This week I continue to research the website www.zerotothree.com. This website offers parents, professionals and others with information on the development and health of infants, babies and toddlers. This week, I found two sections of the website that are relevant to my current professional development and these sections are: Safe Babies Court Teams: Building Strong Families and Healthy Communities and Brain Development. The Safe Babies section discusses how children are negatively affected once they have been removed from their parents/caregiver's homes and placed in foster care and how the developing of court teams helps these children. The court teams educate and train others on the negative impacts of child abuse and neglect on children and ways to prevent such abuse.
One subject on the website that piqued my interest was learning of the father's role in a child's life. In a podcast interview with Kyle Pruett, M.D. a discussion of how the role of the father is changing over the years. For instance, men are becoming more active and involved in child development and in the lives of their children. Dr. Pruett further speaks of the current expectations of the father "will be a co-parent" than fathers were forty years ago. He also speaks of how it is beneficial of children to have both parents be an active part of the lives of their children as: the mother is the nuturer and the father is the parent that to have fun with. The roles of fathers are vital to their children and this podcast allows me to educate both mothers and fathers on their roles with their children. This topic I found most interesting as most households are headed by single females and fathers are not active in the lives of their children. I hope to gain more information on this topic in the future as I continue my journey into being an early childhood professional.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
International Contacts-Part 1
Unfortunately, I have not been able to establish international contacts however, in opting for the alternative blog assignment I was able to obtain valuable information on the effects of poverty to those residing in Mongolia which is featured on the website www.childhoodpoverty.org. In general, there is an estimated one in four children that live in poverty worldwide and the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre attempts to prevent worldwide poverty especially in childhood as childhood is the most vulnerable and vital time in a person's life.
Due to a social change from being a socialist society heavily dependent upon the former USSR's Soviet aid, COMECON, to a multi-party democratic state with a liberalised economy (www.childhoodpoverty.org) However, many people are living below the income poverty line, which equates to approximately 36% of the Mongolian population and most most of the aforementioned percentage are children ranging from the age of 0-16 years old. Poor healthcare also attributes to the increasing poverty level as most households are headed by females whose children never enroll in school or drop out of school to enter the workforce. To reduce poverty, a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper was developed to focus on the following factors: economic growth, rural development, human development (including social welfare) and good governance (www.childhoodpoverty.org). This paper will hopefully provide all Mongolian children with access to better education to assist in improving poverty.
Due to a social change from being a socialist society heavily dependent upon the former USSR's Soviet aid, COMECON, to a multi-party democratic state with a liberalised economy (www.childhoodpoverty.org) However, many people are living below the income poverty line, which equates to approximately 36% of the Mongolian population and most most of the aforementioned percentage are children ranging from the age of 0-16 years old. Poor healthcare also attributes to the increasing poverty level as most households are headed by females whose children never enroll in school or drop out of school to enter the workforce. To reduce poverty, a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper was developed to focus on the following factors: economic growth, rural development, human development (including social welfare) and good governance (www.childhoodpoverty.org). This paper will hopefully provide all Mongolian children with access to better education to assist in improving poverty.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Web Resources
The website that I would like to share is a "national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers." This website provides information to viewers such as: behavior and development, maltreatment, care and education and public policy as they relate to children from ages zero to three.
A current issue that I found interesting and would also provide an opportunity to learn more of the early childhood field and young children is the National Training Institute. This Institute which is in its 27th year is designed to provide health care professionals who work with young children and their families with practical information and tools to address a range of critical behavioral and developmental issues that they face during routine care. This year the Institute will be held from November 29, 2012-December 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA.
Please view the general website at http://www.zerotothree.com and for more information on the Institute http://www.zttnticonference.org/the-institute.aspx
A current issue that I found interesting and would also provide an opportunity to learn more of the early childhood field and young children is the National Training Institute. This Institute which is in its 27th year is designed to provide health care professionals who work with young children and their families with practical information and tools to address a range of critical behavioral and developmental issues that they face during routine care. This year the Institute will be held from November 29, 2012-December 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA.
Please view the general website at http://www.zerotothree.com and for more information on the Institute http://www.zttnticonference.org/the-institute.aspx
Saturday, February 11, 2012
My Supports
There a variety of supports that are apart of my daily environment and these supports are instrumental in how I function from day to day. Some are an intregal part of my life while others have a small role but may be just as important. The emotional supports include: my family and friends, my co-workers and my faith. My family and friends make themselves available to talk when I need others to listen. They also provide guidance and words of encouragement. My co-workers are supports as they ensure that I am getting my "me time." With such a busy schedule, I am usually travelling and tend to neglect myself because I am taking care of others. My co-workers push me to, as they call it, take a time out. My Faith is a support as it keeps me going and a constant feeling of rejuvenation and a reminder that things will work out in due time. Practical supports include my to-do-list and calendars/schedules. My to-do lists allows me to stay focused on tasks and to prioritize my work and personal life. Calendars/schedules also allow me to remain focused as they keep my daily interactions, meeting and etc within acceptable timeframes. They also help me to stop and be mindful of when to quit something and to move on. Physical support include the computer and a telephone, each piece of technology helps me complete tasks such as: having contact of any form with others, completing work and school functions and helping others. I tend to use both supports to help others if it means trying to find housing, offering advice or hailing a cab.
The benefits of these supports allow me to maintain a strict schedule while maintaing a well-rounded lifestyle. Possessing the abilities to utilize these supports allows me to effectively manage my time between my work and personal life. I believe that without these supports, I would not know what I would do with myself, especially my emotional supports. I think I would feel all alone if I did not have these supports. Pondering the absence of these supports saddens me because it makes me think of those who do not have supports and my empathic side jumps in and my heart cries for these people.
One challenge that may affect me is the disease, diabetes. This disease has plagued both maternal and paternal sides of my family. I have had a grandfather who had both feet and one of his legs amputates and I also have a cousin who recently spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital and eventually had one foot and one leg amputated. In addition to family members with this disease, I also have co-workers and close friends who live with this disease; I have been tested for this disease as well, but do not have this disease. If I was diagnosed, I would continue to want the support of my family and friends and my coworkers to encourage me to eat healthy and exercise. The practical support of calendars to remind me of appointments and when to take medications or check my blood sugar. Also, medical staff as physical support as they assist me in learning to use the equipment to maintain health. Using these supports will help me combat the disease while learning to take care of myself and provide me with the information to educate others on these disease. Without these supports, I would rely on myself for all sources of support and this would be difficult as the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness would flood my brain. I believe that everyone should be allowed some forms of support as we all need someone or something to support us.
The benefits of these supports allow me to maintain a strict schedule while maintaing a well-rounded lifestyle. Possessing the abilities to utilize these supports allows me to effectively manage my time between my work and personal life. I believe that without these supports, I would not know what I would do with myself, especially my emotional supports. I think I would feel all alone if I did not have these supports. Pondering the absence of these supports saddens me because it makes me think of those who do not have supports and my empathic side jumps in and my heart cries for these people.
One challenge that may affect me is the disease, diabetes. This disease has plagued both maternal and paternal sides of my family. I have had a grandfather who had both feet and one of his legs amputates and I also have a cousin who recently spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital and eventually had one foot and one leg amputated. In addition to family members with this disease, I also have co-workers and close friends who live with this disease; I have been tested for this disease as well, but do not have this disease. If I was diagnosed, I would continue to want the support of my family and friends and my coworkers to encourage me to eat healthy and exercise. The practical support of calendars to remind me of appointments and when to take medications or check my blood sugar. Also, medical staff as physical support as they assist me in learning to use the equipment to maintain health. Using these supports will help me combat the disease while learning to take care of myself and provide me with the information to educate others on these disease. Without these supports, I would rely on myself for all sources of support and this would be difficult as the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness would flood my brain. I believe that everyone should be allowed some forms of support as we all need someone or something to support us.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
My Connections to Play
Play Quotes:
"A child loves his play, not because its easy, but because its hard." -Benjamin Spock; pediatrician and author
"Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs." -James L. Hymes Jr; child development specialist, author
Play Items:
Basketball is the sport that I love. I have been playing basketball since grade school and played while in college. I am a true fan as I continue to follow this sport. Playing basketball has allowed me to make life long friendships with my close friends.
Easy Bake Oven as I love to cook and eat. This is where I first got my first start to cooking especially chocolate chip cookies!
Circle of friends. My friends are so important to me. My closest friends have been my friends for over half of my life and we have been through so much together. I think of my friends as my sisters.
The support that I received as a child was from the supportive adults within my family, school staff and those who assisted me in sports, Girl Scouts, Orchestra and etc. I have always been active in activities that not only benefit me educationally but in other activities such as; basketball, softball and Girl Scouts. With these activities, I have been afforded to learn the life lessons of discipline, teamwork and dedication.
My parents supported me both financially and also provided me with encouragement by attending many of the activities that I participated in. My parents continue to be my most active supports and have taught me to never give up.
Play today is so different as children are more sedentary as they are more prone to watch television and play videos without the benefit of exercise. I have observed that children play outside less and have less friends as the television and video games are the new "friend." I remember that as a child, I was always outside playing sports and childhood games with the other children on our entire block. Now, I see children playing alone or streets are vacant of children's presence. I look at my mom's neighborhood and realize that there are almost no children on her street.
"A child loves his play, not because its easy, but because its hard." -Benjamin Spock; pediatrician and author
"Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs." -James L. Hymes Jr; child development specialist, author
Play Items:
Basketball is the sport that I love. I have been playing basketball since grade school and played while in college. I am a true fan as I continue to follow this sport. Playing basketball has allowed me to make life long friendships with my close friends.
The support that I received as a child was from the supportive adults within my family, school staff and those who assisted me in sports, Girl Scouts, Orchestra and etc. I have always been active in activities that not only benefit me educationally but in other activities such as; basketball, softball and Girl Scouts. With these activities, I have been afforded to learn the life lessons of discipline, teamwork and dedication.
My parents supported me both financially and also provided me with encouragement by attending many of the activities that I participated in. My parents continue to be my most active supports and have taught me to never give up.
Play today is so different as children are more sedentary as they are more prone to watch television and play videos without the benefit of exercise. I have observed that children play outside less and have less friends as the television and video games are the new "friend." I remember that as a child, I was always outside playing sports and childhood games with the other children on our entire block. Now, I see children playing alone or streets are vacant of children's presence. I look at my mom's neighborhood and realize that there are almost no children on her street.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Relationship Reflection
Relationships and partnerships are important to me as they provide a deep connection with others that I feel is built on several key life values. These values include: trust, respect, love, loyalty and stability. These values can also be considered as special characteristics that maintain one's relationships with others. The aforementioned values or special characteristics are important to me as they each play an intricate role in each individual relationship that I have. I value each relationship and feel that each relationship is responsible for me being the person that I am today and the better person that I am becoming. Such relationships include: my parents, my brothers, my nephews and my close friends.
My parents and I have a great relationship as I can easily talk to them at any time and about anything. They have helped me grow into the strong, loving, intelligent and respectful woman that I am today. I visit and talk to my parents daily. The relationships with my twin brothers is unique as they were my first introduction into caring for children. Although, they are only three years my junior I continue to be the overprotective big sister. My relationship with my nephews is special. I do not have any children biologically and these two hold a special place in my heart. They actually inspired me to further education and obtain a Master's. They bring so much joy and life into my life while bringing out the big kid in me. My close friends and I all have a special relationship as I do not have any biological sisters but they are considered my sisters. These friendships have been established from two to twenty-two years; we have gone through everything together and continue to. I consider my friends my fictive kin.
I have found that developing and maintaining relationships can be difficult as interaction with others including dealing with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses of others. Having shared interest usually bonds people together as well. In my personal relationships, I feel that communication or lack thereof and change are challenges in developing and maintaining relationships. Communication is key in life and in any relationship, yet; relationships are continuously being severed due to miscommunication. I have observed that when some people commit to change of any form in their lives, others are not accepting of that change and relationships are also severed.
My experiences in my relationships and partnerships with others impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by allowing me to utilize the values that I was taught as a child and incorporate them into a well-trained, knowledgeable and professional environment that I will be afforded the opportunities to assist others.
My parents and I have a great relationship as I can easily talk to them at any time and about anything. They have helped me grow into the strong, loving, intelligent and respectful woman that I am today. I visit and talk to my parents daily. The relationships with my twin brothers is unique as they were my first introduction into caring for children. Although, they are only three years my junior I continue to be the overprotective big sister. My relationship with my nephews is special. I do not have any children biologically and these two hold a special place in my heart. They actually inspired me to further education and obtain a Master's. They bring so much joy and life into my life while bringing out the big kid in me. My close friends and I all have a special relationship as I do not have any biological sisters but they are considered my sisters. These friendships have been established from two to twenty-two years; we have gone through everything together and continue to. I consider my friends my fictive kin.
I have found that developing and maintaining relationships can be difficult as interaction with others including dealing with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses of others. Having shared interest usually bonds people together as well. In my personal relationships, I feel that communication or lack thereof and change are challenges in developing and maintaining relationships. Communication is key in life and in any relationship, yet; relationships are continuously being severed due to miscommunication. I have observed that when some people commit to change of any form in their lives, others are not accepting of that change and relationships are also severed.
My experiences in my relationships and partnerships with others impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by allowing me to utilize the values that I was taught as a child and incorporate them into a well-trained, knowledgeable and professional environment that I will be afforded the opportunities to assist others.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Children's Quote
"America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what it is taught, hence we must watch we teach it, how we live before it." -Jane Addams
I chose this picture as it encompasses the meaning of teamwork, respect and love for others. I believe that children need to be taught the valuable lesson of respect for one another at an early age.
Also, I would like to thank my colleagues for their knowledge and experiences that they were willing to share as their stories have challenged my way of thinking and provided me with a breadth of knowledge that I can now pass on to others. I wish everyone the best in their future endeavors.
~Anetri'a
I chose this picture as it encompasses the meaning of teamwork, respect and love for others. I believe that children need to be taught the valuable lesson of respect for one another at an early age.
Also, I would like to thank my colleagues for their knowledge and experiences that they were willing to share as their stories have challenged my way of thinking and provided me with a breadth of knowledge that I can now pass on to others. I wish everyone the best in their future endeavors.
~Anetri'a
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