, I looked at Children of the City. This is a grassroots organization in the neighborhood I grew up in which is located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The area is primarily made up of Latinos and is a poor area. The group actually makes home visits and sees how it can meet the needs of the individual family. It was founded by Joyce Mattera, a pastor's wife. I know this organization makes a big difference in the lives of families. I would not seek a job here in this organization, I would actually volunteer my academic expertise. I would tutor children in need.
http://childrenofthecity.com/
http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/
I also looked at North Carolina Early Childhood Association. this organization advocates for the improvement of the work environment of the early childhood professionals. They also work on legislation. One difference this group is making is their More at Four program which is NC's nationally acclaimed academic pre-K initiative for at-risk four year olds. More at Four targets a specific population of 4 year olds from low-income families and with other defined risk factors that would not be served without this program. A job opportunity that would interest me is evaluating the work environment. I would be able to visit different locations and evaluate the program based on how they were meeting the needs of the educators and students. As an evaluator I would have to get special training in what is required for successful programs in NC.
http://www.ncearlychildhoodassoc.com/
Lastly, I looked at Children of the City. This is a grassroots organization in the neighborhood I grew up in which is located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The area is primarily made up of Latinos and is a poor area. The group actually makes home visits and sees how it can meet the needs of the individual family. It was founded by Joyce Mattera, a pastor's wife. I know this organization makes a big difference in the lives of families. I would not seek a job here in this organization, I would actually volunteer my academic expertise. I would tutor children in need.
http://childrenofthecity.com/
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Reflecting on Learning
My most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families I will work with is that I would be able to take everything I have learned and actually put it into practice. I have learned so much about my own bias and misunderstandings. I hope to promote awareness and equity in the classroom. I also hope to create a classroom environment that accepts all families and cultures and celebrates them. To all my colleagues, woo hoo we are almost at the end of this wonderful journey. Thank you so much for your insight, support, and encouragement. It has been my pleasure to continue getting to know you.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Impacts on Early Emotional Development
I selected Latin America and the Caribbean. I am Latina and lived in the Caribbean for some time. This area is diverse. "Latin America and the Caribbean is considered the most unequal region in the world" ( Unicef, n.d.). I was also interested in this region because of what is currently taking place in Brazil and the Kayapo tribe. I was interested in looking at how indigenous children fare in this region.
Some challenges that the children in this region of the world are confronting are many. Some include chronic malnutrition due to "extreme poverty, low education level of parents, and lack of access to basic services" (Unicef, n.d.). Some education challenges include the fact that millions of children don't enter any school setting. Children in this region need to be protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse. Little girls are the most vulnerable.
All of these experiences might have an effect on children's emotional wellbeing and development because not having access to basic services such as clean water affects their basic needs. If basic needs aren't meet children cannot grow and develop appropriately.
Looking at the statistics present made me more aware of what a particular group of children that come into my classroom setting might have had as challenges. For example, having children from this region might mean they were malnourished. I have to then think about how this might affect their academic growth. Also, they might have been victims of sexual abuse or have had family members die of AIDS. All these challenges affect their emotional development. I would have to be patient and sensitive to the adjustment period these children will go through adjusting to our school environment.
http://www.unicef.org/lac/english_4842.htm
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Some challenges that the children in this region of the world are confronting are many. Some include chronic malnutrition due to "extreme poverty, low education level of parents, and lack of access to basic services" (Unicef, n.d.). Some education challenges include the fact that millions of children don't enter any school setting. Children in this region need to be protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse. Little girls are the most vulnerable.
All of these experiences might have an effect on children's emotional wellbeing and development because not having access to basic services such as clean water affects their basic needs. If basic needs aren't meet children cannot grow and develop appropriately.
Looking at the statistics present made me more aware of what a particular group of children that come into my classroom setting might have had as challenges. For example, having children from this region might mean they were malnourished. I have to then think about how this might affect their academic growth. Also, they might have been victims of sexual abuse or have had family members die of AIDS. All these challenges affect their emotional development. I would have to be patient and sensitive to the adjustment period these children will go through adjusting to our school environment.
http://www.unicef.org/lac/english_4842.htm
.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sexualization of Early Childhood
The sexualization of early childhood is certainly prevalent in the media and in the consumer market. My daughter is 34 months old and I am increasingly aware of messages that she receives from the media. I watch what she watches and limit her exposure to television and videos. Right now I stay home with her and it is easy for me to monitor these things. I am shocked though at the shows that are in the media right now. Shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, which shows little girls putting on make-up and prancing around in two-piece bathing suits dancing around a stage and blowing kisses to the judges. It makes little girls seem older than they actually are and makes them dress in inappropriate ways. I think though that little girls are beginning their menstruation a lot earlier and we have 8 and 9 year old girls with breasts, small waists, and hips. I remember when I started teaching second grade in an urban area. I had young girls menstruating in the second grade. These young girls were as tall as me, and their bodies were developing way ahead of their little girl minds. I remember the boys wanting to touch their breasts and I had to do lots of lessons on respecting each others' bodies and personal space. The sexualization of young children did not help the situation. The boys thought she was 'sexy' and they didn't care.
This can definitely impact childrens' healthy development. Children need to develop socially and emotionally in normal ways. Sexualization that is too early limits this and pushes them into emotions that they are not ready for. As an early childhood professional I think the best way to respond is to have an environment of respect for each child and high standards for dress and appropriate behavior. I think children need to learn to respect their bodies, have respect for others, and be made aware of messages that the media gives them.
Being aware of the sexualization of early childhood has been influenced by studying the topic this week by making me more aware of how I can deal with these things in the classroom. My role as a classroom teacher has been clearer. I realize each day how much influence I can have.
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