Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1

When searching for podcasts one really jumped out at me and caught my attention. It was by a woman named Irma Allen who is the Chairperson of the Swaziland Environment Authority (the equivalent of the EPA in the United States), and a member of the World Forum Nature Action Collaborative for Children. She lives in Swaziland, a small kingdom between South Africa and Mozambique. Irma has a very strong passion for early childhood itself but specifically for the nature dimension of early childhood. One of the challenges in the EC area that she faces is training the community people and teachers to become teachers of the early years. What is different in this area is the fact that there are no classrooms, nature is the classroom. The local environment is the preschool center as well as the materials and everything. In this area they rely vastly on the grass, the trees, the weather more than ever. When there is water and when it is raining they take that opportunity to work on water activities. Doing this creates a greater respect for the environment and conservation, where the environment gives us lessons about life and death and that decomposition leads to new life. She speaks about one of the first students of the early childhood center that joined them for a farewell party they had had for a women there that was a teacher. He spoke during this party about how his early childhood experiences had taught him how to appreciate his home country and his environment and how those experiences gave him strength and determination later on in life. He felt that he had a place in life and a role to play. During his struggles and failures throughout his life he always kept thinking about how important his early childhood was and the experiences he had.

Sometimes we can take for granted the fact that here in the U.S. we have classrooms to teach in, materials such as blocks, puppets, books to use to teach our students. In some places around the world all they have is the nature and environment around them to use as their materials and manipulatives. Having teachers and educators like Irma Allen that spends there time focusing on the children that are less fortunate than the children here in the U.S. is amazing. She is giving the children of Swaziland an amazing early childhood experience using the resources that are available to them.

Since reading this podcast I became more interested in South Africa’s childhood poverty level. I read an article where the title was “More than half of South Africa’s children live in poverty”. This really grabbed my attention. I was unable to link to childhoodpoverty.org, so I had to search out my own resources. Aislinn Laing (2012) the author of this article posted by the Telegraph in the UK gave us some disturbing news, the Unicef report found that 1.4 million children live in homes that rely on often dirty streams for drinking water, 1.5 million have no flushing lavatories and 1.7 million live in shacks, with no proper bedding, cooking or washing facilities. Aida Girma, Unicef's South African representative, said that two thirds of child deaths were preventable with simple improvements in primary care for children and that if "drastic" changes were not made immediately, South Africa would fail to achieve the 2015 Millennium Development Goals of eradicating child and maternal mortality and malnutrition (Laing 2012). Reading this article broke my heart and I can’t fathom what life is like for children in South Africa.

Reading more and more about the poverty levels in children around the world just becomes more disturbing for me. I am actually ashamed that I haven’t realized the severity of these struggles children face sooner. There is more demand now that ever to educate people about childhood poverty here in the U.S. and around the world. I am very lucky for what I have in my life and the materials we are offered here to help in educating our children.

Here is the link to the article about childhood poverty in South Africa.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9280481/More-than-half-of-South-Africas-children-live-in-poverty.html

Sharing New Resources

zerotothree.org

The organization that I chose to focus on is Zero to Three, National center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. Zero to Three provides information to parents, professionals and policymakers about the knowledge and know how on how to nurture early development. Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers. The Zero to Three site contains information on behavior and development, maltreatment, and the care and education of infants and toddlers. Under each individual section (health & development, maltreatment & care and education) Zero to Three provides articles and readings on each topic in a more in depth look and provides areas of interest that pertain to that subject. In my opinion Zero to Three is an amazing resource when looking for concrete information regarding the development and well being of infants and toddlers.

One of the current issues that caught my eye on the What’s New caption on Zero to Three website is the Child Development Case for a National Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. This is an important topic to me because of the relationships between parents and children have in the early stages of life and how they shape the developing brain. It is important for parents to be there in the early stages of their child’s life in order to build these experiences needed for proper development of the child. It also gives parents the time they need to chose a proper child care setting to place their little one in when it does come time to return to work. This early bonding experience is something that parents cannot get back and is crucial for them to have. This leave act also gives the parents the opportunity to take care of any early medical needs their child may need at that time. Positive, consistent relationships during a baby’s early years yield confident individuals who are better equipped for success in school and life, paving the way for a higher quality workforce and strong economic growth (Zero to Three 2013).

Getting Ready—E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Unfortunately I have just moved and have not been able to set up internet access yet, so when trying to listen to podcasts where I have had the access to internet connection I have been unable to do so. I also have not had luck with contacting professionals so I have decided to research Save the Children and and The Global Fund for Children. I have signed up for emails for both foundations to receive updates and anything new regarding the foundations and am looking forward to getting mail from both. I am also on my way to contacting professionals from both foundations.

In regards to researching one of the early childhood foundations websites I have chosen Zero to Three, National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. I have always been drawn to the research on the development of infants and toddlers and this is something that is a passion of mine. With my work in the early childhood field it has come to my attention the need to inform parents and educational professionals on the importance of early experiences in the lives of infants and toddlers.

I would love to know how others have done with contacting professionals and any tips they may have regarding this.

My Supports

Throughout this year especially I have found out just how important and necessary the support I have from my family and friends are to me. I was always one for keeping my family on the outside of my personal life because I never wanted to give them any more concerns or have something else in their life to worry about. This year I had to reach out to my family for support due to the fact that I am going through a divorce right now. My job has provided me the support I needed in order to financially go forward on my own, and the distractions I needed to get through the day. I’ve learned the importance of lists and notes and the support they give me to keep abreast of what needs to be done in order of importance. Without these certain supports in my life I know I would not be able to get through this unexpected time in my life. The support I have had this year has come from phone calls, emails, text messages, or even just a hug. All these have helped me to cope with certain difficulties in my life.

The challenge I chose to write about is being pregnant but also being a single mom. I could only imagine the supports that I would need in my life in order to get through this difficult time but also being able to enjoy the many memories that are to be had. While being pregnant of course I would need the support of my Doctors/Nurses to show me what needs to be done on my part to keep myself and the baby healthy as well as what to prepare for in the upcoming months. Knowing I had positive and helpful people a phone call away to answer any questions, silly or not, would help put my mind at ease. I always relied on books to give me the support of questions I had and during a pregnancy I would rely on informational books to help me learn the wonderful world of childbirth and infancy. Books bring an array of knowledge and would definitely be a support of mine during this time. I don’t think I would be able to get through a time like this without the unconditional support of family and friends helping me. Whether it be helping to get the nursery set up, grocery shopping when my feet are too swollen and sore to walk or just to show me what I was in store for with sharing their own experiences. Again, having the aid of lists and notes to make sure that I have everything prepared before the big day would be a big help. Without any of these supports in my life during a time like this It would be very difficult for me. These factors play a very important role in knowing that I could do this by myself but that there are people there in case I need any help or have any questions.

My connections to play!

These are 3 quotes I found that spoke to me regarding play as a child:

“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

Some things can only be understood when you're in a tree house.  With a pile of warm chocolate chip cookies.  And a book.  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

Always jump in the puddles! Always skip alongside the flowers. The only fights worth fighting are the pillow and food varieties. ~Terri Guillemets

As I was thinking about play items I had that were essential to my childhood, I kept remembering the awesome items that were a staple to my childhood. I found more than I needed to post, but I wanted to share them anyway. Here they are! (When uploaded they do not take the form of an image, I've tried multiple ways to paste them....if scrolled over the top of box and click it, it does show the item. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. )

 

Technology and media is much more accessible these days to children even at an early age. Yes, when I was younger I had Nintendo and Game Boy, but that was only on occasion and mostly something to do on a rainy or snowy day. There were no IPads, IPods or laptops for kids that took up most of their time. My kind of play involved being outside getting dirty and using my imagination. There is a big push I see for sports and extracurricular activities which is wonderful, but takes much time away from that pretend play and free time that children need to develop. More time is spend using paint and drawing programs on the computer instead of using real life art materials to create a masterpiece. I know we live in a world today where technology is everywhere and is a necessity to learn, but I feel it is taking over the lives of children. Yes, they need to know how to use different forms of technology for school use and to retrieve information, although I don’t feel it needs to be so apparent in the life of a child. 

My parents always encouraged me to go outside and play instead of being inside. I was able to use household items to create whatever it was I was fabricating in my head. I had the push and incentive from my parents to be creative and I feel that is why I am the adult I am today. I feel things have become simpler for children today which doesn’t give the children that opportunity to use their creative side and their imagination to make their thoughts and visions come alive. In my opinion too much time is spent being inactive when children should be moving, creating and exploring. 

Relationship Reflection

This year I’ve had the chance to really reflect on the relationships, past and present in my life and which ones were worth fighting for. I’ve always had relationships in my life that have come and gone, a few that I know will be with me forever and one I knew that would last a lifetime. This year I wound up realizing that what I thought was a positive relationship in my life was really a negative and unhealthy one. I made the decision to end my marriage, a relationship of 14 years because I realized the importance of positive relationships, and unfortunately mine was not anymore. The hardest decision I ever had to make became easier because of the other relationships I have in my life. The reason I share this information is because the friend that came into my life shortly before this happened and the relationship I have with her is what pulled me through and kept me a float during this time. She brought back the smiles that were gone and the good that was lost. A very unexpected relationship, but one that I needed in my life to show me the great that is out there in the world. She showed me the true importance of having strong relationships in your life and the happiness they can bring, and I am happy to share the joy she has brought back into my life. There are many kinds of relationships in this world, finding the positive ones became a challenge for me for a long time. Although a once forever relationship has come to an end, it has given me the strength to strive for better, knowing there are people in my life that are there to pick me back up if I fall. 

In my family there are many broken relationships, which have made me realize the importance of maintaing the ones I have. The relationship I have with my mother has shown me the pure strength that relationships can hold, and that some cannot be broken. Being able to believe that someone will always be there for you, stand by your side and willing to work through opposing beliefs is a great feeling. Although I feel no relationship or partnership can be perfect. It is what you make of it and the way you work to keep it alive. 

I don’t know why certain people come into our lives and why we develop relationships with them, but I know I would not be where I am today in my life if not for many of these relationships I hold, old and new. I am so grateful to the people in my life that have shown me what it is I truly deserve. Maintaining these strong and healthy relationships are not easy, but one that deserves my full attention and commitment. 

Thank You!

There is so much wonderful knowledge and insight that is shared every week through our discussions and blog posts. It is hard to just thank one or two people for their gracious comments and additions to our posts back and forth. I have gained much respect for everyone that chooses to share with us their personal experiences so we can all learn and grow as early childhood professionals. If I do need to thank specific colleagues for their Blogs, I would have to say thank you Dalhia Lloyd, Laura Vasquez and Samantha Testa for always putting your heart into what you write and sharing your personal experiences with us. I hope to work with you in the future!