----Support from my colleagues ---

During this course I have come in contact with many kind and friendly colleagues, that are eager and pumped up about changing children's lives and educational experiences. Those mild-stones in each child's life could range in many areas- such as educational development, economical status or social and emotional development. I have enjoyed the feedback and support of my colleagues during discussion assignments and blog assignments. The helpful advice during the course and feedback made me feel like an important advocate for families and children.

I will share my email contact information ---- keep in touch--- iriscarter55@gmail.com.

Adjourning Phase

 

I think that hardest performing groups are always hardiest to leave. I had a group that I was a part of and I felt like we couldn't be stopped. One day a team member came to a meeting and said they were leaving all of us were very disappointed. We had her a farewell party and we discussed (old times) while working together. I think that moving to another state leaving all my friends and starting all over was miserable. I had a hard time leaving my job teaching Head Start.  In most cases we do a farewell gathering filled with gifts while enjoying food and music during the celebration. Getting to know a person in the class is very important by paying attention to their discussion questions and understanding their beliefs and values. I think after this journey is over I will feel more excited about the farewells and good-byes. I know that we are all seeking a different level of educational experience. I believe we all have formed some type of teamwork, from the uplifting discussion questions, blog assignments and more. We all are able to speak to each other and understand each others circumstances and issues. Little did we know we have a lot in common. I will definitely miss the responses and feedback from this program and all the people that made this learning experience unforgettable.

Conflict and Resolution

I had an disagreement with a co worker and I found myself being angry and bitter after the disagreement. It caused me to avoid the person and overlook or resolve the issue. According to the non violent organization CVNC I could have embraced self compassion and resolved conflicts peacefully.

 I could have suggested a compromise and asked the person if I offended them and or said I was sorry. I could have identified the conflict and ask questions "When did you feel upset?". I could request a solution "How can I make this better between us". I could be a great listener and take note of the different ways to not make a conflict again. I could come up with an agreement that works for the both of us. The 3 R's principles could be used as well but most importantly I can be respectful and more responsive when communicating to others. I can often ask "did I offend you or make you feel differently by using that tone or choice of conversation". I think by using open communication and responding to specific needs will help me avoid conflict.


 Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/

As a Communicator

As a communicator I was able to questions my actions and evaluate how I perceived things pertaining to my profession. I learned a lot about how I view others, how to look for distinct clues on ways to communicate with my colleagues, co workers as well as children and families. In this process I was able to determine what is appropriate in a variety of situations and context.By now you know that communication “is the process by which individuals use symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information" (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009, p. 4). By learning how to communicate more efficiently, I will be mindful of ways to communicate with others in the early childhood profession. The insight that I gained this week is not to be quick to judge others by their appearance and status, you should get to know a person for who they really are. The most vital form of communication is verbal because often times non verbal communication can lead you to assume the worse. Non verbal and verbal communication can be totally different from what we expect. A situation or action could view to be something hostile but in actuality that might be the way the person communicates.






O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Cultural Diversity

I communicate with my co workers differently because they are all from different backgrounds. When you work with co workers its your job to follow a professional standard guideline. We discuss different methods that are best for the children and the families. We have a distinct way to carry ourselves and we communicate with positive gestures. Many of my co workers have varying abilities to work with all kinds of people and environments. Some of the people I work with consist of teachers, principles, social workers, counselors and other families and children advocates all come to support the families and children at the school. We offer many services to families and consider ourselves an great support system. I embrace the diverse forms of communication that I learn from my co workers, we all work together to ensure a safe and loving environment.

Communications skills and styles

What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?
What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

I chose the movie "Date Night" I have never seen the movie...At the beginning of the movie there was a scene that they were inside the office of her job and their body language showed that they were arguing--she was swinging her arms and her eyebrows were raised--he was looking frustrated and he was standing still listening. I figured that they were arguing about where to find the files to find the couple-- The Tripplehorns-- When I looked at the scene with the sound she was arguing about him leaving the drawers open she had banged her leg on the drawer to the filing cabinet. She then goes on to say that he never closes drawers in the house and they start talking about marital issues. I assumed that they were trying to find a faster way to get the files because the alarm and lights went off when they broke the glass to the office. I was not familiar with the movie so that is was why I made that assumption.


   April 9, 2010

Blog Assignment

 think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not?

Barack Obama he always tries to find the positive out of every situation. He speaks will clarity and is diverse in many ways. He is a president that has offered many benefits for families and children. His wife Michelle Obama also made a difference within the school systems with the healthy eating law. Yes I want to be a very uplifting individual that makes changes that will positively effect others. My communication skills would definitely improve if I modeled their preferred figure of speech.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.- Barak Obama

The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.--Barak Obama

 

 

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

My hope is to make every moment a learning moment for me as well as the families. I love learning about diverse cultures and their learning their ultimate meaning of life. I want the families to feel comfortable with me and open to sharing their cultural aspects.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

 One goal is to treat others equally no matter nationality and make them feel welcomed so many times other cultures that enter the United States don't feel welcomed. Micro-aggressions are often done and

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I want to thank my colleagues for being so inspirational and passionate about their discussions. I love the feedback and the questions that were given throughout the entire course. I learned so much from everyone. I hope that your educational journey will be prosperous!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The name of “your” family’s country of origin
At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family
A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

Child Care-
Trinidad -- Africa

• I will make them comfortable upon visit (welcome them in)
• I will have a translator or use some form of communication device to understand
• I will ask them questions about childcare and give them a understanding of the cost and all the resources we offer
• I will ask them to volunteer at the school to get a better understanding of how we organize and implement rules and regulations
• I will give them information of resources in their surrounding neighborhood
• I will offer trust and a family-professional relationship

I think by implementing these things this will make their experience a lot smoother. If a person feels welcomed they will be more open to understanding and they will take their guard down.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I think that the last time I encountered a bias or prejudice incident was when Barack Obama was running for president. 

There was a lot of slang and prejudice words said on social media, I seen many friendships split and change after the election. I think that sometimes a person's true colors comes out over a period of time. I found out there were a of hateful people out there. Students at my cousins college did a few violent acts and she was afraid to attend school because she was black. She felt unsafe and waited a few days before she returned. It doesn't matter the color of your skin,ethical background or gender to run for president.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I realized that there were a lot of prejudice people out there and that we have to be careful with what we say and do. My grandmother told me to be safe because she didn't know what kind of situations would arise after the election. Many people seemed angry and frustrated after he became president. I remember going to the post office and people standing in line rolled their eyes and became irritable.  I then sat back and thought to myself has this world really changed or are people covering up the hate and animosity that lingers down deep inside.


What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I think that prejudice acts can not be change unless the person themselves want to change. I know that change can come over time but it has to happen from within. Your heart you mind and soul has to renewed this is a cultural aspect that has been going on for generations. I don't like to talk about it but it is true people are racist and actually hate others because of the color of their skin. I hope that one day things will change and others will see that we are all equal, we all have red blood flowing through our veins, we all cry tears of sadness or joy and "we are the United States of  America"(Barack Obama).

 

 

 

Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?
I was at a training years ago and one of the speakers was Caucasian and she used very impressive vocabulary. Another person that was sitting at the table with me was like you know they always use big words and we keep it simple. I told the woman at the table we can use words just the same but it depends on your status and what interest you. I know African Americans that use a very intellectual vocabulary. The conversation really made me reevaluate myself, I wasn't the target but other people at the table looked like they sided with her. When its evident that those exact word are in the dictionary and it comes from reading books to expand your vocabulary.  



In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.
It made me more observant of my perception of other cultures. I need to stop judging people from their outer appearance. I often stereotype a person by the car they drive and the clothes they wear. I think to myself that could never be me because of my "classification". I am a African American woman from a country town that is trying to make a difference in my life.I have been told all my life that those people with nice things either know someone in higher places or grew up rich. That has discouraged me in my professional journey and avenue. I have to constantly remind myself that I can obtain all my goals if I stay focused. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

I found that the answer for culture is primarily the same for all three individuals. A system of morals, values beliefs that describes a person or family. In this class and previous classes we learned that culture can range from array of things such as career, clothing, schools, neighborhoods anything that can define an individual. One person quoted a scripture that concluded her answer.

Unity in the midst of diversity and when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place Acts 2:1. I think that a persons background and the way they were raised depicts their answers.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?
I chose to omit some remarks about racism. Some answers were very racial and I didn't fully agree with the answer. Even though some of the information provided from the individual was truthful. I think that also overlooking and omitting information is apart of our culture well. Scotomas are things that we overlook everyday but to others they notice particular things.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

I am more observant of my surroundings and how I view others and their cultural make up. I think the older I get the more resistant  I get to defining diversity. I look at everyone through a equal lens we might be from different backgrounds but we are all here for a reason. We all have a mission and definition of life.

My Family Culture

A description of the three items you would choose

How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise

 I would chose the Holy Bible so that my family and I can read the bible and pray. The other option would be family pictures to remember everyone that I love and cherish. I would also bring a form of protection incase someone wants to harm my family. I think that each item is explanatory and each person would understand the definition. I would chose only the bible to take with us to read and meditate, our lives would be in God's hand because we have no control over our future. I found out how religiously connected to God my family is, I already take my bible with me wherever I have it in the car. I want to protect my family and I want to keep those valuable memories.

When I think of research?

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

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

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

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

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

My ideas of research has changed due to the different approaches of conclusion due to cause and effect, for example the quantitative approach. Many people are amateur researchers and seeking to understand information and make sense of life experiences. I found out that I was a amateur researcher because I didn't know how to gain effective information. In my development of research people often use hypothesis an then test out ways  with limited data. I learned that research is a tool it is a matter of learning how to use it.

 I learned that planning can often result in surprises, no matter how well you are prepared expect the unexpected. Participants might not show up for the survey or interview. Surprises can also motivate you to change something during the research or make you a more experienced researcher.

I encountered many challenges looking for specific articles to meet the topics standards. I looked for many articles on google scholar to help me figure out different forms of research. I found my topic very challenging because I had to have many document to back up my research.

Early childhood professionals play a major role in the life of children and families. There are many forms of research that take place when it comes to being an advocate for children. In order to learn how children function it is important to understand children on a social and emotional and cognitive stand point. There is a lot of research involved in the development of a child.

I really enjoyed this class and all it has to offer, I look forward to learning a lot more information during my journey at Walden University. I thank Dr. Todd for not giving up on me during this course because I had many personal issues that caused me to not preform to the best of my ability. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions they really helped me during this course.

ECDVU sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Program Overview

"The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) is an innovative and multifaceted approach to addressing ECD capacity building and leadership development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The ECDVU is supported by a range of international, regional and local organizations, including the employers of participants. It is a unique training and results-oriented program that uses face-to-face and distributed learning methods including: residential seminars, web-based instruction, CD and print material support, and a 'community of learners' strategy within and among cohort countries".

 

Our Mission:  "To promote and further develop ECD leadership capacity as a key strategy in support of child, family and community well-being and broader social and economic development".

 

I think that this is a great program that is supported by many organizations. I am always fascinated about other countries and how they are making a change. Please look at the link below for more information.

http://www.ecdvu.org/welcome.php

 

Fathers' involvement and children's developmental outcomes: a systematic review of longitudinal studies.

I found that this is a great article that provides a lot of information about fathers and their role in a child's life.This systematic review aims to describe longitudinal evidence on the effects of father involvement on children's developmental outcomes.
Methods: Father involvement was conceptualized as accessibility (cohabitation), engagement, responsibility or other complex measures of involvement. Both biological fathers and father figures were included. We searched all major databases from the first dates. Data on father involvement had to be generated at least 1 year before measuring offspring outcomes.
There is evidence to support the positive influence of father engagement on offspring social, behavioural and psychological outcomes. Although the literature only provides sufficient basis for engagement (direct interaction with the child) as the specific form of 'effective' father involvement, there is enough support to urge both professionals and policy makers to improve circumstances for involved fathering.

 

 "Fathers Rock" this article made me excited about the positive influence they make even when they feel like they don't make a difference at all.

 

 

 

 

References

Sarkadi, A., Kristiansson, R., Oberklaid, F., & Bremberg, S. (2008). Fathers' involvement and children's developmental outcomes: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway: 1992), 97(2), 153-158.

Why is it important to reduce language barriers? How can we help families?

Can reducing language barriers help provide affordable, high quality childcare for low income families? I taught head start for only 2 years and I found out that many of my students were Hispanic and they didn’t speak English. I had an interpreter (on call) and I found it very difficult to communicate with my families and children. Throughout the years the U.S. population is constantly increasing and the number of non – English speakers have doubled. I want to make a stronger relationship for the teachers, families and children. If I were to open a center that offered English courses for the non-English speaking parents, I think this would open many opportunities to affordable childcare, jobs and more. By offering effective resources to parents they can understand

education options if they became dual language learners, understand eligibility and enrollment

 process, would not be in the less common group cultural and linguistic, open doors to professional

development.

If you have any advice or resources that would be beneficial please feel free to share them.

 

Final Blog Assignment

Consequences
Difficult to speak with someone:
Sometimes when trying to contact people in other countries it can be difficult. During the process you should trying multiple times before you can get an answer. When they do reply sometimes the information might be the amount of information you need but it is still beneficial.

Excellent Programs
Don't expect the worse childcare
Most of the programs in other countries provide excellent care. Depending on the location and development of the country the funding can offer many opportunities for children. I wish that in America we took education really serious and had more funding for programs.


Face to Face interactions
More hands on interaction
I wish some organizations offered more assistance with the children and families. I think it is great to get information pamphlets or newsletters, but I wish there were other offers for EC professionals around the world to volunteer. 

I think that all EC or elementary teachers should do some volunteer work in other countries. Study aboard is something that they can offer teachers for a short period of time(a week or two weeks).

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization is remarkable they are meeting the needs of many children all around the world. The regional office in Bangkok launched a 9 video series that documents effective approaches in Early Childhood and Education  with the aim to show many practices offered to the Asia and the Pacific region.

"This Innovations for Improving the Equity and Quality of Early Childhood Care and Education in Asia and the Pacific project,  seeks to determine what innovative approaches are being used in the region and how they can enhance the principles of inclusion and equity in ECCE that are the cornerstone of the new global education agenda"(unesco.org).

There is a video that shows students in Kaede Kindergarten in Hiroshima, Japan  participating in a box stacking competition. The students are divided into two classes and are excited about learning from their setbacks and accomplishments.


By simply recording a few videos of children actually being active and showing the change they are making in the children's lives in great.


Insight 1
"Participating countries committed themselves to “expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children(unesco.org) .”

My Insight 1

Making a change in my surrounding community -Atlanta Metro area- I want to expand and enhance the opportunities for great early childhood education, by offering more Government funded programs for low income families. Maybe later I can reach children around the world.

Insight 2
"The ECCE workforce is often made up of a diverse group of pre-school teachers, care workers, informal carers and other professionals(unesco.org).

My Insight 2
 I want to offer a diverse group of employees in my center-teachers, supporting staff, clerk and more. I want to cater to a diverse crowd and it would be great to have employees that represent diversity/quality.

Insight 3
"In general, government funding for early childhood is extremely small"(unesco.org).

My Insight 3
Most countries can't receive government support and depending on location and state that can be an issue in the United States. I will use government assistance but also apply for grants and other assistance. I want each family to spend less as possible when it comes to the educational support their child needs.

I really enjoy leaning about other countries accomplishments because most of them don't have as many resources available like here in the United States. The drive and the determination that they all have to make sure their children have a descent education is awesome. Like in Japan they used simple effective strategies to make a difference.

Sharing Web Resources--Harlem Zone -- CLASS

Harlem Zone not only caters to the children and families in the Harlem area they also combine with the Mental Health Association in New York. They provide a project that helps many caretakers or parents stay sober. They serve the Manhattan area, the cost is free and the application process is just a phone call away.

"Project C.L.A.S.S. (Clean Living and Staying Sober) is a comprehensive, neighborhood-based prevention program that helps to strengthen families to reduce risk of children's placement in foster care. Through a contract with the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), we work with high-risk families when a caretaker or child's substance use and/or mental health disorder places the child at risk of foster care placement or replacement. Our goal is to provide supportive services including drug treatment, mental health treatment, domestic violence support, early intervention, and any other services to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the home. Your family is assigned a team that includes a Case Worker and a Family Worker that will conduct three home visits per week and focus on strengthening the family, promoting the safety of children, and maintaining the stability of the family who are affected by substance use or mental health disorders".

The requirements are:
"families with a minor child residing in the home, where the parent/guardian or child's mental health or substance use puts the family in high-risk. SPMI (severely persistently mentally ill) diagnosis is not required and we will discuss each case individually. Families must be willing to engage with the Project C.L.A.S.S. staff three times per week in the initial phase, with a reduction in visits once the family is deemed stabilized and safe".

I think this is great HCZ is partnering with surrounding associations to provide a safe haven in he home. Most organizations offer help with education but do not strongly enter the household reinforcing a change in the living condition.


http://newyorkcity.ny.networkofcare.org/mh/services/agency.aspx?pid=HarlemChildrensZoneProjectCLASS_754_2_0

Global Children’s Initiative-- Alberta's family wellness --Canda

Alberta's family wellness theory highlights how the Foundation’s investment in creating and nurturing a network of knowledge entrepreneurs, convening catalytic events and engaging as a partner across science, policy and practice has helped achieve a great shift in thinking and action when it comes to improving outcomes for all children and families based on the core story of brain development. We take this opportunity to pause and express our gratitude to the community of stakeholders that have been on the AFWI learning journey with us. Thank you and enjoy reading about how and why the AFWI is making an impact.  

The AFWI initiates a broad range of activities designed to translate and mobilize the science of early brain and biological development, mental health, and addiction across stakeholder groups. A key strategy is encouraging dialogue among the science, policy, and practice communities across Alberta and strengthening the ties among these disparate groups. The AFWI’s activities are designed to shorten the research-to-practice gap and to ensure that we turn “what we know” into “what we do” using the best available evidence.

The website was very beneficial it offered many resources under the resource library, core story toolkit and more. I find it very fascinating that the website breaks down brain development and addictions in early ages.
The foundation of brain development.
Both the pre-natal and post-natal periods are critical to the developing brain and, ultimately, the health and well-being of a child. Exposure to positive experiences and nurturing relationships with caregivers helps promote a strong foundation for healthy brain development. But exposure to adversity during these same periods produces a weak foundation. A weak foundation can have cumulative and enduring neurobiological impacts, which will negatively impact functioning for a lifetime.
Interventions and treatments in Children's mental health
Children’s mental health affects how they socialize, learn, and, ultimately, meet their potential. Like the levelness of a table –which makes it usable and able to function as it should – the mental health of a child is what enables him or her to function in the world. Some children develop in level environments; they have healthy, supportive relationships, and advantages like good nutrition. For others, their brains develop in uneven environments, due to exposure to adverse experiences like abuse or addiction in the home. These children often have unreliable or unsupportive relationships, and don’t have access to key resources.

Development of Addiction
Experiences that occur early in childhood, even as far back as the pre- and post-natal periods, can also alter brain architecture in ways that may prime an individual to become vulnerable to addiction. For example, the quality of the infant-caregiver interaction and exposure to toxic stress both have direct effects on the brain systems responsible for regulating emotions and coping with stress. In other words, children who are exposed to toxic stress may grow up to be adults who have difficulty coping with stress, anxiety, and mood. This can lead individuals to attempt self-medication in an effort to alleviate these effects.

http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/initiative

Harlem Kids Zone Organization

The Harlem Kids Zone       http://hcz.org/our-programs/#education
Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?
The organization reminds me of my duties as an advocate for children. I worked for head start for a few years and I catered to children that came from low income families. The organization distinctly reaches out to children in the Harlem area, these children/adults have suffered from poverty on so many levels. I feel that this organization is compliance with my efforts as a early childhood professional, I am here to help children have a chance at a great educational start. The organization serves over 13,000 youth meanwhile my rate of children a year are only 22 per class, but I am still making a difference one child at a time.


What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?

Create a pipeline of coordinated, best-practice programs to give our children and families seamless support from birth through college and maximize their outcomes. By taking the statistics and information given about the children in Harlem they formed a pipeline that is more beneficial. With the help of politicians, economists and neuroscientist the program is  known all over the world. The Promise Academy went to the White House and Michelle Obama spoke at the "Harlem Armory the National College Signing Day 2016".


Their pipeline diagram
Early Childhood>Elementary School>Middle School>High school>College




What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?   One of the articles published on the website is called "What children need is you" it is a  social media campaign to get people thinking about all the things children need to fulfill their potential and invited friends and followers to chime in and let us know #WhatChildrenNeed.  The video was so full of life it started off showing small children and there were other educators to speak about what children need. Some of the advocates for children said a few things that symbolize that need--educators that have high expectation, inspiration, love, options, adults who care, great grounding in the arts.

The HCZ organization started a Practitioners Institute

They are committed to helping others benefit from their successes and the many lessons we have learned over the years.  In 2003, we created the Practitioners Institute to share information about our work, teach best practices, and provide pivotal guidance to groups from across the U.S. and around the world invested in replicating our model.
We strongly believe that our comprehensive, place-based approach to educating children and rebuilding an entire community will help transform neighborhoods struggling with issues like poverty, poor health, failing schools, and high crime rates.  The key is strategically applying our core principles, not recreating our exact programs.  Each community has unique needs to be addressed and resources on which to capitalize in building a pipeline to serve local children and families at scale

Family and Community Programs

Community Pride-Community Pride works closely with Harlem residents to help create a community where they feel empowered and united in their mission to help Harlem thrive.
Single Stop and Tax preparation-Single Stop facilitates access to government resources and provides free legal services and financial counseling—all in one stop—while our Tax Preparation Program helps thousands of families receive millions in refunds each year.
Preventive Placement Programs- HCZ operates four sites committed to stabilizing and strengthening our most vulnerable families and preventing foster-care placement for their children.

UNICEF Child Poverty--3 Insights

3 Insights
1.Child poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and can be measured in many ways.  It is imperative that governments make a commitment to child poverty reduction, recognizing and responding to child poverty is the first priority, alongside building expertise and improved approaches to child poverty measurement.
2.UNICEF supports programme countries to conduct a comprehensive Situation Analysis of Women and Children (SitAn) within the country programme or national planning cycle. It is done in preparation for or as an input to the review of the national development plan and poverty reduction strategy.
3. Social protection can be understood as a set of public actions which address not only income poverty and economic shocks, but also social vulnerability, thus taking into account the inter-relationship between exclusion and poverty. Through income or in-kind support and programmes designed to increase access to services (such as health, education and nutrition), social protection helps realize the human rights of children and families.

UNICEF caters to many families and children they help with child survival and development, basic education and gender equality, HIV Aids and children and they offer many more resources.

Global Consultation-- they offer remarks and presentations
Richard Morgan, Director, Policy and Practice, UNICEF
Reflexions on policy for children: Past, present and future - Sir Richard Jolly, Hononary Professor and Research Associate, IDS
Suggestions from the blog for UNICEF’s work in economic and social policy - David Anthony, Chief, Policy Advocacy Policy and Practice, UNICEF
UNICEF Social and Economic Policy Work for Equity - Isabel Ortiz, Associate Director Policy and Practice, UNICEF
Addressing policy priorities for children: Key action areas - Nuria Molina, Director of Policy and Research, Save The Children

(http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html)

Organization- Harlem Kid Zone

The organization I chose to research is Harlem Kid Zone http://hcz.org/our-programs/#education
Their primary goal is to give kids the individualized support they need to get to and through college and become productive, self-sustaining adults.

The national model for breaking the cycle of poverty
Education> Family and Community>Health>Results

There pipeline diagram
Early Childhood>Elementary School>Middle School>High school>College

In order to achieve long-term success, children need consistent, comprehensive support. Our pipeline begins at birth and helps kids every step of the way until college graduation through exceptional education, social services, family support, health, and community-building programs. By continuously assessing the progress of our youth, we can leverage the power of our pipeline to fine-tune our programs and ensure that we are fully addressing the needs of every child, at every age.
This organization reaches out to many children and families and expect tremendous goals and expectations for the youth. On April 28, 2016  Harlem Children Zone welcomed Michelle Obama and any others to the Harlem Armory to celebrate National College Signing Day 2016. The event was established to show excitement in celebrating students going to college. College is a very big milestone in a young adults life they need support and encouragement during their journey. At HCZ they know all the obstacles and issues that can affect the educational journey for students-Early Childhood>Elementary School>Middle School>High school>College. There goal is to help one student succeed one step at a time.

Getting Ready—E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) http://www.eecera.org/


The British Association for Early Childhood Education http://www.early-education.org.uk/
(Review also these online resources: http://www.early-education.org.uk/search/node/leaflets )

I tired to contact these two organizations. I called but I am awaiting a response/call back so I decided to research information on the global fund for children.

 

I chose to sign up for a newsletter for Harlem's Kids Zone... I've done mission work in New York and I am very fascinated with New York and helping others. The organization reaches to many children and families-- they serve an entire neighborhood comprehensively and at scale to create a tipping point and definitively shift the culture of the community. (Helpful tips) would be to reach out to an organization that really interest you because it will make you research experience more engaging and beneficial.



 

Daily Support

When I think of the word "support" I think of someone or something that holds you up, bares some of the weight of life. Financial support to me is a job or type of steady income. Personal support is someone family or loved one to be their when you need help or personal advice. Practical support is something that is I have sometimes from a loved one. I get help around the house -cleaning/cooking and more. Physical support would be my assistant she will help with tasks and other issues that may occur. We can communicate about issues and jobs that may occur throughout the school year and work on the task and complete them.

If I had a disability or was physically impaired I wouldn't be able to get around I would need someone to help transport me. Emotionally I would need someone/loved one to help me cope with the issues at hand. Practical support I would either live with someone else or have someone come into my home to help me clean. I would try to accomplish tasks on my own just for some type of independence. If I had these challenges I would need someone to push me to be independent. I would love  the support emotionally, practically, and physically.

My Collection to Play

I am from Mississippi We played outside all the time. My parents encourage outside play we didn't play inside. We rode our bikes played in the dirt (made mud pies) climbed trees walked through trails, played basketball, ran races and went to the pond and threw rocks in the water (make the rocks skip along the water--it took practice and technique)/fishing. I remember visiting my grandpa and uncles pig pens and seeing the cows and horses. We devoted our day to outside time. I think play is really different now most children stay inside during the summer or their parent send them to camp. I feel like camp was our backyard I never had a dull moment. Playing outside was a great way to explore new things in nature. The role of play is whatever the child has assessable to them. My parents gave us many toys to play with outside. When I have children I will do the same thing my kids will play outside majority of the time. I will build a tree house and other things that will make outside time very fun.

Relationship Reflection

 

Personalities traits and relationships start with your parents. My mother is a very kind woman and I love her dearly. She always told me that treat others like you want to be treated. I often try to be nice to others and show kindness wherever I go. My mother had friends but she often was a home body and didn't go places. She loves have her own personal space. As I got older I began doing the same thing. I love to have friends but I love my one on one time with myself. Most people thinks it weird but I will hang out with friends but I don't want to hang out everyday. Relationships are very valuable to me and I am slow to let a person in.

 

 

 

 

My father is another person I learned personality traits /relationships  from he is the complete opposite of my mother he is very outgoing and he loves to met new people. He never meets a stranger and is kind and giving as well. I often see the same traits of my father in me. I used to be a communication major and in most of your courses it explains how to give successful presentations of yourself. I feel that you sell yourself to people that you meet, first impressions are everything. My dad loves style and having a great time with friends. When I was in college I loved being with friends but now  as an adult I feel like I am drifting from that social stage in my life. I meet new people but its hard to find that one person that really offers a great relationship or friendship.

 

 I often think that what a person goes through in life dictates that persons relationship status. If you have been hurt from friendships and relationships you will be slow to develop. A person might become paranoid about getting hurt or letting someone get close to them. If you had an awesome experience you will be eager to make more friendships and relationships. You will be open to a lot of new things. I get a combination of feelings and thoughts about relationships some are positive and some are negative but I ty to take both experiences and make the best out of them. I love meeting new people-- (parents and students but often wish I had the opportunity to work in a office). (I find myself just needing some quiet time).

When I think of Child Development

Children learn from those they spend the most time with parents, teachers and other care givers. I think that as a teacher we introduce many educational books to the class. I love the books by Dr.Seuss, Eric Carle, Jan Brett and any more.  I can use my imagination whenever I read stories to my students we often create a story as the pages unfold. Encouraging students to read and visit the library is very important to me because I didn't start fluently reading until one of my teachers influenced me. She would talk to me about different books and discuss visiting the library with my parents and other care givers. I learned so much information by just picking up a book if it was dictionary, Dr. Seuss book, books about animals and other wild life. I was eager to learn and reading became fun. As an advocate for children  I will constantly encourage them to pick up a book and read.

ADHD assessments

I think that children need to be assessed according to hyperactivity, impulsiveness and lack of attention. I am a teacher and I have seen many students that come in the classroom and struggle with lack of attention and self control. I think that each child should have a self control assessment. I think it is important to do the academic assessments but if a child can not sit and take the test due to self control then the child could score less due to lack of attention. I've had a few adopted children in my classroom and their issue was trying to stay focused in class. The article I chose to review is about adopted children on other countries that deal with ADHD. Besides, the environment where these children have been raised is not always the most adequate to promote the child’s development, including unstructured families with limited economic resources and/or overcrowded institutions with great deprivations including low physical and emotional attention, lack of hygiene with exposure to infectious diseases, and absence of vaccination.ADHD is a behavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and a lack of attention. Its estimated prevalence ranges from 3–10% in school-aged children. The core symptoms of this disorder must appear before the age of seven and be observed in at least two different situations (for example, at home and at school). Children with ADHD tend to have a lower school performance and poor social relationships. In spite of all of the existent studies focusing on the ADHD etiology, no direct causes of this disorder have been identified and gene-by-environment interactions appear likely to explain the etiology of this disorder.The lack of self control is a very big issue in school age children. I think that every child is should be assessed before kindergarten for ADHD. I don't think every child has ADHD but some students need to be tested. If all the students are tested parents will be more open to accepting the scores and seeking help.

 

 

 

 

Abrines, N., Barcons, N., Marre, D., Brun, C., Fornieles, A., & Fumadó, V. (2012). ADHD-like symptoms and attachment in internationally adopted children. Attachment & Human Development, 14(4), 405-423. doi:10.1080/14616734.2012.691656

Poverty--it affects people all over the world

Poverty is something that has affected my family and other families all over the world. When I was younger I experienced not having all the necessities we needed. We had the bare minimum when it came to having extra money for food, clothing and other at home utilities. I started working at a young age to help my parents with the bills and things got a lot better. My family suffered from not having a lot of things but with prayer we somehow survived.

"Few studies have examined the incidence of behavior problems in toddlers and preschool children from families living in poverty. The available research suggests behavior problems occur at higher rates in children living in poverty and may have long-term negative outcomes if not identified and properly treated. This study included an ethnically representative sample of 357 children, five years of age and younger, from a diverse, low-income, urban area. All families' incomes met the federal threshold for living in poverty. Behavior problems were assessed by parent report through a questionnaire specifically designed for low-income families. Boys and younger children were reported as demonstrating a higher rate of externalizing behaviors than girls and older children. The overall rate of children scoring at least one standard deviation above the sample's mean for challenging behaviors was 17.4% and was not related to the child's gender, age or ethnicity. This study also sampled children's positive behaviors, which is unique in studies of behavior problems. Gender and age were not related to the frequency of reported positive behaviors. Ethnicity did influence scores on the positive scale. African American children appeared to present their parents more difficulty on items reflecting cooperative behaviors than Caucasian or Latino children. The implications of the study are discussed based on the recognized need for universal screening of behavior problems in young children and the small number professional training programs targeting the identification and treatment of early childhood behavior problems, despite the availability of evidence-based treatment programs tailored to young children in low-income families."

Holtz, C. A., Fox, R. A., & Meurer, J. R. (2015). Incidence of behavior problems in toddlers and preschool children from families living in poverty. The Journal Of Psychology, 149(1-2), 161-174. doi:10.1080/00223980.2013.853020

Nutrition and Malnutrition:

Nutrition and Malnutrition:

There are children all over the world that are experiencing malnutrition disorders. During my years as a head start teacher and also a pre-k teacher I've had many students that went through challenging nutritional problems. In the head start program our primary goal is to make sure all the children have  proper nutritional benefits. We educated the families on healthy foods and gave many seminars. As a pre-k teacher I have a student that went through a severe eating disorder due to allergies and was afraid to eat certain foods. Children suffer nutritionally due to life changing experiences like allergies and poverty, its our job as advocates for children to help others no matter the situation. I want to continue to educate parents and children about the importance of nutrition. According to this article mothers in Madagascar have a different perception to proper nutrition in the Anivorano region.

 

"Methods: In a mixed methods study we measured height and weight for 313 children, aged 6 months to 5 years during summer 2011 using a recumbent measuring board and calibrated scale, and simultaneously conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 mothers of malnourished (n=19) and healthy (n=41) children. Multivitamins and high-energy supplemental food were provided to malnourished children. Mothers were trained how to prepare high-energy supplemental food.
Results: Prevalence of wasting defined by low weight-for-height was 10.3% (31/301); stunting or low height-for-age was 36.2% (109/301). The majority of families interviewed cultivated their own rice and other crops. Major themes regarding barriers to proper nutrition included inadequate purchasing power and access issues, low health literacy and misconceptions regarding proper nutrition and malnutrition, and insufficient variety of crops produced.
Conclusions: Malnutrition rates are alarming. Health and nutritional education to improve health literacy and address misconceptions, and improvement in social services, are warranted. A multilateral approach with involvement of health and social service agencies and non-governmental organizations to plan effective preventative strategies, along with broader national and transnational strategies are instrumental to address the fundamental causes of lack of access to proper nutrition."

(Asgary, R., Liu, M., Naderi, R., Grigoryan, Z., & Malachovsky, M. (2015).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asgary, R., Liu, M., Naderi, R., Grigoryan, Z., & Malachovsky, M. (2015). Malnutrition prevalence and nutrition barriers in children under 5 years: a mixed methods study in Madagascar. International Health, 7(6), 426-432. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihv016