Sharing Web Resources

I have explored the purpose and the principals of Save the Children. However, this week I dug deeper into the taking action section of the website which focuses on advocating for children through legislation. This section defined advocacy, gave tips on effective advocacy. It also discusses aid effectiveness and ways to structure finances to make the biggest impact. This section also provides information on current legislation on specific topics.

Within the aid effectiveness tab there is a link that provides a brief about Save the Children’s thoughts and recommendations to the Obama Administration in regard to providing aid to other counties.  I know the importance of advocacy; however, writing letters to the Presidents’ Administration is out of my own personal comfort zone, therefore, I find it to be a bit controversial.

Last week the topic of poverty struck a personal cord with me. This week I have enjoyed reading about the different ways to advocate, fundraise and make a difference in children’s lives. I realize in order to make an impact on my community I need to step out of my comfort zone. It has been inspiring to read about how others’ are making a difference and the ways I can too.

Childhood Poverty

Unfortunately, I was unable to make contact with any early childhood professionals outside of the United States, therefore, I was forced to do the alternative blog assignment.  I was able to listen to the most recent pod cast from the World Forum Radio.

I listened to Susan Lyon talk about her progression from being intrigued to how children think and perceive things to creating the Innovate Teacher Project in California.  Susan Lyon brought the “100 Languages of Children” exhibit to San Francisco  after being intrigued by a small child’s perception of the word “city”.  During this process she was interested in seeing how children viewed things around them. She visited several schools in her area.  Once the exhibit came to San Francisco she worked with Italian education and created several professional development trainings.  She wanted to advocate by listening to children and using/creating a environment that children thrive in.

After bringing the “100 Languages of Children” exhibit to San Francisco she created the Innovative Teacher Project in 1994.  This project encompassed a net of works.  Each month teachers’ were able to attend a round table and present there school and walk the environment.  She wanted to show that qualify work can happen in public schools.  Susan is now working to create the first full immersion Italian preschool program.

I also explored the website http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/.  This website offered a lot information about childhood poverty. One thing I learned is that poverty is cyclical.  Children living in poverty today have a higher chance of living in poverty as adults.  It is often passed down from generation to generation.  When thinking of poverty this is in the back of my mind, however, reading the facts makes it more true to me.  However, attempting to eliminate childhood poverty is one way to stop this cycle.  An international community has developed the Millennium Development Goals which aims to cut poverty in half, cut 2/3 of deaths of children under age 5 and provide all children with at least a primary education by 2015 (CHIP: Knowledge for tackling childhood poverty).

References:

Lyon, S. (Performer) (2011, April/May). World forum radio. World Forum Radio. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php

Chip: Knowledge for tackling childhood poverty. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Save the Children

The organization I decided to learn more about is Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org).  Save the Children is an organization that works both inside the United States and around the world to help save the lives of children when there is a disaster. They provide food, medical attention and education to help rebuild communities. Currently, they are serving over 120 nations. Save the Children is founded on 5 core values: accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.  Their website provides a lot of opportunities for involvement including volunteer opportunities, sponsoring a child or simply signing up for their newsletter in order to be more informed.

I signed up for their newsletter, however, I haven't received one yet. I can't find it their newsletter is weekly or monthly.  But I did find some information in their "spotlight" section which is honoring Mother's. :-) Please check out the website! It has a lot of great information.

Professional Contacts

I spent a lot of time this week looking at different websites and learning about different organizations. I finally decided to contact partners' from the Global Alliance in Spain and South Africa. I am still waiting to here back from these contacts. I also have some friends who are in the military and live in other countries and may reach out to those people if I don't hear back.

I also spent some time looking at the different organizations to learn about each week. I decided on organization Save the Children. As I read about what they do and stand for their mission really stood out to me and I wanted to learn more about them. They have a newsletters and free email updates which I will subscribe to.

I look forward learning about early childhood outside of the United States throughout the course of this class.

My Supports

One of my biggest support systems is my husband.  He has always been willing to help me follow through with my dreams and goals for the future.  I love my job but it has very stressful days. He is always there to listen to me vent about my day. When I decided I wanted to go back to school and get my Master's he supported me 100%.  He even suggested trying to figure a way for me to not go back to work next year after the baby is born in order to have more focus on school.  His willingness to sacrifice and work hard so that I can complete my goals is amazing to me.

Another support system I have are the people I work with.  I have a great team of teachers' and professionals.  They are there to help me become a better educator.  We feed off each of ours strengths and support each other when times are stressful. Without the help of these people I wouldn't be the teacher I am today or the person.

Finally, one of my biggest supports is my exercise and running routine. I LOVE running. I have trained for many distance races and genuinely love the sport. It is an enormous stress reliever. I haven't raced in a couple years and now that I am pregnant I haven't been able to run like I used too. It has been difficult but I know that in a few months I will be back at it.

The challenge I choose is having a child with special needs. I love teaching children with special needs it is my heart and passion. However, I fear that if I had a child with special needs I would have to give up my job in order to be what my child needs. I know my support system would help me through the grief process and my colleagues would support me and I would be able to implement strategies into my home life as well. I know that running would allow the stress relieving outlet I would need.

My Connections to Play

“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” Leo F. Buscagli

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” Joseph Chilton Pearce

As a young child my parents supported my play in many ways. They encouraged me to be creative and to think outside the box. I wasn't able to sit inside and watch tv or play video games. I had to use my imagination and be outside. I remember playing a lot outside and using the things around me as props. As a child, some of my favorite toys were books. I would sit and pretend that I was reading. I would ask my mom and dad to read to me. And I had books memorized and would know if they weren't reading them correctly or skipped a page. Musical instruments and toys were also really important to me as a child. I started playing the piano at a young age and practicing made my heart happy.  Not only did I play music but I listened to music as well. Some of my favorites were New Kids on the Block and Beach Boys! :-)

I feel play has changed throughout the years. I know that when I was a child I had toys and used my imagination. Today, I feel like kids have a lot of access to video games, electronics and television. I know the times have changed but I also feel the electronics have taken away some of the value that toys can bring.

Relationship Reflection

Throughout the week I have reflected on my past and how many of my relationships have changed and evolved over time. I have changed and grown over the past few years and with that I have grown away from people I thought I would be friends with forever and stayed connected with others'.  I have met new friends and said goodbye to old friends. The most important relationships in my life at the moment are with people I know will be a part of my life forever, they are a balance between the old and new. 

My husband:

Donnie and I met in October 2011. We went on a great first date but I wasn't sure about it.  Donnie on the other hand had other thoughts! He says he knew I was "the one" from the moment he saw me and was persistent on seeing me in again.  I took two months of us growing a friendship before I would agree to go on another date. Once I did, I saw what he saw and we were inseperable.  We got engaged just a short 2 months later and our wedding was in August of 2012.  Our relationship is strong because he is my best friend! We do almost everything together! And he supports me with everything. I have learned to believe in my self and trust that he will always have my back.  Our ability to communicate and talk about everything is what I appreciate the most! 

My puppies:

Yes, you counted correctly there are FOUR! These four dogs have been a big part of our family.  I had two when I met Donnie.  He had one and then we got one together! You could say we are a Brady Bunch sort of family! Bentley and Jagger my original two have seen me through some dark days. I had a really tough year in 2011 and without them I don't know if I would have made it through! They brought me sunshine when my days were dark! I learned what the saying "dogs are a man's best friend" really means! 

My granny:

This woman is the most strong and inspirational woman I have ever met. She is genuinely my favorite person in the world! Our relationship is more than just a granny and granddaughter! She is a piece of my heart.  She has loved and supported me when no one else would.. She has taught me what it means to love and be loved! She has shown me what unconditional love and acceptance is.  Without our relationship I wouldn't be who I am today. Without her I wouldn't be striving to be half the woman she is!

Nick:

Nick and I have been best friends since our sophomore year in high school! He is someone who I have grown up with. He is a part of my past I am lucky to still have in the present! Our friendship has given me a sense of security.  He is the friend I know I can call in the middle of the night. He is the person that will be there for me in the event that my husband can't be. He has taught me how to be a friend and what true friendship is. Our friendship hasn't changed even as our lives I have.

Each of these relationships has taught me different things. I am the person I am today because of the people I  just shared with you.  There have been challenges along the way with each relationship.  However, it is a reflection of how strong our relationship is that we were able to work through those challenges and come out victorious. The challenges we have faced has only made our relationship stronger! I am thankful each day these people are in my life!