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/