Sharing Web Resources

Save the Children has a component called Education. Within this component there are many areas that deal with Education such as Girls Education, A World with no Math, Healing and Education Through the Arts, Reading in Rural America, and Literacy Boost. Those are just of the few areas that are under Education component. HEART (Healing and Education Through the Arts) is the are that really interested me this week. HEART helps children who have experience extreme poverty, limited opportunity, and loss of family and home due to a natural disaster heal emotionally and learn critical skills, so they can achieve their highest potential. HEART has already reached 10,000 children and is looking to reach 50,000 children by the year 2015. This component is relevant to my professional development because I teach children dance on Saturdays and I'm also incorporating it in my daily activities with the children I provide care for.

Dance is a way to express your emotions through movement. I teach liturgical dance which allows children to pick songs that they can relate too and express the song through movement. The younger children normally pick songs that gives them a lot of energy, normally fast and happy songs. I have been dancing for about 12 years. I started dancing right after my parents divorced and dancing really helped me to channel my emotions. In dance classes its not just about moving but I take time to allow children to write and read. They keep a journal of how they feel throughout the week and we have circle time to see what songs describe how they are feeling or what songs can make them feel better.

Save the Children has a Literacy program called Literacy:Success in School: Creating Lifelong Learners. This program helps children in 13 states by expanding the curriculum in English, math, and science. This program is offered to school based programs for disadvantage children. The passion for this program is driven from the fact that 60% of low-income families cant afford to have books in their home. I found this to be very alarming and I find it hard to believe that with the percentage why would government officials close libraries and school?

In various e-newsletters Save the Children foundation provides information on how the government is involved. In April 2013, President Obama wrote a proposal to reform U.S. International Food Assistance Program. Also, in this reform President Obama urges law makers to ensure that these food assistance programs continue to reach the worlds poorest children. Save the Children foundation believes that President Obama proposal will help them in reaching more children if the U.S. International programs were more flexible, timely, and cost effective.

Save the Children foundation is really a great organization after the heart of children. I truly believe that poverty rates will decrease if this program continues to get support from people around the world as well as the government. What I found in this organization is that although they are creating change globally they have a strong desire to help the children in the U.S. first. They are launching programs that goes inside the school to help children. In additional, they have web links of parents who show gratitude for how the Save the Children foundation has their children and family.

Read more of this organization at   http://www.savethechildren.org

Getting to Know Your International Contact: Part 1

After three weeks of posting numerous Facebook post, LinkedIn statuses, emails to numerous of early childhood organizations, and speaking with family and friends I have found one International Contact. I made contact with this person through a mutual friend. The connection was made Thursday and it was better to email her rather than calling.

My International Contact name is Frau Doktor Anika Schmidt and she from Germany. She has a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Freie Universiate. She also has a Doctorate in Psychology from Freie Universiaet in Berlin. I asked her about what role she plays in the Early childhood field, are there any changes she would like to see happen in her country in the ECE field, and as a ECE professional what are ways she can help to make the early childhood better? She expressed that she works directly with Robert Bosch Siftung Center for Early Childhood Education (which is in conjunction with Freie Universiate) and she professionally assist the Hamburg government on Childhood Education in the political realm. Her desire is for her country to make changes in having more excess to ECE for fulltime working mothers and single parents. In Germany, there are not many funds that support working mothers and single parents. Lack of funds is due to the belief that children are suppose to be at home during the early stages of life. The government also made policies that restrict families of ECE funds for children under 3. As a ECE professional her focus is on political policies in the state of Hamburg encouraging the shift of preschool being regarded as an intrusion the private family life and making it an integral part of the German education system.



In addition, I asked Frau what were her views on poverty. She explain, Living in Hamburg and Berlin, poverty tends to be found in areas outside of the city, and areas tend to have families of ethnic minorities, single parents, and blue-collar workers. There are lower access to ECE in those areas, and the quality of education is lower, although there isn't as much of a disparity as in the US. 

Although, my international contact and I shared two emails I learned a lot in two days. Reading her email made me feel grateful and appreciative because the education system in Germany is way different than the US. In Germany, kindergarten is NOT FREE. The government feel that the children should be at home and children are not suppose to begin school until the age of 6. Germany government forces parents to pay tuition for children enrolled in kindergarten. In addition, I learned that along with the curriculum children must learn the state religion and prepare for jobs in the industry. As I was reading the email I couldn't imagine a 10 year old learning how to work. 

This week I learned that poverty is not a new topic. Poverty is happening globally and that the government needs to pay more attention to this issue. For a country (USA) to be one of the richest countries in the world I find it hard to believe that they are amongst the top countries with the highest homeless rate. In addition, I learned that people living poverty don't want to discuss the issues they have with their living status. It is great to know that there are organizations like "Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness" that are helping to eliminate poverty. I am very excited about this organization and I hope that by sharing this resource others will step up to help policy makers form better decisions about homelessness and poverty. 

If you would like to read more about source here is the link: Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness

Sharing Web Resources

Save the Children is a leading organization whose automate goal is to change lives of children across the nation. This organization work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and local partners to create a lasting change in the lives of children. Save the children helps families who have experienced disasters, poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and diseases. This is an organization that welcomes all people who have a desire to help children and their families. You can become an advocate, donate funds, sign-up for their monthly newsletter, spread the word thru social sites, send ecards, become a volunteer and sponsor a child. I encourage everyone who has a passion for change to visit this website and see in what ways you can help. Here is the link Save The Children.

·         Each month the organization releases a publication in reference to an area that is harming children. In September, Save the Children release an publication called "Beyond School Walls- A Boost for Readers. This publication discussed how children are failing to read and learn globally. This really stuck out to me because there are so many children who don't know to read and this shouldn't be. This publication showed that 250 million primary school age children cannot read or write and this whether they attend school or not, 20% of children that live in poverty are 4 times more likely to be out of school than children living in wealthy populations and 60% of children in the U.S who come from low-income families have no reading books at home. Save the Children created a program called Literacy Boost which is currently helping 24 countries around the world. Some of the countries are Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. This program is designed to help children read and learn in as well as out of the classroom. Literacy Boost is also helping children living in extreme poverty and girls have the highest rate of being illiterate. Currently, more than 30 million girls are out of school every day. I really feel that this website addresses lot needs of children and more educational professionals should get involved. Children not reading, living in poverty, dealing with hunger, and not having medical supplies is not just a U.S issue it a GLOBAL ISSUE!!!

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·         Read more of this article: Beyond School Walls

Getting Ready-Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

 

Searching for two Early Childhood Professionals outside of the U.S. made me nervous and excited. The nervous portion of my emotions comes from the thought of not being successful in making a connection. As I begin sending out emails I found that many of the email addresses that I choose were coming back failed delivery. It took me moment to see why they were coming back that way. My understanding of the failed delivery is that the email addresses were not from the U.S. For example on email address I choose was Canadian Child Care Foundation ydionne@cccf-fcsge.ca. Any email that didn't end with org, net, or com came back failed delivery. 

The other emotion being excited comes from looking forward to communicating with other professionals across the world in my field. Im really hoping I can make this connection so I sent an email out four places..Kosovo Education Center, El Salvador, Step by Step Program/ Tipa Tipa, and Honduras. In the email I explained that I am a graduate student at Walden University working on my M.S in ECE. The purpose of the email is to find other professionals in my field and create a communication line of each other dreams, inspirations, issues, and activities in regards to children.

Outside of the resources that was provided to help make this connection I also used my facebook and instagram page to ask for help. I made a post to my family and friends asking them if they know any one how could possibly help with this assignment. In addition, I spoke with a head start coordinator at my local church who has a group that focus on helping to stop trafficking of children. I asked her if she could look to see if she has anyone in her organization who might be able to help. As the search continue I hope that the connect will be made. I haven't received back any responses but I'm keeping "HOPE" alive!!! 

The Early Childhood Organization I choose to research is Save the Children. My ultimate goal is to create change in my community in the lives of all children. Currently, Philadelphia is ranked one of the highest cities for child trafficking. While this is sad I just became aware of this information recently. If I didn't know about this I'm sure there are others who don't as well. Save the Children Organization offers services in child protection, child survival, education, health and nutrition, hunger, and emergency response. This organization partners with governments and internationals agencies to promote awareness on issues relating to children and how to keep them safe. I have signed up for there newsletter and I'm excited to read ways in which I can help children.

 Save The Children

My Supports

There many things and people who support me on daily basis. As I think of my day to day routine I can see little things that may not matter to others but are very important to me.

 My iPod and iPod dock is one of the things that supports from day to day. My alarm clock goes off in the morning. I pray and then I have my morning inspiration. I listen to a total of three songs. Two praise songs which are fast and one worship song which is slow. I absolutely need this in the morning because it sets my mood for the day. It wakes me up and get me fired up for all the activities that I need to complete. My cell phone and laptop are two other things that supports me. I use my phone to check to voice mails or any missed calls. my phone keeps me connected to people especially parents of the children I care for. My laptop is used for school of course, keeping track of social media, and emails. In my travels I always carry my laptop with me.

My super Nintendo is my best friend at 4pm Monday-Friday. After the last child leave I use my game to unwind and relax. I normally play my game for a good 30 minutes before attending to the rest of my evening. Oh yes and how I can I forget my ice cold mountain dew that is a must have. I keep these sodas stock. While it does have a lot of sugar I still drink it cause it taste good and it makes that moment right while playing my game.

CHILDREN support me in many ways. From the children I care for to my nieces and nephews they all support me in more ways than one. The children I care for support financially. The are the source to income that allows me to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. They also keep me going during the day with silly faces and just being active. When I first start providing care for them I use to wish they were older because all they did was sleep all day and I was bored. My nieces and nephews support me by allowing me to be active in their lives. They are my motivation to want to do more for children. I get to learn from them and they don't even know.

I have many friends, family, church members, mentor, dance members and classmates that support me all time. My siblings support me by making sure my assignments for school are on time and they give me quiet time to get the assignments done. My friends support me by encouraging me that I will open my day care center. They also get me out the house so I won't drown myself in school work. Taking online classes was something I feared. I thought I wouldn't be able to keep up, not understand course material since I changed majors, or have a hard time managing my schedule. My classmates supports me through responding to my post and blog. When they complete assignments they support me because it gives me hope that I can do the assignment also. I really am appreciative of the classmates who do there assignments early because it pushes me not to be a procrastinator.

 My biggest supporter is my fiance. I can call on him at any time of the day and he is always there listening, holding my hand, giving me a hug, and letting me know there is nothing too hard for God. He is my EVERYTHING on this side of heaven.







The challenge that I chose to imagine is life without state funding. Currently, many day care centers get funding thru the state from a program called CCIS: Child Care Information Services. I couldn't imagine parents getting no financial help for child care. Just recently, the Philadelphia School District Superintendent made a broadcast that if the state didn't provide funding public schools wouldn't open in September. For me this is sad and it had me thinking of how many children lives this would effect. Not having funding for child care would put me out of business because parents need help with child care. With the increase in unemployment it would be impossible for parents to pay out of pocket for child care. No funding would result in me not having any financial means of supporting myself and my household. I would have to rely on my fiance for help but that would be a burden since we live in two separate households. The joy in my life will slowly decrease because I wouldn't see those small smiley faces on the children. My future surrounds the life of children. Their existence alone keeps me hopeful and motivated. They are a major supporter of why I changed my major to Early Childhood, why I'm starting my own business, and why I'm so passionate about change. CHILDREN ABSOLUTELY ROCK AND I NEED THEM!!!!!

My Connections to Play

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers 

As a child my siblings and I use to play "House". It was enough of us to cover all the roles in the house. I remember I was always the mom and my older brother was the dad. It was interesting playing this game because we acted out what our parents would say such as the rules of the house, doing chores, and saying your prayers before bedtime. Of course we add our own words to make it fun but it was during these times we learned more about our parents expectations as well as who was the lazy person in the family.

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” ~ O. Fred Donaldson 

“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 

Growing up I lived in village apartment complex and in the summer time all the children on the terrace would gather things out their room to play school. We did everything from counting, writing, reading, learning about different states, and even how things were created. It was a fun but learning time because we got to see what the other kids brought out their houses. Some of the kids had really cool books, coloring books and crayons, and educational devices. We use split up in two groups and see which group was the smartest by playing spelling bee's and solving math problems.

Hopscotch was one of my favorite games to play. My dad use to buy colorful chalk that my sisters and I used to make our own hopscotch. We use to be creative with it and draw pictures inside of the boxes such as hearts, butterflies or stars. Somehow I always ended up being stuck on seven. LOL!!! The good ole days of hopscotch.

 My father is probably smiling down from heaven as I right this because I use to think this game was torture when my father was teaching me how to play. I thought it was boring and for boys. However, I started to love this game because my dad taught me how to beat my siblings. It was crazy because while we could have played checkers or marbles we all wanted to play chess. It became a family game that my father even allowed us to rename the pieces. For example the pawn was called Power Pound Puppy....Silly I know....Would give anything to play chess with my father again.

Supportive People in my childhood

My parents were major supporters of play in my childhood. While I had play time on my own my parents did participate in some of my play time. One of the things I use to love doing was coloring. Coloring was major in my household. 

We had everything from paint, crayons, color pencils, and markers. My dad taught me how to blend in colors and stay in between the lines. It was a great time. I use to be ashamed to tell people but I still enjoy coloring as an adult. When I'm stressed or overwhelmed I color. It take my mind off things and its soothing. My siblings and neighbors were great supporters as well. Any outdoor play always involved all the kids on the terrace or apartment complex. We played tag, hide and seek, and jump rope. While we didn't always get along we learned from each other and I built friendships from playing.

Past vs Present Play

Growing up playing outside was the best thing to do. Going to play ground or the community swimming pool was like the "thing" to do. Riding bikes and jumping rope until the street lights came on was pretty much the norm. When I was younger my parents brought my siblings and I a super nintendo (which I still own and play). We was only allowed to play the game on the weekends even in the summer time. Currently, game systems, cell phones, or pads is all kids are into. You can go in any community and find kids outside but playing with some type of device. Electronics have taken over tag, hopscotch, or playing school. Even when it comes down to simple things as riding a bike, many kids have remote control cars or power scooters. I feel that new technology has made the next generation lazy. 

Thoughts on Play 

As an adult I find ways to bring out my childhood experiences. When I'm watching my nieces and nephews I still like to color and create club houses using the living room furniture, sheets, and blankets. I think its good for a child to use their imagination while playing. Sometimes we will lay on the bed at night with a flash light and play who can spot the biggest star. To me I feel that those moments of play will be memorable. Throughout my childhood I remember always carrying around "JACKS" cause I use to love to play with them. How many people remember jacks? The silver ones too...lol.... When children become adults they should remember good times in their childhood like this. However, they have to engage in play in order to have the memory.   

Relationship Reflection

~“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

Relationships are important to me because they help with my growth and provide support when I need it. Each relationship that I engaged in bring different things. Some relationships bring comfort, safety, joy, laughter, discipline, creativity, respect, honor, and most of all love. All of these characteristics are important in many of my relationships. Relationships are also important because they keep me grounded and very often motivated. Without certain relationship in my life I'm not sure where I would be currently.

This is my best friend Lekeia Sears and our friendship means the world to me. We have been friends for 14 years and counting and she has been a blessing in my life since 9th grade. There is nothing that I can't share with her. While we have had great times together there has also been rough times. In those rough times I feel it just made our friendship stronger. She is a major person I lean on for support when dealing with struggles especially school. I admire her strength and determination to provide a loving atmosphere for her daughter who is also my god daughter. I made it thru two degree's working on my third because she has always been in my corner telling me "Reach for the Stars". What make this relationship/friendship so amazing is because her love for me goes beyond the scope of a friendship. I love her to pieces and our bond is inseparable.

This is my awesome dance ministry "Overflow". I had the great pleasure of knowing these ladies for about 8 years. This dance ministry has played such a huge role in life. These ladies are silly, creative, loving, but most of all supporting. We are not just a dance ministry in church but we are a family. We share opinions and have disagreements but we respect each other thoughts. Something that I love about these ladies is that we are in tune with each. When ministering in dance we can pull from each other strength and its this that keeps us going. We each have different personalities that makes our relationship with one another awesome. This ministry has taught me discipline, self value, and how to be free. My self concept has changed because of these ladies. I can look in the mirror and say I'm beautiful and that I am a phenomenal woman. Currently, we still teach other things and I can't imagine life without them.

This is my soon to be husband Joseph who is my best friend, peace in conflict and frustration, motivator, supporter, and prayer warrior. While we are in a relationship I consider us partners for life. I call us "Team Brown". He is my high school sweet heart and he keeps me on my toes. I say we are "Team Brown" not just because on 4/12/14 that will become my last name but more so because currently we make decisions as a team.Our goals and dreams have been laid out and we made a decision to support another. Our love for one another is genuine and we value and respect each other. As in any partnership there will come bumps in the road. However, we have over came these bumps by simply have effective communication which includes "Listening". I love him more and more each day because he teaches me how to be patient and humble. Looking forward to becoming Mrs. Joseph Maurice Brown.

Each relationship has an positive impact on my life but its also because of challenges that they remain positive. When I first joined my dance ministry I didn't take it seriously. I came to rehearsals late and showed up to church when it was convenient for me. At some point my dance leader had to sit me down and tell me in so many words that I need to either be a team player or leave the ministry. That one encounter really changed my life. I still have the email she sent about being a team player and what happens to the team when everyone doesn't pull their weight. I learned how to not be selfish and think of others feelings. I didn't realize at that time how my absence from the ministry made the ministry look. Currently, anyone will say i go beyond the call of being a team player and I also encourage others to be effective team members. My dance leader still calls me her "Ride or Die" team member and that means a lot to me. It shows me how far I grown and how serious my commitment is to the team.

Working in early childhood I can use my team player experience to help children work together. Currently, I have a 1 and 2 year old and i teach them how to clean up together. They actually use clean up time as a fun time experience. They laugh, play, and eventually all the toys get pick up off the floor. It feels great to be able to help children using things that I have learned from past experiences.