3 important skills

One of the biggest parts in the early childhood field is research and finding out how children develop and what aspects of the development is important for our children and for their future. On the webpage it talks about “What three important three most important skills a child should learn?” This is a valuable concept that really made me think about the skills that are necessary for children to be a productive asset to society. On the webpage, UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education, it discussed these skills and how they show the children’s value and moral make up. The first skill was “They need to learn about culture” (Sabeer, 2013). The author states how it is like glue that keeps us all together. If children learn about their culture and heritage then they have a better understanding of who they are and where they came from. Second was children need to have “values and respect” (Sabeer, 2013). I feel is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Values and respect is first learned at home and starts with “our families are the first teachers in our lives” (Sabeer, 2013). We have to teach our children how to respect and learn to have values in order for them to adhere to them. The third skill is “we should know our past so we can improve our future” (Sabeer, 2013). Wow what a statement, this is a truly valuable tool that helps us see and understand the world we live in and our place in the world. Children find themselves lost at time and having to live up to others expectations. Helping children to understand their culture comes from home as do values and respect. Parents need to understand the importance of being their children’s first teachers and setting that critical foundation for them. We teach our children how to live and this website shows us how research has proven it. Urvashi Sahni describes one of the skills necessary for our children to have is to be thinking critically about who they are and how they relate to their world around them. She also talks about how children need to be problem solvers and focus on peace, and equity. This is an important issue and concern for early childhood educators. We know that we want the children to bring the outside world into the classroom and we provide the experiences and learning opportunities for them to learn about the outside world within the classroom. We focus on activities that help them better understand the world around them. She also talks about being problem solvers. One of the biggest challenges in a classroom is to help children learn to solve issues or problems on their own. We have to ask open ended questions and provide the opportunity for them to problem solve so they can develop that skills. Otherwise we have a lot of children who tattle tale and become overly aggressive and feel others should do for them. We have to help the children learn to be productive citizens of society by enhancing these skills so our children learn to become adults who have values show respect, know their heritage and care about other people and the world around them. Reference (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),

Zero To Three/President's budget Plan for Early Childcare

The website I decided to use was Zero to Three. I have used this website a lot for references and I subscribed to the newsletter at the beginning of this class. I just received my first newsletter and I was surprised that it was full of offers to buy merchandise in the form of CD’s, books, subscribe to the Zero to Three Journals, two sided slide chart, earn your CEU’s for your CDA. The website also offered current resources for the month, but you also had to buy it to read it. The website let you search the catalog, visit the bookstore, and see digital downloads; these are also for purchasing I do know that the Zero to Three Website is nonprofit and offering these resources for purchase goes to help fund and keep the website and Journals up to date. The newsletter does let you connect to the website by one click and that allows you to access all the current information and recent articles. I was really impressed in the newsletter when it showed Little Kids Big Questions section where it also offered new CEU credits to renew one’s CDA. I was just recently asked if I knew where you could get CEU’s without having to go to one of those classes on Saturday or at night. This is a good opportunity for busy teachers and staff to renew their CEU’s on their own time, but it does cost money, $40.00 per podcast and one CEU credit. The website has a new addition to it that was posted on April 10, 2013. This addition was in regards to President Obama’s budget plan for early education. “The President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans is the roadmap for the early learning components of the budget released today. The budget includes $1.4 billion to expand the comprehensive supports offered to the most vulnerable families through Early Head Start – which for almost 20 years has proven it improves both child and parental outcomes. The plan would provide $200 million in 2014 specifically to create more high-quality child care options for babies and toddlers with working parents, using Early Head Start’s quality benchmarks, expertise, and resources. Looking ahead, the budget proposal provides for $7 billion over 10 years to ensure young children and families have access to high-quality child care” (Zero to Three, 2013). This is a great addition to this week’s issue and trends, affordability, accessibility, and availability. The plan is to make sure that babies and toddlers have accessibility to affordable childcare that is high-quality. Zero to Three website is making this available to everyone on their website and you can even download the whole press release from the website too. Equity and excellence is importance in the Early Childhood field and the website Zero to Three brought awareness to President Obama’s budget plan for early education and this is about equity and excellence. It has finally been realized that investing in all of our children in the early years is important and this budget has set aside funds for low income families to receive high quality care for children ages birth to 2. This plan includes home visiting which is a big part of being equal in regards to quality child care. “The President’s plan also extends and expands home visiting -- which has been warmly embraced by states, communities, and parents -- to reach more families where they live, with information, guidance, and encouragement. The budget proposal released today allocates $15 billion of funding over 10 years to invest in this effort. “Babies don’t come with an instruction manual, and every parent can benefit from reliable information about early learning and a helping hand,” says Melmed. “The President’s plan helps parents utilize what science and evidence-based practice has to offer in order to give babies, toddlers, and young children the best start in life” (Zero to Three, 2013). “The President’s plan builds on what we know works: start early with consistent, high-quality, evidence-based supports that match what parents need and help parents nurture the early development of their babies and toddlers” (Zero to Three, 2013). Reference Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org

TJ Skalaski/Podcast and Global Children's Initiative

One of the best ways to learn something new or to gain information is by listening to someone else explain or tell a story in regards to that particular information. This can be an issue or concern; brings more meaning or a better understanding when someone else provides a statement of how they are dealing with the issue or concern. I watch the podcast this week that was from TJ Skalski, a principal from Mother Earth's Children's Charter School. Her school is in Canada and it is the only indigenous charter school in all of Canada. Ms TJ Skalski discusses how she grew up living between two worlds. TJ Skalski is from the First Nation community in Alberta, Canada, and regained her BillC31 rights back federally but not in her community. TJ discusses how she grew-up living between two worlds: First Nation community and the outside world in Canada. TJ received an education and was drawn back to her First Nation community because she believed in reinvesting in the children from the First Nation community. TJ really wants to re-instill the culture and language of the First Nation back into these children. TJ Skalaski also discusses how the children feel trapped, worthless, frightened and scared. TJ Skalaski feels she can reach the children from her own experiences and help them to understand how to believe in themselves and their First Nation Community culture and language. I did email TJ Skalaski but I have not received a response yet. I also researched the website http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/ and found it to be a full of information and resources. “The Global Children’s Initiative has begun to build a portfolio of activities in three domains: • early childhood development; • child mental health; and • Children in crisis and conflict situations” (Global Children’s Initiative). The Global Children’s Initiative has designated personnel working around the world to “facilitate continuing cross-disciplinary collaboration; design and implement new projects; and engage additional faculty, students, and collaborators” (Global Children’s Initiative). The Global Children’s Initiative focuses on issues and trends that affect each certain region of the world. It works to help the children and educate the parents and community on how to improve early childhood development, child mental health, and children in crisis and conflict situations. In Africa 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 launched Zambian Early Childhood Development Project (ZECDP) in 2009, a collaborative effort to measure the effects of an ongoing anti-malaria initiative on children’s development in Zambia” (Global Children’s Initiative). The studies and work of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University works to help all children around the world with their particular issues and conflicts. In Un Buen Comienzo, they started the “A Good Start” which works with early childhood teachers to build their professional and educational skills. I actually had a professor from the University of Cincinnati that worked overseas in Dubi. She was part of a group of Western Teachers that were contracted with the school systems in Dubi to educate Early Childhood teachers on how to teach children through play instead of worksheets. It was more complicated than that I am sure, but she was there to help educate the ECE in how to teach the whole child not just their academic skills. I feel this is what is meant by the Global Children’s Initiative. They work to help educate and train others in the field of early childhood development and education so they are more prepared to educate young children about issues and concerns in their region of the world. It is also to bring awareness to issues and trends in other parts of the world. “The Center’s commitment to global work represents both an acknowledgement of moral responsibility to meet the needs of all children and a critical investment in the roots of economic productivity, positive health outcomes, and strong civil society in all nations, from the poorest to the most affluent. One essential, cross-cutting aspect of the Center’s approach is its commitment to work collaboratively across disciplines and institutions, drawing together the best and most creative expertise available to achieve the Initiative’s goals” (Global Children’s Initiative). References Retrieved from: Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/) World Forum Foundation Radio. Includes links to podcasts of conversations with early childhood professionals. http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php

Zero to Three/Information for Early Childhood Development

The Zero to Three website offers a series of podcasts called Little Kids, Big Questions. These are a “series of 12 podcasts that translates the research of early childhood development into parenting practices that mothers, fathers and other caregivers can tailor to the needs of their own child and family” (Zero to Three). The series are easily downloaded to your computer and they are great teaching tools for anyone to use. I did not find any ideas/statements/resources, on the website that I found controversial but I did find the information in the new Zero to Three Journal, Media and Technology in the lives of infants and toddlers. As educators, parents, and caregivers we all know how technology and media has overtaken our lives in some aspects. I know that in my classroom, the children have access to computers to help build their cognitive skills and enhance their overall development. The new journal is focused on helping us understand how to use technology and media in a progressive way to enhance our children’s development with effective managing by parents and teachers. The Zero to The Zero to Three website has numerous articles that support the understandings of economists, neuroscientists, and politicians with their research and findings that show how they all impact the early childhood field. Zero to Three is such an important and respected organization that law makers often look towards them when seeking research information on early childhood development. “The Zero to Three Policy Center is a highly respected nonpartisan resource for federal and state leaders seeking research-based child development information as they craft policies affecting the lives of young children, particularly those who are disadvantaged” (Zero to Three). The website uses its research information from various researches and studies to help change the way we see early childhood development and to enhance our knowledge as teachers, parents, and caregivers. “The Policy Center promotes positive policy change by using evidence from science, research and practice” (Zero to Three). The whole website is full of valuable information and resources that help us better understand early childhood development. I really feel the new journal that is out about media and technology is a big asset to me as a parent and teacher. I want to be familiar with how to implement and use those resources to help my own children and the ones in my classroom

CHIP and Poverty in Mongolia

I have been unsuccessful with trying to make contact with Early Childhood Professionals overseas and I am on the road to the alternative assignment. I did not get to watch a podcast this week, but will start up with that next week. I was able to explore the website, http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/ and found it astounding how poverty affects everyone in some manner. Children do feel the brunt of poverty and we are not securing their future. If we do not fully understand or acknowledge the existence of poverty then we are just letting our communities, families and children down. Poverty affects children in many different ways: lack of immunizations which can cause disease and maybe death, malnutrition can hinder development and “in early childhood, for example, can lead to life-long learning difficulties and poor health” (www.childhoodpoverty.org). Poverty takes away opportunities for children and it can have a lasting effect on how they live and see their life. As a society we develop resources, referralls, and fund programs to help educate, find jobs, homes, and social services for families and children. We need to realize that advocating now for families and children helps us as a society and helps us become a strong and better nation. The website addresses issues that need to be addressed in order for us to fully understand and help families and children in poverty. “Over 600 million children world-wide live in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4. In many countries, rates are much higher with over 60 percent of children living in households with incomes below international poverty lines” (www.childhoodpoverty.org). We need to understand the causes of childhood poverty and how we can stop the cycles and educate our communities and governments on how to develop strategies to tackle poverty. As a society we need to realize the economic and social factors what affect us all at the many levels of government and community. As a society we also need to use our voice and educate ourselves on the issues and policies that are in place so we can advocate and stand up for the rights of children. The website really makes us aware and shows us the effects and challenges of poverty. By 2015, we can and should cut poverty in half, which is the mission of the CHIPS website. Becoming aware about poverty and how it affects our families and children helps us to use our voices and encourage policy makers to develop effective policies to help our children and families in poverty. Children need according to CHIP: basic services, economic security, and supportive policy for child wellbeing. Mongolia is the country I choose to research from the CHIP website. Mongolia subsided from the rules and controlling ties during the 1990 with former USSR. Mongolia became independent and soon struggled with economic means and funding for their country which diminished family’s incomes and stability. Families were soon in poverty and still struggle to this day to emerge economically. A lot of families in Mongolia live in rural parts of the country and struggle for clean water, health services, education, and a stable means of income. A lot of families moved to urban areas which increased the number of people for those cities and created more hardships for the communities. Families in Mongolia are herders and move around with their herds, this makes it hard for children to receive an education and the children are soon finding jobs or taking care of their siblings. Mongolia is struggling to take care of their citizens. “A particular concern is that the state is failing to support many of those children and their families who are suffering most. As life for families becomes increasingly difficult, many children have more responsibilities” (CHIPS). Mongolia is struggling to reduce their level of poverty for families and for children. The economic gap between families benefitting from the market economy and those who are not is large. This is a true reflection of how the country needs to work to close that gap and help all families and children. Reference Website: Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s page (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/)

Zero To Three/How they help military families

The name of the organization that I selected is Zero to Three, http://www.zerotothree.org/. I have used this website on many occasions for research projects and for personal knowledge on early childhood behavior & development, maltreatment, and care & education. I have used the military project section of the zero to three website to gain new ideas and concepts on how to assist children and families before, during, and after deployment. I am a military spouse and I have three children who are very familiar with deployments and all the anxiety and frustration that come with them. I also have used the Little Kids, Big Questions modules for papers and for training sessions at work. The website is full of valuable information, tools, materials and resources that help parents, educators, early childhood professionals, and grandparents assist their children with their developmental growth and struggles along the way. The website is user friendly and you are able to buy books, cds, download digital resources, and read a wide variety of resources to help you in understanding and learning about your child’s growth and development. The area of the current issue that caught my eye was the military project section. This is an ideal resource for military personnel, parents, caregivers, grandparents, and anyone wanting knowledge on the issues that military children face on a daily basis. Sparrow is a book that helps young children understand and learn to cope with the harsh realities of deployments and injuries. This is one of the wonderful resources you can find on the Zero to Three website. “Sparrow is a book designed to support a young child whose parent/caregiver has been injured, physically or emotionally, while on deployment. The book explores core, universal themes relating to loss, healing, hope, resilience, and, ultimately, the power of parent-child love and connectedness in helping young children and their families cope with challenging events and circumstances” (Zero to Three, 2012).

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Hello all, I have tried to contact a lot of other professionals in the field of Early Childhood from the web address we were given: Yvonne Dionne, Juan Sanchez, Ruzanna Tsarukyan, Dr. Betty Chan Po-King, Jane Lin, and Gerda Sul Qendra Hap pcs Hapi. I have not chosen wisely. I emailed 6 different professionals overseas and I received returned emails letting me know that their emails were no longer valid. I work for the department of defense and I know that I can contact Child Development Centers on the military bases overseas. I have received permission from Dr. Darragh to use the DOD centers overseas and I will be able to find emails and information once I go back to work on Monday. Thanks for everyone’s patience with this matter. I am hoping that the directors of the Child Development Centers on military installations overseas will be able to provide a lot of good information on issues and challenges they see while working with Military children living overseas. I did pick a wonderful website to subscribe to. I chose the Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. I have used this website a lot, especially with the Military Family Project section of it. This organization supports military families and has used several bases for programs and learning opportunities in support of the children and families who serve. I love this website and have accessed numerous articles that give detailed information about how to help families and children before deployment, during and after deployment. There are numerous articles, books, pamphlets, training modules, and outreach tools to help children and families that serve this great country. I have used this website and its articles for research papers, trainings I have given, and for updating my own knowledge on helping the military children I take care of. Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/ (May have to use http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ ) (Newsletters: http://zttcfn.pub30.convio.net/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/ and http://capwiz.com/zerotothree/mlm/signup/ )