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/

My Supports

When thinking about the support I receive on a daily basis, I use to think I didn't have any but thinking in terms of emotional, practical, and physical, a few come to mind.

The emotional support I receive from loved ones on a daily basis impacts and effects my life tremendously. I have taken on a lot recently. Working two jobs and attempting to get my Master's has caused me to over work myself sometimes. For me having family that is supportive and willing to help me out allows me to continue on this journey and reach the goals that I have set for my life. My mother and father have definitely been my rock. Whenever I need to talk or just vent they are their to listen. They encourage me when I feel like giving up and they guide me when I'm lost. Through my journey, by boyfriend has also been supportive. Since my days are long he helps me by taking care of the house and making sure things get done when I forget. As weird as it sounds, he also makes sure I eat. I'm always on the go and sometimes forget to eat. He reminds me to take care of myself and is always a helping hand. My best friends are also supportive on a daily basis. They motivate me to keep going and just show me so much love. For me, having this people in my life just strengths my faith and gives me the courage to keep pushing through all my trial and tribulations. 

The practical support I receive on a daily basis would have to be monetary. I hate to say it but money plays a big role in my daily life. I work two jobs in order to support myself and my dreams. In order for me to go to work everyday I must have gas and I need money to put gas in my car. Without money I would not be able to go to work, even taking the bus cost money. I also need money to buy food. In today's time and age money is a necessity and is needed for everyday survival. 

On a daily basis I receive physical support from my co-workers. In the classroom, the lead teacher and I work together to ensure that we create a safe learning environment. We work together to complete daily tasks such as small group and large group activities, outside time, lunch time and other daily routines. Without us supporting each other the job would be much harder. If I didn't have her support in the classroom, I don't think I would be able to manage 22 rambunctious and curious children. The classroom would lack order and be filled with ciaos. At my second job (Sales Associate at Old Navy), my co-workers support me in completing tasks that allow us to ensure a great shopping experience for our customers. They help me when I need assistance in ringing a customer up or locating merchandise. Without my co-workers the job would be a lot harder and I would not be able to provide great customer service. 

Imagine a Challenge

 

The challenge I chose to imagine is me losing my job and no longer being able to afford my apartment. This is not a challenge I am going through but it is one that I fear and would need support to get through. Hypothetically speaking if I was to encounter this challenge I would first hope for the support of my loved ones. I would want them to just comfort me and help me focus on a solution to the problem. I am a highly emotional person and tend to react to situations by stressing. My hope is that they would just motivate me and reassure me that everything would be okay. I also hope that the would help me in my time of need and I know they would. My parents would support me by giving me somewhere to stay until I get on my feet. I would need monetary support and in this situation I think my parents and boyfriend would support me in that area. I would need physical support to move things out of my apartment and into my temporary place. If I was in this situation I would need a lot of support and I know that with the family and friends I have, I would get it.

My Connections to Play

I think play today is more centered around technology. Children are spending more time in front of a TV or video game and less time outside. I know for me as a child, I enjoyed being outside and my parents encouraged me to go. For me growing up, playing outside with my friends was my outlet. It was my way of expressing my creativity and using my imagination. As a little girl, I was kind of rough, I guess you can say I was a tomboy. I got dirty, ran around and climbed trees. Play was my time to be me and just do the things I enjoyed. I feel that children today are relying more on technology for fun instead of creating situations in which the can learn from through playing. Play still plays a role in my life today. I'm the type of teacher that loves to play with my students, inside and outside.

Quotes on Play

"Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child's soul."
-Friedrich Froebel

"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."
-Kay Redfield Jamison

" For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does just for fun' and things that are 'educational.' The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play."

-Penelope Leach

Essential Play items for my younger self

The most essential item I needed  to play was a free open space and trees that I would climb. Paradise.

I enjoyed riding my bike with my friends and family.  

I love to jump rope.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships play a huge role in my life and have since I was little. They have helped me grow and evolve and I have learned so much from those that I have relationships/partnerships with. These positive relationships help physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Through my relationships I have been able to deepen and expand my experiences of love and meaning. For me I enjoy connecting with others and building lasting and life long relationships. It is important for me to have people that I know are always there for me and vice versa. Below are several people with whom I currently have positive relationships/partnerships with.

The first relationship is the relationship I have with my mother. Throughout my life she has been my support system. She was the one that nurtured and protected me. My mother has always encouraged me and supported my wishes and dreams. She is there for me when I need and can always pick me up when I'm down. Though our relationship has not always been perfect, we have always remained close. 

My brother, mother, and myself.

The next relationship that is important to me is the relationship I have with my dad. Growing up he wasn't always around and not because he didn't want to be. My father drives trucks and has since before I was born. As a little girl he tried to maintain a positive relationship between the two of us by frequent calls and visits. For me that played a huge role is us developing a lasting and positive relationship. When I got older, my father moved from Houston, TX to Atlanta, Ga. He also began to take trucking routes that were local and allowed him to be home one the weekend. Our relationship has become one that is important to my life and growth. I can talk to my dad about anything and he is always there for me. We talk frequently and have our weekend daddy-daughter days. My relationship with him has taught me a lot about myself. 

My father

Another relationship/partnership that is influential to my life is the relationship I have with my boyfriend Gary. I have known him since the 7th grade and he has been my best friend since then. Growing up he was always there for me. He protected me and was a shoulder I could lean on. With him, I could always be myself. After we graduated high school, I went away to school. Even then he still came to visit and we talked often. During my last few years of college we stopped talking as much and didn't see each other often. It was until I graduated from college and moved back home that we reconnected. Once we reconnected, it was like that friendship that we had never went away. That friendship has now grown to something deeper. He is not only my best friend but he is my partner and I love him dearly. He understands me and knows everything about me. He supports me and encourages me no matter what. 

Me and my boyfriend Gary

My relationship with my best friend Milli is also one that I can say has a positive influence on my life. The relationship between Milli didn't start off as us being friends. We met in college through a mutual friend and because of certain circumstances, we did not like or care for each other. Overtime we began to bond and become friends. Since then our friendship has grown. I know consider her to be my best friend and my sister. She has always been there for me and she always helps me not matter what I'm going through. Milli is there when I need someone to talk to or just tell how my day was. She is an important person in my life and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Me and Milli

For me communication plays a huge role in any relationship. I also believe honesty and loyalty play a role in developing and maintain any relationship. I struggle with trusting people sometimes so for me its hard to develop relationships. The relationships and partnerships that I have are ones that have been through a lot and overcame it all. They have proven to be key factors in my life and learning. At times some of my relationships face challenges due to distance but through that I have learned that no matter how far you are from someone if it is a true relationship and both parties feel the same way about each other and their relationship then it will last a life time. My relationships have shown me that I need to be able to communicate with those I am around and that helps build a positive relationship.

My Favorite Quote

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future"
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

To me this quote is so true and as an educator helps me see how my job plays such a important role on a child's growth and development. The lessons and skills we teach children during their early childhood years helps shape the kind of adult and person they will be when they grow up. It is important that we teach children life long lessons so that they are able to have a successful future. The children that we teach now are our future and its important that we prepare them as we teach them. Children are valuable and we should teach them and treat them with that in mind.

 



    

Assessments

I think in today’s society too much pressure is being put on the children when it comes to the assessments they are being given. Some of the assessments being used are not a true measure of what a child knows. Think about standardized test and the questions you may see on those. Most of the questions are based on how well you can memorize information instead of being about how well a child’s problem solving skills are. I think assessments should show growth and not just measure what a child knows at a certain time. Think about when you use to study for test, how often did you remember the information after finishing the test? Also consider that some people are not good test takers. Some people panic when taking a test and in the end do not do their best.  I think when measuring or assessing a child’s knowledge we could look at everything the child has done as a whole.

Assessments in England

I decided to take a look at how children in England are assessed. When talking about how children are assessed in England, I must first discuss how the education system works.  The basic curriculum includes something known as the national curriculum. These are subject and standards taught so that children in primary and secondary schools can learn the same thing. Under the national curriculum, children are required to reach a certain standard in each subject. The national curriculum is divided into blocks of years called Key Stages.  At the end of each key stage, a child’s teacher will formally assess their performance to measure the child’s progress. For each subject there’s something known as a ‘program of study, which describes what children should learn. There is also an ‘attainment target’ - usually split into 8 levels for each subject.  Between the ages of 7 and 11, a child will complete 3 assessments.  They complete a teacher assessment over English, math, and science and have to be in their second year in all subjects by the age of 7.This occurs during Key Stage 1(KS1). Between the ages of 10 and 11, a child will take a national test and a teacher assessment also in English, math and science. At this time the child should be at a level 4. All of this occurs during Key Stage 2(KS2).

Now we get to the actual assessment. During Key Stage 1, children will complete tasks and test over several subjects. These subjects are reading, writing, speaking and listening, math, and science. The teacher will use a child’s work to determine what level the child is at in each subject. The teacher will also consider the child’s spoken work and homework when determining the level. During Key Stage 2, the child will take a test that covers English reading, English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and math. It also includes mental arithmetic. If a child demonstrates higher achievement the head teacher may decide to have them take extra test to determine true level. At the end of key stage 2, the teacher will give a report on a child’s progression in English, math, and science.

Reference:

The National Curriculum. (2013). Retrieved February 16, 2013. https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum/overview

Stressors

For this week’s blog, I talked with Ms. Lauren, a co-worker of mine, about the stressors she encountered as a child. She grew up during the time when blacks and whites were treated different and attended different schools. During her middle school years, the area in which she lived decided to combine the black and white schools. Children from the black neighborhoods began being bused to the white schools, which were 45 minutes away. Her first week of school was hectic; teachers did not show up just because they did not want to teach black children. Ms. Lauren remembers their being constant fighting not only between the whites and blacks but among rival black neighborhoods. This time was hard for her growing up, she could not understand why the teachers did not want to teach her and the children like her.  Going into high school, things did not get better. There was a constant battle between the white students and the black students.  Mrs. Lauren coped with the situation by joining school organizations and tired to make a difference. She found people that held the same beliefs as she did.  Even though it was a tough time in her life, she still managed to stay strong and pursue the things she wanted not matter what others had to say.

I decided to look at the stressor(s) that impact the development of children in India. The situation in India is fairly dismal and sometimes over looked. The immediate causes of underdevelopment in India relate to inadequate feeding practices, poor prevention and management of illness, and inadequate care. The stressors are primarily caused by the low status of Indian women, poverty, and a vicious cycle of low-weight moms having too many children too early and too close together. More than one in five babies in India (22%) is born with low birth weight, putting them at risk of under nutrition and illness even before birth (Blake, Chand, & Gupta) . More than half of under-threes are deprived of full immunization. Infants do not receive the social and emotional care they need.  A high number of parents work full time from soon after birth, and young siblings often end up looking after children. These are just some of the stressors that children in India encounter and not all children experience these stressors. There are now ECE programs that aid in fighting against these issues and fighting to provide children with the right conditions in which they grow in. Ensuring children get the proper care need to lay down the foundations for a good life. There are even well-established interventions that can help improve child development—from breastfeeding counseling to community based health services to the fortification of staple foods. Early Childhood Development programs have be started to address several components of the problem, typically through a combination of daycare and community-based services.

Reference

Blake, S., Chand, T., & Gupta, G. (2009) Starting Strong: Early childhood development in India.    

New Philanthropy Capital. Retrieved from http://www.forces.org.in/publications/Startingstrongfinal.pdf