My Final Goodbyes

I am preparing my blog as my heart begins to feel heavy only because we have come to the end of another interesting but yet fulling class. I must say that this is been an eye opening experience for me these past 8 weeks and without you guys comments, support and motivation I wouldn't been able to make it. I thank you. I want to wish all of you guys well with great success. We are done with our core courses and now its time for our specialization areas and soon graduation. I want you guys to always put your best foot forward in whatever you do and to keep God or whomever you serve 1 st in your life. If you need anythign please don't hesitate dropping me a line via-email.

Team Building

I remember when I was in the academy for the Sheriff Department for 8 weeks with a total of about 36 individuals. On the first day or orientation I didn't know what to expect I just look at it as I am going to do these 8 weeks graduate and have a good paying job. Little did I know that each day each week me and my classmates became closer and closer to each other. We began forming study groups with each other to ensure we all past the test, workout session so that those that was physically meeting the requirements met the requirements and even began eating and going out together. You can say we were one big happy family.
Out of all the groups I have been involved in I would definitely say that my academy class was the hardest to leave. Even though after graduation we were going to the same place but we would no longer see each other like we did for 8 weeks and we had the greatest class counselor ever. On our last day we did a team bilding and even though we had already bonded well it made the team bulding exercise even better. On graduation we all cried tears of joy and we have our class counselor a token of our appreciate. Right before graduation we all sat in  a circle and we talked about the ups and downs of academy and how at the end we all made it.
I feel adjourning is essential to teamwork because it tells you your strengths and weakness what you can achieve as a team to continue or to get stronger.

Nonviolent Communication

Its funny that we are suppose to blog about htis particular topic of nonviolent communication. I can recall a recent situation in my personal life when I was having just a small heated conversation and both of us were going back and forth and no one could hear no one because of the yelling. I suddenly realized and ask myself why are you yelling because this is not a way to solve a situation. So I just hushed and allow the other person to continue vent because at this point that is what they was doing because I began to listen. I think allowed them to get whatever it was off of their chest and I remember in order to have a civilized conversation you have to respect, respond, and reciporate.  Once the other person observed my actions they were able to calm down and we were able to began an adult conversation. By the end of hte conversation we both listen to each other views and we were able to agree and disagree without being disagreeable.
I believe that the only thing that changed the disagreement was one had to show respect for the other so both parties ended up respecting each other.
The question I have for my colleagues is what other way could this been avoided.

Who Am I as a Communicator

    As I participated in this week's assignment I learned that even though I feel I am a better listener than a talker to a point I talk every now and then people looked at me as a better talker when it comes to meeting people or just talking in general. Its odd because I am kind of shy when it comes to talking in public or just opening up to people, but I guess as I get older I find it as a gift of evanglism.
    
      When I saw my results it just boost my confidence up to want to speak more. I was told that it makes it easier for people to get to know me when I talk because I am a humble individual and when I speak if some I love I have passion about the topic or conversation.
With that information shared about me it works highly in my favor because i'm in a career to where I talk to young people almost all day long and sometime I talk to others to try to get them involved in volunteering.

      I was taught not to talk so much and just listen and I guess now its the opposite talk much and others will listen. Now when it comes to my personal life it takes me a minute to get to talking but once I get to talking then that is the ice breaking. I guess I have to feel comfortable when it comes to talking unless I am already close to you. I am still working on that one.

Communication and Culture

When it comes to communicating effectively to people of different cultures I have to say that I honestly don't change my approach with getting my message across. I simply made sure that I am understood. I ask if ther is any questions and it is I answer them to the best of my ability or I try to explain in  different way. I feel that if you change your appproach due to the fact you are dealing with different cultures that is not allowing an equal opportunity. When it comes to politics, sexual orientation, religion, and race I stay open minded and I am not bias to either group. I try to be a neutral individual and keep all lines of communication open so that people will recieve the vibe that I am a very easy person to talk to. Once thing I would definitely do is to ensure that my nonverbal communication skills matches up with my verbal communication skills to prevent misunderstanding. At the end of the day practicing good communicatin skills rather is nonverbal or not is the key to all understandings

Nonverbal-vs-Verbal Communication

I watch a tv show entitled Bridezilla and I was definitely suprised. Bridezilla is a show that I never watch so the experience of watching it with the sound off was kind of funny to me. With the sound off just reading their body language you can tell they were upset, cursing, and making everyone around them miserable. Once I added sound it was no difference. I would have rather watched it without sound because of how everyother word was a curse word. I think if I have watched a show I was familiar with it would have been a little different.

If I could have did this particular assignment on a show I was familiar with it would have been either Sanford and Son or Golden Girls. With the sound off on these shows you can read their body language and laugh all day but at some moments they have a blank expression but what they are saying could be funny. Once you add the sound its just as you figured you are able to put the nonverbal with the verbal. In my opinion Bridezilla just wasn't for me and my interest was quickly gone and I was waiting desperately for something esle to come on.

I have learned that you can get a mix messege with nonverbal communication because sometimes your body language will speak differently from what your are explaining thats why I feel it is always good that your nonverbal matches your verbal when it comes to communication.

Communication

       When I think of a particular member of my family that is competent to a particular text or situation I have to think of my older cousin. Every since I was a little girl I have always looked up to her as a role model. I wanted to attempt to achieve some of her same achievements. As I began to get older we drifted off a little and not until the pass three years we have gotten back and now we are even closer.
       I guess when you are younger the person seems so much older then you and when you both have gotten older it seems you are right together. Anyway her style on handling professionalism is so amazing. The way she carries herself, her body language, her humbliness, her conversation, her appearance just everything to me. She is able to communicate with anyone on any level and I think that is what I admire about her the most her being so verstile.
        I think if I was able to change some of my communication skills to mimic some of her my communication skills would be better than what they are. At the end of the my cousin feels like she is no bigger than the next person.

Professional Hopes and Goals

When I think of professional hopes and goals I think of where I am now and where I would like to be with my accomplishments. My biggiest fear would be not to have accomplished anything after putting forth hard work. However I do know with dedicatin, discipline, determination, and hard work I can/ will accomplish anything I put my mind to.
A hope that I have when it comes to working with family and children from diverse backgrounds is that I would be a better understanding of where they come from. Enlighten me from the stereotypes I may have of a particular background, or culture.
A goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be simply be to educate. Teach the children how to be more open-minded and non-bias. Enlighten them on how everyone should be treated equally and no one is better than the next.
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I would like to leave with my colleagues words and encourgement and thanks. I encourge you to always put your best foot forward in whatever you set your mind out to do. Remember what we have learned in this class these past 8 weeks and apply it to whatever educational profession we go into. I would like to thank everyone for being the supportive classmates you are. You have truly made this class and eye opener for me and interesting. I have truly learned alot and it was because of you.....

Welcoming Families From Around The World

I just got word that The Mendez family has just moved here from the Dominican Republic and they have a 4 year old that will be attending my childcare center. Among this announcement I began to get myself as well as staff and center culturally prepared so that the family and the child will fee comfortable. Upon preparation I remembered that I have taking a diversity class so I can going to put what I have learned to use. Some thing that I am going to do to prepare for this particualr family is to make one: make sure that all my staff are educated on the different countries in South America so that they will know that this family is Dominican and not Mexican, two: I will ensure that the center gives a bilingual atmosphere from english to spanish to assist with the child identifing objects to english and the center idefing the objects to spanish, three: make sure that the toys in the center is more that one race to show diversity in the objects so that the child want can have a free play mentality, four: I personally would study up on the family culture of their beliefs and culture so that I am aware of their values, beliefs, and norms, and finally five: I would have an open door policy to show that I welcome all cultures, races, diversity and etc.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Growing up as an African American in the south I must say that one will experience a lot of trial and errors known as isms. I can remember when I was about twelve years old and my father and I went to the beauty supply store to get some colored hair spray because of an event I was having at school. As I walked in the store (I  still had my school clothes on and if I remember correctly we had switch day and I had put on some baggy shorts, a cap, a t-shirt, some knee socks, and tennis) I can recall the store owner following me around in the store the entire time I was there. As I was looking for my hair spray I asked for assistance and that’s when I noticed that lady speaking in another language and pointing at me. He soon then approached me and asked me what was I looking for and I needed to hurry up and make a purchase and they didn’t want any trouble. For a second I was lost then I realize they assumed I was stealing or either trying to rob them. I immediately ran to my father’s truck and told him what happen and he came into the store raising all kind of saying but in a concerned parent way if that’s a thing. The lady then stated at my dad “You people are all the same. You are loud, you steal and you are bad for business”. Once we heard that remark we instantly reported that particular store and never went back. I would have to say that was my first time actually experiencing racial micro aggression and micro assault all at once. One of the two factors is that people who have good intentions often make racially biased comments, but are unaware of any wrong doings. (Walden, 2011).  Even as a young child I knew at that point if you didn’t dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or even act a certain way I would forever be put in some stereotypical group.

I feel that this particular indcident dimishied equilty because at such an early age and maybe because of the store owner previous experience she had make a prejudice thought and bias comment about me because I am an African American. I wasn't treated as a customer looking for a specific item to purchased. I was looked at as a "Black Girl" trying to cause trouble. Once I have this experience I felt terrible and hurt and it was sad because my dad looked at me and could tell what I was feeling and it was nothing he could do about it. I feel there was nothing I could have done differently to get great equilty maybe it was just that particular person with a bias and closed prejudice mind.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I can remember a time when me and some of my friends had went out to karoke. Of course we were there to have a good time some of us were having wine and some of us were just having fun. Of course everyone knows that when you have been drinking you tend to be a little more friendly, and a little loud. I had a friend that had one to many classes of wine and she was a little extra friendly to the people that were in there and was really "attention seeking" by that way she dancing, Now with her dancing and open friendliness me being her friend and theothers were trying to keep her calm  and keep her seated and to allow her to listen to the music. It work for only a hot minute and before I knew it she over heard some guys talking and I notice how the guys approached our table saying " Me and my boys want some of that attention". I instantly snapped and we immediatley left for the night.

After remembering that incident and reading the course work I am able to detect that i was a victim of mircoassault and microinvalidation. Those men thought just because my friend was acting a certain way I was a reflection of her. Now I know the ol' saying is to watch the company you keep because birds of a feather flock together, but this is 2011and I feel even though you may hang in groups and have friends it is not appropiate to judge each person because everyone has their on individual personality. This week I observed a little stereotype at my job. I observed one of my co-workers telling our director that she didn't want me to work with her this upcoming year because of my life style. Once I heard this information I told the director I don't feel comfortable working in this type of environment. She then told me that there was no need to worry about anything and if anyone goes it will be her for trying to cause a hositle work environment. The funny part is that I dont share my lifestyle with anyone so really she was going off of hersay which really made the situation even worst. With me hearing that it made me want to more find other employment because this is not the first time this situation has come up. I know if I stay humble my season will soon come. SO I go in to my job and go home.  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

              Its odd that we are having a blog assignment on this particular topic on others perspectives on culture and diversity because me and 4 of my friends were just having this discussion over dinner the beginning of the week. One of my friends that was joing me was from Egypt and the rest of us were from somewhere in the United States. My friend that is from Egypt look at culture and diversity pretty much in the same eye view as everyone else. My friend look at culture as the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization and she looked at diversity as different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization. One thing I can honestly say is that we were all very open- minded individuals and even though we may have disagreed with some of each others beliefs, morals, and values and some point we were on the same page.
        When it comes to this course thus far I have been studying being diverse, open minded, but at the same time interacting with others from different cultures that have a different aspect on their morals and beliefs from what I have and being accepting. An example that relates to the course would be my friend dining with me that is from Egypt and even though we have the same prospectives on culture and diversity her beliefs, morals, and values were a little different from mine.
           Some aspects that I feel were omitted when it comes to culture and diversity would be the acceptance if one chose to live an alternative life style or if one decided to have a child outside or marriage. I know when we where all having dinner on that topic came up my friend told me that if one was in a situation such as a child before marriage or even an alternative lifestyle one would be banded from her country.  ** Talk about proud to be an American**.
         I feel that listening to my friends interperutation of culture and diversity it made me realize that some countries actually do value their morals and beliefs not only through childhood , but also throughout their adulthood and they ensure that their family lives by their morals, belifs, and values. It made me think about how much other cherish what they believe in and its not just a faze compared to how some Americans can be and even myself.

My Family Culture

        My family and I was victims of  a major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country and relocated to another country not knowing where we would end up. Three things I would choose to take with me to remind me on my family culture I would have to say some ( blues) music records, african american books or art work, and I would have to say some soul food recipes.
            I know the things I listed may sound small but these items would definitely remind me of my culture and maybe even help me keep my sanity in a new world. A way that I would explain to others if asked to explain my items is that blues and soul food were both originated in the south and I am definitely from the south and the african american art work/books to remind me where I have been and where I am going.
     I think if I was told that I could only keep one item it would be a hard decision, but I would maybe have to say I would keep the soul food recipes. The reason I say this is because when it comes to the african american art work/ books if it's in you no one can take it away from you, the music wouldn't be a big issue because if you are an open minded individual you are welcoming to new cultures and music is a diverse source or art.
     I have learned that I am who I am and each day I learn more and more about not just my culture but my hertiage. At first I use to do certain things because it was a fashion thing like having sisterlocs, wearing african colors, wearing the ankh and etc., but as I continue to do this things I reseach and reseach and find that the things I once thought wwas a fashion statement means so much more to me and I am glad that I am doing it. Example. Did you know that dreadlocks/sisterlocs wasn't originated in " Africa" like the Zulu tribe but was originated in Egypt and it is a sign or royalty and riches. ****Just food for thought**** Just odd how something as small as your hair can mean a lot to your culture that we take for granted or just for fashion.

When I think of research.......

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

Some insights that I have gained about research from this course is that when conducting information you can be as creative as you want. There is technically no right or wrong way to collecting information. I also have gained that when searching for a research topic that it can be a little difficult because of the fact there are so many topics that may interest you and you have to narrow those topic down to one and ensure yourself that you will be able to have enough information to collect on that topic in order to perform a research.

• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

My ideas have changed of doing research is not how I expected. Do to the fact this is literally my first research class I wasn't aware of how much time and effort is put into actually conducting a productive research. Now that I have been gaining this experience it has allowed me to open up and be very detail without being noisey.

• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

Some of the lessons I have learned is that there are several was to conduct a reseach live I stated above without being a wrong way it just depends on the ankle you are going in and what you are trying to prove. When it comes to early childhood the research is so broad, however when you begin to narrow the information you begin to work in a entire new ball park.

• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Some of the challenges I have/had encounter is/was getting a full understanding on what was my task. Once I got started it was narrowing my topic and attempting to develop my topic clearly that became a challenge. A way I met my challenges  is by asking for assistance to ensure my understanding and that I was going in the right direction.

• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

A way my professional perceptions havebenn modified is that I have been enlighten on the exact direction I want to go in when it comes to this particular field.

Research around the world.

    The international research topic that caught my interest was:The Status of Coordination and Supervision of Early Childhood Education in Ghana and identifing the factors that have engendered the current problems militating against the successful implementation of early childhood education.

   Some surprising facts that I gathered from this international research was in the 1990s the term "care" took on a new meaning. UNICEF began using the term in relation to nutrition programs to emphasize that good nutrition requires more than simply providing children with food. Child development involves both gradual unfolding of biologically determined characteristics and traits that arise as the child learns from experiences. Both physical growth and mental and emotional growth are crucial in a child’s overall development (Myers, 1995). However from the actually website I found that : The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) is an innovative and multifaceted approach to addressing ECD capacity building and leadership development in Africa. The ECDVU is supported by a range of international, regional and local organizations, including the employers of participants.

    To meet the ECDVU’s child and social development objectives, it employs a number of approaches to post-secondary education that are ‘non-traditional’ in nature. These include: recognizing the strengths and expertise that exist locally and regionally; incorporating these ‘voices’ and experiences into the learning process; promoting sustainable, interactive networks that reach rural as well as urban populations; and using computer technology as a means for developing strong information and communication systems within Africa.

    Other information I found on this site is that there is something being done to aid the assistance of poverty in Africa. What we see on the news or being on the outside looking in is that Africa is poor and they need " our " help like there is nothing being done so that they are able to help their own natives and it is. They have this ECDVU program that is available for the children and their families. If I wouldn't have open this site I wouldn't have never known about this program or what is being done by the natives of Ghana to help their country.

Reference
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php ,

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

Uplifting Story

I can remember when I was a collegiate coach and it was summertime. Track season was over and recruiting season for unsigned prospects or future prospects was open, however it wasn't mandatory. As I was at my office one day I was talking to my head coach and we were discussing the amount of summer track meets we were going to host this upcoming summer. As we sat in the office and ponder I began to ask him about the tpye of programs that are actually offered for the inner city youth in Arkansas especially those that are into track and field. What made me think of this discussion was because of the research I was doing over the internet about the success level in Jonesboro compared to Little Rock, Arkansas and how involved the parents where in there children success.


Months passed and it took my interpersonal communication skills to be at the upmost high. I began to ask around the community to families I had previous met with children that was into track and field and they range from the ages of 5 to 18. Now I know it was a very wide range to deal with and to inquire about, but I was very amazed of the corporation I received. After to my face to face conversations I began to find an interest in the library and used my perks with being a collegiate coach and made a few visits to the school board. One thing I found out that was in common from all my parents I talked to was that they wanted something positive to involve their children in for the summer to keep them out of trouble and to also allow them to keep their brain working.

By the follwing summer I developed an inner city youth tutorial and track program. Alot of my athletes that stayed at the school for the summer assisted with the tutorial programs as well as with the fundamentals of track and field. I had a 6 week camp and it was free. I got so many great responses from that camp that 25 out of 40 students that attended that camp grades gotten better, they had more positive interaction with their parents, the little babies began to come out of their shell and more sociable and attentive in class and my juniros and seniors graduated and some received athletic scholarships.

I have to say my time in Arkansas wasn't the best, but when I began to work with them kids it was the highlight of my "summer" coaching career.

My personal research

         For my personal research I decided to gather information on poverty( or low-income families) and the cognitive, biosocial, and psychosocial effects it has on early childhood children and their families. The reason I chose this topic is for one I am in the early childhood field now so I am personally experiencing the effects from the children because I am with them all day. I am working with a range of families for high-income to low-income and the odd part is that I have a 3 month cousin at my childcare and her mother is in the percentile of low income so its at great interest how the state assists her with the needs of her and her child. I feel that if it wasn't for the state and their assistance 85% of our students wouldn't be enrolled in the daycare. I never thought about any of this until I actually got in the field and began working one on one. 
          So far I am learning how to gather the information from my research and it seems like I find myself having to find  a stopping point because it is so much information that is presented its hard to decide which to use as well as the information I gather on my own. I know there will always be some grayish areas when it comes to research and I am always opened for suggestions and assistance. So if anyone knows of good site, journals, and etc please feel free to share the wealth.
      Another reason I an interested in poverty is because I have a close friend that is from Africa and it touches me everytime she states how good it is to finally be an american citizen. She believes there are so much more opportunites here for her and her family and if she was still in Africa she wouldn't have dreamed to be doing the things she is doing now because of the poverty and the lack of opportunities.
          

Final Blog Assignment

I must say that it has truly been a pleasure to be a student of this class of Issues and Trends of Early Childhood and I feel as a future Early Childhood developer I have gained a lot of insight from this program that will aid me in the direction I need to go. As I reach the end of my international connection I must say that it has open my eyes to alot more than what I was expecting.....

I really feel there are a few consequences but not many when it comes to my personal and professional development of early childhood development internationally. I learned that.....
1. When it comes to my personal and professional development internationally there is a lot of opportunities for the teachers on as they continue their education.
2. I am promoting  new things within my own life as a teacher.
3. I  must be dedicated to a plan of constantly developing yourself so that you will be the best teacher that you can be.
4. Being able to participate in on-going and sustained professional development classes and endeavors.

A professional international awareness goal is get more involved with organizations and professionals from around the world and continue to discuss and advocate for all children, and to be more concerned of the poverty issue and what is being done so that it's not affecting a child's education, and finally the health and awareness of our early childhood students.

Sharing Connections Pt.3

I must say that I have really enjoyed making my international connections this semester with my friends that are over in Korea. They have really influenced me to inquire about going over there to actually see if I receive the same experience as they did or better. As we were talking I did however ask them a few questions and this were their responses.......

• What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work? Well the issues are really not being discussed they main thing they are focused on is the success of the of the child and bringing over the most qualified professionals that fit this purpose.
• What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist? Over in Koreawhat alot of people fell to realize is that there is more the enough opportunities that one can imagine that is presented. The feel the more you further your education the more doors will open for you.
• What are some of your professional goals? Some of my professional goals that I am focused on at this moment is to obtain my doctoral degree in  Education and to obtain a special education endorsement. I feel that once I return home it want be that hard for me to obtain an educational position and to work on becoming an administrator with the school board.  
• What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges? My hopes and dreams and challenges as of now is when I come home to work on becoming a childcare director and hope of opening my own childcare center . Some of my challenges is that while I am over here in Korea it is hard to get the connections I need to point me into the right direction so I am having to do a lot of internet networking rather than face to face . Another professional hope  I have is the priviledge to stay another year and teach in Korea for this has really been a good experience.

Sharing The Resources

                A link that I decided to follow was the National Association of the Education of Young we know it as the NAEYC website.  As I was exploring this particular site it lead me into many directions. Some areas that caught my attention was the public policy, the accreditation of the organizaiton, conferences,  and publications just to name a few.
             Example, I found that the NAEYC conferences bring together early childhood educators representing many roles teaching staff, program administrators, students, researchers and teacher educators to discuss the latest ideas and learn from one another. The NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo is the largest early childhood education conference in the world, where tens of thousands of educators choose from hundreds of presentations and exhibits. The 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo will be in Orlando, FL on November 2-5. With this information provided it enlighten me on what I needed to do if I wanted to participate and gather new ideals from the organization.
               Another example with the publications NAEYC offers a large selection of educational resources for early childhood professionals and others, including books, brochures, videos, posters, and periodicals. All members receive a subscription to the NAEYC print publication of their choice: Young Children or Teaching Young Children. These are just some examples on the direction these particular links lead me to.
             I found that these links did lead me to information on the understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education and the different types of programs that are offered for the assistance for the families.

Sharing Connections

          During this week I was able to talk to my international connection that was once in Japan. While he was over there he shared with me that he was over the physical education class grades Pre-k and Kindergarten as well as teaching english.. As we were talking about his students I asked him to enlighten me on the on the issues of equity and excellence.
      
                      Some of the issues he talked about was the equity and excellence that is in the program and how the district stands behind their standards and education especially early childhood. They have a strong belief of academics and attempting to close acheivement gaps.  He stated that the Japanese school district works hard to get their students academically ready and they believe more into hands on education rather than drilling the students. The is no big issue with educational values in the system ( well he hasn't experience any yet).  He began to tell me how well structure the districts are and how they have a strict curriculm ( compared to the U.S.) to excell with excellence. There schools make sure that the educator has all they need to ensure this ecxellence with the students. The parents are very active in their children education as well as active with the school especially when it comes to volunterring. 
     

              Ryan stated that he hasn't experience any money issues in the school districts and education is one of their top priorties. He also showed interest on how the students are very attentive even though he has a physical education class  and english the students were very intriged with american sports and the simple rules to the games. He shared how he realize that each moment is a teaching moment it how he gets full of joy when he here his students attempt to explain the game of kickball or t-ball which is one of their favorite games in english. He feels that the determination that the kids has when it comes to kickball they are developing good biosocial, pychosocial, and cognitive skills.


       Talking to him really made me want to inquire about teaching english over there because how he described how the teachers are valued over there and how supportive the staff and parents are. It also let me know that your are appreciated for your hard work. Now why isn't our school systems like that????

Sharing Web Resources

        As I study the Division of Early Childhood website I realize that alot of important information comes from the policy and advocacy link and the what's new link . I feel that these two link allows an individual to stay in the circle of what is going on when it comes to policy making in early childhood. Some controversional pieces I found particular about this website is the sections that link you to the recents activities of early childhood and the support out work link.
      Under the support our link it states that "our mission is to promote polices and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities" and under the recent activities link it clearly states of all the recent activites that has been going on with the division of early childhood.
        I feel the information that is shared on this site is up to date because of the recent activition section on the site. It allows you to be inform on what has been going on the past week rather than the past months like some websites. I feel with the more recent information that is given for a person to research the more a person would want to become apart of that organization.
      I feel that of other websites I have been observing this particular website is more informative.

International Connects pt2

               As you all know I have two friends that are over in Korea to teach english in the school systems. I wouldlike to introduce to you my two friends Erica Goodrich and Ryan Hurd III. I only spoke with Ryan very briefly this week because of the disaster that has happen over in Japan and the last thing he wanted to talk about was teaching anything because he was still shaken up from what he had experience and when we briefly talked he sent me a message on facebook to let me know he was okay and was in the process of trying to get back to the states. When I spoke to Erica I was able to speak with her briefly on the poverty level in China and how is it compared to being in the United States.
          
                        
                    Erica began to tell me how the area she is in she hasn't experience any poverty areas, but she did enlighten me on the poverty that is in the rural area Beijing were she is doing her teaching. As we were talking I couldn't believe half of the stuff she was telling me because she expressed to me that China's poverty is worst than the United States. She made me realize that the United State's poverty is not bad as the media make it seems. Erica also shared with me that one thing that maybe different with the United States governement and China's governement is that China's goverenment works hard to almost immediately to resolve their issues to make it better.  Once Erica and I was finished talking I researched on some of the things she shared with me and this is what I found.


             

              The 1990s saw the most radical economic restructuring in China since gradualist economic reform began in 1978. Three important reform measures may have contributed to the growth  of poverty: food price, social welfare, and enterprise reforms. Before reform, food prices in urban China were highly subsidised through a coupon ration system, whereby coupons were distributed according to the number of family members and their ages. In the late 1970s and early 1980s market orientated reforms in the agriculture sector led to significant increases in production and to the introduction of an urban two-tier food price system, in that urban households received subsidised food coupons but were also free to purchase better and more varieties of food in the market place. Gradually, however, the government increased subsidised food prices so that two-tier prices were almost equal to each other (Tang, 1998). When the government finally abolished food coupons in 1993, workers were compensated by an explicit wage subsidy at a universal rate. Households with more non-working members, however, were disadvantaged because food coupons had been distributed according to the number of household members and their ages, while the explicit wage subsidies were distributed only to household working members. In addition, financial help for transportation, rent, and many other consumption items were switched from implicit price subsidies to explicit income subsidies. All these changes would have had an adverse impact on large households with less working members ( Tang,1998).

I can't help but think how this makes the United States lok at this point.

Changing Demographics and Diversity

The organization I decided to share with you is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Science www.aspe.hhs.gov. This current issue that I decided to discuss is Childhood Obesity in African American Children even though it is an issue amongst all races and nationalities I wanted to focus more on African American. The website demostrated graphs and other statisitics that showed the difference of overweight children broken down by nutrition and eating habits, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors, socio-economic status and race/ethnicity,genetics, advertising and marketing.
One thing about childhood obesity period it is going to be an ongoing issue until I feel they put physical education back as a high needed area. Just of that issue I will continue to try to prompt a health lifestyle for our early childhood children so that will ot fall into the traps of laziness.

My International Connection

       At first I wasn't to sure how I was going to establish this assignment and I will say that I open this particular link at lease 8 times within the past 48 hours. The once I got in today I told myself to just think of the assignment and work on it on Saturday. As I began to think I realize that I have 2 friends that are overseas teaching early childhood and I looked them up on my faceboook and twitter to see if they were still out of the country and luckily both of them were. Both of my friends are teaching English as a second language in Korea to the early childhood students, however one is in China, and one is in Japan. At this point I am really looking forward to comparing and contrasting notes with them during this duration of class.

My Supports

                                                                            
This blog assignment is kind of touchy to me this week as we discuss what our daily supports are. If I seen to be a little religious I don't mean to offend anyone.
                                                                          

                                                                         
As I sit an think what it is in my life that gives my the motivation to continue what I do I have nothing but thoughts that jump in my head. Some are good and some are bad, but I use each thought to keep me going. When it comes to my daily support I would have to say first of all it comes from the man upstairs that I give thanks to every morning following reading his word to give me some powerful positive enlightment. My next support is my parents and family members the ones thats has moved on and the ones that are still here with me physically. Following my parents and family members I would say my closest sorority sisters, my geniune friends, and just mentors or people that I look up to.

                                                                   
When it comes to the man upstairs and his word I have witness that he has not failed me yet. I have been through ups and downs and I realize as long as I stay humble to him I will come out on top. There have been times in school, on my job, in relationships and with friends where I have ask God to reveal the truth to me and what is it he really wants me to do and not when I want the answer, but right when its time he gives me the answer I need.

                                                                  
My parents and close family gives me that motivation and drive to continue to want to become successful. They always let me know that nothing is easy and I will have to work for what I want and to not take things lightly because as soon as I become comfortable that is when I will loose it right from under my nose. My parents has always given me some type of encourging words rather I wanted to hear them or not because once I sat back and rekindle what they have told me it makes sense. I can recall a situation that I am going through I we speak besides my parents looking down at me they have been my backbone as well as my fiance`. They are continuing to tell me everything will be okay and just stay prayful even though there are times I become frustrated my fiance` is there to take all my anger away.

                                                                   
Out of 25 line sisters I can honestly say I am close to maybe 4 if that many. They have been there for me through thick and thin and have supported me from good times and my bad times when I wanted to give up. I can say my geniune friends and my mentor has been the same way. Oddly my I have two mentors which is one of my sorority sisters and my 1st cousin. As I just stated I am going through a situation where I am not going to bother anyone with , but even though it has only been a month God has really revealed alot to me and has showed me who is there for Rena no matter what.

                                                                            
I feel that my benefits with my daily supports is that it gives me something positive to look forward to and it gives me that positive energy that I seek to have everyday and without it I wouldn't know where I would be...

                                                                      

My Connections To Play

Play today is not that much different from when I was a child. In my past I have observed may childlcare centers and the games I have observed the children being engaged in has not changed at all. I feel that when it comes to early childhood it appear that each child is still in that enjoying play mentality and not trying to grow up so fast and into having fun, but to me it seems once they reach that age range of 7-9yrs age range they mature out of no where. I guess that comes from some parents trying to make their child grow  up to fast and not allowing them to enjoy their childhood and responsbilities on them before its even time. I hope whenever I become a parent or enter my career field I will allow my children to stay in a child minds frame and enjoy their childhood as long as possible.

I can say that my childhood and adulthood when it comes to play is not different at all because even as an adult I am a big kid at heart, except now I may play for the exercise and the enjoyment of friends compared to as a child I was just doing it to have fun.

 

                                                                           

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 of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

                                                           

“When kids play, they remember. They may not be aware they are learning, but they sure
are aware they are having fun. When you have a good belly laugh with your siblings or
parents or friends, that stays with you. And the great thing is that is comes so naturally…
if we only let it.”

 

--Rebecca Krook, play facilitator for kids with

disabilities

 

 

Due to the fact I was the only child growing up, play came every easy for me because I played very well by myself as well as had a great imagination. Whether I played with the neighborhood kids or by myself my parents always supported me in my chlildhood. It would be times my dad would come out and  play outside with me if he saw me outside and my mom would play Barbie dolls with me on the inside. One thing I had a bad habit of was making my boy cousins always dress up but I would always agree to go out and play football or soccer so you can say it was an even trade. I can honestly say because of them I have that rough and tumble play naturally because of them and it is more dominant then my drama and pretend play......

 

                                                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

Child Development and Public Health

Breastfeeding
      Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. A lack of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life contributes to over a million avoidable child deaths each year. Globally less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. Adequate breastfeeding support for mothers and families could save many young lives.
WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. This fact file explores the many benefits of the practice, and how robust help for mothers can increase breastfeeding worldwide.
         The reason I chose breastfeeding because I know that one it is the most effective way of bonding with the child, two it can be a healthy way to ensure that the child is receiving nutrition, but the downfall to breastfeeding is that it is an effective way to pass diseases to your child. The feel that with this particular topic this is information that will continue to change as years pass. There will always be way to were doctors try to keep breast-feeding as a number one source of nutrition for the child and it will allow people like myself that doesnt have kids yet to gain more knowledge of the topic and how it can effect the child. 
  However babies who are exclusively breast-fed are less likely to get sick, because breast milk provides them with antibodies against any disease that the mother is immune. Breast- feeding also decrease the risk of many diseases that appear in childhood and adulthood, among them asthma, obesity, and heart disease.
          Breastfeeding in other countries
The world's oldest and still most widely practiced form of birth regulation is breastfeeding. That statement draws much skepticism among ordinary people in Western culture, but it is recognized as still true by professionals in the fields of international demography and infant nutrition because they know how breastfeeding affects both health and birth intervals in primitive cultures around the world. A professor of pediatrics put it this way: "Demographic data recorded prior to the 20th century from birth records all over the world indicate that the average spacing of children was about two years when mother's milk supplied the major source of calories for infants during the first year to 1.5 years of life."
In the West African country of Rwanda, a culture in which there were no contraceptives or taboos against intercourse after birth at the time, there were no differences in the birth intervals of bottle feeding mothers in the city compared to those in the rural areas. On the other hand, among breastfeeding mothers, there were significant differences. Among the city mothers who were already developing patterns of separation from their babies, 75% conceived between 6 and 15 months postpartum. However, in the rural areas, mothers had their babies with them all of the time, and 75% of the rural breastfeeding mothers conceived between 24 and 29 months postpartum. An even more dramatic example of the effects of very frequent suckling is provided by the Kung tribe. (The exclamation point represents a clicking sound.) Anthropologists watched these people with stopwatches and found that the babies and toddlers were nursing an average of two minutes every 15 minutes, and the mothers were conceiving at about 35 months. Such extended periods of breastfeeding infertility are rarely seen in Western culture. First of all, only a few Western mothers nurse that long although their number seems to be increasing. Secondly, there is some speculation that the richer diet of Western women may contribute to an earlier return of fertility.