Sharing Web Resources

In the Zero to Three website, there were a few sections of information that are relevant to my current professional development of study. By Zero to three serving as a program to benefit to support children ages zero to three, they provide are a non-profit organization where they do not receive any funds for this program. Zero to three includes policymakers in their organization by informing them on the great advantages of the early childhood program, In this course, Issues and Trends, we are currently learning about the kinds of programs that are sometimes invested in, but not fully reliable. Throughout the zero to three website, it gives the description of the organizations use of each voice of the early childhood field: Economists, politicians and Neuroscientists.

The issue of maltreatment, which can be a source of trauma in young children has made me view it in a different way. After reading that maltreatment effects children in the early weeks and months of life, I have always thought that this kind of situation would affect older children only, but I have learned differently. “Babies are active players in the world. Even though they may not understand the meaning of what they see or hear, children absorb the images that surround them and are deeply impacted by the emotions of the people they rely on for love and security.” (Zero to Three 2015). Now I can better understand why the organization Zero to Three is designed to support children starting at birth, because they need support just as much as the young children.

Although Zero to three is a non-profit organization, economists do not play a major part in the organization because most of the proceeds come from donations in support of military family projects, National Training Institute and early head start. All of these projects are funded for the benefit of children as well as family members. Politicians and Neuroscientists work together in making policies for Zero to Three by using research-based resources mainly regarding healthy brain development and behavior while informing politicians on the great advantages of the early childhood program, by including the research of Neuroscientists to prove why quality development is necessary for young children.

 

 

 

CHILDHOOD POVERTY IN NIGERIA

Children in Nigeria suffer from poverty in numerous ways. household and family income is one. reason for this is because the child can suffer from the lack of necessities such as food, water, clothing etc. this form of poverty can have a lasting affect on a child's growth and development. Nigeria were severely suffering from the lack of water, health facilities and education. due to a 2007 update from the MCIS of Nigeria,

 

"fifty and forty-seven percent of the children are respectively
severely deprived of shelter and health facilities; 37
and 30 percent respectively are severely deprived of
(improved) water and education, while 28, 24 and
18 percent respectively are severely deprived of
sanitation, food and information" (UNICEF 2007)

 

Not to mention, Child mortality poverty is a big issue as well. Males were known to have a higher chance of dying before they reach the age of 5 than females, it has been stated that the education of the mother has an impact on the mortality rates of children. the increase of the mothers education, the decrease of mortality rates.

 

 

Food deprivation is a form of poverty that threatens the lives of young children in Nigeria, causing malnutrition, weight loss and illnesses and serious issues with their health.

"In 2007, the prevalence of severe food deprivation
was 24 percent while that of less severe food
deprivation was 45 percent. Between 1999/2000
and 2007, the trend in food deprivation worsened
from 16 percent to 24 percent a change of about
50 percent. Malnutrition in a child is indexed by
three measurements namely underweight,
stunting and wasting." (UNICEF 2007)

Sharing Web Resources

http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/

 

Zero to Three is a non-profit organization that supports children from birth to ages three, providing parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and the know-how to nurture early development and explaining the process and benefits of supplying children with the proper care in the early developmental stages of life.

 

NEWSLETTER: Dual Language Learners: A Screening Guide for Program Leaders.

This Issue/Trend caught my attention because in our course, we are currently learning of how to properly include bilingual children in the classroom. A screening test is provided for all head start children within 45 days of entering head start and serves to prove whether non-English speaking or speaking children need extra services due to certain developmental delays they may have. Much controversy has spread over time stating that bilingual children learn slower when a second language is taught to them, the newsletter clarifies that it is not true, in fact, also stating that children with disabilities being taught a second langue does not mean they will learn slower. The newsletter also provides an assessment: Guide for Supporting Teachers: Making Decisions to Adjust Teaching Provided discussions questions on procedures to take if a child is not progressing in the classroom and a link for families as well: Importance of Home Language Series, that helps them studies ways for bilingual families to maintain the home language for the children's sake and listing benefits as well.

 



Getting Ready—Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

In my attempt to establish contact with two early childhood professionals, I followed the link: http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance but was only led to page that read: Access denied. Next, I followed the next link in the resources for part 1: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html and chose the South Asia region and the country of Bangladesh which provided me with the country web site and different contact info- mail, phone, address and email. I sent an email to address provided on 3-3-16 in hopes for feedback. No feedback had been given, therefore, I proceeded to the Alternative assignment and chose the source: Save the Children: A U.S. based non-profit organization working on behalf of children worldwide.
http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm and began to become familiar with the sight and learn more what they are about. For the second part of my blog assignment I chose resource:            

Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/ (May have to use http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ )
(Newsletters:
http://zttcfn.pub30.convio.net/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/ and
http://capwiz.com/zerotothree/mlm/signup/ ). I have been reading through the sites to become familiar, so that I am able to comfortable share much more information. I am trying my best to make this a successful move, but slightly having cold feet in doing so. If anyone has any helpful tips they would like to share, I would greatly appreciate it. This is the beginning of an interesting journey and I am eager to find out what is in store.

My Supports

 

Throughout our lives, there will be times where we will need support from other individuals and things in order to properly maintain in our daily tasks and responsibilities.

 

 

In my case, I happen to frequently depend on my relatives for the care of my son in times of need when my fiancé and I are neither able to be there, such as picking him up from daycare, taking him to the doctor when he is sick, or even just support all around. I am grateful to have family that are always there to support me in my times of need, because it I did not have them, there would be times that I would be without, had I not gotten the support from them.

 

Secondly, my car is a definite factor of support because I use it every day to get to and from the places that I need to go. My job is 45 minutes away from home and I commute five days a week in my car. If I were to not have a car, I would more than likely be without a job as well, from having no transportation to get there; and having not job, would mean having no income, which would cause a chain of effects one after another.

 

 

Lastly, Healthy drinking water is a major support for me. I use water for drinking, bathing and cooking, etc. this environmental factor of support is very important to me because there are people in other countries who do not have access to healthy factors such as this and I am very appreciative to have healthy water because if I were not supplied with healthy drinking water, the health of my loved ones and I could be in great danger.

I chose to imagine myself not being healthy and physically able. Being physically able allows me to stand, walk and complete tasks on my own without the help of others. Just thinking if I did not have the ability to  

move and do things at my own will would be quite different for me because I am used to doing so and if I could not, I would need someone to do most of the things for me that I’ve once done alone. I am so thankful to be physically healthy and able to move all of my limbs voluntarily. I salute the people who are in a situation like this and my heart truly goes out to them.

 



My Connections to Play

 

To me, play sometimes served as my getaway. From a long day of school and coming home completing my homework, it was a relief to be able to go outside on a nice sunny day and play. Whether riding my bike, playing hopscotch and jump rope or simply playing freeze tag and kick ball with the other children in my neighborhood, I always found joy in play.

 

 

Although I had many play items as a child, these three were some of my favorites. The Poly Pocket, which was a miniature dollhouse that came in a compact case, a Tamagotchi and an Easy Bake Oven. All three of these items were beneficial in my play because they taught me how to maintain and care for people and things and also gave me an idea on how to bake foods which I could carry on into my adulthood.

 

 

 

 

My mother was my biggest supporter of play when I was younger because she knew how much I enjoyed it. My mother supplied me with play items that sparked my interest and hardly ever complained about it and took me to parks on Saturdays and watched me play. Knowing how much I loved to swim, my mother would also take me to the pool with my friends and we would really enjoy ourselves. I appreciate the fact that I was fortunate enough to have a parent that actually supported and allowed me to play.

 

Play today is not as good as it used to be when I was a child. Technology is taking over the minds of young children with the making of these new gadgets such as iPhones, iPods and iPads. I think that these items are ok for children to have, but the consumption of time children spend using these items is a little too much that necessary. Most children now would rather spend more time on these gadgets instead of going out to play, ride a bike or other developmental ways of play, which is not very healthy and is causing children to be more withdrawn. The fact that play is almost close to becoming extinct in schools is making this situation worse.

When I was a child, we were forced to go outside and play with our friends when it was convenient and safe because our parents knew how important it was. Using our imagination and role playing came easy for us. Now, some parents would rather their children stay in the home and play with the electronic devices they have in the home, just to keep them out of their hair. I just hope that Children are guided back to the old-school way of play and receive the actual long-term benefits of it. WE NEED PLAY!

 

 

 

 



RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

Relationships/partnerships are important to me because it is the bridge that helps link together two or more individuals who may share the same interests or aspiring to reach similar goals. Developing a relationship or partnership with another individual can also help to understand the other person and build a bond that has the ability to last a lifetime. There are people in my life whom I have relationships with in different ways and they are all very special and important to me.

Pictured here, is a photo of my fiancé and I. we have been together four years. Along with our relationship, we share a partnership as active parents in the life of our one year old son. From the moment we began dating, we share many interest and had similar goals in life, which led to our lasting relationship. Although there are times where we may disagree with one another and the tedious times that come with working, going to school and raising a toddler, we always remember the reason we got together in the beginning and always find alternatives to help solve our differences to benefit the both of us <3

Here is a photo of my best friend & I. We have been friends for ten years now. My best friend & I met in 2005 during our freshman year at Mississippi Valley State University & have been friends every since. The relationship that my best friend and I share is founded on the friendship we have and we support each other as much as possible. Always have and always will. During our undergraduate years in college, my best friend & I were very close because we had so much in common. Even now with our own children, busy schedules, responsibilities & 45 mile distance, we always contact one another, make visits & make sure that one another are doing okay. Having a friend like her is a very positive aspect of my life with the fact of knowing that I have someone that has my back & I can call a true friend.

Lastly, here is a photo of my son and I, his name is Khalil. I share a relationship/partnership with him because I am his parent and he is my child. My job is to see that Khalil is well taken care of with food, clothing, shelter and many other necessities. It is also my job to develop a secure attachment with Khalil, so that he can always feel comfortable, safe and loved be me. Although his father plays the same role as well as I. it is good that Khalil has relationships with both parents. I actually love the bond that I have with my Son. concerning myself with his well-being, makes my life worth living even more. 

My experience with relationships and partnerships can impact my work as an effective early childhood professional due to the fact that I have gained the ability to build relationships with individuals in many ways whether they are children or family members of children. I am able to provide moral support, lend encouraging words and respect decisions of others. I may even be able to help an individual consider a decision to make a better impact on their lives. having positive relationships with people promotes positive effects.