Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

The early years of a child is the most important stages of their life. This is time to develop their social and emotional development. Childcare can be costly but, you still want quality, health and   positive growth for your children. With this in mind one of the national organizations I want to pursue would be Office of Childcare (OCC). This organization supports low-income working families by providing access to affordable, high-quality early car e and afterschool programs. They work with state, territory and tribal governments to provide support for children and their families who juggle difficult work schedules and struggle to find child care programs that will fit their needs and that will prepare children to succeed in school. In order to work here you have to have at five years experience and a master’s degree in childcare (acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ).

My second choice of organization I would choose to work for is The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non -profit organization dedicated to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to be successful in life. Their mission is to unite, inspire, and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development. This field will require a bachelors degree or better. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, developments of children and families, to be stronger, in their communities. I would like to be involved in such a worthy area of early childhood care. Since 1974, NHSA has worked hard for policy changes that ensure all at-risk children have access to the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community (nhsa.org/)

Lastly, I would love to be involved with the NAEYC, that Positions its Statement Association's issues to early childhood education practice, policy, and professional development for which there are controversial and have critical opinions. This organization has the most powerful part of early childcare requirements. Position statements are developed through a building approach of family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education issues affecting young children’s education and development. In this field you need to working on an associate’s or higher degree in early childhood education, child development (naeyc.org).

National Head Start Association Retrieved from

http://www.nhsa.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children Retrieved from

http://www.naeyc.org/

Office of Child Care/Administration for Children and Families Retrieved from

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 Teaching in the early childhood field is the position I have always wanted. There are more numbers of children now attending school and for this reason programs in the U.S., are listing more early childhood education jobs. Early childhood educational organizations have made it aware of the necessity of educating children beginning with infancy, toddler and the preschool years. For this reason, it has caused growth in the number of employment positions within the work of early childhood education.

Three local or state organizations or communities of practice I would choose; one would be a special education teacher who works with children who have learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities. This teaches children with disability various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to children with mild and moderate disabilities. I believe all of these would be very rewarding to help special needs or any child develop their potential (aacte.org).

 The second organization or communities of practice that appeals to me is a nonprofit organization such as the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) an advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. They create the policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure they access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation (aacte.org).

The last would be The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) which is an international membership organization who works with or on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs. Their purpose is to promote policies to support the finest development of young children with special needs. Most of these types of jobs require five years experience and a master’s degree or above (aacte.org).

Early Childhood Organizations | Early Childhood Retrieved from

http://aacte.org/programs/early-childhood/early-childhood-organizations 

Passion to Action

 My Wordle communicates what I have inspired during my programs, please look at it because; this took me quite a while to get the concept. Thanks

<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7622812/Untitled"

Reflecting on Learning

In the Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves, I am learning to continue reflecting on my work, and learning from any mistakes. Even if it doesn’t happen the first time, I will keep on the distinctive path of becoming an educator activist (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). One of my goals as an anti bias teacher is to identity how I have been programmed by the stereotypes or prejudices absorbed about myself and others; to uncover learned stereotypes, discomforts, and biases. My most passionate hope for my future as a teacher, in order to serve children will be to work with their families. Children are too immature to rationally understand the fixations of racism or being prejudice; as they grow up, their behaviors will show how much influence from family of societal stereotypes and biases so, this is what anti-bias deems as teachable moments to guide children to recognize all children for the unique

To Dr. Pickens,

 I would like to thank you most of all for such a rewarding course on anti-bias teaching, you were supportive and gave much guidance on how to achieve the goals of teaching all children. I will take this with me as I take my journey into early childhood education.

To my colleagues,

 Thank you all for the opportunities to learn how you teach children in diverse cultures. I learned from this group how loving and caring we have to be to share in children’s lives. The more teachers such as yourselves the better off children can learn to accept others. It was a pleasure to get to know all of you. Good luck in all of your ventures.

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

UNICEF is productive in helping to create a world where every child the rights. They have the worldwide power to influence the decision-makers to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes them irreplaceable among world organizations, and rare among those that work with children. UNICEF was created just with that purpose in mind (unicef.org).

The area of the world I chose to share with my colleagues was Tamale, Ghana. Emmanuel Holortu has seen some of the worst cases of violence against children where discipline goes too far. Mr. Holortu is the head of the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit in Tamale. His primary role is to protect children in Ghana’s Northern Region against abuse (unicef.org). UNICEF has supported a national list of reported child abuse cases, as well as training its staff to help children in abusive situations. This organization plays a critical role in the strengthening of child protection systems, supported by (unicef.org).

These experiences have a devastating effect on children’s emotional wellbeing because; they are affected emotionally, physically and socially. Emmanuel Holortu is trying to rescue children from the situation and join them with their biological family. Children need encouragement so their potential is realized. If they are constantly abused, you shut the door to that expression. The child’s self-esteem is damaged. (unicef.org).

 The personal and professional reflection I gained and the influences they have on me as a person and an early childhood professional are to realize that the education system needs to teach emotional control. A lot of adults lose their emotional control. Children rarely report abuse  because, they are frightened or even scared, what will happened to them or the adult involved with the abuse(unicef.org). We have to change the belief that violent discipline, physical punishment or psychological aggression should not happen to children; eventually they will confuse this behavior as love and the cycle will manifest itself to their children as well

UNICEF: Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

Some examples of the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment are demonstrated in cartoons, books, toys and computer games. This is when we can start to make a huge difference in diminishing, the negative impact on sexualization of childhood in young children early years. We need to stay connected with your children because the risks will get higher in adolescence. This is being increasingly recognized in young children from a highly sexualized environment (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).

The implications this may have on children’s healthy development is especially damaging to children and adolescents who are developing their sense of themselves as sexual creatures.  Despite rising awareness, previous research has focused on school-age children and how they can come into contact with adolescent sex offenders. Differentiating between normal and problem sexual behaviors is a critical role of teachers, which can make a huge difference in getting rid of the harmful impact in, the sexualization of childhood on in young children (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).

My awareness of the sexualization of early childhood has been influenced and modified by studying the topic this week is by learning that children are growing up flooded from a very young age with explicit messages about sex in the media and popular culture. Preschool-aged children are naturally inquisitive and experience periods of enhanced awareness sexualization in their environments.  I am becoming more aware of how girls and boys constantly encounter sexual messages and images that they cannot understand and that can confuse and even terrify them (Levin  &  Kilbourne, 2009).

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

Racism, sexism,  any biases and prejudices are the consequences I will expect for the children and families with whom I work with while I also experience specific "–ism(s)" in my own life (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). One specific example is knowing I am an African American female and I have twice the level of discrimination to endure. I hope to learn more of my own bias, in order not to take them into the classroom. Learning who you are and what your background is gives you perspective on diversity. I know that having a better understanding of the issues, I can better explain to children and families, to help them understand, how damaging the problem of prejudice and racism can affect an individual’s pride and confidence.

My most valuable asset for working with children and families from any background is my desire to be the best anti- bias teacher I can. I have learned through this course that diversity is a way of life and I want any child and their family to feel secure, to know their children will be safe. I desire to help children understand other diverse cultures and to show every child that their culture is acceptable. In my family culture, I was brought up to see people for what they are and not the color of their skin so; it will not be problems for me to learn the cultures of another’s. It is essential as educator to get rid of any misconceptions, with accurate information to develop more positive attitudes; to learn empathy and passion for teaching all diverse cultures (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

 Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010).  Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.