Issues and Trends: Poverty

In this week's podcast, Susan Lyon talks about here experiences and work in the Early Childhood profession. She started teaching at the age of twenty-two and since then her passion for children has continued to grow. In working with children, she wanted to advocate for children by listening to there wants and needs. Susan Lyon wanted to make an impact on children's lives and prove that quality work can be done in public centers. After seeing the exhibit "100 Languages of Children", she was inspired to bring it to the Northern California area. She held professional developments and brought Italian educators in to speak. Eventually, Susan Lyon started a project called the Innovative Teacher Project.The project consisted of a network of schools holding a round table. The schools take turns presenting their school to the group and they hold discussions on quality work. 

The podcast was kind of vague when it came to the issue of poverty. Though it was, I could see how a project like this can help areas where poverty exist. The way the schools in this community come together for the benefit of the children is a great way to learn more about the children and families in the community. You are able to see the needs and wants the children in the area and work together to improve the quality of service they provide. I think another way to extend on this program would be to proved families with tools and resources that could assist them in their needs.

I was unsuccessful in my attempt to reach Susan Lyon, so I have completed the alternate assignment. The country I chose to read about is Mongolia. Through my reading, it seems that the government is aboard the "lets reduce poverty train." They have developed a plan of action and a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The paper sets out the principles of poverty reduction policies in Mongolia. These include economic growth, rural development, human development and good governance. In Mongolia, they also deal with people migrating to the area. Since the 1990's the migration has increased rapidly and the patterns of movement has changed. Migrants are moving from rural areas to more urban areas. Many of this migrants face hardships and don't benefit from the move. Children growing up in those households do not benefit either. 

Resources
Childhood Poverty Reserach and Policy Centre: http://www.childhoodpoverty.org
World Forum Foundation Radio. http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php

Sharing Web Resources

Last week I wrote that the organization I would focus on and learn more about was 
the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
 I have decided that I wanted to focus on another organization instead, one that has recently caught my attention. The organization is the Global Fund for Children and they focus on helping children regain their innocents and help them enjoy their childhood by allowing them to just be kids. They work with trafficked children, refugees and child laborers all around the world. They transform the lives of children on the edge of society by helping the regain their rights and pursue their dreams. Global Fund for Children invest in organizations that enable the most vulnerable children in their communities to thrive. This organization does a lot of great work that benefits children in harsh situations. 

The Spring newsletter for the Global Fund for Children had a lot of interesting information. One of the first thing that caught my attention, was the letter written by the CEO. In it Kristen Lindsey talks about how stress and trauma from a tragic situation effects children's development and everyday life. She talks about how sever stress can cause a child to have difficulty learning and developing health relationships. In order to aid in the problem and find a solution Global Fund for Children and their partners help by guiding children and youth through the steps of grief and recovery and help them prepare for adulthood. 

Through the efforts of the Global Fund for Children and their many partners, they were able to invest more than $960,000 to other organizations that work in conflict affected areas in 26 countries. They partnered with more than 60 organizations and was able to touch the lives of more than 200,000 affected children. Their goal is to create local solutions to protect and heal children and families in conflict-affected areas and thus far they are doing a great job but their is more work to be done.

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

Getting Ready—Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

In order to establish professional contacts, I decided to reach out to two professionals whose organizations have struck my interest. In choosing the two professionals I wanted to get in contact with, I thought about educational programs I would find most interesting and areas I didn't know much about. The first professional I chose to reach out to is Mr.Eric Atmore. He is a part of the OMEP South African National Committee and a member of the National Early Childhood Development Alliance. The purpose of these organizations is to improve the quality of practice in the Early Childhood field and to see ways to cooperatively and positively influence policy-making and implementation. I look forward to learning more about the South African Early Childhood programs. The second professional that I decided to reach out to was Mrs. Yvonne Dionne, OMEP Comite National Canadien. She is a member of the Canadian Child Care Federation. What caught my interest about the Canadian Early Childhood program and practices is that they promote safety and healthy growth and development through providing the best in early learning and child care knowledge and best practices. Their website provides tools and resources that are helpful to parents and educators.Though I have not received a response to my emails, I remain hopeful that I will gain  great professional contacts. 

In selecting a early childhood organization to study, the chose was not hard to make. Throughout the courses I have taken, I have began to learn a lot about the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I wanted to continue learning about this association and how its view on the Early Childhood field. 

"NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources." (NAEYC website) I think this is a great website and a great association. The focus on improving professional practice and working conditions, working to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education and build high -performing and inclusive organization of groups and individuals.

References:Canadian Child Care Federation: http://www.cccf-fcsge.caNational Assocaition for the Education of Young Children: http://www.naeyc.org/