Getting to Know Your International Contacts

 

 

This week's Blog assignment we were asked to introduce our international contacts that we have been in connection with the during the past three weeks.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get a hold of anyone that I sent three email correspondence to.  I also went on to the next step in which we could listen to podcasts and try and connect with a contact as well. Again, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to make another contact. So, in my next attempt we could navigate the UNICEF website and read about childhood poverty in one country and share at least three insights or ideas that I have gained from studying the website. UNICEF was the international organization that I initially reached out to when looking to find out about several other countries. I am actually a bit disappointed that I could not make a connection with the organization during the past several weeks.
 

However, Lagos, Nigeria is one of the countries I chose to read about in regards to poverty. This is one of the countries that I was hoping to actually hear back from an early childhood educator/professional.  This would have been a great net-work in receiving feedback and first-hand knowledge.  Insights that I would like to share is the fact that Lagos is considered an urban city, which has about 10.2 billion living and dwelling in the city. Surprisingly the city is built on and around swamp areas.  It is said that 49 percent of the population are children under the age of eighteen years of age that live and dwell in poverty. Many of the children are homeless and are left to fend for themselves.  As a result,  many young boys are recruited on the streets and trained as pickpocketers.

Another insight gained concerning Lagos, Nigeria is that there is a high influx of human trafficking and exploitation of children. Many young children are exploited and sold on the streets. In an attempt to end human trafficking, Nigerian lawmakers and officials have attempted to take a stand against the slave trade. Back in 2005, 52 children were apprehended at the border. As a result, many lives were saved from a life of slave trade and labor. . Human trafficking is not uncommon and happens everyday in many countries and within our own back door. This is a crime against children that lawmakers need to address and put an end too. 

The third insight gained, the country of Nigeria has experienced an epidemic of the polio virus. Many children have died as a result of the widespread issue. As a humanitarian effort, UNICEF has partnered with others to help put an end to the epidemic.  Groups were formed that consisted of caregivers, vaccinators, traditional and religious leaders- to systematically engage in advocacy and programming to reach out to children. The group traveled great distance to reach every child/children, by foot, motorbikes, car and boat to reach every child so that they would be vaccinated.  As a result of UNICEF's commitment, they have successfully developed a strategy that has nearly eradicated the polio virus (UNICEF, 2011). 

In review of the country of Nigeria, it is evident that many unfair issues and trends are existent against children. Organizations such as UNICEF and its partners have come together to help fight against the unfair treatment and practices against children. 

Reference:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycounty/Nigeria


 

 

Sharing Web Resources  




 

 

 

 

 

The name of the organization I selected is the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) which is a 501 c 3 charitable organization dedicated to promoting the optimal education and development of children in a changing world through various programs and projects that align with ACEI's mission. ACEI's tagline is "Bright futures for every child, every nation," which highlights ACEI's commitment to support and advocate for access to education, equity in educational settings, quality educational content, and the child's right to education (ACEI, 2015). 

While navigating through the site, I came across an article titled, "Prohibiting Corporal Punishment" which seemed to have caught my attention as I have always been intolerant of abuse against children. The article spoke of the use of any physical or mental harm to children that is used as a form of punishment and how it is still practiced worldwide in many countries of diverse economic and political status. I was saddened by the fact that there are about 73 countries in existent that still practice corporal punishment today. The use of corporal punishment is an act of cruelty and it is my belief that children are to be protected and not be mentally or physically abused in any capacity.

 

Although this type of punishment still exist today, there are many educational systems that prohibit the practice of corporal punishment of children. It is said that there are approximately 125 countries that prohibit this act. The report urges these nations to take action and undergo legal reforms and other measures to end the widespread violent punishment of children in learning settings (ACEI, 2015).

One way my organization prohibits the use of any corporal punishment is that  all of our employees, in-home providers, contractors and managerial staff have to sign our Employee Standards of Conduct Policy, in which, corporal punishment is highlighted and is not tolerated at all. All of our parents that use our programs are given the parent handbook and made aware of our policy.

 

Much can be said about abuse and corporal punishment of children. Whether children are being abused at home or in schools, the act of corporal punishment is wrong and inhuman and should never be used as a scare tactic or form of discipline in any capacity.  I understand that there are many cultures that STILL practice this but this is where advocates and policy makers both nationally and internationally must take action and continue to fight for the rights of children. Policymakers and advocates have an obligation to fight even harder on the behalf of children. 

 

I love the philosophy of the ACEI which states, "a school should be a safe and friendly environment for all children, not a place where they are physically or mentally harmed by educators or caregivers. Research has shown that the emotional and physical effects of corporal punishment hinder children’s ability to learn, and negatively affects children’s physical, social, emotional, and educational development. Thus, when corporal punishment occurs in schools, it interferes with a child’s right to education" (ACEI, 2015). 
 

The Association for Childhood Education International is committed to supporting children’s basic rights and ensuring their safety, health, and dignity, and is therefore a supporter of the Global Initiative to End Corporal Punishment. 

 

Reference:

http://www.acei.org

 

 

ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS & EXPANDING RESOURCES

Establishing Professional Contacts

For this week’s Blog assignment we were asked to contact at least two early childhood professionals outside the United States.  I was led to navigate through the UNICEF organization in hopes of receiving a reply back from an early childhood professional.  I was particularly interested in reaching out to  Pretoria, South Africa, Malaysia and Nigeria.  I initiated contact via emailing each of the organization’s contact email addresses.  In my email attempt, I explained who I am, the reason I was contacting them and thanking them for responding back to my email inquiry. Thus far, I am still waiting to hear back from someone.  If I don't hear back by Monday evening at the latest, then I will move on to the next step, which requires listening to archives of broadcasts offered by The World Forum. Hopefully , I'll hear back, as I am really eager and interested in making contact with an early childhood professional outside the country that can share his/her experience, expertise and knowledge in the field of early childhood relating to issues and trends.   

 

Expanding Resources 

On another note, my selection of choice for this assignment for “Expanding Resources” required that I take a look at the various websites provided and choose which organization I wanted to learn more about. I reviewed them all and have narrowed it down to two. I selected, Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) because I wanted to learn more about what this  organization is doing on an international level.  I also am interested in the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI).  My interest in this specific organization as an African American woman helps me to give back and help my culture better educate and prepare our children for their future. Both of these organizations seem fitting and have much to offer. 

                                                                     
                                                     "MY SUPPORTS"

The factors I find most important and supportive to me are God, my husband, my mom and my group of friends that pray for me on a regular basis. My relationship in Christ is the highest priority and over the years have kept me centered in everything that I do. All of my life's journey and accomplishments have been with my strong faith in God, which is my spiritual support and lifeline.  My support from my husband in every aspect has been rewarding and consistent for the past twenty eight years. He has loved me, encouraged me, helped me and supported me throughout the  years. His support has been emotionally, physically and financially. His love and support provided to me has helped me to evolve into the better women, wife, mother, daughter, nana, friend and supporter to others throughout my journey. My mom has also been supportive as well. She has been there for me since I was born. What an awesome support system I have received for over fifty years now. The support she has provided over my lifetime has been rewarding and forever cherished. I also have a group of friends that have been a support system for the past 10 years now. They have prayed for me and my family and vice versa for years. Whatever the reason, season or need they have been there as well. Having these supporters in my life has made a huge impact in my life and has helped me push harder through some difficult times. I am blessed beyond measure to have supporters in my life!

The challenge I chose to think about is if a diagnosis of a terminal illness was given by my physician. My thoughts would be one of many as I would try and process what I was told. I would have to fight off feelings of "fear" that would probably try and cripple me. These feelings would provoke me to further rely on my faith in God to see me through. With that being said, I would want all my supporters, my husband, mom, family and friends to not be sad and feel sorry for me but to help celebrate me and the time left. I would also want my supports and I to spend as much time together as we could and make precious memories enjoying each other and doing the things that make us happy, laughing and joking. Spending quality time with them would be important and letting each one know how important they are to me would be my goal. My hardest thing to do would be to tell my children and grand children and the sadness I would feel not being able to see my grand babies grow up and have families of their own. Leaving my husband and wanting to make sure he would find love again and be happy. All of my supports in my life are needed and I wouldn't know what life would be like without each of them. I think about the lack of emotional, financial, spiritual and physical support I would be without if they did not exist in my life. I couldn't imagine not having them there to help me though this difficult challenge and time. Every person in life must have a support system of some kind to help them accomplish, receive, complete or benefit in life.

                      

"MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY"
 

 

It’s better to play than do nothing.
 

Confucious

 

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” 
 

 Fred Rogers

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison

   

These images tells of the importance of play. 

 

                  Playing the game and singing the song, "Oh Mary,  Mack, Mack, Mack"! 

Hopscotch, those were the days!  

 

 

Summer beach vacations at Wild Wood N.J.   

 

 

 

Jump rope was my biggest time of play 

 

 

 

The love of JACKS..

 

During my childhood years, play was the most important part of my life. We loved to be outdoors, all day and everyday. My parents did not have to make me go outdoors to play or move me away from a television or some type of  electronic device, except for the record player. I automatically played indoors and outdoors almost everyday as long as homework was completed. My pictures above display the types of activities that kept me occupied as a child. We made up games, played hide and go seek, clapped hands and made up songs, jumped lots of jump rope, rode bikes, played jacks and played dodge ball. These are just a few of the play activities I really enjoyed. I was a tomboy and loved to chase and play with my brothers. While keeping up with my brother, and riding on the handle bars of the bike, I fell off and broke my collar bone. I still remember the incident and spent my first grade year in a shoulder sling.

Play was supported by teachers, parents and communities. It was just the natural thing to do. Within school settings, we were required to have recess, which was about 50 to 55 minutes a day. This was the most fun part of the day where we had a chance to run, skip and jump, and most importantly, hang with our friends and buy pretzels and brownies for 15 cents during my elementary and middle school years. As I moved to high school, physical education was offered. We spent at least 3 days out of the week doing physical education classes. Parents also supported play. We were outdoors and playing in parks, and streets all the time. My parents did not mind us being outside as long as chores and homework was done. Our communities also encouraged play. We experienced many days where growing up in our community consisted of play days. Our community would close down the block and turn on the fire hydrant and we would have fun splashing in the water.

Today's play activities are quite different than when I was growing up. In school, at home or in communities,  play is down played and not given the balance that children need to become and remain healthy. Children today are far more interested in electronics and technology. Sitting in front of  smart phones, computers and everything electronic is the language children speak today.  Communities, schools, parents and programs should go back to the basics and help promote and engage children in the importance of play and incorporate it in standards and curriculum. Children will become smarter, healthier, and happier and able to cope with future circumstances.

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION 


In my life my relationships are very important. I believe that every human being placed on this planet was meant to have relationship with someone. When relationships are established with individuals, I believe, they are meant to be built upon, nurtured, strengthened and guarded. Relationships puts us in partnership with others. We are expected to give of ourselves and give to other people. Whether it is meant to be for a season or for a lifetime they can bring satisfaction, understanding, joy, pain and love. Without relationships people are lonely and feel all by themselves. When God created relationships, he meant for individuals to have connection and communication with others. These connections and/or relationships can be developed in the form of marital, parental, sibling, children, friendships, classmates, work and also pet relationships.  

Throughout my lifetime, I have seen relationships come and go but the ones that are special and ordained are the ones that we have to protect and not allow anything or anybody to come against what you and those individuals have established.  There are several relationships and partnerships that I have, need and protect in my life.  Sharing myself and them sharing themselves with me has been such a blessing in my life. 
 


My Husband & Me...

One of the most important relationships in my life is with my husband, Cecil and friend of 27 years.  We have been together forever and have made our marriage work. Over the years, we have learned to give and take, learned many things from one another, and have learned to protect what we have built. In so doing, the biggest success is that we have learned to listen and communicate. We communicate and tell each other how we feel and what our needs are.  It has not been easy but we have learned how to pour into each others lives. We tell the truth and hold one another accountable when we are in the wrong. We deliberately make and spend time together and have learned how to cultivate our marriage. I have studied this man and he has studied me and we both know what is important to one another. I know his love language and that has taught me how to effectively relate to him. One of the characteristics that he brings in our relationship is joy and laughter. I have always been a serious person and he has taught me how to relax and have fun over the years. Because of my upbringing that was something that I struggled with. He has taught me not to stress and let things go and move on. I love the woman that I have become and love being me. My husband has spent over 20 plus years in the military and is an excellent leader. He has also taught me many great leadership skills. I love this man to the moon and back!

                                                   Legacy- Four Generations, My mother, daughter & grand baby.      

In this photo is a picture of my mother (Barbara) left, my oldest daughter, (Corinne) center  and my oldest grand daughter, (Khloe) when she was a baby. I share this picture as it reminds me of the wonderful relationships I have with my mother and have established with my own daughter who is also now a mother.  Represented here is four generations of a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter and a great grand daughter. Our relationships have birthed forth the characteristic of strength. My mother has always provided her unconditional love, understanding, and support.  All that she has taught me has now been given and poured into the lives of my daughters. She has been a wonderful mentor and role model and a listening ear. In turn, my daughter has been taught and given all that my mother has instilled in me to give to her own children. My mother, my rock.  A virtuous women who can find...We represent relationships that are loving, caring and nurturing. 

 

                                                             Friends for life...Yolanda, Angelic & Barbara

This is one of my favorite pictures of two of my closes friends. This was taken last year at the Joyce Meyer Women's conference in St. Louis. Mo. We have been friends for over fifteen years now.  We have all been together through thick and thin. We have laughed, cried, yelled, supported, encouraged and gave lots of hugs to one another. Our relationship is built on love, understanding, truth and commitment. We tell each other just about everything, and when we are wrong and right. We cheer each other on and of course when the other goes through we all go through and we are there for one another. Our relationship took time to build and grow but we decided that we all enjoyed being around one another and loved one another so we decided to make it work. I'm glad to have friends like these two ladies!

                                                                         Co-workers, Patsy & Rebecca  

Attached is a photo of two of my co-workers within Child, Youth & School Services, Family Child Care program. These two are amazing and provide support in our program.  We have established a bond of loyalty and friendship and share the same common goals for the children and youth, and families that we impact in our program and organization. We have been together for the past four years and have grown very fond of one another.  I wouldn't trade this team of staff in for the world. They are loyal, and dedicated to the mission of Child & Youth Services... We are able to communicate effectively, and share problems or concerns with one another.  We have all gleaned and have learned something from each other as we all are different. Patsy is silly and always the happy one, Rebecca is the mellow one and is strong and supportive, and of course, I'm the serious one and we all bring out the best in each other.  They are my dynamic duo and I appreciate them very much.. 

WHEN I THINK OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

       
               " WHEN I THINK OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT & THE CHILDREN  I IMPACT"
                                                        
                                                           I THINK OF...........

      "

To All My Colleagues: Sending out a word of "Thanks & Appreciation" for all of your insight, dedication, and collaboration during these past eight weeks!  Best regards, Barbara