Research Simulation

I chose to focus on the topic of cultural responsiveness in the Early Childhood Education field.  I chose this topic because of my personal and professional experience with this issue.  I currently work at a very diverse center with Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Hispanic children.  It's important for all families to be respected and feel a sense of belonging when they bring their child to school each day.  The environment should be representative and respectful of all cultures.  This motivates children to learn and gives them a sense of pride.  It also opens their minds up to learning about others and teaches them respect. 

During this simulation I learned more about this topic.  I also gained a better understanding of how to research and evaluate scholarly articles.  It took a while in finding good resources that focused on my subtopic.  When I searched my topic I was given articles that focused more on Early childhood in general.  I had to really dig deep in finding quality resources that focused more on cultural awareness in the field.  Does anyone have any advice on how I can better narrow down my search results to more articles based on my specific topic? I would appreciated any responses. 

International Early Childhood Field: Week 8

Consequences for learning about the international early childhood field:

          

           Learned that poverty exist in other countries and greatly effects the education of children. 

      Learned that other countries have their own initiatives for providing quality early childhood programs

      Learned that poor health conditions in other countries also effects their education and development.

My goal is to continue to research and connect with international professionals to provide quality childcare for all children.  

UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education"

I chose to review the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage.  While reviewing the webpage I came across information related to accessibility, equity, and quality.  The organization states that there are countries that promote services for low-income families that have limited or no access to mainstream early childhood services.  Although those services are available to them, that doesn’t necessarily mean those services are considered “quality”.  The government has limited resources to put into services for low income families, therefore high quality services are going to those who can afford it. 

The website also focuses on the benefits and factors of high quality childcare programs.  The benefits are that children are more motivated to learn, confident, and ready for school.  Factors that play into high quality programs include, culturally and adequate learning materials, teacher training, and parental education and involvement.

Lastly the organization focuses on investment and financing.   It states that developing countries, in particular, have to put early childhood programs on the back burner to focus on more pressing issues such as healthcare and universal primary education.  There’s just not enough money available to put into investing in high quality childcare services.  

Sharing Web Resources

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has a link called "topics" that I chose to explore further.  Under the link was the topic of family engagement. The website offers ways on how to better communicate with families and get them actively involved in their child’s development and education.  When families are involved children become more motivated to learn when they have a strong support system.   This specific topic addresses the issue of responsiveness and how early childhood professionals can address the needs of all families.  NAEYC’s has a project called Engaging Diverse Families and has six principles of family engagement. 

Principle 1: Invite families to participate in decision making and goal setting.

Principle 2: Engage families in two-way communication.

Principle 3: Engage families in ways that are truly reciprocal.

Principle 4: Provide learning activities for the home and the community.

Principle 5: Invite families to participate in program-level decisions.

Principle 6: Have programs that implement a comprehensive program level system of family engagement. 

Sharing Web Resources-part 2

The organization that I have been researching is the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Their website is very informative, well organized, and easy to navigate.  The section that really stands out to me and that seems relevant to my current professional development is the section titled “Publications”.  Clicking on the publications tab takes you to a listing of articles related to educating young children.  I am currently a preschool teacher working with 3 and 4 year olds and I found several of their articles to be beneficial to my current teaching style and lesson planning.   

There is an article on the website entitled “Tender Topics: Using Read-Alouds to Explore Sensitive Issues”.  The title of the article made me want to read more on the topic.  I use read-alouds throughout my lesson plans to help improve listening skills and logic reasoning skills, therefore this article really stood out to me.  I also encounter situations within my classroom considered “tender topics” that are difficult to explain to children such as, divorce, child abuse, bullying, and homelessness.  I have several children in my class that have divorce parents and some of them don’t even know their dads, and it’s difficult for me to explain to them and the other children why both their parents are unable to attend “family picnic day” or why some children make father’s day cards and others don’t.  This article discusses ways in which we can address these tender topics with our class by using read-alouds and having class discussions. 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s website offers insight into how early childhood professionals can provide quality childcare through training and publications.  It’s a wonderful resource to use in gaining knowledge on the best childcare practices and policies. 

Childhood Poverty in Mongolia

After reviewing the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Research Centre’s website, I chose to further study poverty in Mongolia.  In 1997 Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization which made it one of the world’s most open economies.  This change brought about an increase in unemployment rates and prices, and a decrease in social services and welfare.  Although there has been a more positive shift in the economy in Mongolia over the past few years, due to increased macro-economic stability and growth, many Mongolians have yet to see the benefits from it.  Those living under the poverty line are mostly families headed by single woman with children between the ages of birth to 16.

Also in Mongolia health care services for poor families and migrants is almost nonexistent partly due to health insurance schemes.  Those who can afford health care tend to turn to private clinics for care because of the poor service they would receive elsewhere.  In Mongolia there has been some progress in health care seen since 1990, such as a decrease in infant mortality rates, although malnutrition is still a concern in this country.  With the lack of health care services for the poor, they also have to deal with a lack of education services, which “suffered badly with cuts from the national budget”. 

There should be more services in place to help families below the poverty line.  In Mongolia, more children are having to quit school at a young age to work to help support their families.  Children should not have to worry about finding a job; they should be focused on getting a good education. 

According to the website, there are plans in place to help reduce poverty in Mongolia, such as, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.  This development will assist in economic growth, social welfare, and rural development in Mongolia. 

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (2013) Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo

Sharing Web Resources

The organization I chose to research was the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  This organization strives to improve practices in early childhood education.  It’s mission states, “NAEYC’s mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources.”  NAEYC has a statement on inclusion that focuses on access, participation, and support.  Families need to know that there are high quality education programs available and that they exist in a variety of settings.  As part of participation, families need to feel a sense of belonging and be encouraged to actively participate in their child’s education.  Children also need to be supported and guided in learning and their development.  It’s important for adults to promote a sense of belonging, and be culturally sensitive and understanding.  According to the article, “Where We Stand”, “creativity and collaboration are needed to ensure that all children, whatever their current language proficiency or culture, have the opportunity to participate fully in the program’s learning opportunities.” (NAEYC 2009)  It’s important for educators to work closely with families to learn more about their culture and individual needs.  In my professional experience I have learned that understanding individual cultures is highly important in child development.  Understanding a child’s culture is key in teaching a child and planning and implementing lessons that help in guiding the child through development.  

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2009). Where we stand on responding to cultural and linguistic diversity. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf

Establishing Personal Contacts and Expanding Resources

I chose to contact Zenija Berzina who is affiliated with Latvia: The Center for Education Initiatives and Carmen Lica with Romania: Step by Step Center for Education and Professional Development.  I have not received a response back from my contacts, but I have emailed them in regards to their programs.  I chose these contacts in particular after reviewing their programs missions.  I take a great deal of interest in programs designed to foster growth in educators through professional development training and programs focused on child-centered curriculum.    

Latvia: The Center for Education Initiatives' desire is to promote a child-centered approach in the educational system of Latvia and to ensure that every child has the chance to quality education regardless of gender, race, religion, or developmental ability.  Romania: Step by Step Center for Education and Professional Development's goal is help develop quality training centers for educators and promote networking. 

My Supports

Factors within my daily environment that are supportive to me is having a loving, caring family, wonderful coworkers, and incredible children that I care for and their families.  I know that I can call on my family for anything and they will be there with good advice, encouraging words, and support.  When I’ve had a stressful day I know I can call my mom or dad to lift my spirits.  They are always motivating me to do better, because they believe in me.  My parents also tell me how proud they are of me, which is a great feeling to know that what you are doing is not in vain.  My coworkers are a great support because they motivate me to be a better teacher and constantly improve on myself.  When I see them each day with their positive attitudes and willingness to be patience with the children and their families, it motivates me to be even better.  Their good traits rub off on me and vice versa.  The children that I teach provide support because they are reason I enjoy doing what I do.  Their excitement about learning and the smiles and hugs I receive each day is enough motivation for me to overlook the challenges of teaching and embrace the positives. 

Another factor in my daily environment that I find to be supportive is my faith in God.  I read the Bible daily and use it as a driven force to get me through each day.  Support doesn’t necessarily have to be someone it can be something as well. 

I don’t know what I would do without my strong support system.  It would be difficult for me to enjoy my job and teaching if I had coworkers that had negative attitudes and students that weren’t excited about learning.  It would hard for me emotionally if I couldn’t call on my parents for advice or encouragement.  And if I lost my faith in God I don’t know where I would be or the type of situation I would be in.  I would probably be in a slight state of depression if I didn’t have my support system. 

My Connections to Play

Quote #1 “In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.” Ovid (Roman poet)

When I was younger I was really into doll babies and pretending to care for them and nurture them.  I pretended to be their mother and I took them everywhere with me.  Today I still have all nine of my doll babies in storage and will never get rid of them.  They are a BIG piece of my childhood.  I contribute my nurturing spirit and love of working with children to my childhood and playing with my dolls.  It gave me the chance to step into a motherly role and take what I observed from my own mother in caring for my dolls.  That same caring and nurturing personality carried over into adulthood and my career. 

 

Quote #2 “Always jump in the puddles! Always skip alongside the flowers.  They only fights worth fighting are the pillow and food varieties.” Terri Guillemets

Growing up I was also really into playing outdoors in the backyard.   I grew up in the country where we were surrounded by nothing but trees and there was a dirt path behind our house that led to the town’s baseball field.  My sister and I enjoyed attaching our red wagon to our bike and riding down the path, stopping to collect pine cones.  One day we even stopped to collect a baby turtle.  It was fun growing up during a time when playing outside was fun and where we could really use our imaginations. 

Today children are more engaged in playing video games after school and watching TV.  I admit I had a Nintendo growing up and watched Power Rangers every day after school, but it didn’t occupy a lot of my time.  I still went outside and played, rode my bike, jumped the ditch to go over my neighbors’ house to play basketball.  My parents encouraged my sister and me to play outside.  They signed us up for little league softball, my dad played basketball with us on weekends, and often times rode down the dirt path with us on his lawnmower.  Also, my parents knew how much I loved doll babies and being a nurturer so every Christmas they got me a doll, until I got to high schoolJ. It’s so important for parents to encourage creative play in their children and limit the amount of time they spend playing video games and sitting in front of the TV.  My hope for children today is that they will be more open to using their imaginations and not rely so heavily on the newest toy craze that they feel they must have.

Relationship Reflection

Relationship Reflection

Having a positive relationship with others is beneficial in the fact that it gives you a sense of self-worth and confidence.  It’s great knowing that there is always someone out there that truly loves and cares about you and that you are not alone in this world.  I know that if I need anything whether it is support, encouragement, or just a shoulder to cry on, I can call on my family and friends to be there for me.  My closest relationship is to my parents, Michael and Cindy.  They are my biggest support and I don’t know what I would do without them. 

My mother is like my best friend. She is truly my twin, because we not only look alike but we act alike. She knew me like the back of her hand and took that knowledge to nurture me and support me. She encourages me to do the best in everything that I do and helps give me confidence to strive to do better in areas I felt weak.  She’s tough on me and her advice is often times too truthful and straight forward, but that advice is making me stronger and wiser.   The most important factor that allows us to maintain our positive relationship is the fact that we are so much alike, plus I spent an extra 9 months with her J.   My dad, Michael, is my biggest support. He is the person I can go to for spiritual advice and he makes me feel special by spending time with me and telling and showing me how much he loves me.  I am truly a daddy’s girl.  The most important factor that contributes to our closeness is trust and communication.  My dad and I talk often and we have a lot in common.  We like some of the same things and have a sense of humor that others don’t quite understand J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have girlfriends who I value having as friends.  Brandy and Kisha have been good friends of mine since kindergarten.  We all went off to college, but still kept in touch.  Both Brandy and Kisha are getting married this year and we’re all bridesmaids in each other’s weddings.  It’s great having friendships that stand the test of time. 

BFFs: Kisha, Me, and Brandy

I think the biggest challenge in maintaining positive relationships for me is time and distance.  Lately all three of my friends have been busy planning their weddings that I often times feel  as if they don’t have time for me (unless it has something to do with their wedding).  We live in a country where everyone is on the move, busy, not really taking the time to simply enjoy life.  We often times don’t make time for friendships, because we’re busy making time for work, our careers, and making money.  Another challenge is distance.  We often times move far from family due to work or to start our own families and we tend to only visit around major holidays.  This seems to be an issue with my sister and me.  We have lost our closeness with each other because of our physical distance, and only see each other every few months.  I feel that it’s important to make time for loved ones no matter the distance or time, because you never know if it’s the last time you will see someone. 

Me and my sister (the early years)

My experiences in establishing and maintaining positive relationships play a major role in my career.  Because of my caring, kind-hearted spirit, and love of nurturing others, I am able to connect with others and be sympathetic towards them and their needs.  This characteristic is important in building positive partnerships with children and their families, and being able to communicate effectively. 

 

Learning through Play

“Learning teaches us what is known, play makes it possible for new things to be learned. There are many concepts and skills that can only be learned through play.”

-David Elkind

Testing Intelligence

A child’s intelligence should not be measured solely by standardized tests, such as, the EOGs (End of Grade tests).  Some children are capable of understanding and comprehension, but do not test well.  I have seen children get straight A's throughout the entire school year, but fail the End of Grade test, because of the pressure and being too nervous to concentrate.  I have heard stories of children vomiting in the middle of testing and urinating on themselves from nervousness.  Standardized test should not be the basis of what children are measured by.  A child should not fail a grade simply because they did not pass a test.  Some children do better in math than reading and vice versa, therefore they may fail one test and not the other.  Children should not be held back because of this. 

There has been too much pressure added on teachers and students to keep up with the “No Child Left Behind” Act.   This act is focusing on reading and math, and ignoring other valuable subjects, such as, arts, social studies, and science.  We must acknowledge and respect the fact that children learn at different paces and have different learning styles.  When considering the whole child, their intelligence should not be the only factor being measured.  The way a child learns and obtains information should be considered when measuring a child’s intelligence.

I strongly believe that assessment should be ongoing and not just given at the end of the school year.  It gives students the opportunity to see what they need to improve in and gives teachers a chance to evaluate each student’s individual needs and plan lessons accordingly.  The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is “an ongoing and nationally representative measure of U.S. children’s achievement in reading, mathematics, and other subjects over time.” (Berger 2012). 

According to Berger (The Developing Person through Childhood), several nations participate in at least one international test of educational achievement.  Students in Asia take the Trends in Math and Science study assessment and always score at the top.  (Berger 2012). 

Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

 

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Any type of stressor can be harmful for a child and their development.  I chose to focus on physical abuse and the affect it has on young children.  I have a friend who experienced physical abuse at the hands of his stepfather when he was younger.  When my friend told me the story of how he was abused by his stepfather I cringed at the thought of someone hurting a child, especially in the manner he did.  My friend’s stepfather used to push him, severely beat him, and talk foul to him whenever his mother was not around.  One day my friend’s stepfather took him to a jazz club at the age of 5 and asked him to sit still.  My friend was only five years old and at that age children do not want to sit still for long.  My friend said he kept moving because he was growing impatient.  His stepfather got mad and made him pull his pants down in front of everyone, as he beat him with a clothes hanger. 

My friend is still coping with this traumatic experience in his life.  Because of it he was reserved growing up and unable to trust others.  He was bullied because of it and is now going to therapy to cope and deal with the memory of his childhood.  His strength is truly an inspiration to me. 

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mexico is one of the highest ranked countries for physical abuse of children.  Mexico is also ranked high in homicides of children related to abuse.  The Chamber of Deputies is striving to minimize this problem by establishing severe punishments to those who commit crimes against young children.  

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

SIDS is sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation and autopsy.   To reduce the risk of SIDS it’s best to lay an infant on their back on a firm mattress, with nothing in the crib (no covers, pillows, or bumpers).  Also do not over-clothe an infant for bedtime and offer a pacifier.  Also do not expose an infant to people with respiratory infections, avoid crowds, and avoid exposure to tobacco products (cigarette smoke).  There is no prevention for SIDS, but these are ways to reduce the risk.  In Central Africa, SIDS tends to go unnoticed because of the high rate of infectious diseases and malnutrition of infants. 

Working in childcare I have become more aware of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  I used to work in the infant classroom where it is a required for teachers to be certified in SIDS training.  Prior to working in childcare I had no idea what Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was and was completely shocked when I learned about it.  I will take what I have learned and continue to help train new infant teachers. 

Childbirth Experience

I chose to write about the birth of my niece.  I have one sibling (an older sister), and this is her first and only child.  I’m so proud to finally be an auntie and being able to witness my niece’s birth was an unforgettable, blessed experience.  My niece is now 5 months old and I’m already spoiling her rottenJ.

The day my sister went into labor, I was about to get off work, when I received a text from my mother saying that my sister’s water broke.  My mother and I drove to the hospital and arrived when my sister was 7cm dilated and having contractions.  My sister didn’t seem like she was in pain during contractions, even though I knew she was.  She made given birth look easy.  Eight hours after my sister arrived at the hospital, she was ready to push.  She pushed for two hours and my niece was born at 2:23am on August 29^th, 2012.  It was an interesting experience seeing a baby come out of someone (one that I do not want to witness again).  Although my sister wanted an epidural, she was unable to receive one because her labor was moving along quicker than expected.  We were all nervous for her also because her blood pressure was high during pregnancy and childbirth.  But thank God everything went well and my niece was born a healthy 9pds2oz. 

Women in developing countries, such as, Ghana prefer to give birth at home and avoid hospitals as much as possible.  They have midwives available and feel that going to a hospital will delay the birthing process and cause complications.  It’s amazing how women in other countries prefer not to receive medication during childbirth, but women in the United States scream for it.  I couldn’t imagine my sister giving birth at home.  There was just too much blood to clean up and risks of complications, since my sister’s blood pressure was high.