Final Blog Week-8 EDUC 6162

Robin Miller

Final Blog Assignment

            One consequence that I have learned through my time during this course is that we do not have enough early educational programs internationally to help all of the children and families that need it especially those in poverty. The second consequence that I have learned was the limited amount of government funding to assist in the aide of providing such services to needy families. Yes, I do agree with some of my colleagues that there are many resources to help families and children in need but, there is simply not enough. The last consequence that I have learned is that if we as society do not voice our opinion and help advocate for the need of more funding and access to quality care and early education then the future of our society will be at risk financially. If we invest today, we can save for tomorrow.

            This class has helped me to learn about the many resources that are out there for professionals to connect and learn about and with one another on the current issues that plaque our field of study. Working with many of my colleagues and reading their comments, posts, and blogs, have helped me build a deeper relationship and understanding about each and every one of them. I would like to thank all of my colleagues for a wonderful semester of communication and incitement. I have enjoyed collaborating with my group and sharing insights on what we have learned. I gained a great new list of resources. One of my favorite resources that I will continue to use throughout my studies is the website on Child Care & Early Education – RESEARCH CONNECTIONS which will help me a great deal on my future research papers.

Reference:

Child care & early education – research connections. (n.d.). Retrieved from            http://www.researchconnections.org/childcare/resources?state=PENNSYLVANIA&q= paging.rows=25&sortBy=1&paging.startRow=26

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 3 (Alternative) - Week7

Robin C. Miller

Blog Assignment- Week 7

Dr. Johnna

            Part 1 -This week I have chosen another alternative exercise. I am still not having any luck with communication with any outside contacts in the Early Childhood Field.

            I listened to the episode 3” Delfena Mitchell. She has a very interesting story. She is the Director of the Liberty Children’s Home located in Central America in the city of Belize. Her program caters to sexually abused, abandoned, and neglected children. The program holds around 40 children from birth to 5 depending on sibling’s ages. She explains how some of the children are hurt so badly emotionally that they have a very difficult time enrolling in school, doing basic activities, and living a normal life. Some children are affected differently than others. Each child is different. Some are more resilient while others completely shut down.

I have tried to contact her so hopefully I will hear something before the end of class. In the meantime, her website offers a lot of wonderful information. I have looked through the site and I am amazed at her accomplishments with these children.  www.libertyfoundation.org.uk

               Part 2 - http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/ Website-(UNESCO)

The three areas of this site that caught my interests and relate to my professional development goals are the mission statement, the information on Quality, and the advocacy efforts that UNESCO puts forth on behalf of children.

            The mission statement addresses the fact that early childhood is where the foundation of development is laid. The early stage of development sets the foundation for the child’s overall
“well-being and holistic development” (UNESCO, 2013) I believe that the early stages are crucial to a child’s success in the future.

            Quality care and education “promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness” (UNESCO, 2013) it sets the foundation for a healthy lifetime of learning.

            Children need our voices in order to receive the proper quality care they deserve and UNESCO is one voice that is doing a fantastic job advocating for under privileged children.

References

Kalinowski, M. (interviewer) (n.d.). World forum radio. Delfena Mitchell. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from     

 http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio/ UNESCO. (2013). Education. Retrieved from             

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-educationsystems/earlychildhood/quality/

Week 6 - Professoor Johnna - Sharing Resources

Robin C. Miller         

Blog Assignment – Week 6

Professor Johnna

            One of the outside links that I clicked on within my site “Zero to Three” was the tab that referred to “Early Head Start” and it brought me to the website, www.ehnrc.org which is the Early Head Start National Resource Center.

            One area that I found interesting, was the “Public Policy” tab. Since, we are speaking in terms of Issues and Trends this week I thought this would be a pretty interesting area to study. I found that the site offers a resource list for the 2013 Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant Application. They also provide information for parents to help the understand how to help their children become School Ready. The last area that I focused on was the sub-categories that this particular area shared was an Action Center tab, a Building Early Childhood Systems tab, a Federal Policy tab, an Infant-Toddler Policy Issue tab, a Policy Guide tab, and a State and Community Policy tab. All are helpful with this week’s topic.

            One of the e-newsletters that I have recently received was on the topic of “Strengthening Families to Prevent Child Abuse.” Child Abuse is one issue of early childhood education. April is considered National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The site will be offering a month worth of tips for families and communities about simple steps to help one another and be aware of any of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. Follow this link if interested: http://zerotothreepolicy.tumblr.com/

            At the moment the e-newsletter for this month does not provide any information on equity and excellence in early care and education however, it does offer State Policy Updates for its readers to stay abreast of the current changes in the system.

            One insight that I gained from the website this week is the abundance of resource it offers to its readers on the current topic such as outside links, books, and pod or media cast.

My Website:

http://www.zerotothree.org/