Time Well Spent

What a bittersweet feeling to be completing my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Studies. I have learned so much and I have had the pleasure of meeting some great people I can now call my colleagues. I must say I have learned the importance of providing children with an anti-bias education, to value children for whom they are (including gender, learning ability and culture) and having a good relationship with their families. As I leave this program, I will be continuing on toward my goal of opening my own daycare. I wish each one of my colleagues much success as they continue their careers. I have truly enjoyed meeting and working with everyone. To my instructor, Dr. Dartt, I thank you for challenging me to think more critically and the advice you have given.

Favorite Quotes

Diversity is not about how we differ. It is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.

We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change that course of history.

Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.

Anyone who desires to can learn to be a skilled anti-bias educator. But it takes making a personal commitment. The more passion you have about the need for creating a world of justice and peace for children, the more you will be able to make it a priority in your work. Once you make the commitment, learning to do anti-bias education is a developmental journey. You start whenever you are right now.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Save the Children- http://www.savethechildren.org/

Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, they give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, there is a change in the course of their future and ours. I chose this organization because they provide aid to children in the areas of education, health and nutrition, hunger, disaster and emergency response. I like that they cover many areas of a child’s life and their many needs.

Job Opportunities

1. U.S. Headquarters Positions
Headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut with a major office in Washington D.C., our staff is a diverse group of people working in a variety of specialties including:Program and policy work in the areas of U.S. programs, Child Protection and HIV/AIDs, Education and Child Development, Health and Nutrition, Hunger and Livelihoods and Humanitarian Response.

Marketing & Communications

Resource Development

Finance

Human Resources

Information Services

2. U.S. Field-Based Positions

Save the Children runs and coordinates programs for children and families in 29 states across the country. Our field-based positions work with local and national partners to implement programs in Early Childhood and Education, Literacy, Nutrition and Exercise.

3. International Field-Based Positions

Our U.S. headquarters also recruits a limited number of qualified individuals to support field-based programs in a variety of International locations. In addition Save the Children International and 30 national Save the Children organizations around the world also recruit for positions overseas.

Oxfam Education- http://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/

Oxfam works to empower young people to be active global citizens. They promote education that helps young people understand the global issues that affect their lives and take action towards a more just and sustainable world. There are education teams in England, Scotland and Wales support teachers through resources, teacher training and partnership work. Meet the team. The Oxfam Education website offers hundreds of free online resources, lesson plans, teaching ideas, and support and guidance for education practitioners. Our award-winning resources are all quality tested by experienced educators, and all take a global citizenship approach. I think this is a good site to use as a resource to broaden the views for children on culture and diversity.

Job Opportunities

There are openings in Business Support/Admin, Communications, Finance, Fundraising, Human Resources, IT, Marketing, Programme, Property & Logistics, and Retail

Bernard van Leer Foundation- http://www.bernardvanleer.org/English/Home.html

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is an international grant making foundation based in The Hague. The mission is to improve opportunities for children up to age 8 who are growing up in socially and economically difficult circumstances.

I like the mission of this organization. I like that they are addressing the financial needs of children and their families.

Job Opportunities

I was unable to locate any openings for this organization.

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

National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education

The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE) mission is simple: to advocate the involvement of parents and families in their children’s education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation’s young people.What I like about this organization is that offer resources to families with children that have disabilities. I think a support system for families with disable children is a good resources

National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education.(2014). About NCPIE. Retreived from http://www.ncpie.org/

National Parents and Teachers Association

The National PTA has a purpose to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. I really like their goals and values which is collaboration, commitment, accountability, respect, inclusivity and integrity. They are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being, and educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement. They are currently hiring a Corporate Alliances Specialist, Front Desk Receptionist and Web Content Intern however I am not sure if I would be interested in one of those roles.

National PTA. (2014). About PTA. Retrieved from http://www.pta.org/about

Family Voices

Family Voices is a national, nonprofit, family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth, particularly those with special health care needs. Working with family leaders and professional partners at the local, state, regional, and national levels since 1992, Family Voices has brought a respected family perspective to improving health care programs and policies and ensuring that health care systems include, listen to, and honor the voices of families. This company is not hiring however with my healthcare background I think I could be a great asset to this organization. I have healthcare connections that could benefit this group.

Family Voices.(2014). Retrieved from http://www.familyvoices.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

• The Salvation Army Bushwick Community Center- The Salvation Army Bushwick Community Center serves as a beacon for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and interests. The center is located in an area that lacks resources and faces many challenges-including drug trafficking and a rising crime rate. The residents find much needed support, whether that means a hot meal at a soup kitchen, affordable day care and after school supervision for children, companionship for seniors, or toys during the holidays.

This organization interests me because I would love to be a part of a community of practice that provides a variety of services for people of different ages and needs. It provides an alternative for people that does not have the means to do so on their own.

• The Youth Enrichment Program(YEP) at Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA is a 20+ year old outreach program that serves disadvantaged youth and children. The have five week sessions held every Saturday morning on a quarterly basis that provides a variety services to children. There are field trips, tutoring services and mentoring done during these sessions.

I served as an assistant teacher to the 8-9 year old’s for a few years with this program. I personally witnessed how this program impacted the lives of the children in this program and I am interested in being more involved now that I am completing this program at Walden University.

• The Kindezi School-Atlanta, GA- The school mission is to create a nurturing, empowering, parent-integrated, and safe small class/small school environment conducive to optimal growth and self-realization. Through tutorial, differentiation, and student-centered approaches to learning, we will develop the leader, artist, and scholar in all students while instilling in each a love of learning and a sense of pride.

I like that this school offers family-sized classrooms with six to eight students and one teacher, as well as daily project-based learning, recess, and specials classes.

I am interested in job opportunities within the Kindezi school although they do not currently show any opportunities available. I have a friend who has children that attend the school so I plan to connect to the school through them via volunteer needs they may have. I think I would need to have experience and education related to the field of early childhood to be effective in competently fulfilling a role within any of these fields.

References:

The Angel Rock Project-http://www.angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/brooklyn_services.asp

Youth Enrichment Program- http://centralumcatl.org/2012/12/demonstrating-our-love-at-advent-the-youth-enrichment-program/

The Kindezi School- http://www.kindezi.org/responsibility.html

What Early Childhood means to me…

Reflecting on Learning

The “Strategies for Working with Diverse Children” course has provided a great deal of insight on ways to interact with children and families. As a future Early Childhood professional my most passionate hope is to create and environment that is comforting to each child and provide them with the educational foundation that will help them to be successful throughout their life. I hope to be there for them, support them and love them throughout their academic journey.I hope to help the children find confidence and teach them how to treat others with love and respect no what. I hope to help them to look for the good in people. I hope to work along side their families to support each child.

To my colleagues, I have thoroughly enjoyed working and learning alongside each of you. Your comments and thoughts have been inspiring and has helped shape some of my personal goals. I wish you all the best as Early Childhood professionals. Let’s continue to learn and grow to provide each child we teach with an anti-bias education.

Impact on Early Emotional Development

This week we have been learning about the challenges that may exist in early childhood. We have been assigned the task of detailing some of the challenges that children in other regions deal with. I have chosen to take a look at West and Central Africa. UNICEF states “Children in West and Central Africa have their rights violated on daily basis to an extent that is worse than anywhere else in the world. Nearly 2 children out of 10 never reach their fifth birthday.Children that do survive their fifth birthday often do not end going to school. Poverty and traditional beliefs keep 40% of children out of school. Girls are particularly penalized. Schools are not always the child friendly places they are supposed to be.Many children in West & Central Africa face sexual and other forms of violence in school. Children in the region are also being abused and exploited in many ways: child trafficking, child labor, children in armed conflicts, children victims of harmful traditional practices”(UNICEF, 2014, para 1).

The above conditions affect a child’s emotional well-being and development in a number of ways. “There is an established body of evidence to show that what happens in the early years of a child’s life has a profound impact on their future health, development and well-being. Children who have a poor start in life are more likely to develop learning, behavioral or emotional problems which may have far-reaching consequences throughout their lives and in turn, the lives of their children. These problems accrue to the whole society in the form of increased social inequality, reduced productivity and high costs associated with entrenched inter-generational disadvantage”(Family Impact, 2009).

I have gained a few insights and influences as a person and as an early childhood professional. I have learned that I am truly blessed and grateful to not have personally experienced some of the things children in other countries have. I realize that professionally I may encounter children that have experience similar things and will need a great deal of care and support.

References

Family Impact.(2009). Impacts of government policy on children’s health, development and general wellbeing. Retreived from http://www.dpmc.gov

UNICEF.(2014). Children in West and Central Africa. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/overview_4544.html

The sexualization of Early Childhood

One of the resources this week discusses how sexualization is increasing in the field of early childhood. In my experience I have watched as children because more aware of their appearance and their emotions. I have heard a six year old talk about” how she is ready to be loved by a man. I have also heard a seven year old say “I look fat in this picture”. Lastly, I have heard four-year-old reference parts of a woman and make inappropriate remarks about them. I happen to know the parents of these children well so I know that they have been influenced by television, music on the radio and conversation they hear their parents have.

I think it is unfortunate for the children to be influenced or even be exposed to sexualization. I think children should not be concerned with how they look. I think this can decrease their confidence and identity. As a future early childhood professional, I hope to counter some of the negative influences by providing with other activities and hobbies. I want them to focus on other things than their appearance. This article has helped me to “ develop a lens that will help you see more clearly how the graphic sexual messages that permeate the lives of your children and harming them in ways that go far beyond what they’re learning about sex(Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).

Reference

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

“An ism is about the institutional advantages and disadvantages people experience due to their membership in certain social identity groups. Isms are found throughout society and its institutions” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p.24). I believe isms are learned through observation. Children are influenced by their parents, family and early childhood professionals. Some isms are sexism, classism, heterosexism, bisexual-ism, racism and ageism.

Some isms that I have personally dealt with is racism and classism. Dealing with both of these isms were a struggle for me. Both left me with feelings of hurt, anger, and defeat. These are feelings I would not want anyone to feel however if I am completely honest, it has affected how I have treated others.

As an early childhood, I understand that my previous experiences can interfere with those I will have in the future. I would like to be conscious of the things I say and do. I do not want to hold any stereotypes, discriminate or neglect families or children due to something I have faced in the past. If I am not mindful of my words and actions these are things that could happen. I hope to treat my previous/current experiences as isolated incidents and not allow them to affect how I treat of interact with children and families.

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Observing Communication

Today I did an observation of a dad with his daughter in the waiting area at my job. The mom had a doctors appointment. The dad stayed in the lobby with his daughter during the office visit. Less than five minutes after mom left for her appointment, the daughter “Ashlynn” began to show signs of boredom. She would make attempts to run around the office. The dad was very calm and asked her to not run from him and sit down. Ashlynn made a few loud outburst to express her displeasure. After another five minutes, the dad picked Ashlynn up and began to walk around the floor. The dad would ask Ashlynn questions about what she saw as they came across different things. They found the bathroom, a water fountain, the elevators, chairs, windows,etc. Lastly the came across words on a wall. The wall gave patients directions on where their physician was located but for Ashlynn, the wall of words was a learning activity. The dad asked Ashlynn to tell him if she could identify each of the letters in the alphabet.

I thought the dad did a great job with his communication skills. I have learned that it takes patience to work with children and you really need to know the child you are working with. Dr. Kolbeck states children need to feel listened to and seen (Laureate Education,2011). I am learning to take that approach with children. I observed Ashlynn to be “adventurous”. Her dad knew she would not stay quiet sitting down so he took her “exploring”. From my observation, I think the dad is helping to fuel her confidence and desire to learn and explore.

When reflecting on my most recent interaction with children, I give more direction than listening. I think I need to work on listening to children and hearing things from their perspective. I tend to only listen when there is a problem or issue. I think I should try to ask more questions and get more insight on their perspectives before I respond.

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Communicating with young children. Baltimore, MD: