Getting to Know Your International Contacts

As I visited the website http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/, it is clear that early childhood education is a global concern.  As the understanding of the practices of early childhood education grows countries are now developing ways to calculate and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs in place to determine if they are highly qualified and beneficial for the children and their families.

Three countries that are focused on the website are Zambia, Brazil and Chile.  Each country has joined with others organizations inside and outside of the United States to develop policies and  assessment tools to help determine the validity of their program.  

In Zambia, the collaborations with the Zambian Ministry of Education, the Examination Council of Zambia, UNICEF, the University of Zambia, and the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University are to measure the effects of an ongoing anti-malaria initiative on children’s development in Zambia. The children in Zambia  are assessed in physical, socio-emotional and cognitive development before and throughout their schooling careers (http://developingchild.harvard.edu, 2009). 

In Brazil, their is an ongoing effort to use the science of child health and development to ascertain stronger policies to support the children and their families. There first effort outside of the United States produced the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância project.

In Chile, a program was developed to improve early childhood education by providing teacher professional development .  Un Buen Comienzo (UBC), “A Good Start,” was developed to improve the educational needs of preschoolers and kindergartners. Special attention was given to the area of language and to the socio-emotional development of children. Furthermore, interventions were arranged to increase family involvement and student attendance.

It is evident to me that early childhood education is important nation wide.  Resources are steadily increasing to produce effectiveness and high quality teachers and learning environment for our nation's children. 

Sharing Web Resources

The Children's Defense Fund

I actually love this website because it contains so much important information that is vital to the well being of all children.  Since I am a preschool teacher I  always visit the sections on early childhood education.  Under Policy Priorities are subdivisions.  The subdivisions that interest me are Special Projects for Children in Need, Early Childhood Education and Care and Children's Budget Watch.

At this time I have not found any information on this website that I believe is controversial.  If anything the information on this site has made me aware of current issues and trends that I was unaware of.  For instance, the Be Careful What You Cut campaign is focused on what programs and funding maybe cut in the near future.  From my understanding a lot of programs that I know helps the community that I serve, maybe in jeopardy.  Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) gives a representation of what the sequestration cuts would be like for children if the budget gets passed. 

• Head Start will serve 96,179 fewer low-income children.
• 80,000 fewer children and their families will receive child care subsidies.
• 5 million fewer families will be served by the Maternal/Child Health Block Grant, which provides funding for prenatal care, well child services, infant mortality, injury & violence, oral healthcare, school-based health programs, and eliminating racial/ethnic disparities.
• 211,958 fewer children will be vaccinated.
• $270,790,425 less funding available for heating and cooling assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  Nearly half of the families receiving LIHEAP assistance have at least one child.
• Title I grants will serve 1.8 million fewer students.
• 26,949 fewer children will be served by early intervention special education grants.
• 350,327 fewer English Language Learner (ELL) students will be served by English Language Acquisition Grants.
• 1,133,981 fewer students will be served by grants for career and technical education.
• 51,577 fewer students will receive financial aid through the Federal Work Study program.
• 110,543 fewer students will receive aid through Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• 18,611 fewer youth will be served by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which provides training services to underemployed adults, and youth who have dropped out of high school and want to go back to school or enter the labor market.
• 4,350 fewer youth will receive education and training from Job Corps, which targets economically at-risk youth.    http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/budget-watch/

This website is definitely an advocate for the well being of all children. It wants children to receive the best possible education, health care and resources to grow into productive adults. For my understanding it seems that some politicians might not be doing enough to keep funding for early childhood.  At least for the standpoint of urban inner city children that may not be receiving quality preschool education. 

Migration And The Access To Education In Mongolia

Since I have not received any responds from my emails I decided to do the alternative assignment.  I listened to several pod casts and tried to contact a few people but I did not receive any real replies.  I received invitations to join mailing lists.  So I decided to review the CHIP website that deals with the issues of children and poverty.  I did research on the children in Mongolia.  I learned that these children have several obstacles that have a great influence on the effects of poverty within their lives.  However, the focus of this publication was on the effects of migration.   The children and their families migrate to other areas because they are looking for work, trying to find better education and for health reasons.  Many children are forced to discontinue their education in order to help support the family.  Many of the men are skilled herders and this tradition is passed down to the children, mainly sons, to help their families sell livestock.   Other reason why education is limited is based on the family inability to pay for the room and board of the child with another family. Also the fact that many children feel isolated and mistreated by teachers that are disrespectful and insensitive towards them because they are migrants. Many families were not able to pay the school administration fee. So the child had to leave school because the fee was not paid and the families received less money from the state. This in return puts a financial strain on the family and caused the child to drop out of school.

It seems to me that on the state level there should be funds allocated to support children from migration families.  Funds that can be used to offset the price of education.  Funds that can be used to cut down on migrations that would allow families to stay together. More programs that focus on basic skills training as well as promoting higher education levels.  Teachers should be trained and sensitive to the needs of their students. 

Sharing Web Resources

Children's Defense Fund http://cdf.childrensdefense.org

I had joined the Children's Defense Fund Newsletter in an earlier class.  On a monthly basis I receives a newsletter on various topics.  August topics varies from voter registration to the national data on poverty.  So far I have learned that this site is dedicated to the well being of children and the equal rights of all.  This website cover national events that effects the community.  


Last month the Children's Defense Fund sponsored a voter registration drive which focused on fighting voter suppression laws. Everybody was encouraged to make sure people were eligible to vote in November.  

Also included was information about the 2012 Children's Sabbath Manual which is a community project that celebrates the National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® weekend and engage in long-term child and family advocacy work.The manual includes resources for Christian, Jewish, and other faiths to use in worship services or prayers, education programs, direct service activities, and social justice initiatives. The resources can be used within one's own faith community or in multi-faith events http://cdf.childrensdefense.org .

The newsletter also contains information about applying to open a new CDF Freedom school site, a new campaign "Be Careful What You Cut" which talks about the cuts to social programs and the date the new poverty data will be available. 

I think this website is a prime example of what we are learning about in this class.  The Children Sabbath Manual, what the program stands for and promotes is what we as educators promotes.  This website is truly diversified and represents children, their families and the communities in which they live. I would recommend this website for all. 

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I am sad to say that as of this moment I have not yet received any emails back from people that I have contacted.  I assume that I will receive replies soon.  I started to do the alternative assignment but I must admit I would prefer to communicate with a live person.  In fact I will not give up until somebody contacts me back.  Anyway with the alternative assignment I listened to the podcasts of Ms. Susan Lyon and Barnabus Otaala.  I found Ms. Lyons website about the Innovative Teacher Project which she is the founder.  I joined her website contact list and I am waiting for a newsletter or other information which they may share.

I was not able to contact Mr. Baranabus Otaala but listening to his podcast I an interested in his project because he wants to help the children of his region that is affected with HIV/AIDS.

While visiting the World Forum Foundation website I did  try to join their discussion group but that feature is coming soon.  So I will be checking to see when the first discussion has posted.  Also, I have been a member of the Children's Defense Fund since I enrolled in the Child Development class.  That is where I was introduced to this organization.  

I hope that I can alter my blog in a few days to share with my fellow classmates the people that I am establishing a professional relationship with.

My Supports

I never thought about the types of supports that I relay on daily.  For emotional support my first avenue is  God.  I start and end each day in prayer.  If by chance I am running late and forget to leave the house before prayer I will cut the music off while I am driving and pray before I reach my destination.  When I do reach out to others for help I know that my Grandmother and the majority of my  family and my few selective friends will have my back.  I think of my job as support.  Yes, I teach because I love working with the children but I relay on my paycheck for support.  I have been an employee with the board of education for 21 years.  I can not picture me doing any other job.  Even when I have attempted to do part time jobs for extra money, I still end up tutoring a child. No matter what I do I end up teaching.  If for whatever reason I was not able to teach anymore I can not imagine what else I would do for a career.

Practical support- everything that I use daily, hook for my keys, my pocket books, car, cell phone, computer, etc.  I am very absent minded and when I put my keys down I never know where I left them.  That is why I have hooks in my kitchen and living room for my keys.  When I forget to place my keys on the hook I panic.  As a teacher I carry a lot of stuff to work everyday so I need purses!  I love purses especially large purses and I enjoy buying purses.  So every chance I can get I buy a purse and I change purses daily to coordinate with what I am wearing. My car is needed because I do not like taking the bus, plus I leave a lot of my school stuff in my car.  We all know that we need technology.

I can not imagine loosing a limb or going totally blind.  If I were to experience these situations then I would need a seeing eye dog and/or a  prosthetic limb. I will have to get a home that is on one floor with little to no stairs and a ramp. My job is wheel chair accessible so I will not have to leave however, if I was blind I assume I would not be able to work with little kids again. I would have to learn braille. In the beginning I would think my life is over with because the things that I like to do I might not be able to do them anymore.  Plus, so many people depend on me that I would find it hard to be dependent on others for help. Nevertheless, once I come to grips with the situation then I will find away to survive.  I know that with the support of family and friends I would make the adjustment.

My Connection to Play

Here are a few quotes about play that represents my life as a child.


Stay a child while you can be a child. STEPHEN SONDHEIM, Into the Woods

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." Fred Rogers

"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn."
O. Fred Donaldson, American Martial Arts Master




Here are a few of the toys that I played with as a child.  The one that meant the most to me was the Family Tree House.  The toys that I picked represents the childhood that I had before my mother passed away.  Seeing the Family Tree House was very emotional for me because I remember sitting on the floor playing with my tree house while my mother was sewing at the table.  I would play with this toy for hours. Beyond the toys represented below I used to love completing puzzles, paint by the numbers and  making articles with the hook latch kits. 
I was the only child so my play at home was supported by my mother. She would join me and play with me for hours.  That was our bonding time.  We would talk and enjoy each other company.  She never stopped me from expressing myself and she encourage my creativity. I would copy her doing craft activities. She would hang my projects on the wall and show everybody that came by my work.



                                                                                           


Play today is different than my play was when I was a child.  I believe that many children today do not know how to play.  Their play is based on their life experiences and unfortunately they play games that imitate a negative view of life.  I have had children pretend they were shot and died. I find that some children view police as negative people. Another game that I witnessed my students playing is getting "locked up".  They think it is common for people to be locked up.   I find that to be disturbing. I have to admit it is hard explaining to the children that cops are suppose to be the good people and that going to jail is not fun.  The video games are too violent and realistic.  When I was younger our video games were Donkey Kong and Ms. PacMan, games that involved skills and concentration and was not violent. Some children mistake video games as real life activities. When I was a child our play was innocent and for pure enjoyment.  I would love for the children today to enjoy being a carefree child, enjoying life to its fullest and playing wholeheartedly in an environment that protected them.