Sharing Web Resources

I am exploring the National Black Child Development Institute. The section under Early Care and Education is relevant to my professional development because their focus is on teaching teachers how to develop and strengthen relationships with parents and the community.  It’s very important to build relationships with parents and the community.  This will help you understand the children and the families you’re working with.  The statement that made me think about an issue in new ways is the publication of the Calendar of Children.  The 2016 calendar, for the first time in NBCDI history, features children and adults. This very special edition pays tribute to the fathers, uncles, brothers and caregivers who love and support Black children every day.  I think this calendar is awesome because we don’t get to see male role models often. A lot of African American males don’t have male role models in their life. It was refreshing to see this calendar.  There was an article in the newsletter that showed politicians supporting early childhood education. Black Child Development Institute-Seattle and their partners recently sponsored a National African American Parent Involvement Day event at South Shore PK-8 School. More than 200 black men turned out to greet the children as they arrived at the school. The men formed a line in front of the school and welcomed the students with high-fives and cheers of encouragement. The goal was to dispel the negative stereotypes of black men by showing students examples of successful Black politicians, police officers and professors. This website is very informative. It helps shed some light on some of the stereotypes African American children face.  I am looking forward to news updates that will happen over the next few weeks.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1

I haven't received any responses back from my other contacts. However, I reached out to a friend who is teaching in Korea.  I am waiting on a response from her. She is on vacation in South Africa. She said she would respond once she returned.  She has been in Korea bout 6 years. I hope she has gained enough knowledge about the education field in that country to help me.

The UNICEF is working hard to understand how and why poverty happens.  Adults in poverty usually don't last as long as children in poverty.  In Guyana they work with national programs to improve the situation and opportunities of children. They also support projects in different parts of the country that protect children wherever exclusion, inequality and poverty are more prevalent. The insights I learned are they are working hard to eliminate poverty and other stressors/barriers that affects families. They are also taking extra steps to help children and their families progress in that country.

Sharing Web Resources

The organization I would like to learn more about is the National Black Child Development Institute. Their website is www.nbcdi.org. The National Black Child Development Institute's focus is to improve the quality of life for black children and their families through education and advocacy.

Establishing Professional Contacts

Part 1

The website for The Global Alliance of NAEYC wouldn't come up. The website stated that I was not authorized to access this page.  The website for UNICEF worked with no problem.  I decided to contact an early childhood professional located in Guyana and Lebanon. I choose these countries because my daughter is a girl scout and we used both of these countries for World Thinking Day.  World Thinking Day is a day where girl scouts from all over the world get together to celebrate girl scouts in other countries.  Each troop has to research the country and present information about the country. This is a good way to learn about these countries and sample different food from those countries. I have sent emails to the email provided on the website.  I am hoping to hear back from someone soon.

Part 2

The early childhood organization website I decided to explore is the National Black Child Development Institute.  I am interested in learning more about this organization.  I am looking forward to seeing how they are working to tackle the issues in the African American community.

My Supports

The factors within my environment that are supportive of me are my family, friends, and co-workers.  My husband is my biggest supporter.  We met in 1999, and he has been there for me every since. We don't have any family in Georgia.  All of our family live in Alabama.  That doesn't stop my family from being there for me.  My family will travel to Georgia for any occasion.  If they're not able to travel, they are readily available by phone.  My friends have been very supportive over the years.  I have a lot of friendships that I have developed over the years.  I consider this friends like family.  The friendships I have developed here in Georgia are stronger than some of the ones I grew up with in Alabama.  By me not having family here, a lot of the holidays and special occasions are spent with friends.  These friendships have made me stronger because they taught me to trust people outside of my family.  That was hard for me because as an only child it was hard for me to trust people.  My mom always taught me to take care of myself, and not to depend on anyone.  My co-workers are also very supportive.  The field of education can be stressful at time.  We are overworked and underpaid.  If it wasn't for the teachers and administrators that I have met along the way, I honestly would be in another field.  I have to remember the students are my ultimate reason, and that's what keep me going. I honestly don't think I could exist without these supporters because the encouragement is what keeps me on track.  I would definitely be in a bad space without my husband, family, and friends.  The challenge I chose to imagine was trying to live in another country without any kind of support.  I think this would be hard.  I often think about what my life would be like if I had to raise my children by myself, and I honestly don't know how it would be done.  I look at mothers who have more than two children, and they seem like they balance everything with ease.  My two girls keep me busy so I can't even imagine.  I am thankful to have support.  I know the support and advice is what gets me through each day.

My Connections to Play

Quotes

My favorite childhood items to play with.

Barbie

Jump Rope

Skating

Jacks

The Role of Play in my Childhood

Play was very important in my childhood.  My parents and aunts encouraged play everyday.  When I was growing up I would stay outside until it was time for the street lights to come on.  I loved playing outside with my cousins.  We would ride our bikes, skate, and jump rope.  I loved board games, jacks and pick up sticks.  Play taught me how to work as a team, share, communicate, and it helped build self confidence.  I loved to play with my barbie dolls, and play school with my imaginary friends too.  I really feel like play made me the person I am today.

Play Today

Play today is a lot different from when I was growing up.  Children these days don't play outside like I used to.  Unfortunately play is diminishing because of technology.  There are so many technology toys and games that children have no interest in playing outside.  I think technology is actually hindering children more than it’s helping them.  Technology is making children lazy because they don’t know how to think for themselves, they don’t want to play outside or play anything that doesn’t revolve around technology.

Play Throughout Life

Play has changed so much throughout my life.  Play is still very important in child development.  Play helps children develop mentally, physically and socially. Play is essential for adults too. Play helps us come out of our comfort zone and participate in activities that we didn't like as a child.   I still like playing board games.  Board games keep me feeling young at heart.  I hope that as time go on we get back to realizing how important play is.  Play is going to make us a lot healthier and happier.