Blog Assignment: Alternative—Part 3

While exploring the website, I learned three new insights about issues related to international early childhood education.

1)     

• While here in Texas there are many certified Teachers standing in line trying to obtain a teaching position. Although, in Africa there is a shortage of motivated, qualified teachers in the region. A conference is being held on Teacher Education and Development to address teacher professional development and to reform the education system in Africa. The purpose to the conference is show the importance of building a strong foundation of teachers to successfully implement teacher development and activities to students.

•     I was unaware about the EFA movement, also known as The Education for All movement.  The purpose of the movement is to provide quality basic education for not just children and youth but for adults too.

•   Lastly, I realized that violence is one top challenges facing the international community. Also, I realized that violence is linked to poverty, inequity and economic stagnation. The Global Monitoring Report focuses on protecting the right to education during these difficult times for children.

Sharing Web Resources

As I navigated through the website I decided to click on the link “services”. I have clicked on that link before but I never explored all of the additional links. NHSA (National Head Start Association) Radio is a link that raised my curiosity. NHSA is a resource that has two channels, one for parents and administrators to utilize. The parent channel talks about the latest trend in education and problems that are surfacing. The administrators channel share information for managing relationships with colleagues. NHSA radio is great for getting answers quickly and from experts, while also getting feedback from viewers listening. I do not receive an e-newsletter; however, there is a Legislative E-Update on the website. The Legislative E-Update related to the topic this week, availability, accessibility and affordability. The Legislative E-Update informed that that alternative Senate bill was rejected which would have preserved funding for Head Start programs. This information adds to my understanding because once again it proves that so many programs are having issues with funding.  Not having enough funds causes a problem because there is not enough money to advertise, which lowers awareness. In exploring the website more, I noticed NHSA has developed a system called “A Dollar Per Child”. “A Dollar Per Child” helps with the following:

• A cost-of-living increase for Head Start teachers and staff;

• Quality funds to maintain the quality of Head Start programs; and

• Funds to expand Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2 (Alternative)

 

I haven’t been able to contact a professional. However, this week I gain plenty of information through the Harvard website and podcast.  First, I have always looked at having a strong educational foundation as very vital, at the top of the list. My reasoning for having a strong foundation was mainly for educational growth. It’s important to realize that health is important as well for children.  A strong foundation increases the risk of learning and health. Secondly, children should not be experiencing stress. Normal stress is good for children and teaches them how to cope with life and helps them develop. Although, stress can harm a child’s body, raise stress hormones, kill brain cells, and increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Lastly, I was pleased with the analogy that the brain is similar to plastic; it can be molded and shaped. Indeed as the brain becomes older it is less like plastic and harder to change. I see this all the time working with older children, it seems harder for older children to process information at times. One thing that stood out most to me is that it is never too late for a child to learn.  A child who starts learning at a younger age is more likely to reach their maximum potential versus a child who starts later in life.

These are issues that children experience all the time such as not having a solid foundation and experiencing high levels of stress. It’s important as educators that we realize the issues and find ways that demonstrates solutions in the classroom.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/

Sharing Web Resources

NHSA

One particular aspect that is relevant to my current professional development is the section on Early Head Start program visiting congressional offices. Many programs at work and in my community are facing cutting many valuable programs. The staff and students created art work for Mississippi’s congressional members to represent the magnitude of these programs and funding for their program. At the same time this issue of funding made me think of different ways that I can try to help save some of the program currently at my school. If I am able to get the children to express what these programs really mean to them maybe the principal will think twice about cutting some of these necessary programs. In the e-newsletter, Head Start is reaching out and trying to get politicians to support the association. They were able to get Judge Greg Mathis (who has his own television show) to support their association in quoting him saying “don’t cut Head Start”. A new insight I have learned is the Head Start is focused on help young parents. The program helps support teen moms and dads while being a student and parent.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1 Alternative

India

In doing research I realize that many countries are facing poverty. I decided to analyze India and was shocked by what I read. First, out of an estimated population of 1.03 billion, 260.2 million people are experiencing poverty. Secondly, poverty is not something that just a portion of people in India are familiar with because it’s a spreading epidemic. Thirdly there are so many children subjected to poverty. 62 million children all under the age of five are severely malnourished. Many new-borns are below the normal weight resulting in being severely underweight. Indeed, many infants under these circumstances do not make it, about 80 infants per 1000 live. As well, in India, a third of children who are under the age of 16, are in the working class.

Sharing Web Resources

http://www.nhsa.org/  
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate )

National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a service that provides many programs designated to enhancing Head Start and Early programs and augments the lives of Head Start students, parent and the staff.  NHSA’s vision is to lead and advocate. The association is dedicated to making sure that every defenseless child is provided for and has Head Start model of support for the child, family and community. This high impact organization is determined to make sure that families have what they need to succeed.

One of the current issues that caught my attention is funding for this association. NHSA may be facing a crisis, in not having enough money to fund the program. This caught my attention because of all of the cut backs that are impacting my community like many other states. Navigating through the website, there are constant links to donate, saying “Donate, Make a difference, Help support NHSA, Donate NOW.” The proposed cuts will impact children, affect jobs and the change the classroom environment. There is a break down by state how cutting head start would definitely change lives. Since I am from Texas, I was curious about the results and it was very distressing when I saw the predicted results.

Texas

Total Net Head Start and Early Head Start Spaces Lost from Current Levels if HR 1 Passes 16,907

Total Net Head Start and Early Head Start Jobs Lost from Current Levels if HR 1 Passes 4,148

Total Net Head Start and Early Head Start Classrooms Lost from Current Enrollment Levels if HR 1 Passes 1,345

Head start is a very vital program with plenty of significant qualities to help children and their families.