Poverty

I was astonished at the number of children and families living in poverty here in South Carolina.  You can't help but wonder what is really being done to help families?  When the state average is above the national average, then something isn't right.

Listening to the World Forum Podcast, Susan Lyon was speaking.  She brought the Innovative Teacher Project from Italy to San Francisco (http://www.innovativeteacherproject.org/).  She started working with children at the age of 22, with children with disabilities and emotional problems.  One of the children in her 1st grade class really made an impact on her.  When trying to teach him the word "city," he responded "such a small word for such a big place."

What Susan liked about the project above is that it portrayed a progressive image of children.  She also liked the 100 Languages of Children.  Susan wanted to prove that this kind of public work can really make a difference.

In addition to the podcast, I also read about poverty in India.  In 2001, out of 1.03 billion people, 260.2 million lived in poverty.  Over the last several decades, India has tried to reduce the number of families in poverty by increasing economic growth and providing "participatory and empowerment based approaches."  Although this has helped to reduce the number of families in poverty over time, the number today is still high.  As for the children living in poverty, it is difficult for India to place these 33 million children into primary school, and just as difficult to keep the children there.

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#11


My eyes have really been opened to the number of children and families living in poverty.  I see all these programs that are around to help families by giving them food and shelter, but it seems as if something more needs to be done.  I have been thinking quite a bit on what else can be done, something to educate families and parents...hopefully I will be able to come up with something to contribute and make a difference.

Children's Defense Fund

The Children's Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization that has been around for about 35 years.  Its focus is to advocate for children and youth, particularly those in low poverty, minorities and children with disabilities.  Their mission is to make sure "no child is left behind," and that each child receives the head start they deserve in life.

The organization has a monthly newsletter that can be emailed.  The main issue that was brought up in December's newsletter was the lack of funds for early childhood education, and that with people in Congress are worried about the federal budget and the deficit, and therefore education is taking a backseat, and the children are the ones who are hurting.  To me it seems as if people do not realize that our children are our future presidents and Congressmen/women, and what are we doing when we are not putting them first right now?

In regards to how this article relates to changing demographics in the early childhood education field, the article did state that one in three African American boys and 1 in 6 Latino boys will end up in prison during their lifetime, and the implied reason was lack of education.  The Children's Defense Fund will be holding a convening in July to discuss this topic as well as many others, and what we can do as advocates and professionals to make a change.

http://cdf.childrensdefense.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=26081.0&dlv_id=0

Early Childhood Education Around the World

I picked about four different countries to try and contact other early childhood educators, from the list given by the Global Alliance of NAEYC.  I am hoping that I will be able to get in contact with one of them, and am trying stay optimistic about that.  I didn't realize that there were so many educators around the world, and I think that is great!  So I am really keeping my fingers crossed that I hear back.  If not, then I will try and access the podcasts that were given to us in our class.  I am going to wait a few days though, I figure some of the countries may not have access to the internet on a regular basis.

As for the websites that we were able to choose from, I chose the Children Defense Fund in order to learn more about it, what its purpose is, and anything else I can find out.  I know it is about giving children a head start in life, and I would like to see the ways in which this program does that.

I have to say, I didn't realize there were so many websites and organizations around the world working towards helping our children.  Hopefully we can make a difference with everyone working together the way they are.

My Supports

As I was thinking about my supports, I thought at first that I didn't have many.  But then I realized that I do have a few, and didn't realize how much these people did help me, even in little ways.  My major support is God.  I try to spend time everyday praying and just listening for God to talk to me.  Reading scriptures helps me as well, and I plan on putting up stickies with scriptures around to help me stay positive.

I have my best friend Lisa, who lives in GA.  We have been friends for about 9 years now.  Although we no longer live real close to each other, I know I can always count on her whenever I need to talk.  I also have another friend, Denise, that is a mutual friend of ours, who is a teacher, and so I enjoy talking to her about my class, and what my son might be doing to get another viewpoint.

I didn't really think of my neighbors as support, but they actually are.  With it just being me and my son (and our dog), I really don't get any adult interaction.  Usually after work, my neighbor is outside with his grandkids, and we end up talking about whatever, and it is good to just have another adult to talk to about whatever.

All these are great supports because they are just there for me, even if they don't know it.  They are also positive supports.  I have learned to get rid of those people that bring negative energy and attitudes (except family, of course).  If I didn't have these supports, it would be very tough for me, especially being a single parent.  I am looking at other ways of building a little more support, such as joining a MOPS group, and getting more involved at church.

I can't really imagine a specific challenge.  Honestly, if anything happened to me, that in itself would be a challenge.  I would need as much help as possible, and I would pray that nothing so horrible would happen that my ex-husband would end up getting my son, because I could not take care of him.  I guess you could say that would be more of a fear, so I try to not think of that.  I just use the supports I have, and I pray that I am a support to others as well.

When you get to your wits end, you will find, God lives there.  ~Author Unknown

My Connections to Play

I remember when I was younger, my brother and I used to like playing spy games.  So I would pick a wooded area that we could run and hide around in.  And we did not have a lot of toys then, so we had to use our imagination and what we had around the house...

a stick to use as equipment:

rope, to tie up the bad guys:

and a walky talky, in case we needed to call back for help:

I can't really say that people supported play when I was younger.  It was more like, go outside and play and get out of the house.  I definitely look at play a lot differently with my own son.  Even before I really knew the great benefits, I looked at it as a time to bond, and I love watching him play and explore new things.  

Play today is more based on technology, I think.  Kids don't go outside as much as they used to, for different reasons.  That is why it is so important that physical education and play be incorporated into children's lives, especially in school.  

We can definitely learn a lot by watching children play.  We learn to take things one day at a time, and to stop and enjoy the little things in life.

“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” Leo F. Buscaglia

“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good” Lucia Capocchione

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important because I feel that you need people in your life that you can count on, that can be there for you.  When I was first reading this assignment, I was thinking, I don't really have any relationships, except with my son, my best friend, and if we count pets, my dog.  :)  But then I really started thinking, that although those are my main relationships, I have a relationship with my ex-husband, my son's teachers, and a few other friends, even if I don't talk to them often.

I have a positive relationship with my son, of course.  My dog actually helps us to relieve some stress by just being there, we take him for walks, and watching my son play with him makes me happy.  My best friend is always there when I need to talk to her, and she's been a pretty positive influence for me.  I have known her for about 8 years now.  A few weeks ago, I probably would not have put my ex-husband on here as a positive influence, but lately, it's been positive because I've been trying to make it positive.  The whole situation has really made me look at who I am, and ways I can change myself.

What makes these relationships so positive and important is that we are there for each other.  It is hard to find people that you can really count on to be there for you.  Especially being a single parents, I know it is important to build relationships with others, and I try to be for people what I would like for them to be as well.

I think just knowing how to build relationships will help with being an early childcare professional because you know how to see what people are looking for in their relationships, so you can try and help them to find resources to point them in the right direction.

Thank you for another great semester!

You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again. ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

 I thought this quote was so true. We worry so much about our children's future, and how they will be doing in school, and what will they be when they grow up, that we forget to just enjoy them now, in the moment. I think we could learn so much from children, especially to live life in the moment. I know my son reminds me of that every day.

 Thank you to everyone in this class! It was a joy reading your discussions and interacting with all of you. I look forward to continuing our journey together!



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