ChildCare

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Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Harlem Children's Zone had a recent article about how they are providing free WIFI through a neighborhood to try and close the gap between the digital world and those who cannot afford it.  There is so much that can be learned though the internet.  Also, some teachers are requiring research and work that is to be done through the internet and some families cannot afford that.  If these children are offered free WIFI, they will be able to be as advanced as any other children in the country.  They will not fall behind, causing them to be more successful.  

Reference:

http://hcz.org/news/

Sunday, September 21, 2014


During the past few weeks we were asked to contact other professionals in different countries.  I have unfortunately not heard from anyone that I reached out to.  Which disappoints me because I was really looking forward to the communication I could have experienced.  Poverty can cause children to suffer from health issues, have poor diets and a poor education.  UNICEF is an organization that advocates for children and their overall well-being.  The health and rights of children are attempted to be carried out through UNICEF.  It is a great organization that genuinely care about children and does their best to provide for those in need.     

I chose to read a little bit into the poverty information about Egypt.  When I first hear Egypt it is not typically an area that I think would have a lot of poverty.  In reality, there is evidence of poverty in all places all over the world.  “Children are one-third of Egypt’s population today and over one-fifth of Egypt’s children are growing up in poverty” (UNICEF, 2010).

 

Table 28: incidence of severe deprivation, absolute poverty and income poverty, by household size

Household size                 Severe Deprivation        Absolute poverty            Income poverty

less than 3                           15.52                                     3.45                                        1.55

3-4 members                     18.76                                     2.36                                        6.02

5-6 members                     19.95                                     3.20                                        17.71

More than 7                       37.16                                     7.60                                        44.53

Source: authors calculations using Egypt demographic and health

Survey, 2008 and household Income, Expenditure and consumption Survey 2008-09

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Every Child is Worth Something!

           So, every person/organization I emailed has not responded to me.  I am not exactly sure what to do when that happens… I have looked into a variety of sources including:  The National Institute for Early Education Research, The Global Fund for Children, The Harlem Children’s Zone, and The Society for Research in Child Development.  After reading through these websites, there is only one that has caught my attention and am able to read their newsletters and have them mean anything is the Global Fund for Children.  I signed up for their newsletter and am interested in what their corporation is capable of.  I still await to hear from someone that I tried to contact.  I feel I could learn a lot more if I talk to a specific person, but learning about children can be done in a number of ways.  I am going to try and focus on the Global Fund for Children and see where that gets me!  This organization takes children that could be sold into slavery and gives them better opportunities.  Children are my life and my passion.  If there is anything that I can do to give them equal opportunities, I will!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts

I chose to contact a variety of individuals from various countries.  Learning about child development in other countries something that I am very excited about and looking forward to.  I hope I get a response from at least one in the next week.  Here are the individuals I chose to reach out to:

Haiti
Step by Step Program / Tipa Tipa
Dominique Hudicourt
Email: tipatipa@hainet.net

Romania
Step by Step Centre for Education and Professional Development
Carmin Lica
Email: carmenlia@dnt.ro

 Armenia
Step By Step Benevolent Foundation
Ruzanna Tsarukyan
Email: ruzanna@sbsbf.am

Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association
Dr. Betty Chan Po-king
20 Somerset Rd. Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-23396005
 Email: sannas@ycef.com

 Belarus
 Belorussian Parents' and Teachers' League "Step by Step"
 Iryna Lapitskaya
 Email: sbtbyst@openby.com

Croatia
Open Academy "Step By Step" "KorakpoKorack"
Nives Milinovic
Email: nives@korakpokorak.hr


Part 2: Expanding Professional Contacts

The resource that I chose to read through and subscribe to a newsletter from is NIEER- National Institute for Early Education Research.  The website is: www.nieer.org.
I chose this resources because it seems to have a number of things that interest me and could help me in my career every day. 

Some of the issues it discusses are:
  • Assessment
  • Special Education
  • State Pre-K Evaluations
  • English Language Learners
  • Governance and Accountability
  • Quality and Curriculum
  • Economics and Finance



 

Sunday, August 10, 2014


I don’t care how independent someone is, we all still need support.  Support offers us comfort and happiness.  This is a tough world and without support, the chances of failure are increased.

I am lucky to have people that support me on a daily basis.  The most important support that I have is my boyfriend, Matt.  Matt works very hard to help support my son and myself.  He works over time whenever he can so we have more money to do fun things.  I have been a struggling single mom for six years and finally have some relief.  He plays with my son and helps him with things so that I can get things done.  Going to school full time and working full time as a single mom is very difficult.  He is supportive of my job and continuing school.  He has taken my son in as his own and nothing means more to me than that.   

The other staff that I work with are also very supportive.  We work together and help each other out when we can.  If I need to leave early one day, I can also find someone that will take my place.  My boss is always understanding and accommodating of things that I have to do, especially when it involves my son.

My mother and sisters have always been there for me.  I talk to them quite often.  They are always there to listen when I have problems and help in any way they can.  One of my sisters lives in Texas.  She felt I needed a break, so her and her husband flew my son and myself to their house for a week.  My mother lives about an hour and a half away from me now.  I hate not seeing her all the time but she is always there when I need her.  There have been a few times where she came over to play with my son so I could get work done.  I can call her at any time and know that I will not be bothering her.

If I were not living with Matt right now, it would be a huge struggle.  I do not make very much money and have a lot of bills that my son’s father left me with.  Working and going to school full time is hard enough.  Plus a child and always stressing about making ends meet.  He is way more than my financial support though.  I have never felt so loved and understood with anyone else.  I can count on him for anything and by more than confident that he will pull through for me. 

 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

My Connection to Play

 
Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” -Kay Redfield Jamison

I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” Leo F. Buscaglia
I remember having so much fun as a child.  I was the youngest of four children and we were all very closed in age.  There was always someone to play with.  My parents of course bought us many fun toys, but they were more about playing things with us then spending money on material things.  My parents always let us explore things.  They weren't over protective and always telling us no and that we could not do things.  They let us be creative and think of fun things to do with each other around the house.   We spent a lot of time outside.  We would ride our bikes, draw with chalk, build forts, play baseball and run all around the house.  We would play outside all day.  We would only be allowed to come home to eat or use the bathroom.  We stayed out until bedtime.  I feel that play is so much different today.  There are multiple reasons behind this thought.  Technology has taken over the lives of children.  Yes I do agree that technology is an amazing tool in teaching children and giving them different options to learn, but there are negative aspects.  Some parents tend to use technology as a babysitter for their children.  A lot of parents are extremely busy and put their children in front of a tv or computer.  Another reason I feel this is happening is because the world is so unsafe.  There is so much crime today and bad people that want to hurt children.  When I grew up, my parents didn't have to worry about us being kidnapped or anything like that.

Ever since I was very young, I LOVED babies.  I always had a baby doll that I took everywhere with me. I liked to take care of my babies.  I always wanted the dolls that came with diapers and pretend food and bottles.  Playing with the dolls made me realize how much I loved kids.  As soon as I was old enough to babysit, I did.  And to this day I still work with babies every day.  I just can't get enough of them!!  Through play I learned what I was good at and what I loved.


 
 




 
 
 

 
 



 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Relationship Reflection
 
Relationships come in many different varieties.  The relationships that have been the most important to me lately are my co-workers, my son and my boyfriend.  I have completely different relationships with each of them but each are special and important in their own ways. They all work together to make me stronger and happier.  There are often times I disagree with what the other says or does, but I think that is how to make the relationship stronger.  If you care about someone, you will do what it takes to make them happy.  That does not necessarily mean that we have to agree with everything they say and do.  It means that we take their thoughts and opinions into considerations and build from that. 
Jordan is my six year old son   J  It is because of him that I went back to school.  Right after high school I got my Associate’s degree in early education.  After I had him I realized I was down a tough and lonely road.  I decided to go back for my Bachelor’s degree.  I made the huge decision to continue on with my Master’s.  He motivated me to keep on going.  When times were rough and I didn’t know how I was going to take on anymore, I just look at his little face and realize all my hard work will be worth it.  Nothing is more important than this little angel and I will continue to work hard to provide for him and teach him how to be a kind young man. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rebecca is the teacher that I worked with for three years.  We worked with special education junior high students.  She is an amazing person and teacher.  Our relationship was very special to me.  I learned a great deal from her.  Working with special education students is difficult for anyone.  When you have someone that clicks with you and has very similar thoughts it makes it much easier.  We had the same feelings about our students.  We were always on the same page and finished each other’s sentences.  I have learned more from her regarding patience and sensitivity than I have ever learned before. 
 
 
 

 
 




Matt is my boyfriend.  He met me when I was a struggling single mother.  He has been my rock, my confidence and my support.  He supports my son and his biological father does not.  He accepts me for who I am and what comes with me.  My son is finally happy for once that he has a “family”.  We have story time together every night before bed and my son gets a special “Matt” hug and kiss before he falls asleep.  It is something that I have never had with my son and I thank God every day for Matt and what he has done for us.