More on Zero to Three Website

As I continued to explore the website of Zero to Three organization, I found that they have a section for professional development. They offer continuing education units to help you meet the required licensing standards for your particular role in the center. The professional development can be conducted in group settings, webinars or customized to your individual needs.

What I love about this website is that if you do not see a certain topic or resource that you can utilize the search tab to find the information you need. For this week’s topic, I was able to find resources that will help me gain a better understanding. Once I conducted the search I was given resources, such as articles, service centers, and tools that I could use on my on time.

One insight that I gain while I explored the website was a tab that led me to the policy resource information. Here I was able to find resources that could help me understand the policy of early childhood programs that service infants and toddlers.  I could also research what programs in other states are using or how they making a change in their programs as well.  Another insight that I gained was how the website offers training for administrators and mental health. 

Reference:

http://www.zerotothree.org

                        War on Poverty
Prior to this week I honestly thought that poverty was something that happened to folks that had bad luck. Never would have thought that it is an epidemic that is sweeping children and families around the world.  As instructed I made weekly contact with my fellow educator Jane from Kenya. Jane is an early childhood educator who currently works and leads a community school, for children ages 3-9.

When I discussed poverty with her it helps me to realize how this has begun to take over communities around the world. In my conversation with her, Jane expressed how poverty is affecting their families. Many are not able to provide the basic needs for their families.  Unemployment is high as well due to the lack of families obtaining an education. One thing she believes will decrease poverty in her country is educating her people from young to university level on the importance of education.

My eyes have truly been open to the issue of poverty. Poverty is like a virus it spreads around to the weakest system and spreads fast.  I have grown to learn about numerous resources that are national and worldwide assist to families in poverty. With this knowledge, I plan to utilize it to the best of my ability to help as many families strive for a change.

Web Resources     

Great nephew 1yr
Daughter 20 mths

Zero to Three
https://www.zerotothree.org

ECE Resources from Around the World

This week I was encouraged to reach out to another Early Childhood Professional from another country. My first reaction was, this profession is worldwide. I never thought that other countries needed early childhood education. This was shocking news to me. So the task was now how do I go about finding two individuals to make the connection with. I thought this would be a very difficult task. I was grateful to my professor for providing a starting point because it led me to a page on facebook entitled Teachers Around the World Pre-school Pen- Pals. Here on this page, i felt confident that I would be able to meet the requirements but  I was not successful. Then I tried Walden University Early Childhood Organization (WUECO). Here I was able to make a connection with some from Nanyuki who came highly recommended from another group member.

The one website that I would like to study is Zero to Three. I choose this website due to the career change I will be making. I will be transitioning from Head Start to Early Head start late this fall as the agency I currently work for is in the process of opening a small center. I feel that Zero to Three organization will be a great resource to have as i begin this journey with Infants and Toddlers. 

Reference

https://www.zerotothree.org/

https://www.facebook.com/PreschoolPenPals

 My Supports

I have a strong bond with my sisters that is unbreakable. Before I became a wife, I did everything with my sisters. My sisters have been very supportive in helping with my children and through this journey of continuing my education. One of the benefits of my support system is having four sisters in your corner who look up to you for advice, support, encouragement and occasional fun times with. 
If I did not have this support system, I do not believe I would have made it this far in life. I would have giving up on furthering my education to focus more on my children. My sisters have been that cushion of comfort and encouragement that pushes me to accomplish all obstacles. 

One challenge that I face on a daily basis is not having someone to help with transporting the children to their various activities. Having someone to help me with this matter would allow me to manage my time a lot better. It is very stressful at times when you have to plan around everyone's schedule. If I had this support I would be less cranky and moody with  others. I would also have more time to spend with my family. Being a mom of multiple children have is moments of exhaustion but it makes me a better person.

My Connections to Play

I choose this two quotes because they simplify the importance of play. the first one lists the exact skills and traits that children experience when they freely play amongst themselves or within a group. The second one caught my eye because expresses the impact play have on young children's lives. It is through play that children are developing lifelong skills.






As a child, I enjoyed reading books, roller skating and playing with dolls. My love for reading established when I entered second grade. There was a book report contest going on in our school and I wanted to win a prize. So every day I would read a book, write my report and anxiously turned it into my teacher. My other favorite thing to do was roller skate. I would practice skating every day in my basement until I was ready to skate outside. I also enjoyed playing with my dolls. Caring for my dolls prepared me for motherhood.

My Younger Days

Growing up with my sisters were the best years of my life. It was the bond that was built amongst my sisters that help me to build other relationships. Play help to build my self- esteem as well. I was the quiet and timid one of the bunch. I would play by myself or with my sisters. As I grew older, I began to express myself more. In doing so I was able to meet new people and made lifelong connections. I remember coming outside and a few of my friends younger siblings would follow me around on the playground. Some would eventually start calling me their pretend mother. It was these interactions that my passion for working with children developed.

Play Then and Now

Play for children today involves more technology than I remember as a child. Children prefer to play video games, tablets or smartphones over games with rules and involve interactions with others. When I was growing up you knew when school was out because the children were outside playing until the street lights came on. Now parents fear for their children's safety due to the rise in violence.

For Me

Play has molded me into a big kid at heart. Because I had the opportunity to play as a child with various children, it is portrayed in the work I do with my students. I was giving the opportunity to explore as a child through play and it has given me skills I needed to grow into the adult I am today.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because I feel a sense of support. I am an individual with a heart of Gold. With that being said, I love to help others out the kindness of my heart. Eventhough I'm a kind person, I still need that supportive relationship/partnership. One of my positive relationships develop from work. My best friend Ebony and I worked together for awhile before the friendship develop. When our work partnership ended we continued to reach out to each other thus the begining of our friendship. She is the one that i can talk too about anything. She was one of the first co-teachers i worked with to share the impact i made on their career as a child care professional.

Then there is my good friend Kali who I thought would be a little uptight. In all reality she is a very funny positive and supportive person. Her personality will light up a room. When we worked together the partnership was one that refelected years of polishing but in reality we were still learning one another. She made working with the children and famiies a joy because she always had something uplifting for us all,  Although I do not speak with these ladies on a normal basis, we maintain our friendship through emails, texts and social media. What i really love about these two woman, we dont have to speak on a daily basis. No matte the time of day, I
can always depend on them and vice versus.