Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources.

     I've attempted to contact two Early childhood professionals from other countries. I have contacted  Stephane Moudoute Bell from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and  Gerda Sula from Step by Step Albania.  So far I have not receive an initial response as of yet. I've chosen both the Global Alliance  Naeyc website and the UNICEF website. I chose them both because of their mission and their vision of supporting the developmental stages of early childhood. I haven't decide to choose two more professionals because of the interest I 've explored with the websites.  I will continue to contact and maybe change my techniques of how I contacted them and seek out other professionals for understanding the perspectives on some early childhood issues that could benefit me.

Relationship Reflection

Dealing with individuals whether it's personal or business, you have to understand that no one has the same characteristic and behavior may be different. At some point it may be terrifying because you're not sure as how you should take this individual and how they may react to what you have to say. In the education field some centers are filled with many women with different attitudes and behaviors and you can't expect for them to  have the same attitude everyday. It's hard but as an educator you focus on how you would approach them with the situation and also focus on your tone. Everyone can have a rough day at home or work.  Relationships/partnerships take alot of work such as building character, strengthing the qualities you all may have in common and also  how the two of you may relate to major issues and or solving situations with two heads. Honestly, you'll never know when you will need someone.   A few months ago, a former college classmate of mine and me began to bond again. We found out that we both had alot in common such as in a relationship sense and also partnership values in business. We have both discussed assisting each other in the business of our choice.  We keep our relationship in a positive manner by being upfront with each other.  If we disagree about an issue its okay. At least we know where we both stand.  Relationships are going to have there ups and downs it's just how you find alternatives  to make it better. I find it very comforting when a person is challenging, you can set the tone by agreeing and finding solutions to add to the ideas or advice that  is given.But it should be done in a set tone so no one is offended.  In the early childhood field, you have to deal with families the same way. Cultures are different as well as  their behavior.  As an educator , we have to understand that families can have a difficult day and they may enter the room with an attitude.  If you still keep your same pleasant tone then hopefully their attitude may change. It's all in how you set the tone.

How Germany assess their Primary students.

In Germany, the students don't begin their education until they are between the ages of five and six. This is located within the public primary schools. They don't receive marks for their academic progress for two years. The parents are given a report on their child's behavior and ability within the class room environment. When they are at the age of seven they are then assessed.. Every piece of work, including tests and homework, is marked on a 40/60 per cent oral/ written basis. The marks go towards an annual school report. Wow that's unique.

References:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/our-children-tested-to-destruction-779790.html

Testing

Many individuals are tested on a daily basis. Everyone do not score well on exams.  Most children develop a stressful time when it comes to test taking. Some feel that if they don't score high on the test they will have to continue repeating the same grade. Their peers will tease them while others would may look at them as a failure.  What I don't understand is how the scholastic aptitude are distributed throughout nationwide and each school does not designate the same educational tools to assist the children in preparing for these exams. I know that each district or states do not have the upgrade versions of books and tools needed because of funding and resources but is it fair that each state or district have to deal with appitude test to succeed in their future goals.  Each individual is different and they don't learn the same. Everyone has different learning styles. In public schools with one class filled with 30 children and one teacher, what time would they have to do invidualization for students who want the help but just don't understand how to solve the problem?  We focus so much on the different developmental stages of a child's developmental level such as social, physical and initiative we don't see these particular objectives being used on a test of what they know about these dimensions.  While these objectives are not considered to be tested on, our children are still some times label as delayed or placed in certain classes. Most kids are better at writing what they have to say down and some are better verbal speaking. That doesn't mean they are no better then the other. We are all individuals with different techniques at learning.

Consequences of Stress in Child Development

Britain has the highest crime rate in  Europe and it is worst then the United States and South Africa States then South Africa. Many techniques that were used to solve the crime issue failed.But criminologists say crime figures can be affected by many factors, including different criminal justice systems and differences in how crime is reported and measured. Experts say there are a number of reasons why violence is soaring in the UK. These include Labour's decision to relax the licensing laws to allow round-the-clock opening, which has led to a rise in the number of serious assaults taking place in the early hours of the morning.  Mr. Johnson , Home Secrectary wants to set up a website to allow the public to see what is taking place in their neighbourhood, such as the number of louts who have been served with Asbos.
Mr Johnson is also known to support early intervention to stop children going off the rails.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html

Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

I  know a lady that has four children and recently got married. The children deal with a lot of domestic violence because of lack of attention and jealousy on his part. The children are not his and he want all the attention on him. He insists that she have a baby for him that he can say is his and not another man's child. The children are present when these actions are taken place. Many days at school, the teachers deal with behavioral outburst from the siblings and constant anger. The children usually fight their friends for no apparent reason. It has gotten worst when two of the siblings began hitting and spitting at the teachers. The parent attempt to handle the situation by adding more high tone voice commands and stating what she's going to do to them when they get home. The teachers had major conferences with the parents but got no where and no support from the administration. She wanted some type of assistance but I think she didn't want to ask for help because she felt shame or embarrass.  Some times we as educators need to evaluate a situation and attempt to find some solution for the problem. Then again, a person have to want the help in order to receive it.

Child Development And Personal Health

Access to healthy water is important to me because that is one of the major resources that helps keep us alive. If we don't have healthy water then we can become ill let alone the way we obtain our food. It has to be clean. If the water isn't clean It could affect our health. In other countries such as in Senegal,  Poor sanitation, water and hygiene have many other serious repercussions.Inadequate access to safe water and sanitation services, coupled with poor hygiene practices, kills and sickens thousands of children every day, and leads to impoverishment and diminished opportunities for thousands more.Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because  their schools lack private and decent sanitation facilities. Women are forced to spend large parts of their day fetching water.farmers and wage earners are less productive due to illness, health systems are overwhelmed and national economies suffer. UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve water supplies and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices.  After learning about this issue. I'm thinking that we should be more appreciative of the water supply that we have and also attempting to maintain finding healthier ways to provide safe water for the future. I would like to find strategies or a present a major project on finding ways to provide safe water for our future leaders.


http://www.unicef.org/wash/

Birthing Experiences in Japan

In Japan if you decide you want to breast feed your baby you are only allowed to feed them 5min on each breast.  Skin to skin time is limited with you and your child. That means you as well as the child are fully clothed. Breast feeding is different. Each have different methods of what is the right way to breast feed the baby. You have nurses and midwives. Some clinics may not have restrooms in the room and you would have to walk if you have to use the restroom right after labor. Some clinics prepare fancy foods such as french or other types of  cuisines. Some nurses may not be as helpful or patient with you during or after labor. Babies are put in hot water to be bathed. What I gather from this insight that people are different and what we think is wrong for someone else  may just be what we want because we're comfortable and probably set in our comfort zone.  I feel that the nurse I had was very caring whereas with this person  the nurse she had was not. It's hard getting use to new cultures and their way of development as well as it is for them getting use to ours. That is why it is important to understand the different development each child deals with on a daily basis. Going in a classroom dealing with all those different behaviors and their way of thinking is a big step and as educators it is a serious challenge and finding a strategy that works for your class is a major goal.

http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2011/10/giving-birth-in-japan-my-experience_14.html

My Birthing Experience

My birthing experience was very calm but sort of agitating. Of course, I had meds in my system. Lol. I had a nurse that was there to guide me through any uncomfortable feelings I may have had.  My sister read to him also we talked about what we were going to do once he was delivered and what the next step was.  I had a normal birth, but  they had to burst the water bag because he just wouldn't come on his own. Lazy:) I constantly walked around the mall but still he wouldn't just wouldnt move.  I only dialated 4 centimeters. It took 16 hours before he came. I was well surrounded by nurses that took very good care of me and including my doctor who always made me laugh and felt at ease. At the end, the doctor told me I didn't have to push anymore (Shorn's head was right at the tip) I told the doctor, "No, I got to. I feel like I have to go to the restroom. "LOL. I kept pushing and all I heard was a "Ploop". And there he was 6lbs. and 10 oz.  I thought he was so cute and he already had an attitude. He acted  as though we woke him out of his sleep. LOL. It was a great experience that I probably Will Not do again. :) I chose this experience because it doesn't matter wether or not you are a single parent or a two parent family, It 's what you as a parent want to enstill in your child. You can repeat yourself all day long. It's up to that child wether or not he's going follow your guidance or learn about growing up somewhere else. At some point when they get older they may come back to you and "you were right". It's up to you to be there for them when they fall as your parents or parent were there for you. 

NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities,

abilities, and potential of each child.



Ethical Responsibilities to Families

—To develop relationships of mutual trust andEthical Responsibilities to Colleagues —To support co-workers in meeting their professional

I-2.2

create partnerships with the families we serve.

I-3A.3

needs and in their professional development.

II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION

4. We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and

ethically based services.Enhancement of Children’s and Families’ Quality of Lives

1. We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with

whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture. 
   These are related to the aspect of profession because I do respect my families and wish to assist my children when possible in any situations. My coworkers are always my next concern because we work together as a team to build one strong foundation with the children as they step up to next level and to build a relationship with our parents regardless of their background, religion and culture.

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved December 17, 2011, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf.

 The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved December 17, 2011, from http://www.dec-sped.org/.

Course Resources

 Position Statements and Influential Practices

FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early  childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf

NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

Video

Video Program: “The Resources for Early Childhood”
Five early childhood professionals discuss their preferred and trusted resources.

WESTED
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

Harvard Education Letter
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

FPG Child Development Institute
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm

Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conference
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/




Children’s Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

The resources that I admire are located in "blue". Enjoy


Starratt, Robert J. Leaders with Vision: The Quest for School Renewal. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press, 1995. 219 pages. ED 354 962. 

Daniels, Denise and Robert Plomin. "Origins of Individual Differences in Infant Shyness." DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 21 (1985): 118-121. 

Berk, L., & Winsler, A. (1995). SCAFFOLDING CHILDREN'S LEARNING: VYGOTSKY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. ED 384 443.

Quotes For Encouragement in Early Childhood Studies

"Experts generally agree that taking all opportunities to read books and other material aloud to children is the best preparation for their learning to read. The pleasures of being read to are far more likely to strengthen a child's desire to learn to read than are repetitions of sounds, alphabet drills, and deciphering uninteresting words. By Lilian Katz.

“[P]art of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness.”
― Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education

" Most joyful experience was wanting to teach and it take everything in me which made feel whole and creative. The passion to make sure all children were taught in environment and ways that truly nurture them to their fullest ability" -by Louise Derman Sparks Professor Emeritus, Pacific  Oak College,CA

Personal Childhood Web

I grew up with people who encourage you to be strong and independent.  When I did something that wasn't right, I had to answer to the person I did it to and receive a punishment from them and then go home and hear a lonnnnnng lecture from my dad. Now that was punishment enough!  My dad would always tell me that " Not to depend on people. Try to accomplish what you need on your own." "Don't always help people for money, God will bless you in other ways because you help someone else." I listen to all his lectures, but this mainly stuck with me in life.  I'm glad he taught me the values of being independent and not to the point where I don't need anyone but  basically to know that when something has to get accomplish in a timely manner, make sure it is done. He showed me how to love and support people by not doing the work for them but to guide and demonstrate how to do it. He always stated," If I do it for you, you will never learn how to do it yourself." True statement.   I am the baby of five and I moved near my parents to help out in their time of need such as company, chores around the house and taking them to doctor appointments.  One day my dad wanted me to help him mow the lawn. Something went wrong with the lawnmower. He said," Lift up the mower and see what the problem is?" I said to myself, " Is he serious? I'm a girl." I did what he said and I found the problem. One of the neighbors came up and watched me and then said to my  mom," why does he have Nette holding up that lawnmower (riding lawnmower)? " That's a girl." My mom said," I guess he's trying to make her a hell of a woman."  We all laughed about it after he past away. I do thank him for all he did for us and how he kept the family together spiritually,financially and mentally.

My sister in law, Rosemarie always been there for me as a counselor and  a confidant as well as another sister. She was always supportive in whatever I did. She guided me with directions  that would assist along the way and when I needed to get my act together she was their to give me the extra push I needed. When it was my last year in college, I got pregnant. OMG! That was hell trying to get to class and doctor's appointments sometimes on the same day my 8' 0'clock class begins. Luckily, I had instructors to work with me and assist me in anyway possible by providing me with makeup assignments.( Pass the class with and "A" Yeah!!! ) After I had the baby  Rose sat down with me and talk  in this beautiful, calm and soothing voice. She gently placed her arms around me and whispered  in a sweet calm voice," This is your last semester and you are going to take your a*@***  back to school and finish with honors." She kissed me on my cheeks and smiled. I was shocked but I did what she said. I graduated and was on the honor roll.  Its amazing how some people can give you that extra push with the right words. LOL

The Passion of Working in the Early Childhood Field

I have this little boy in my class who is soo adorable and he has the most adorable eyes. He loves to cuddle and twirl your hair when he lay his head on your shoulder. He always make me feel so special. One day around  departure time he wanted me to hold him and I did. He laid his head on my shoulders and twirled my hair. When it was time for me to leave at 5, he began crying and would not turn me loose. He held on tight to my shirt and wrapped his arms around my neck and locked on.  He began to call me "Ma". I attempt to look at him with eye to eye contact so I could explain to him that I will be back tomorrow and we will have cuddle time again. I began to rub his back so that he can calm down and let me go.  Once I put him down and picked up my items to leave, he crawled to the window and held his head down and cried.  I felt the emotional attachment me and little man shared and before I leave I always give him his extra time . How can you not love working in the early childcare field? So much passion, excitement and something humorous happening all the time.

Lachelle

My Favorite Book

My favorite book is called "Old Black Fly". It could be a song, or just read it. It halarius. Illustrations are very detailed. Kids love repeating the words , it's in alphabetical order. It relates to everyday life. You know how flies constantly nag at you and try to fan them away. Well, it's just like people in your life on a daily basis. They nag you. They just want go away when you want that time for yourself.  But when it comes down to it. They're in  your life for a reason. When they get tired of nagging you, they will find someone else to bother.