Week 5 Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 2

I finally reached another international contact. Dr. Volkan Sahin he is Co-Chair ACEI International Outreach Committees as well as, Hacettepe University School of Education, Elementary Education Department,  Early Childhood Education Program.

In corresponding with Dr. Sahin I learned that  Turkey is Its centralized education system. The Turkish Ministry of Education oversees and governs all educational policies, applications and activities throughout the entire country. Public, private or organizational, all schools must follow a centralized curriculum created and administered by the Ministry of National Education.

The following is Dr. Shain’s response to this week’s discussion.

The biggest educational issue Turkey is dealing right know is the new  education system called 4+4+4. It is part of an ongoing education reform and the particular part that causing a lot of debate is the change in elementary school starting age.

You see, in the old system the elementary grade starting age was age 6 (72 months). With this new system any child who is older than 60 months (age 5) can be enrolled to the first grade. This change brings a lot of  issues regarding equity and excellence. (I can’t understand how you can put a five year old in the first grade, just shows how different countries do things differently).

First and foremost, some critics say (and I agree) that enrolling younger children to first grade (particularly alongside with their older peers) will create a lot of problems since the school readiness is a real question with this younger population. To me this is also an equity issue since this academic year two different age groups will compete for their teachers' attention and resources. This reckless implementation will surely increase the classrooms sizes to, even beyond, the limit. This also brings us to the excellence issue. With the increasing numbers of students and changing student population the teachers will have a heck of a time in their classrooms. It will be really hard to keep up with the needs of two different age groups and the quality of education will certainly affected by these changes.
http://www.okuloncesi.hacettepe.edu.tr/index_en.html

My other contact Lynda Matthews has been out of reach this week. I am sure she will respond and when she does I will add to this post.

Sharing Web Resources Week 4

The specific section that chose relevant to my current professional development is the section on poverty. This article states that poverty impairs a child’s emotional, intellectual and physical development, which we have been learning about thought out this course and others. These wind up costing our nation billions of dollars in health care and lost productivity. Below is the hyperlink to this section for anyone that wants to read more.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/state-of-americas-children-2011/intro.html

The resources that made me think about investments differently is that of early childhood programs increasing a child’s chance of avoiding the “prison pipeline”. This is just something I had not thought about in early childhood, something to research and really think about.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/juvenile-justice/

This website and newsletter show many resources of dealing with the budget and making sure there are funds available. These programs have well-documented economic and societal value. Studies have shown that investments in quality early education can produce a rate of return to society significantly higher than returns to most stock market investments or traditional economic development projects.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/budget-watch/

I learned that there are many organizations out there working towards helping children and their families. I looked to see if there is a CDF organization in my state, but there isn’t the closest is in Tennessee. I hope to have something like this in my state so that I can be more involved.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 1

One of my contacts is Lynda Matthews she wears many hats. This is her title
Manager Early Learning and Curriculum
Department for Education and Child Development
South Australia

She  manages a large team of diverse – mainly educators – who are responsible for supporting pedagogy, the implementation of the National Quality Standard http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/home.aspx  
The Early Years Learning Framework  http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/EarlyYearsLearningFramework.aspx , the AEDIwww.aedi.org.au  and other things which you may get an overview on  http://www.earlyyears.sa.edu.au/pages/HOME/Early_Years_overview/

When I asked her about specific issues of poverty that she encounters in her professional life as well as those she is concerned about throughout the world this was her response:

South Australia is geographically large and significant parts of it are sparsely populated.  Most of the population lives in Adelaide with regional towns being the next most populated locations.
Poverty levels are measured by the Socio Economic Index for Area (SEIFA). Data shows that poverty levels are significantly related to demography.
The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) - based on the Canadian EDI - measures vulnerability of children as they enter school across five domains including Social competence, physical health and well-being, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills and communication and general knowledge.  The data is collected at a census level.  Vulnerability levels align closely with poverty.
To break the poverty cycle, the focus on improving outcomes for young children -pre-birth to five is critical.  How a system responds in both universal and targeted ways is part of the work we are involved in.
Our focus is education.  Some of our programs are targeted and others are universal.  

Examples include:

Learning Together a program that works with parents and children to improve the quality of relationships through a focus on dispositions.  Another part of the program is provided in homes.  This very successful program is focused in low SES areas.
Children's Centre’s have a preschool component, child care or long day care and health services are part of the wrap around care available.  These are also in low SES areas.
Universal preschool is a major strategy aimed to improve outcomes for all children.  Kindergarten (preschool) began in SA at the beginning of the last century. O All children in SA are entitled to 15 hours of preschool per week-wherever they live.  Children who have special needs, Aboriginal children and children under the guardianship of the Minister are entitled to enter preschool early with guardianship and Aboriginal children entitled to attend from three years of age.
A new National Quality System will assure that early childhood care and education services operate at or above standard.  The standard ensures that services, no matter where they are located operate to standard.
Part of the standard is the Early Years Learning Framework, the national curriculum for all services Birth to age five and transition to school.  The framework is called Belonging Being, Becoming and is based on principles and practices that articulate pedagogy, principles including secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships, partnerships, high expectations and equity, respect for diversity, ongoing learning and reflective practice, holistic practices, responsiveness to children, learning through play, intentional teaching, learning environments, continuity of learning and transitions, assessment for learning and five Learning outcomes - children have a strong sense of identity, children are connected with and contribute to their world, children have a strong sense of well-being, children are confident and involved learners and children are effective communicators.  These are based on research and evidence and aim to build the best possible future for all Australian children.
A particular concern is the gap in outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children.  Poverty is an issue, particularly in remote locations.  Particular targeted support has been provided but has had no long term sustainable outcomes in education.  The current focus on family literacies and a strength based approach are showing promise.
The broader picture related to poverty is at least equally complex.  Although Aust. had some innovative strategies to minimize the impact of the world economic crisis, the impact has still been felt across all income brackets.
Those living closer to the poverty line have least resilience.  Governments are feeling the squeeze and are forced to make budget cuts.  Visionary leaders have to deal with constraints in order to ensure that those most at risk are supported to rise beyond the barriers of poverty that surround them.

After corresponding with Lynda, it seems that they are having the same or very close to the same issues are we are in my little community in Southwest Virginia.

It’s like Dr. Grace stated in the media segment, “The Effects of Poverty on the Early Childhood Community”, it is so important that we break the poverty cycle at an early age because children that are born into poverty are most damaged by it than children who enter into it at later ages.

I know that this is a huge posted but I felt it all needed to be shared. I am still working on finding another contact and Lynda is trying to help me as well.

Week 2 Sharing Web Resources

I subscribed to The Children’s Defense Fund the web address is http://www.childrensdefense.org/ . I want to learn more about this organization.

The Children's Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization that has been around for about 35 years.  Its focus is to advocate for children and youth of poverty, minorities and children with disabilities.  Their mission is to make sure "no child is left behind," and that each child receives the head start they deserve in life.

The organization has a monthly newsletter that can be emailed.  The main issue that was brought up in the June 2012 issue is that the Affordable Care Act which includes the Medicaid expansion was upheld by the court on June 28, 2012. This is great news for pregnant women, children and families they will be able to seek medical care without this these families would not be able to get medical care and this would be devastating.

They are holding a conference in July, Creating Change—National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. This one-of-a-kind conference will connect communities of child advocates, young leaders, faith leaders, policymakers, service providers and others to create real change for children at the state, local, and federal levels in 2012 and beyond.

Part 1 Establishing Professional Contacts and Part 2 Expanding Resources

Part 1, Establishing Professional Contacts

I have been trying to establish my professional contacts, with no responses. I have sent numerous e-mails some have come back and others just no response, yet. I have sent to the CEFP-Australasia Region, Childhood International, Head Start-Sharon Kirksey-Walcott, Step by Step Program Haiti, UNICEF, and Center for Early Childhood Care and Development in the Philippines as well as the ones that were returned.

I received an email from the ACEI, Sheri Levin, Member Relations and Communications Manager; hopefully she is going to be able to put someone in contact with me. Keeping my fingers crossed because I am so excited about this assignment. http://www.acei.org/

I am hopeful that more will respond, but until then I will research the Alternative assignment.

Part 2, Expanding Resources

I have chosen from our resources to research Child Care Aware of American formerly known as the NACCRRA. The web address is http://www.naccrra.org/ I have subscribed to the network and will receive the newsletters and any other updates. I chose this resource because of the vast amount of information including State Child Care Licensing, Cost of Child Care, Poverty, Quality Matters, School Readiness and Parent Perspectives as a few. I am excited and eager to dive in and learn more about this organization.

Daily Supports

Factors within my daily life that are supportive to me, oh there are so many. Number one my children, even though they are grown but still live at home…lol they are my rock my reason for continuing my education at my age. They have encouraged and inspired me to be the best that I can be. A close second is my husband of 22 years, I couldn’t live without him. He is my soul mate we have been together since we were 15 years old; I don’t know what life was like without him. He supports me in everything that I do and there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t tell me how proud he is of me and my accomplishments. I can’t even address how difficult it would be to exist without these supports; I know that I would not be the person I am today.

My family, friends and colleagues are a wonderful support system in my life; everyone has been so encouraging to me and kept me going. My job well that is easy, the money keeps me living. My students and their families are the reason I travel 45 minutes to work and 45 minutes home every day. I love each and every child that I come in contact with and I try to build that relationship with their families as well.

As far as a challenge for me to imagine, I have always wondered what would happen to me if I was diagnoses with diabetes. My father, grandmothers on both sides had it and I developed gestational diabetes while pregnant with my first son. Well about 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed as Insulin resistant or better known as Metabolic syndrome as well as a heart condition. My greatest fears were having to be on medication for the rest of my life and being alone. I am so lucky to have the support system that I do. If it wasn’t for the support of my family and friends and the motivation I get from my student’s this would be a lot harder than it is.

Childhood Connection to Play

Adults are obsolete children.  ~Dr. Seuss

In my soul, I am still that small child who did not care about anything else but the beautiful colors of a rainbow.  ~Papiha Ghosh

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.  ~Jean de la Bruyere

Being able to run and play. We lived on a mountain in the woods and we had big imaginations with what little we had.

Camping was a big thing for us growing up, especially since we didn’t have to leave the mountain to do it. Again, using our imaginations to pretend we were somewhere else.

This picture is so similar to the tree house we built with my dad. We had so much fun playing in there.

Being able to run and play in the open without our parents having to worry, it was a great childhood. We would get up early in the summer and play until dark, even after dark when we were camping. I had a hard time when my children were growing up we lived in the town, even though a small town, there were still worries of someone or something happening to them. I did play outside with them but not until they were older did I let them venture out on their own. We would go to my parents and they were allowed to run free. It’s sad that times have changed so much that we have to worry about someone taking our children.

Play is such a vital part of being a child and growing up. We develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills through play. Children need to be children.