Getting to know your International contacts pt2

The Global Children’s initiative was established six years ago on behalf of children everywhere that they may be given the opportunity to grow up to live long, lasting, productive lives; without the fear of succumbing  to preventable issues relating to lack of proper healthcare, poor nutrition, and lack of finances. Things that I learned about the organization expounded my knowledge of knowing this organization realizes the deficits lay within all communities; not limiting resources to just the poor yet spreading awareness to the rich as well. The strategic areas of “reframing the discourse around child health and development in the global policy arena by educating high-level decision-makers about the underlying science of learning, behavior, and health, beginning in the earliest years of life; supporting innovative, multi-disciplinary research and demonstration projects to expand global understanding of how healthy development happens, how it can be derailed, and how to get it back on track; and building leadership capacity in child development research and policy—focused on both individuals and institutions—in low- and middle-income countries to increase the number and influence of diverse voices and perspectives that are contributing to the growing global movement on behalf of young children” will offer a wider umbrella of support to engage and tackle the battle of providing such basic resources to those in need.  Lastly, Sharing the renowned work of the organization though pictures, and media has potential to engage our natives and natives of other countries to entice and eventually engulf the viewer’s time, talents and money into supporting the cause.

Reference: Center on the Developing Child Harvard University retrieved from, www. Developingchild.harvard.edu

Sharing Web Resouces

International Child Care

Website address: www. http://ht.internationalchildcare.org/

Location focus: Haiti

Theme:  Health and wholeness for children and families in empowered communities

About organizations: A couple selflessly gave what they had in Indiana to move to Haiti to offer their assistance in caring for children and families with “a variety of community-based health services, and their focus has shifted toward preventative care, health education, and other projects that target the root causes of sickness and suffering”.

Something that stood out from website:

With mother’s day approaching for us here in the states and the slew of people rushing out to stores to gather items to give to their mothers, aunts, sisters, or love ones whom had a major impact within their life by showing appreciation.

In Haiti Mother’s Day is celebrated at the end of the month, in fact it’s the last Sunday of May.  People celebrate by wearing a flower to honor their mother on Mother’s day.  “Haitians wear a red flower to honor their mother if she is living and either purple or white to honor a mother that has passed. Vintage Flower Farm is selling flower brooches in this Haitian tradition. In the center of the brooch sits a pearl because Haiti is considered the "Pearl of the Antilles." Boutonnieres are customary for the boys”.

Focus of the week:  

In discussing the changing demographics and diversity in children in this week’s discussion helped me to

make the association that people everywhere need to bond together and utilize strengths of one area to

combat weaknesses in another.  All children regardless of location, race, and or sex deserve

opportunities to demonstrate all that they can be, without having to struggle with basic preventable

health problems.

My Supports

Larry and I

For my example of a support I choose to reflect on my boyfriend Larry. He is a major support to me in all realms; whether it is a trying time were facing or an exciting one. As time goes on we have continued to grow within one another. We communicate openly to each other and respect each other to the utmost highest degree.  He's there for me when I need him, and when I want to be stubborn and often time wrong about something he allows me to argue my side while lovingly saying Eb your wrong. He’s been a major support of mine when it came to me going back to school, burning the midnight oil with me doing assignments or listening to me rant about things happening at work. I can’t imagine things being any different between the two of us.

A challenge I would have with one of my supports would be if I  lost of my job. I depend solely on my income for finance to do the things I needs as well as the things I like; such as pay bills which provide me with housing, food and vehicle to drive to get back and forth to work;my non necessities of getting my nails done, and shopping as much as I do would definitely have to be scaled down. My daily environment would be changed and allocations of funds would need to be redirected else where.

Childhood Connections to Play

"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 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

 Easy Bake Oven 

 Baby Alive 

As a child I can remember wanting to play outside allay long rain or shine. We were never bored,each day proved for new adventures and things to get into. Growing up with 3 siblings, cousins and tons of neighbors aided us in having plenty of people to play with. We used nature as our instruments, the block we lived on was our back yard. Creating muddies and riding bike and goat carts were some of my favorite past times. I can recall learning some of my best lessons in life playing, when the street light came on that told us it was time to retire home; and once inside I remember my mom would always say you smell like the outdoors. The parents of the children I hung around were very supportive of our overall learning teaching us math through cooking, reading during our special "outdoor" movie shows. It was simply the best, some days reflecting back on my childhood makes me miss it. The issues children face today, such as the increase in technological advances makes it a little difficult and more enticing to be inside than outdoors, fears of children being kidnapped, and or assaulted. I'm sure these issues were relevant when I was a child in the back of my parents minds however we weren't stressed with those we simply enjoyed ourselves and left the worrying to our parents. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are what make us. They help us to create bonds with individuals and they help us build trust and develop the roles of people in your life. They shape and mode who you can be with that person. When the factors that serve to be most important are broken we have to learn to rebuild. Sometimes it's easier to be said then done, but if it's truly important those involved will fine ways to reconnect. My relationships I have encountered have aided my growth into adulthood and have softened my heart to believe in second chances, we don't always get things right the first time and sometimes it's simply takes a do over to be successful.

My Grandmother and I @ graduation May 2011

This picture is very special to me, because it is the last picture she and I took together. My grandmother passed away seven months later. She was very important to me and a huge influence in my life. One of my biggest fans and supporters. She was so proud that I decided to go away to college and follow my dreams and teach young children. In some small way I believe she felt like i was living out some of her dreams.  I am often reflective of her and all she's taught me about life, love of family, and cooking. "you may not always get along with them(family) but you have to just love them" Some how any issue could be solved through a warm plate and hug.  

 

My parents
This is a picture of myself, mom, and dad at college graduation.
Although growing up my parents did not live together. I was able to be surrounded by unconditional love. My mother has embodied all the characteristics of a woman that I continue to strive to be. She's strong in her abilities to overcome hardships and adversity. Never one to do things for the attention and or recognition of other; yet has a unbelievable passion for people and those she encounters. Our relationship is that of a positive one, we communicate often about me being younger. I love how our conversations have evolved to accommodate my being older.  My father, our relationship hasn't always been a positive one. There was distance in between us for a long time, and some unresolved feelings of anger and trust plagued us. However, time was simply the best thing that happened for us; it allowed maturity to set in and communication to unfold which things aren't always perfect but i've learned to forgive and give people a chance.

When I think about Child Development

" Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."-Anonymous


" I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!"- David Vitter, U.S. Senator


I believe a child is truly worth investing our time, talent, and resources into; because it is within a child potential and the constant possiobility of what if always reins. It's been quite frequently that I've run into the kindergartners that I student taught and it's always amazing
To see how talll and mature they all have become. I love being able to impact upon someones life and see the results of it.

Testing for Intelligence?

Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to “the whole child”), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning.  

I believe Assessment should bring about benefits for children. Gathering accurate information from young children is difficult and potentially stressful. Assessments must have a clear benefit—either in direct services to the child or in improved quality of educational programs. All of your assessment decisions taken as a whole will direct and alter children’s learning outcomes. Both teachers and parents should be on one accord to gathering the information to best evaluate the child.

In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world? (Choose a country or region of the world for which you have a personal affinity.) All countries vary In how they assess children. Brazil, England, and Japan, for instance, conduct national-level tests, but each country does so for different reasons: Brazil for state-by-state comparisons and program evaluation, England for school accountability, and Japan for college entry. All but one country have regional tests, which differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues? I was able to find information on how the Czech Republic is unique among eight countries in using only oral examinations. 

Student assessment in eight countries retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el200002_levinson.pdf retrieved on February 11,2012