Professional Hopes and Goals

It is my hope that all children feel nurtured, learn to feel valued, learn to accept others for their individuality, and to teach children and families how to identify prejudice and discrimination and create ways to eliminate both.

One of my goals is to create a safe, comfortable and inviting environment for all of my children and families.  I will accomplish this in several ways.  I will share all that I have learned regarding diversity and equity with my staff.  We will learn as much as we can about the children and families.  We will create an environment that combines home and school cultures.  It should feel like a home away from home.  Every child and family should feel welcome and comfortable in our center.  We will also incorporate teaching acceptance of others and identifying and developing solutions for prejudice and discrimination into our curriculum.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for all of their knowledge, insights and suggestions during this course.  I have learned a lot from each and every one of you.  I would like to wish all of you success with the next part of your journey!

Welcoming Families from Around the World

I am extremely excited, but a little nervous.  A new family will be enrolling in our program in two weeks.  The family is from Slovakia and will be arriving in the United States within the week.  My goal is to make them feel safe, comfortable, and valued at our center.  I would do several things to prepare for their arrival. 

1.  Send a welcome letter to the family introducing not only myself, but the center.  I would also ask if they would like to come in and meet with me before their child was due to enroll.  Before sending the letter, I would need to find out if the spoke/read any English.  If they spoke no/little English find someone to write the letter for me.

2.  Research the country of Slovakia.  Search for information regarding family life, family celebrations, holidays, education, and forms of recreation.

3.  Research what language is spoken.  Get some children's books in the language.  Make a poster of survival terms.

4.  Speak to the children.  Prepare them for the new child.  I would explain where the family is from using a map.  I would explain that the new child does not speak our language.  We will need to teach the new child English.  I would also ask for the children's input.  I would remind them that they have just left their family and all of their friends.  How can we make this new child feel welcome and safe?

5.  I would arrange the environment according to any research I conducted.  I would ad books and pictures to the classroom.

6.  I would research any organizations in the community that could be a support system to the family and school.

7.  I would write a letter to our existing families and ask for their support as well.

Everyone would benefit from my preparations.  I would feel more prepared and able to properly support this child and family.  It is my hope that the new child and family will feel welcome, comfortable, and safe in their new environment.  I would like to make as smooth of a transition as possible.  The other children in the classroom will be building their self-esteem and feel empowered by helping me prepare for the new family.  Everyone will learn acceptance of others!

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I had just entered the fifth grade.  I was in a new school.  We had a girl named Susan who had Down's Syndrome.  The first day of school the teacher asked for two students to be Susan's special helper.  I was one of them.  Susan's helpers would help during class time, play with her outside, and help if she needed assistance.  Most of the children made fun of her or looked at her like she had the plague.  Very few took the time to try to get to know her.  Hearing these comments and witnessing the looks made me extremely sad.  I often hoped she didn't realize what was going on.   I felt privileged that I got to know her and her family.  I learned a lot from Susan.  I think the other children made fun of her or looked at her strange because they were either scared or had not had any experiences with others that had special needs.  I think the teacher should have explained to the class that everyone has strengths to add to the class.  I also think being honest about Susan and explaining how we all could help her would have been nice.  I strongly feel that teachers need to teach compassion and acceptance of others!

Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

This week, we had a new child start in our center.  She is from India and did not understand any English.  Mom and Dad dropped her off and said "Have a great day."  This little girl was great during circle, activities, and outside time.  At lunch she started to cry.  She cried continually for two hours.  The children started to get aggravated with her.  They told her to stop crying, that she was being a cry baby, etc.  I felt badly for this little girl.  While screaming, she would come to me for the occasional hug.  I asked the classroom teachers to ask the parents to write down a few survival words.  We then held a circle time with the children.  We explained she was new.  Then we asked if they remembered how they felt on their first day.  We then asked what we can do to help the new girl feel wanted and loved.

It is so important that educators take the time to know their children and families so they can protect them from harm and teach the children how to accept all other children and families.

Perspectives on Culture and Diversity

This week I spoke to three people that are close to me and asked them what there definitions of culture and diversity were.

1. Scott feels that culture is ethnicity and religion.  He said diversity is change and the different ways people lived.

2. Daniel said that culture was a combination of race, ethnicity, religion, and backgrounds.  He said that diversity was the different ways people live.  This includes sexual orientation, family dynamics, economic factors, beliefs, and values.

3.  Vanessa said culture is a persons background, including religion, beliefs, values, language, ethnicity, and where they are from.  She said diversity is the different ways in which people live and why.

The answers that I received touched on the surface of culture and diversity.  They all mentioned ethnicity and religion.  This course is teaching me that culture and diversity encompass so much more than just the surface.  It also focuses on why children and families behave the way they do, it focuses on self identity, and it focuses on the emotions and feelings the children and families have.  I have realized a couple of things from asking others for their definitions of culture and diversity.  First, they have the same definitions I did at the beginning of this course.  It is also helping me to realize that by knowing and understanding what culture and diversity fully means, we as educators can ensure that we are passing the accurate definitions to our children, families, and staff.  As a result, everyone would be learning to accept and value others for their similarities and differences.

My Family Culture

     There has been a major catastrophe that has forced me to leave my country and seek refuge in a destination unknown. I was told I could take three items with me.  These would include:  my bible, my family photo album, and my grandmother's engagement ring.  I would bring my bible because it would keep me centered and positive through out my journey.  My family photo album chronicles my family not only on special occasions, but every day routines.  My grandmother's engagement ring is a remembrance of the strong bond I had with both my grandmother and grandfather.  If I was told, upon my arrival at this new place, I could only keep one of these items, I would feel panicked and devastated.  I would have a difficult time choosing which item to keep.  My bible is important, but I will always have my faith.  I will always remember the bond with my grandparents.  After some serious thought, I would keep my family photo album.

         (This is an extremely old picture of my family with my great-grandparents from Italy)

When I think of research.....

 I have found this course extremely beneficial to me.  Previously, I had no knowledge of the research process.  I not only learned how to develop a research design, how to collect data, and validity, but also the importance of choosing the right participants,  ethics when conducting research with children and equity challenges during the research process. 

My ideas about the nature of doing research has changed.  Eight weeks ago, I was terrified at the thought of conducting a research.  Learning how each part of the research process works and why it is important, has helped me to build my confidence.  I now feel eager to get involved in research in the early childhood field.

I did encounter some challenges during the past eight weeks.  First, I found it challenging completing the research review.  I learned that I had to become more specific with my topic.  Second, I was nervous about choosing the correct design for my study.  I was excited to learn about the mixed method approach.  These challenges have definitely helped me to grow my knowledge.

I was dreading this course in the beginning!  Research enables professionals to continually learn about the changes in early childhood which makes the field stronger.  I learned how fascinating research in the field of early childhood education can be.  A big thank you to Dr. Dartt who taught me how to like, understand, and not fear conducting research.

Research Around the World

    The European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) advocates and publishes multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its relevance to policy and practice.  This organization seeks to preserve and expand the great beliefs of European early childhood, including the theories of Pestalozzi, Owen, Froebel, Steiner, Vygotsky, Piaget, Malaguzzi, and others while encouraging the research of new paradigms, methodologies, concepts and applications in the continuously changing field of early childhood.
  
   I found this website very informative.  There is a section called special interest groups.  This includes topics such as birth to three, equity and respecting diversity, leadership and integration, learning and participation, outdoor play and learning, professionalism in early childhood education and care, rethinking play, transitions, young children's perspectives, and working with parents and families.  This organization also has a conference every year in a different European country and they publish their highly acclaimed journal four times a year.

Please take a look at this website (http://www.eecera.org) is you have a chance.

Research That Benefits Children

If I could conduct a study on any topic I wanted, I would chose one on the benefits of play.  Schools are eliminating play or recess in hopes of increasing the standardized, required for graduation, test score.  The research, I would conduct, may take a bit of time, but would definitely be beneficial to the children.  I would look at two classrooms.  One classroom would be an environment where the children learned everything through play and hands on experiences.  The other class would teach strictly to the test.  This would include worksheets and practice drills.  At the end of the school year, one of the standardized tests would be given to all of the children in both classrooms.  I think the children that had more hands on experiences would have higher scores.

The benefits of this study would be:  the acceptance of each child's individual learning style, the development of social/emotional, cognitive, and physical skills, and meeting the goals developed from the schools development frameworks or benchmarks.

The positive results would help me advocate for keeping play and recess in the daily routines of all schools!

My Personal Research Journey!

      I considered many different topics before deciding on the one I chose.  I had been at a center director's meeting a week ago and we were discussing how the behavior of children has changed over the years and how some families are very particular about what their children eat.  The two year old class in my center has 10 children, 8 of them are extremely active boys.  This is the reason I chose to look at how artificial chemicals and preservatives in the children's food affect their behavior.

This is my first experience with a simulation process, but I am feeling more and more confident with everything I learn.  The readings from the text and the construction of my research chart are definitely helping with the simulation process.  Conducting research is new to me and any help that any one could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Christina

Consequences of Learning About the International Early Childhood Field

     This course has shown me that I have been living in a box.  Over the past seven weeks, I have learned to see the larger picture regarding the field of  early childhood education.  There are several things that have stood out to me:
 
1.  The effects of poverty on children and families.  The levels and types of poverty may vary from country to country, but poverty is everywhere.  The numbers are alarming!  Poverty is extremely detrimental to the healthy development of all children.

2.  The accessibility to quality early childhood programs.  It saddens me that every child cannot participate in early childhood programs.  This may be because there are no programs, the programs may be unaffordable, the programs may be to far away from home, there may be a lack of teachers, etc.

3.  The lack of quality programs.  Programs, curriculum, teacher credentials, and lack of teachers also vary from country to country.  More must be done to build up these programs.

I firmly believe that every child in this world should be able to attend quality early childhood programs.  Research clearly shows the benefits of quality early childhood programs for children.  If everyone could work together not only to get programs funded, but to advocate the importance of early childhood development, poverty will decrease and countries economies will be better.

I have learned a tremendous amount from all of my fellow bloggers!  I would like to thank each and every one of you for helping me be successful in this journey.  I would like to wish all of you continued success and look forward to writing to you in our next course!

Christina

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 3

There has been a lot going on at the orphanage.  There is only 3 more weeks until the children go back to school, and they are hoping that their new building we be complete by then.  They seem very focused on the issue of quality.  This summer, a volunteer has been developing child assessments based on Haiti's Ministry of Education Learning Objectives for each level.  The goal is to assess each child, take the results of the assessments (taking into account: trauma, education level, past quality education, and developmental delays), and formulate individual life plans for each child.  These life plans will include three short term educational goals and three short term like skill goals.  It is hoped that the children will meet their goals in six month time increments.

They rely heavily on volunteers from the United States.  Professional development comes from the knowledge of the volunteers.  Their professional goals include training teachers the importance of developmentally appropriate practices for the varying age groups and the importance of play developmentally and socially.  They have been adjusting their play spaces to accomodate these goals.

The hopes and dreams are for quality education for all children of Haiti, but the biggest challenge is the poverty!

Sharing Web Resources

During the past few weeks I have been researching the Association for Childhood Education International (www.acei.org).  I have found a link on this website that definitely adds to the information I have learned on equity and excellence.  The link is for the Global Education Initiative (http://www.globaleducationfirst.org/)

This initiative was created by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.  This initiative focuses on three items.  Every child should have access to learning.  The quality of learning should be continuously improved, and the fostering of global citizenship.  This website discussed that there are barriers with accessibility.  They include cost and availability.  The barriers with improving quality include: teacher shortages, shortage of learning materials, language, hunger and poor nutrition, and ineffective methods for evaluation.

This website, went along with the readings from this week.  I was extremely empowered by the video clip of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. " When we put education first, we can reduce poverty and hunger, end wasted-potential-and look forward to stronger and better societies for all." 

Gettingto Know Your International Contacts- Part 2

I have learned more regarding the children living at the orphanage in Haiti.  First, they do attend school that is located up the road.  However, the orphanage must pay for each child that attends the school.  The Mission of Hope School focuses on reading, writing, and math.   Ninety percent of the schools in Haiti are private.  These schools charge tuition.  There are very few public schools with very little funding.  This means the schools are not accessible to everyone.  I have not gained any knowledge regarding educational standards in Haiti.

At the orphanage, volunteers that have been coming for a few weeks at a time, have been starting some great things.  The staff and volunteers are working to set up classrooms that are more age-appropriate.  The director of the orphanage, Jon Lamare, is working on the children's educational goals for the upcoming year.  These plans help to develop each child's individual life plan and helps them adjust the programming to meet the  individual needs of the children.  They are trying to engage children in developmentally appropriate play which we all know with help foster many skills.  They have started a positive reinforcement behavior program.  One volunteer has started memory books with the children.  The children add an entry to their books every afternoon.  These entries include things like favorite food, favorite color, favorite subject in school, what they want to be when they get older, etc.  This book is not only helping to build a sense of identity, but is also a great form of assessment for the staff.

The orphanage has also been providing 2 healthy meals, education, medical care, clothes, shoes, and school tuition/enrollment for an additional 7-10 children in the community daily. 

Sharing Web Resources

Website: www.acei.org
Organization: Association for Childhood Education International

This organization's vision is relevant to my current professional development.  The vision statement says that every child in every nation will have access to quality education.  This education will prepare children to become responsible and engaged citizens and ready them for life in a changing world.  I also find myself repeatedly looking at the section called Hot Topics in Education.  This section has a variety of articles regarding early childhood education. 

I have gained some new insights with two specific sections of this website.  First, the section containing information on the Global Education First Initiative.  This was created by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.  The focus is to put every child in school and improve the quality of learning and foster global citizenship.  The second was the section on Education Diplomacy.  This is an emerging concept that looks for solutions regarding challenges in education.  They realize that education, development, and well-being of children have profound impact on social and economic trajectory of all nations.

ACEI does know the importance of economists, neuroscientists, and politicians supporting the field of early childhood education. This is not only evident by the numerous articles on this site, but by the list of groups that participate in this organization.  This organization has involvement from educators from all over the world, the UN, the Harvard Center of the Developing Child, Offod Centre for Child Studies, Riken Brain Science Institute, and Global Policy Development to mention a few.  The goal of this organization is to provide education and well-being to children worldwide.  The hope is the more support they get the more they will advance in accomplishing this goal.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 1

Background: I recently heard of an organization called Be Like Brit.  Be Like Brit was created by Britney Gengel's family.  Britney was a fellow Westfield State Alum.  She to Haiti to do some missionary work in an orphanage.  When she arrived, Britney spent a full day at the orphanage and in a text to her parents wrote, "They love us so much and everyone is so happy.  They love what they have and they work so hard to get nowhere, yet they are all so appreciative.  I want to move here and start an orphanage myself."  The next day Haiti was hit by the earthquake.  It took Britney's family 33 days to recover her body.  In memory of Britney, her family started the organization Be Like Brit and built the orphanage she dreamed of.

I have been following the blog of and have written to Jon Lamare, the director of the orphanage.  Jon is originally from Plattsburg, NY and has a Master of Social Work from Tulane University.  The mission of the organization and the orphanage is to serve the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing and sustainable orphanage in an environment where they grow, learn, and thrive.

I have learned that this orphanage is for all of the children of Haiti.  The challenge currently is that they only have space for 33 children at once.  I asked if all of the children were there because their families became deceased in the natural disasters.  I was told that some families were deceased.  However, because of the tremendous amount of poverty in Haiti, some children are being dropped off at the front gates because their families cannot afford to keep them.  Sanitation is extremely poor.  They cannot afford to feed, cloth, get them proper medical treatment, and some are living in tents.  For example, there is a little boy who was living with his mother and grandmother.  The mother was going to Port-O-Prince.  She never returned.  The grandmother was forced to give this little boy up because she could not take care of him.  The children of the orphanage attend the Mission of Hope School.  This school is up the road and the orphanage must pay for each child to attend.

During the next few weeks I hope to learn more about the schooling for these children.

Hearing the stories of poverty in Haiti saddens me.  It immediately made me want to get involved and advocate for these children.  I hope that with the nurturing they get from the orphanage and education, they will help Haiti start to decrease the poverty level.  It is so important to learn about the community, locally or globally.  Teachers need to make the commitment not only to serve as a resource and provide assistance, but educate others about poverty and what needs to be done to start to erase it.

Sharing Web Resources

Sharing Web Resources

 

 

 

The organization that I selected to learn about was the Association for Childhood Education International (http://acei.org/).  This organization is dedicated to ensuring that children around the world are protected, supported, and educated by using methods that let them reach their full potential.  This includes being educated in environments of fairness where there is freedom from bias or favoritism and where access to, and participation in, educational experiences are the cornerstone of home, school, and community.

 

 

One issue that this organization is focused on is called Love me, teach me.  The objectives are to promote the needs and rights of children everywhere.  There are four foundations that is included in this.

 

1.  See Me - Every child has the right to a name and nationality.  All sectors - social, political, and economic must work to guarantee all children are visible members of their society regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, ability, family status, or national origin.

 

2.  Hear Me - Children should be provided opportunities to participate by voicing opinions or by being provided with access to services that may be needed.  Participation is how children learn about the world around them. If this is denied, it is difficult to ensure that the other rights will be protected and promoted.

 

3.  Love Me - The child's right to security, stability, and protection.  Children should be loved.  Not only parents, but extended family and others can make positive contributions to security and protection of children.  This will cultivate and assist with the children's overall physical, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual development.

 

4.  Teach Me - Every child has the right to an education. Efforts must be made by everyone to make sure education supports development of the whole child from birth to adolescence.  It should be culturally appropriate, encourage dignity and respect for children, encourage exploration and be designed to support all children, regardless of their abilities.  Education should allow children access to quality materials and experiences that will help each child reach their full potential.

 

I learned a lot this week.  Not only did I learn what this organization's mission and vision were, but I also learned how they support children and teachers.  Please take the time to check out this website.  There is a lot of fabulous information, and membership is reasonable!

 

 



Getting Ready - Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Part One

I have emailed two people in the hopes of learning more about early childhood education in Uganda (kampala@unicef.org) and Italy (florence@unicef.org). I have not heard back from either of them yet.  I have also been in contact with an old college friend from Massachusetts.  She sponsors a young child in a school in Haiti.  She recently has joined an organization called Britsionary and will be making a trip to Haiti next year.  It is  my hope that she will be able to put me in touch with the administrator in Haiti.

Part Two 
I have decided to research the Association for Childhood Education International over the next 8 weeks.  I felt very strongly about their mission and vision statements.  If you have a chance, take a look at this great site.  http://acei.org