Time Well Spent

I think we all have a mental list and some have a physical list with goals we want to achieve. When we know an accomplishment is near, the feeling is indescribable. My journey with this program started in September 2010. To be honest I am not exactly sure I would really get anything out of this program. In my undergraduate years I took countless classes and at the end of the course I felt like I had wasted my time because I did not learn a thing. Even though my previous experiences weighed heavily on, I still tried to have an open mind going into this program. I for one am glad I did not have a close mind because negativity can block the positive. This program has impacted me in ways I could never imagine. I learned things about myself that I would have never known if it were not for this program. My first degree is not in education this program was a way to see if I do belong in education. A few things I learned through this program are that I in fact did have biases. No matter how small these biases are they can skew our judgment. Currently I work with middle school children and now I feel like I know where I need to be and that is with younger children. Last but not least I learned to embrace diversity and that we are all diverse even if we are from the same ethnic background. I have learned to look at diversity not just as something or someone different but as another source to learn. I am grateful for the time I have had with my colleagues I have learned so much from their stories and will truly miss everyone’s insight.

My long-term goal is to never stop educating myself. I think one way to become close minded is to feel you know it all. There is always something you can learn from a child, an adult, a situation, from reading the list goes on.

Dr. Morgan you have been an exceptional professor and I enjoyed having you twice. I appreciate your insight and pushing all of us to broaden our horizon. As well, I appreciate your promptness and your immediate feedback. Through your feedback which seemed instantaneously, you showed us support and that you cared. I thank you for being a part of a life changing experience and for that you will never be forgotten. I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.

Colleagues it has been a pleaser! Thank you all for your support and encouraging words. I wish you all well!

ksaleh21@gmail.com

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!! 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

For my Capstone project my focus has been on racism. My main goal is to provide a support system for children and their families. As I researched many international organizations the criteria I focused on most are organizations that show characteristics for supporting children and their families. The three organizations I focused on this week matched the criteria I was looking for which are International Child Care, Wide Horizons For Children and The International Network of Children and Families.  International Child Care or ICC is focused on happy healthy children and its foundation originally started in 1967. Knowing this association started many decades ago is comforting and appears more credible because they have established a foundation. As well an interesting thing about the International Network for children and Families s that is provides classes that teachers and parents can take part in to deal with diverse family issues. In addition, Wide Horizons for Children is unique to me because it is also a way to not only sponsor a child but to adopt a child in need. For all of these organizations I did not see information about employment; however, I did see ways to support by volunteering and donating.

http://internationalchildcare.org/

http://www.whfc.org/WHFFC/sponsorships.asp?gclid=CL6hpaCJnq8CFQrCtgodiFxadg

http://www.incaf.com/aboutINCAF.html

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

From the very beginning of this program we were introduced to National Association for the Education of Young Children or NAEYC. I chose the following three programs because these are programs I am less familiar with. As well, I chose these programs because I know they can positively enlighten me and give me guidance and answers in my professional career. The first program I chose is the National Center for Research of Early Childhood Education. The next program I was intrigued by is National Child Care Association. The last program I looked at was Center for Child Care Workforce. Even though right now my focus on is becoming a better teacher, in the future I would like to either be a part of a child care center or establish my own. As I searched through the sites, I did not see jobs opportunities but I did see ways to support and become a part of the community.  

National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

 National Child Care Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.nccanet.org/

Center for Child Care Workforce. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.ccw.org/

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

To get people on board the best thing to do is start with the city you are located in and the surrounding cities. In my quest, I started in the city I live in, Arlington, Texas and I was able to find a facility called Arlington Child Development Center. This center I realized is very close to where I work. The other two child care places I was drawn to are in Fort Worth. One is the YMCA in Fort Worth which is the main office that other programs feed off of. The other program in Fort Worth is called Polytechnic Child Development Center. The wonderful part about these three local programs is since it feeds off of each other, the same standards are being projected throughout both cities. Another thing that drew my attention was seeing on the website broadcasting the words “Eliminating racism, empowering women” and “Peace. Justice. Freedom. Dignity.” The words I saw on this website furthermore confirmed I am starting in the right place because those are the necessities for my Capstone Project. Job opportunities were not offered at this time but volunteering and donating to the cause is available. At this point, since the only thing I could do is volunteer, I am confident I posses the needed skills to fulfill my role. 

Reflecting on Learning

My most passionate hope for the future is to make a difference with these children and for it to go unnoticed. I hope these children see my drive and are able to help pass down these positive traits of being unbiased. A team is always better than one person. I want to see a positive chain reaction that continues for generations to come.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their warm word of encouragement. As well, I enjoyed reading the blogs, through blogs we are able to share so much. Some of you I recognize from the very beginning of my journey and I hope to continue seeing your names in the next class. I wish everyone nothing but the best.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose Latin America and Caribbean because majority of my students or their families were born in Mexico.

A huge issue is malnutrition problems that are affecting children from age three and younger. The time of pregnancy to the age of 2 is a very vital time for growth development. We all know how important it is that children receive the best care but some of these children start off lacking essentials from the beginning.

In America, rights for children are a necessity. However, the Convention of the Rights of the Child was finally adopted in 1989. The reality is, the law is there but many are not abiding or enforcing the law to ensure children are being treated properly and utilizing their rights.

Enrollment and completion of primary education has increased. On the other hand, there are many countries that are far from other countries in pushing completion of education. So another problem is present, the lack  of promotion and enforcing school.Sadly this is also an area that has had its share of natural disasters. Alone, last year 1,000 people died, 10,000 injured and 100,000 homeless. These are only handful of challenges these children face.

Personally and professionally my heart goes out to the children and their families. Many of these people cannot afford to relocate and are stuck in that environment. This is a great reminder how difficult some children’s lives are. For me reading situations similar to this gives me an extra level of tolerance. It pushes me to try harder to reach these children because many are afraid to open up. These children are not use to someone pushing education and wanting to see them succeed. Some of these families lack shelter and food. I try to take into consideration the lifestyle of these children and their families and try to develop ways to make their transition to this culture as smooth as possible. 

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the article So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids I could feel my heart sank. I was hoping the style of seeing children acting beyond their years was something I was noticing and only a select few others. Knowing this is an issue that goes beyond my community is heartbreaking. Children are not taking time to be a child before they are rushing to be and act like an adult. I feel the problem is that parents initially thought it was “cute” to see their child acting and dressing like an adult. From there the issue seemed to spiral out of control. Children started being exposed to sexual content in their own home and their friend’s home. At the beginning of this program we were required to do plenty of observations. I remember a first grade boy was being called to the office because he was trying to have sex with another first grade girl in the bathroom. There was another incident when the children were lining up and a first grade boy grabbed another first grade girl from behind and was rubbing against her. Another situation, a first grade girl was stuffing her blouse pretending she had a bra.

Children have a hard enough time trying to focus on their class work; sexual content is something they should not be thinking about. I can’t help but think that part of the reason these children have problems focusing is because their minds are focused on reenacting material they are constantly shown. Learning material related to sex takes these children away from positive development and learning the things a child should be focused on. I think it is up to the adults and early childhood educators to redirect these children to appropriate behavior. Children will not realize they are doing something wrong until it is brought to their attention.

By studying this topic this week, I no longer feel like I am alone. It is hard to address a matter when you are afraid to discuss it because you feel others will not support or agree. Reading this article comforted me and confirmed my feelings. I now have the proof I need to bring this situation of sexual content within children to my colleague’s attention. The more people who become aware of this situation the more people can help identify children behaving in such manner. Children all have to grow up but there is a time and a place when it comes to everything. Parents also have to become aware of what they expose their children to. If their child is exposed to content the best thing is for them to address the issue. Otherwise, you are leaving it up to your child to figure out what they saw or for another child or adult to give them an answer.