Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 2

I subscribed to World Forum radio weeks ago and I recently listened to a podcast featuring Barbara Jones. Barbara Jones, better known as "BJ", successfully launched and operated Pine Grove Montessori School 20 years ago. She recalls heading out to Southern California to find an ideal early childhood experience she had read in books all the while, looking for a job. She found a job opening for a Montessori school teacher. She received a surreal response and by the Montessori director who stated that she had a' psychic feeling' that Barbara would apply for the job. She found this intriguing and worked in the program for years and decided Montessori was the way to go. She continued to study the Montessori philosophy and later in life found a vacant school house where she could make her dream of opening a Montessori school come true. When the property for her school came available she made arrangements to open a private Montessori, historical school house. She speaks in awe of the property and the place in which the school is still located and shares her excitement about her continuing experience in working with children in the early childhood field.




Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/)

3 insights:

The Center's Global Children's Initiative has started a portfolio containing activities in the following areas: Early Childhood Development, mental health and children in crisis and conflict situations.

Information on each domain is as follows:

Early Childhood Development
 

Child Mental Health

Mental health concerns constitute a massively under-addressed issue that has significant implications for the broader health and development of children and societies. There is an urgent need to identify the scope of the problem within and across countries and to develop evidence-based approaches in policy and service delivery that are responsive to diverse cultural contexts. To respond to this challenge, a working group of Harvard faculty is developing a focused agenda in research, education, and public engagement to address significant gaps in knowledge and service delivery. The following three initial projects have been selected to launch this effort, subject to sufficient funding:

• Assessing the state of child mental health services in Shanghai, China;
• Developing and evaluating family-based strategies to prevent mental health problems in children affected by HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; and
• Addressing child maltreatment and mental health outcomes in three Caribbean nations (Barbados, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname). 

To strengthen their policy relevance, each of these projects is being designed to include an economic component to analyze allocation effects in the supply and demand for services.

Children and Crisis 

The Global Children’s Initiative is currently exploring potential synergies with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health, both of which have extensive experience working in emergency situations across the world. The goal of this effort is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration that incorporates a science-based, developmental perspective into the assessment and management of child well-being in a range of natural and man-made crises, focusing on both immediate circumstances and long-term adaptation. Two issues are the initial focus of activity in this domain:

• Exploring comparable approaches to surveying child status in post-earthquake Haiti and Chile.
• Bringing the science of child development into strategies for addressing acute malnutrition.

Global Children's Initiative. (3, February, 2012). Global Children's Initiative-Activities, Frontiers of Innovation, Knowledge generation. Retrieved from
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/




The first priority in this area is to adapt the successful work the Center has conducted in the United States for a broader range of strategically selected audiences, in an effort to energize and reframe the global dialogue around investments in the earliest years of life. To this end, we plan to educate the leadership of key international agencies, publish and disseminate papers to establish a strong scientific framework for global work, and conduct systematic communications research to identify the most effective ways to translate the science of child development for global policymakers.
The second priority is to generate and apply new knowledge that addresses the health and developmental needs of young children in a variety of settings. Initial projects that are in various stages of planning, fundraising, and implementation include the following:

• Assessing quality in early childhood environments and programs in diverse global contexts;
• Piloting assessments to measure child development outcomes linked to malaria control strategies in Zambia; and
• Expanding effective interventions to improve preschool quality in Chile.

The Center also plans to convene research forums to facilitate collaboration among a wide network of scholars globally to share findings and co-develop publications.

Sharing Web Resources (continued)

National Black Childhood Development website

*Particularly relevant information:
While exploring the National Black Childhood Development website, I found the 'news' tab to be the most insightful. Under the 'news' tab there was an article featured by the name of, "Let's Move: Child Care State Challenge", one way to promote healthy childhood development is to ensure that exercise and healthy eating is a part of the lives of families and children. Currently, at my school we are promoting an initiative by the name of "Junk the Junk food" this article helped me to provide children and families with facts that coincide with the program.


*Controversial Issue:
While I did not find any specific controversial issues, I did find it peculiar that it was hard to find information on how to become involved, locally. One of the suggestions I may later post to the site is to include a variety of local community/neighborhood activities that our society can become involved in.


*Economists, Politicians, Neuroscientists information:
While exploring the site I began to recognize how much financial support is available for early childhood programs and initiatives. I mentioned above the NBCD's effort to bring awareness to Healthy habits. Well, the NBCD gained financial support from Sam's Club/Walmart in the amount of $300,00 to support this initiative. I can definitely learn much of these tips on gaining support and resources to support a great cause.


*New insights and trends:
As we all know, February is Black History Month, although, I know the names of many African Americans that lent a hand in building this country, I began to read upon the people and bios that I have yet to hear of. For example, I learned of, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams who founded Providence Hospital in Chicago in the year of 1889.

National Black Child Development Institute. (2012, January 14). Mission, publications, history, initiatives, news, affiliates. Retrieved from http://nbcdi.org/

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 1

Podcast: I had the pleasure of listening to an interview with Susan Lyons an educator who wasinspired about the different facets in which children learn. She studied abroad, specifically in Italy and learned about how language affects children throughout the world. She brought back this in depth information and enlightened educators in the United States, focusing in her hometown of California. She implemented school programs for teachers and children, and focused on improving the quality of education in public schools. She started the project 10 years ago and is excited to say that her ventures paid off. Children are learning as never before and teachers are teaching with new innovative information and language tools that has never been utilized before. Susan Lyons takes pride in her work as an EC professional and continues to delight in impacting children and families around the globe.



Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s Insights: I decided to look at how poverty affects the society of the country of China. It was enlightening to find that the poverty has decreased in recent years. The site attributes this decline to "far-reaching processes of economic and social transition  " (Child Poverty Research and Policy Insights, 2012). Information also states that the country of China receives the most money from economic dealings and trade, except for the US. For the country, this could be good and bad, meaning the country's inhabitants are limited by the hold the country has put upon investment and employment. As far as childhood poverty is concerned, "4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantaged conditions" (Child Poverty Research and Policy Insights, 2012). Life expectancy for infants at birth is 71 years of age.

While navigating the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre's Insight, I found an interesting quote, "Deepening understanding of the main causes of childhood poverty and poverty cycles, and increasing knowledge of effective strategies to tackle them in different contexts" (Child Poverty Research and Policy Insights, 2012). This quote rings true, my understanding has deepened to the point of advocacy. Not only do I feel as if I must take a stance as an EC professional, but I must stand because I am a human that values life.

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre. (2012, January 19). CHIP activities, International, country overviews. Retrieved from: http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

SHARING WEB RESOURCES





National Black Child Development Institute http://nbcdi.org/

Since 1970, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) has remained steadfast in its mission –“To improve and advance the lives of black children and their families through education and advocacy.” With a focus on early childhood education, child welfare, elementary and secondary education, and health, the Institute accomplishes this mission by:

1)      Serving as a vital information resource to all individuals who work directly with children, in particular child care professionals, educators, parents, social workers and academicians; and

2)      Providing direct services at the local level through its nationwide affiliate network composed of volunteers, who work in concert with the Institute to improve child welfare services, provide access to universal early care and education, build family support services, and provide vital information on children’s health. (National Black Child Development Institute [NBCDI], 2012).

Issue/Trend:

I was astonished by the level of success this organization has achieved:

• Conducting a landmark study on children in foster care which resulted in subsequent progressive national policies;
•  Advocating successfully for progressive adoption policies and subsidies that permitted older and single parents to adopt;
• Working successfully to create public policy and influence legislation that directly affects the lives of African American children by testifying before Congress on every significant child care bill from the Comprehensive Child Development Act of 1970, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, the School Construction Act of 1999 to the Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act of 1999 and orchestrating a special hearing on parenting in 2000;
•  Working to gain public support to provide access to universal early care and education which has become a priority for governors in more than half of the states;
•  Promoting publicly supported quality child care programs for mothers who were entering the work force in increased numbers, resulting in the enactment and special allocation of funds by a substantial number of states for child care; 
•  Implementing and expanding a community based nationwide intervention/prevention program entitled Entering the College Zone from five to twenty five cities to get more disadvantage middle school students on the college track;
•  Providing leadership to agencies like the National Institute of Health (NIH) to decrease health disparities; and 
• Building and nurturing partnerships with organizations ranging from the National Education Association (NEA), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a number of corporations like, United Parcel Service (UPS), Proctor and Gamble (P&G), State Farm Insurance Companies, and government agencies like the National Institute of Health (NIH)

(National Black Child Development Institute [NBCDI], 2012).

******I always hear about the overall accomplishments of other renowned Child Development Agencies/Associations,  but I seldom hear about what other cultures (specifically my own) are doing to further healthy development in children and families...

National Black Child Ddevelopment Institute. (2012, January 14). About, mission, initiatives, history. Retrieved from http://nbcdi.org/

Getting Started: Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources



When reading the criteria for this weeks Blog Assignment, I felt rather leery about contacting individuals I do not know. Although, I know this is a part of professionalism, my choice would be to become contacted through a trusted individual or organization, I personally know. Nevertheless, I did get connected to the World Forum Radio, and subscribed to the podcasts via my itunes and I also had the pleasure of listening to an episode that featured a man by the name of, Barnabas Otaala, Dean of Education at Uganda's Martyrs University. Mr. Otaala spoke about the children of the village where he lived and their experience with HIV/AIDS. 

The episode was extremely enlightening on how HIV/AIDS is one of the largest topics regarding childhood development and family issues in the African region. Barnabas Otaala spoke about the respect that villagers have for doctors and how doctors need to have a better relationship with villagers to gain more insight on this devastating disease. He spoke on the need for all of us to pay attention to the needs of children.

Following the podcast episode, I looked for Mr. Otaala's e-mail but could not locate it. But, I continued to search for more information on him, the university and the matter of HIV/AIDS in the town of Uganda. I was able to go to the University website and explore and I even strolled upon a newsletter the University's Press produced. The newsletter featured, professor and dean Barnabas Otaala and even featured a quote that stated, "the Faculty ofEducation at Uganda Martyrs’University, had in some effective way, started to address develop-mental issues, including those of HIV and AIDS, and Special Needs Education" (Zalwango, 2010).

I definitely plan to utilize the World Forum Radio in the future. As far as expanding my resources, I browsed around at the websites provided on the Blog resources page and found interest in the website for the National Black Child Development Institute. While all of the other resources were phenomenal, I just think that this institution and website benefits me the most. I signed up for free information and newsletters and really look forward to immersing myself in the information that the service provides.

National Black Child Development Institute. (2011, January 7). Home, about, newsletters initiatives, affiliates, support. Retrieved from: http://nbcdi.org/

Zalwango, Amelia. (2010, August). Inaugural Lecture. Uganda Martyrs University Newsletter, 17(1). Retrieved from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/61365262/Uganda-Martyrs-University-Newsletter-2010-1

My Supports

Support is...a consistent source of sort that is willing and able to bear the weight of the many challenges LIFE brings.

My support...

My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

GOD is...My GOD anything and everything that I need him to be. He created this gift in me of teaching and loving children, so when I am faced with adversities concerning such, I can believe in HIS word, when HE says:
 "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted  beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

AND

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7

Although, friends and family are major support systems in your life, NO ONE has the ability to bear the weight of the WORLD at the same time, except for GOD! I am thankful and grateful to call myself, "a child of the King"!!!!

My Husband and my Son

I love these two people very much. My husband is not only my mate but he's my colleague and my best friend. In our marriage, support runs ramped. A few years ago, he finished his Master's in Counseling and was thrilled to support him ALL of the way, and now he has sincerely returned that support. He is also my biggest encourager. My son, means so much to me and he is definitely one of the reasons why I am pursuing this degree. He is my inspiration and a constant in my life. Thanks Guys!!!!!!!

My Connections to Play



Toys I grew up playing with:


Barbie Porsche



My Buddy and Kid Sister Doll



Quotes on Play:

"What we play is life." (Louis Armstrong).

*I believe that play is a manifestation of the things/events an individual  has seen in life and play is also made-up of any future endeavours that may come in life. Hence, for small child play is life and life is play. 

"Whoever wants to understand much must play much." (Gottfried Benn).

*I feel that this quote is most beneficial for the caregivers, adults and educators in the lives of children. I have always felt that if you want to know more about a child, get down to their level and play with them, be apart of their world!

Quotes derived from: http://quote.robertgenn.com/getquotes.php?catid=230

How play was supported in my childhood/role of play throughout my life/compare & contrast of play today and of when I was a child:

As a child, I had numerous opportunities to play. My parents allowed time for my sister and I to be creative and explore the world as we know it through play. However, my parents did create a strong structured, educational environment for us. Although, play is an essential area in which children in the early childhood stage develop, I believe that, adults, teachers, caregivers and parents must set: goals, expectations and boundaries in which children are allowed to play. I strongly believe that children are very much, "child-like", therefore, they need adults, someone who is mature and wiser than themselves to ensure that their environment is filled with security, safety and knowledge. The BIBLE also teaches us, "there's a time for everything under the sun..."(Ecclesiastes 3), children should no doubt have ample time for "free play" but play should also be correlated to development and learning! Play and learning should be one SOLID ENTITY!!

I feel that presently, play has taken on a different meaning. When I was a child, play was encouraged but structured with learning, security and reason. Play, as we now know it has taken on a different form, I believe that children are required to make decisions that are developmentally inappropriate for them to make. The children I teach, everyday, come from homes with LITTLE to NO STRUCTURE, when they come to school, they YEARN for that structure. We ask children, "what do you want to do today?" or "what DON'T you want to do today?". Decisions regarding a child's life should be made by a stable adult. Play is absolutely necessary in a child's life but it takes an experienced, discerning adult to guaranty this play is undoubtedly secure and meaningful.