Sharing Web Resources

The section of Save the Children that is relevant to my area of interest within the Early Childhood field is their work with protecting children around the world from abuse etc.  “For more than a decade, Save the Children has been protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence in all regions of the world” (Save the Children, 2012).  I have a heart that aches for the kids that are treated like the precious gems they are.  As a mother I feel honored to care for my babies but so many children are in situations that do not allow them to feel safe.  Save the Children works to help families stay together and educates parents on how to care for their children.  Just like in the United States families in other countries are under a variety stresses such as poverty, disability, or illness, which often means children do not receive the love and care they deserve.  In many of the poor countries vulnerable children are abandoned at orphanages or state institutions and so many of those innocent children live in dismal conditions without trained caregivers and no opportunity to grow up in a family setting.  This organization helps children get into and stay in school by making sure the kids who can't attend regular classes are able to continue learning through quality non-formal education programs.  This is giving so many children that would otherwise be forgotten and chance to learn and eventually be successful hopefully someday ending the pattern of stresses like poverty, disability or illness from effecting the future generations.  

One fact that was brought to my attention while researching this website this week was that there “two-thirds of the world's 880 million illiterate adults are women and girls are more than 70 percent of the 125 million children who don't have a school to attend” (Save the Children, 2012).  This statement leads to the topic that is controversial and really made me think and wonder if the world has really gotten past thought that females are not a lesser sex.  Save the Children has a program that works specifically with girls. Educating girls and women can provide positive results for the world as a whole.  Some those can include healthier and better educated children; fewer maternal deaths and reductions in the under 5 mortality rate; delaying of marriage giving the younger generations an opportunity to learn necessary parenting skills; improved literacy and numeracy skills leading to greater economic opportunities; and more skills and knowledge enhancing women's self-esteem and the well-being of families. I was under the impression that it had been proven that girls can do anything boys can do but in so many countries girls are still considered a minority.  “Social traditions and deep-rooted religious and cultural beliefs are most often the barriers to expanding girls' educational opportunities in undeveloped countries around the world” (Save the Children, 2012).   I think America has made great strides in the right direction with a few within our population that are still stuck in the ways of thinking.  The sooner the world realizes girls should be treated as equals the sooner the world can move on and focus on the real issues facing our children and their families.

I found an article from within the Save the Children website that really shows economists support the early childhood field.  The article is titled, The Power of Early Childhood Development to Change the World and within that article it states that “United States economists predict investments in early childhood programs will pay for themselves over time, and eventually yield a “profit” to society” (Save the Children, 2009).  When communities invest time and money in the children the future is going to look brighter because that time and money is being utilized by the future community leaders and citizens that will one day lead and make important decisions.  Children will live their lives based on what they are taught and this stands to reason why not start when they are young and impressionable so that they can be taught before the world can influence their thinking.    

Childhood Poverty

After many emails with no response I was forced to choose the alternative option for this weeks Blog Assignment.

World Forum Radio introduced Barbara Jones who in 1984 founded the Pinegrove Montessori Preschool in Maine.  After working in a school in London England she realized her dream of working with small children, she took an abandoned 1917 building and turned it into a private childhood center.  The character of the building and hard work allowed her to build on her dream providing an educational opportunity for young children.

The new insights I learned about childhood poverty in China was although it is the most populous country between 15 and 31 million of its citizens live in poverty.  The decline is as a result of China's processes in regards to their economic and social transition.  China benefits from foreign investments causing the country to have to deal with the implications effecting the employment rate and well being of the country in general.  It is heartbreaking to learning that 4.2 million children live in poverty in a nation that is the technologically advanced.  A large percentage of children complete their primary education but many families cannot afford the educational costs for their children. There have been anti poverty programs put into place that focus on the rural areas of China, although small in scale their has been a growth in  anti poverty initiatives.

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Sharing Web Resources

 
 www.savethechildren.org
 

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children that works to create lasting, positive change in the lives of children in more than 120 countries worldwide.  The organizations goal is to do everything humanly possible to see that every "child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation" (Save the Children.org). They manage this through the support of generous donations and sponsorships while working with other organizations, governments and non-profits organizations. When an area is devastated by a natural disaster this organization is there to help the victims with food, medical care and education as quickly and as effectively as possible. Save the Children staff and volunteers stay in the area longer so they can help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs.

In December 2011 Save the Children announced a new partnership between themselves and Discovery Kids. Discovery Kids is the leading network in children's programming from the portfolio of Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic (Save the Children.org).  The two organizations will work side by side to support families struggling through severe floods in Central America and work to raise awareness of children affected by flooding in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.  "Currently the flooding in Central America disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of children and together Save the Children and Discovery Kids will help raise much needed awareness about this crisis that most people don't know about" (Hartill, 2011).  

The heart of this organization is heart warming and eye opening to how people deal with poverty all over the word.  So many times we in the United States have no idea what it is to suffer.  And to imagine a country that is scraping on a daily basis to feed their families not knowing where their next meal will come from if at all, then to be hit by a horrendous natural disaster is heart breaking.To know there are organizations that their only goal is to help these suffering families find the comfort they have always craved for makes me want to be part of such a selfless project. 

References

Hartill, L. (December 15, 2011). Save the Children Partners with Discovery Kids to Help Children Affected by Floods in Central America. Retrieved January 12, 2012 from the World Wide Web: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=8rKLIXMGIpI4E&b=6478615&ct=11551595

Save the Children. (2012). http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I could possibly be over analyzing the assignment but I am extremely nervous about the task that has been presented to me.  I have reached out and emailed a total seven individuals with not much luck in fact the majority of my emails were returned undeliverable.  I have not given though I will continue searching because my task has been accomplished successfully.  If worst comes to worst I will use the alternative and listen to the podcast provided.  I have already subscribed just in case it the need were to arise. I may be discouraged now but I plan to stay optimistic keep trying  :)

                          

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

This website really sparked my interest because the well being of children is ever early childhood professionals main goal.  This website helps those children that would truly be lost without the help provided by the supports and professionals involved with this program.  "Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world and when disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs" (Save the Children Federation, 2011).  The children that benefit from this organization would be ignored and possibly left to suffer if such an organization did not take notice and provide the help and resources available.  I admire those that are self less and truly care whole heartedly about the innocent victims of natural disasters destroy the world around them.  Imagining the feeling ans thoughts that go through those young lives unsure where their next meal will come from or if they will have a warm safe place to stay when such an organization like Save the Children comes in it is similar to a life preserver that will help maintain these innocent lives until long term arrangements can be set in to place.It is exciting to anticipate what great pieces of knowledge I will be able to learn from such a beautiful organization.

My Supports . . .

            I have to be honest, I have a pretty great life because I have people that I love and that love me.  Being a full time student and mother while working work full time can be difficult but with the support I have I have it easy compare to many in the same situation.  My support system gives me the encouragement and help to succeed and believe in myself.  The benefits to having people that are willing to support me is I may get stressed but I have people that are there to help in any way they can sometimes without even having to ask.  Taking on the challenge of balancing a family, my school work and a full time job life can be stressful but these challenge will prove totally worthwhile especially when I am someday able to not only be able to help my husband provide for my kids and our family but I will be doing it while helping others and spending my days working in a job that I truly enjoy care about.  Without support I can only imagine how stressful life would feel.  I would possibly be questioning and having more doubts more than I do now.  I have days that I feel like giving up but with the support I get to get through my rough spots I feel good about the situation after I get over the humps.

                                   

            Emotional support is something I need pretty much every day.  I suffer from chronic depression and that makes my low days even lower which makes finding the motivation to go to work and study when I get home extremely difficulty.  I am pretty sure everyone has days they are down in the dumps, but with my depression I can get into serious lows making it difficult for me to even get of bed.  I am on medications but there are times that doesn’t even help.  My father is one that I can talk to about my low days and he is always willing to listen which means so much to me. He will usually make me a copy of tea and then listens to me tell him about my feeling like so many others don’t have time too.  The support and time he gives me is what gets me through so many days, he is my hero and I love him.

                                                     

          Physical support comes from my husband. He not steps up and helps me do the chores around the house so I can study but he helps take of the kids so I can concentrate on my tasks and have to be distracted by screaming kids or kids whining in the evening. He has been with me though some rough times and has stood by me and never stopped loving me just the way I am.  I grew up never feeling like I was good enough to my mother and I was willing to do anything to make her love me including trying lose weight so I could skinny like she wanted.  Except I tried the wrong way and ended up fight bulimia for years which with my husband’s help and love I have begun to love myself more and more for who I am and not wanting to change myself to please others.   With his support and loving my unconditionally he makes sure that when I stop eating that I eat something to up my strength.  When I pull long nights reading for school especially takes care of me that I take of myself.  Physically I get tired and many times that is because I have not eaten but he steps in and cares for me because to him I am special and worthy of being loved.                                                   

            I am provided support in my job by my boss who cares about each and every one of her employees as a person and not just someone that works under her in the department and at home with people like my husband and father around me that care for me and want to see me succeed.  I have bad days but with the support around my I find a way to keep working hard on my goals and trying my hardest to make the most of the opportunities available to me.   

My Connections to Play

Two quotes:

Essential Play Items When I Was Little:

My favorite toys growing up help me realize that I wanted to me a mom. Helping my children grow and experience life is fulfilling and enjoyable.

Role of play in your childhood:

Play for a child has changed so much since I was a child.  When I was little we used our imaginations and did not depend on electronic devices for entertainment.  My parents limited the amount of time my sister and I were allowed to watch television allowing us plenty of time to pretend we were mommies or teachers.  Children today use game consoles and electronic gadgets to help them play.  Times were simpler and I remember pretending I was anything I wanted without needing electronics.  Children need to use their imagination I feel it helps their brains develop fully.  Encouraging children to pretend and explore the possibilities available to them it helps them see what could be.  

As a child I pretended I had children and it helped me see what I wanted when I grew up.  I now am a mom with four fantastic kids.  I enjoy playing with my kids and watching them play the kids are supposed to play.  Children should try out different options when they are young, not that it will make adult life easy or worry free but it can shed some light on the possibilities available to them.  Let them pretend they are firemen, mechanics, a dog catcher, or a stay at home parent those pretend situations help children grow and learn realizing their aspirations. 

Relationship Reflection

                 Christopher and Amanda Meier (Married February 22, 1997)

The relationship and encouragement I receive from my family and friends is what helps me through the tough times and help me celebrate the great times.  Through my adult years I have faced my stumbling blocks both with my education and with my career and it is from those I have learned just how strong I am and exactly what I am truly capable of.  My biggest supporter is my high school sweetheart and husband of almost 14 years, Christopher.  He sits with me as I pull all niters writing and proofing papers for submission and encourages me when I feel like I can't read one more textbook or article.  Or when I choose to stay home instead of going out and having fun with our friends.  He helps me focus on the final goal and that great feeling I will experience when I am able to someday help children that would otherwise be lost in the system.  It is because of his love I feel I have made it as far as I have because I know I would have probably have given up a long time ago without such a strong supportive man by my side. 

            Amanda and Bobbi (University of Phoenix Class of 2007)

Developing quality long lasting relationships personally and professionally take time and effort on all persons involved parts.  Relationships are built on trust which takes time to build.  Another key element to a positive relationship is communication that can be honest and open even in the difficult times.  No ones life is problem free, it is the relationships that help you through those times that really make the world of difference.  It is not hard to be a friend when things are going well a true friend sticks around and helps a person through the hard ones.  A friend that has stuck by me through the years during the good times and the bad is my best friend and colleague Bobbi.  I met her in the first few weeks of classes when we were both working towards our Associates Degree.  We helped each other and encouraged each other all the way through to gradation for our Bachelors Degree from the University of Phoenix.  To this day she is the first one I call when I need to vent, need a shoulder to cry one, or call to celebrate a good grade received in a class that was giving me a hard time.  Bobbi has truly been by my side through the good times and the bad ones, she is my best friend and confidant whose relationship means the world to me.