Sharing Web Resources

The newsletter I subscribed to was save the children.org; it is the most popular organization that covers the need of children all over the world. They are recognized for their responsibility, partnership, innovation, which takes them to the focal point of communities; to show and help families learn how to help themselves. I learned that they work along with the government, non-profit organizations and neighboring partners to maintain their own freedom without the interference of political agendas or religion (Save the Children).When there is a disaster like tsunamis or the destruction in Haiti’s; Save the Children as quickly and as effectively steps in to deliver food, medical needs, even education to help rebuild their communities through extensive recovery programs. Save the Children works to determine where poverty, hunger and disease areas and help replace them with hope for their future (Save the Children).

The international website I  selected was Global Funding for Children; in this site an article was published by Kathleen Toner, CNN; wrote this article on March 14, 2013 through Global Funding about a young girl named Ntaiya who lived in the Masan village. When she 14 years old she had to go in a cow pen with an old woman with a rusty knife to do what they call a female circumcision and you are not suppose to cry.  This type of procedure is commonly based on religious and cultural beliefs of these people. This ritual still goes on to prevent premarital sex and marital infidelity; even though it is illegal today. Female circumcision and child marriages are illegal today (Toner, 2013). Kenyan government still thinks that educating girls is still not a priority. There are only about 11% of Masan girls in Kenya finish primary schools. Ntaiya strived for a better life. Her dream of becoming a teacher weren't the norm in Enoosaen, a small village in Kenya. Her move paid off and she went on to excelled in high school and earned a scholarship in the United States eventually getting her doctorate degree. Over the next decade Ntaiya earned a job at the United Nation and went on to open the first primary school in her homeland of Kenya. She helping more than 150 girls gets an education and gets opportunities that she sacrifices to have a better life (Toner, 2013).  

 About Us - Save the Children Retrieved from

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146405/k.C7E9/About_Us.htm - 44k

The Global Fund for Children: Retrieved from. http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/

Getting Ready—E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Part: 1 Establishing Professional Contacts

After exploring websites to connect with early Childhood professionals around the world, that did not pan out right now. However, I am still connected to some sites that will be sending me some information on different organization. I will not stop trying to connect to international early childhood professional because, I find this new venue to be very exciting and new. I did however receive contact from Tamalin Harper (tharper@cecd.za.org) in Africa; who will pass on some contacts to me. I have also signed up to receive articles from Save the Children at twebster@savechidren.org:

Part 2: Expanding Resources

The Global Fund for Children finds and advances the most susceptible children in the community to succeed. “Our strategic support helps our grantees achieve their vision, become sustainable, and reach even more children in need” (Global fund). Their program officers go all over the world, looking for ways to help the most crucial children in the world. They look for groups who are serious about the needs of children. The Global Fund for Children seeks out local leadership, communities involved in youth programs; creative and sustainable to the needs of children. They donate small amounts of money in the hands of pioneering leaders who invest all over the world to vulnerable children (Global fund). They invest small grant at the right time to right places that need it. The Global Fund knows that money alone is not enough for ultimate change it requires strong leaders and strong organizational development, they give management assistance and network opportunity to help these organizations become sustainable resources in their communities (Global fund).  

In listening to the podcast on World Forum Radio links to podcasts of conversations with early childhood professionals Michael Kalinowsky did an interview with Susan Lyon who has been an educator since she was 22 years old. She is the Director of the Teacher Innovated Project in Sanfrancisco. Susan stated she began as an educator with children with learning disability and emotional problems. This was the beginning and passion she developed for children. Susan Lyon wanted to see in the windows of children’s mind, which saw the world differently; this was fascinating to her. She was inspired by an exhibit from the schools in Metro Milla. The exhibit was 100 Languages of children.  It became a catalyst for her in San Francisco. This program was used to connect with schools public and private to advocate for children. She created a program called the round table where they connected together every month to discuss the problems children environment when they enter in school. This program listened to the children and their needs (World Forum Foundation Radio).

World Forum Foundation Radio. Includes links to podcasts of conversations with early childhood professionals.http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php

 World Forum Foundation. 

http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php

Save the Childrenhttp://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_
(Newsletter:

"My Support"

The factors within my daily environment that are supportive to me are my grandchildren, they come to me everyday to be taken to school. That is when my day gets started. They wake me up quietly and we talk about what is going on in school and what are my plans for today. Children keep you going and energized so; I believe without this rush from them in my life everyday; it would probably become mundane.

My everyday factors that are important in my life are my friends and family. My major transition that changed my definition of support was in 2007. One day after a class my legs stop moving. I could not walk without the help of a walker. It happened so suddenly; for awhile the doctors had no idea what was wrong with me. My health became worse and that was when I learned about what support means to me. My family and my friends surrounded me with nothing but support. Without these individuals in my life who gave me love unconditionally, I never believed I would have made it through. They never let a day go by without building me up when I was always down.

I have always believed support is about caring and encouraging each other and that is exactly what I received. They understood my physical and emotional pain that I was dealing with.  Everyone of them did not think twice about being there for me. Even after I had surgery in the area of my spine and learned how to walk all over again, I have never stopped thanking God for what he gave me back and having these incredible people in my life. I have made it a habit of saying I love you to someone on a daily basis with friends and family. Everyone should have someone in their life to share, feelings, hopes and fears with. I hope the blog this week will give us all some kind of support to build relationships with others, because when you give it; you definitely will get it back!

My Connections to Play

"We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing."

George Bernard Shaw

"You can't stop the future
You can't rewind the past
The only way to learn the secret
...is to press play.” Jay Asher,

Essentials for Play

Play was supported in my family, because we did not have money for a lot of toys so; we were encouraged to go out and play.  During that time it was something you looked forward to doing and you hated the days when it was raining and you could not go outside, because there was not very much to do inside of the house. As long as you were in before it got dark, you could play all day long..



Today I think children don’t really know how to actually play. Television started children to get slower when it came to playing. I also believe that parents wanted to protect their children and became afraid for them to go outside. Video and electrical games sealed the deal for children. In some homes these types of electrical things such as television become babysitters for parents.

The role of play was important to me in my life because it gave me structure. Play taught me to be able to get along with my peers. That carried on into my adult life and made me stronger in communicating with colleagues.It made me be able to make good friends that I still have into my adulthood. Play teaches you how to share with others. In my neighborhood no one had a lot so we all managed to contribute to playing together. Despite the exercising and imagination that play provides, it also teaches you to be creative and make different types of play fun. Learning to play with my friends helped me to communicate, and learn social skills because; I was very quiet as a child. Growing up in my environment was fun and in my adulthood, I still like to have fun, I think it makes you a happier person in your life.

50 Inspirational Quotes About Play That will Jump Start Creativity

http://www.awakecreate.com/50-inspirational-quotes-abou-play-that-will-jump-start-your-creativity/

Kids Playing Stock Photos, Pictures, Royalty Free ... - 123RF Limited

http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/kids_playing.html

Relationship Reflection

This person in the picture with me is my significant other in my life, (Roderick).  At a time in my life I was struggling to raise my children alone, he stepped in, gave them the love and support a father should have even though he did not have to. We may believe that love should be like the kind of romance we see in films, television, and novels. But the truth is, a relationship takes work and commitment. It is not an easy thing to be together with a person for 19 years and not learn what a relationship takes to succeed. You have to consider someone else’s feeling other than yourself. Even though you know you are right, you may have to give in. In a relationship it involves two people who have decided to spend their life together. You should believe and trust this person to have your best interest at heart. I made the right decision because; we raised our children with love, understanding and discipline and to have respect for others. They have not disappointed us with this knowledge. I think being able to communicate with each other is one of the major commodities in a relationship. Trusting in each other to make the right choices; to encourage each other to be the best you can and then support that endeavor. I think before you get involved in any relationship you have be happy within yourself first.

This is my family. I have always had a very loving and supportive one. Families are who you are and the culture in which you live in. These individuals have made me the person that I am today. I never knew what prejudice was in my family because, there are so many different cultures included in it. I have learned to be kind, respectful and to treat anyone as I would myself. I have always carried that knowledge with me into my adult life. I taught my children, and I hope they will teach their children the same; to be respectful and kind to everyone. I have always been able to go to members of my family for help, maybe which is why can never be judgmental of others. I have always told people that if I could choose my family, I would pick each and every one of them for my own.

  This is my dog Rocky. I have had him ever since he was 4 weeks old. I look forward to my Rocky tackling me with love every time I come home. It was the best move I ever made when I picked him up from a sidewalk sale at a local pet store. He loved his pink stuffed rabbit and always carried it around in his mouth. As any pet owner knows, pets give you unconditional love unlike the human kind, they don’t know about carrying grudges. They're perfectly willing to walk with you through life, and comfort you in your troubles and are happy when you are. Pets can teach you about loyalty, they are protective and faithful. I have had Rocky for 4 years now and it was the best thing that could have ever happened in my life. He has always giving me complete, unconditional love.

Kathleen Thompson



When I Think of Child Development

To Dr. Wicks-Ortega & Colleagues,

Thank you all for your very informative thoughts on children. Having an instructor who demonstrates and explain the impotance of your course gives you the strenght and determination to accomplish your goals. It always is a joy for me to know colleagues who are so dedicated to helping children grow and be safe. I want all of you to stay determined, because children are truly our future.

Kathleen Thompson

 Inspirational Quote for a Child

“Children are people, and they should have to reach to learn about things, to understand things, just as adults have to reach if they want to grow in mental stature. Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. Most things are good, and they are the strongest things; but there are evil things too, and you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality. The important thing is to teach a child that good can always triumph over evil.”

“Walt Disney Company”

Quotes About Children (967 quotes)

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/children - 57k

Testing for Intelligence?

Based on new research and a new understanding of the complete well-being of the child, early child development is increasingly being put on the agenda for children’s rights.  Ensuring the healthy cognitive, social and emotional development of young children merits the highest priority of every responsible government, organization, community, family and individual for the sake of raising healthy children worldwide.  Reaching children in a holistic manner and incorporating health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and interventions that support their full development is crucial. The effects of neglect in these formative years can be cumulative and lasting. Focusing exclusively on targeted interventions such as health and nutrition without considering the holistic nature of Early Childhood Development risks the hindrance of children’s complete growth and development (Childhood, 2010).

 Both biological and environmental factors affect brain development and behavior.  For example, young children who experience extreme stress are at greater risk for developing cognitive, behavioral or emotional difficulties.  These impediments can have lasting effects on children's readiness for school and later on their performance in school. Early Childhood Education (ECE) deals with young children aged 0-8 years and their overall development that takes into account of their educational, health, psychological, philosophical, cultural, historical and sociological domains. Young children at this age are vulnerable and need proper care and education for an appropriate stimulation and learning (Childhood, 2010).

During this period, children develop very fast, use all their senses and as a result the potential gains are tremendous. At this stage, an appropriate stimulation is necessary that can improve their motor skills, critical thinking, problem solving, enhanced mathematical thinking, increased creativity, higher level of language development motivation. And to provide that, one needs trained teachers who could stimulate young children to learn and benefit maximum from all that is available. At the same time, there is a need to introduce a well planned ECE curriculum that could cater to development of physical, cognitive, social and emotional aspects, leading to an overall development of young children (Childhood, 2010).

China's Children too Busy for Playtime

Students bury their heads into the mountain of text books at a middle school classroom in a village in Jinzhai County, east China's Anhui Province, and May 11, 2007. Xinhua

According to a new survey conducted by the Chinese Youth and Children Research Center (CYCRC), increasing numbers of children in large cities across the country are experiencing joyless childhoods. The CYCRC surveyed 2,500 primary and secondary school pupils across the country in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Changchun, Chengdu and Lanzhou. The results of the survey reveal how, due to long school hours and growing pressure from parents to study hard, children are feeling unhappy about a lack of playtime. On average, China's children spend 8.6 hours a day at school, with some spending 12 hours a day in the classroom. The survey also claimed that the majority of children spend longer hours at school than their parents spend at work (China, 2007).

Almost all of the students involved in the survey said they had to do homework, revise and prepare for classes after school.

 Around half of the students' parents testified that they often don't allow them to play outside as it means less study time. The CYCRC survey also reveals that when they do have spare time for play, many children are either too tired to play or have nobody to play with -- only 4 in 10 of the survey's participants claim they had friends to play with (China, 2007) Indeed, Sun Yunxiao, director of the CYCRC noted that heavy study loads have exhausted children, more than half of the survey's participants said that what they want most is, "A good night's sleep." Chinese students are put under ever-increasing pressure by their parents to study hard due to the country's highly competitive market for university places and jobs. Study pressure has led to an increase in stress, psychological problems and even tragedy (China, 2007).

My comments, related to assessing young children that I would like to share with my colleagues are children learn how to behave by imitating the behavior of those closest to them. As such, parents, teachers, and caregivers need the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the child with the best early learning environment and interaction.  All parents and caregivers should know the warning signs that indicate the child’s growth and development are faltering.  Parents, teachers and caregivers determine the level of development of infants and young children through interaction and play.  Their involvement is crucial for early learning and lays the foundation for future learning in school.  The overarching goal of early learning is to ensure disadvantaged children enter school on time and are cognitively, socially and emotionally ready for school

.
What counts as literacy in early childhood - Harvard Graduate ...Retrieved from

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~snow/CV/Publication%20PDFs/SNOWWhat%20counts%20as%20literacy%20in%20early%20childhood_final.pdf

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China's children too busy for playtime Retrieved from

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/13/content_871182.htm