Time Well Spent

Wow!! This has been one amazing course, and I am glad it has come to an end. I have gained much knowledge throughout this course that will take me to new heights. This course has make me realized that there is a need for more dedicated and sincere early childhood professionals to advocate for young children and their families.

One of the deep felt learning experiences from this program is to continue to communicate and collaborate when working with young children and their families. When there are open channels of communication, the job of teaching in an anti-bias classroom setting will be more rewarding. Because, I think young children learns best when there good communication between teachers and families. Everyone should work together for the success of all young children.

Another deep felt learning experience I gained through this program was learning about the different type of leaders. In any business or organization, leaders should be trustworthy, open-minded and have the necessary skills to be a communicator on a daily basis in order to provide their followers with personal incentive to do their best work. Professionals in the early childhood field are leaders that teach young children how to become leaders in life as they grow and develop.

My last learning experience is learning how to help end homelessness in my community. I will continue to research and search for programs to help young children and their families that come across my past to find affordable housing. Every child deserves to feel stress free when in an anti-bias classroom setting. All of the learning and knowledge I have named and more will stay with me throughout my teaching experiences.

One of my long-term goals in the Early Childhood Education is to be honest, respectful, show passion, and listen carefully and to be mindful when teaching in an anti-bias classroom environment. When working with families, and staff members, communication is the key to the well-being of young children and their success.


To all of my colleagues,

Thanks for being so supportive throughout this course. Your posts on the discussion board and your blog taught me a great deal, and I learned through your post and blog about you, you, and you. I am happy for all of us and hope each of us finds the job of our desire. This is my personal email address if anyone want to stay in contact with me; bellcabbil@gmail.com. Good luck and take care!!


Dr. Darragh,

You are a wonderful instructor. I was so tensed up about my capstone project until I got the running head mixed up with the heading. I can laugh about it now, but when I was reading it was not so funny. Also, thanks for the feedback and comments; they both helped me to understand the course reading more. Again Thanks!!

Blog Assignment: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I have chosen three international organizations that work for positive social change for young children and families: United Nations, Children Funds (UNICEF) is offering a job opportunity position in a Child Protection Specialist. The requirement is eight years of experience in humanitarian work, and to speak two languages. Another job offer was a Consultancy Assignment. This job will give you the opportunity to travel around the world supporting programs for young children early development. This job requires a three year experience at the national or international level and is good for a person who wants to travel.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

The Second organization is Save the Children. There is a position open for an Early Head Start teacher with an AA degree or higher. Another position opening is the Director of Program Quality. This program is in London England, and is required to have a Master’s degree in the early childhood or social science field. These jobs can better serve young children, and protect their rights in the early childhood environment. These jobs also require experience on the national or international level.

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

The third organization is Academy for Educational Development: A position I found on this site is a Teacher Exchange Program. This program will help teachers to connect and communicate with teachers from around the world. Working in this position, professionals can share their experiences and knowledge to build a network of inspiration to other. There are other countries involved with this program, but through building a network, it will enhance others to participate. A Master’s degree is required.

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

After reading through the different research, I realize in many organizations, there are more than one spoken languages. In order to work on the international level, I would need more that a Master’s degree. The work is very inspiring, but I would need to learn different languages and have to experience working with different culture of people in the early childhood field in order to be success in my work.

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

I have chosen three organizations that I believe will change the lives of all young children.

United Nations, Children Funds (UNICEF) is an organization that fights for the well-being of young children and those that are in emergency crises. This organization is an advocate for all young children and believes in giving all individuals the opportunity to succeed with fair and just. This organization puts young children first and protects them from many situations that may come upon them. Young children are encouraged and supported in their development as well as disabilities, diseases, disasters, and how to overcome obstacles in their lives (UNICEF, 2011). If I can work with an organization that is funding young children in an emergency situation, it would be an honor for me. Supporting and engaging in a funding organization can help me to support children from diseases. In order to work with this organization, I would need a Master’s degree.

The Second organization is Save the Children. Young children worldwide deserve an opportunity to grow and develop in a safe learning environment. In any given situation, a child’s needs should always come first. SC is a group of people who are committed to helping children to strive in life. In the US, SC is an advocate for supporting young children with learning skills that they need in order to be successful early in life. This job will give me the chance to help young children in every domain. There is a position open for an Early Head Start teacher with an AA degree or higher.

The third organization is the Technical Assistance Coordinators for The Early Childhood Community of Practice-Connecting Circles of Care. These professionals and group members’ support and help with funding, implementing, developing, and designing the communities with a system that cares. They communicate and collaborate on conference calls with communities and other groups across the system of care to share concerns and to encourage problem solving (Keenan, 2014). The requirement for this job is a Bachelor degree in the field of social services.

References

Keenan, S. (2014). Early Childhood Community of Practice. Retrieved from http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/default.php

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/

Job/Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Working in the Early Childhood Field is important to me. Each child should have the same learning opportunity as they grow and develop in life. Many childcare programs can be very expense in cost. The local and state organizations that appealed to me are the council for National Association for the Education of Young Children, Exceptional Children, and Division for Early Childhood. The reason I choose the three because I would like to work with organizations that are dedicated to helping and treating all young children with fair and just. Having the opportunity to aide young children in getting developmental appropriate programs is an accomplishment educators should be very proud off.

After doing resource, on the local and state organizations, there are job opportunities available in council that might be of interest to me. The Council for NAEYC Accreditation qualified and dedicated to promoting early childhood high quality programs (ECE, 2011). The Council for Professional Recognition promotes and improves performance of professionals in the early childhood education, and to ensure that all early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of all young children (ECE, 2011). “Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improve the educational success of young children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice” (ECE, 2011). Lastly, The Division for Early Childhood (ECE, 2011) is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs. The goal is to promote policies, and practices to support the best development of young children with special needs.

These jobs require a Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of experiences in the early childhood field before getting hired. I believe I am quality to do the work, but I have not worked in the early childhood field as of yet. Also, I believe I will enjoy working with either one of the company. Working with the companies will give me the opportunity to provide all young children with the best learning materials through high quality programs. Through the leadership of these programs, the outlook on early childhood education can be very rewarding for all young children.

Reference

Early Childhood Organizations. Retrieved from aacte.org/.../early-childhood-org...

Hi Classmates,

I have added each of you all in my group to my blog site. if i miss any body please let me know.

I have added group 1 on to my blog site

Ida Cabbil
http://idacab.blogspot.com

Eillen Cirilli
http://mscirilli.wordpress.com/

Kyisha Dunn
http://kyisha-blessedandhighlyfavored.blogspot.com/

Myisha Dunn
http://appreciative-dunnm.blogspot.com/

Tiffany Booze
http://tiffanybooze.blogspot.com/

Caitlan Cart
http://greatteachersinspire.wordpress.com

Exploring Roles in the Early Childhood Community

The local and state organizations that appealed to me are the council for National Association for the Education of Young Children, Professional Recognition, Exceptional Children, and Division for Early Childhood. The reason I choose the four because I would like to work with an organization that dedicated for helping young children with varying abilities in the early childhood field. Just a few months ago, I talked to the academic advisor at Walden University about courses I can take to work with companies that are advocates for young children and families. Starting in June, I will be working toward a Doctoral degree that will allow me to be an advocate in aiding young children in getting developmental appropriate programs.

After doing resource, on the local and state organizations, there are job opportunities available in council that might be of interest to me. The Council for NAEYC Accreditation qualified and dedicated to promoting early childhood high quality programs (ECE, 2011). The Council for Professional Recognition promotes and improves performance of professionals in the early childhood education, and to ensure that all early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of all young children (ECE, 2011). “Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of young children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice” (ECE, 2011). Lastly, The Division for Early Childhood (ECE, 2011) is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children with disabilities and other special needs. The goal is to promote policies, and practices to support the best development of young children with special needs.

These jobs require a Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of experiences in the early childhood field before getting hired. I believe I am quality to do the work, but I have not worked in the early childhood field as of yet. Also, I believe I will enjoy working with either one of the company. Working with the companies will give me the opportunity to provide all young children with the best learning materials through high quality programs. Through the leadership of these programs, the outlook on early childhood education can be very rewarding for all young children.

Reference

Early Childhood Organizations. Retrieved from aacte.org/.../early-childhood-org...

Hey Classmates,

This is my first time using "Wordle". I hope you all can see it because I had to use a friend computer to get on. So, will somebody tell me how it look because I cannot see it on my computer when I pull up the web site. Thanks!

Ida,

<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7621625/Untitled"
title="Wordle: Untitled"><img
src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/7621625/Untitled"
alt="Wordle: Untitled"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd"></a>

Reflecting on Learning

The most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional, and for children, and families with whom I work or will work with are to build positive relationships with all young children and their families. These relationships include respect, honesty, trust and understanding culture differences. All children are created whole, endowed with innate, with dignity and wonder, and worthy of respect (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). In order to become an effective anti-bias teacher, I will go deeper into liberation in order to help young children to over- come thoughts of biases they might have. Early childhood teachers should have faith that all young children deserve the opportunity and resources to fulfill their potential goals in life (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

Dr. Pickens,

Thank you for teaching this wonderful course. Also, thank you for your comments, for answering my e-mail at an appropriate time, and thank you for the feedback.

To my colleagues,

This has been an amazing course. I have enjoyed reading you all posts and comments on the discussion board. I have learned a great deal of information and ideas from you all to help me on my journey in the early childhood field. Thanks for sharing your insights with me. Good luck on your journey!!

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Impact on Early Emotional Development

The area of the world I chose to share with my colleagues is Eastern and Southern Africa. The reason I chose this region because it had a section wherein Malawi the leaders of Africa had a say on disability. It was said that “Disability is not inability” and organized by the President of Malawi (UNICEF, 2013). There were several young children and adults with disabilities joined the football team. “Not only did the teams bring football legends together, but also a new type of player, athletes who despite their intellectual disability, were demonstrating that they could compete with the best” (UNICEF, 2013).

In this Malawi, young children with disabilities faced many obstacles in their lives. They spent their whole life with disappointments and difficulties. Rachel Kachaje, who once was an activist, and now confined to a wheelchair; hope and dream for the future of people with disabilities in Malawi and across the world is that there would be no more barriers to break down, and people with disabilities, will live free from humiliation, misunderstanding and myth (UNICEF, 2013). There were only people with disabilities on the football team; this team was organized to send a message that “disability is not inability”. This article showed that children can do anything that is appropriate with time spent.

 Joyce Banda a Minister of Disability and Elderly Affairs.

It look like young children in Malawi with disabilities being treated with just and fairness. There should not be any effect on children’s well-being and development thanks to the president in Malawi. The president herself has made it possible for children with disabilities to have the same rights as other children. On the day of the football game, a special Olympic athlete from Malawi acknowledged the unique day. He never though growing up with an intellectual disability, that still keep him hidden, and shunned, that he would be speaking before the Vice President and many dignitaries in a crowded stadium (UNICEF, 2013).

I think all young children should be treated with respect, dignity and honesty. Young children with disabilities should have the same learning opportunity as those without disabilities. It is essential for teachers to provide activities to enhance young children abilities in classrooms setting. The insight I have gained as a professional in the early childhood field is to spend extra time, show passion and have patient with children of special needs; this will show disability is not failure in our country. Young children learn fast, and helping them to learn as they grow and develop will help them to reach their potential goals in life.

Reference

UNICEF, Eastern and Southern Africa: Children with Disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

It is essential for adults and teachers to know where young children are at all times. After reading the topic “So Sexy So Soon”, I have gained many insights related to sexualization of early childhood. Young children growing-up within society today are very different from long ago. At an early age, young children are playing with sexy items, and engaged in sexiness within society. Young children encounter these issues at much younger ages than in the past, long before they have the ability to understand or deal with them (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Young children have toys and video games that sexy and violent. Most industries are making a large amount of money using sexy toys and other objects to gain young children interest (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Some children can afford these sexy items with parent’s income and some children cannot afford them, but all of them are seriously hurting. Whatever their race, ethnic group, economic status, or gender, and whether they can afford to buy a lot or very few of these products, children are deeply affected (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).

When parents buy sexy toys for their children, it is inviting them to want dress and look sexy as well. For example; my oldest granddaughter is twelve years old and like wearing red lipstick, but we only let her wear it for dance class because it is a requirement for all dance students. Every time she put on the red lipstick my two year old granddaughter push her lips out to get some. Another example, my friend has a sixteen year old daughter in high school. She is in the band and love turning around so she can see her backside in the mirror. Now, my two year old granddaughter turns backward to the mirror and says “big butt”. I am working on this situation fast and in a hurry. Lastly, my neighbor was keeping two little girls after school for two working mothers. One child was eight, and the other child was four. He walked into the bedroom where they supposed to be watching TV and found the oldest child on top of the small child doing sexy things. While parents struggle to make sense of all this, children are being robbed of valuable time for age-appropriate developmental tasks, and they may begin to engage in precocious sexual behavior (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).

When we stop long enough to listen to the voices in our head, we should realize it makes perfect sense that young children might like sexy objects given the sexualized environment around them. What worries me the most; young children suffer the consequences for the sexualization of their childhood. As young children grow and develop; they are constantly facing images and sexual messages that they do not understand at their early age. Young children can become very frighten and confuse as they learn about their gender role in life. At an early age, girls learn that their value determined by how beautiful, thin, “hot,” and sexy they are (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Boys learn about masculinity and how to judge young girls (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). As professionals, we have to teach young children that when exposed to sex too quickly it can hurt their healthy development. It can cause violent, attachment, diseases and even the birth of a baby.

My awareness of the sexualization of early childhood been influenced in many ways. One thing that stands out the most to me is as young children get older they learn to associate physical appearance and buying the right products not only with being sexy, but also with being successful as a person (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Another thing, parents teaches their children to say no to sex, but saying no is not enough, we have to find other approaches. We should be caring adults to help children to understand what they see, instead of leaving them to judge for themselves. Adults should know what stores children are shopping in, know the media they are seeing, what they are watching on TV, avoid stereotyping, eliminate items pertaining to sexy, and allow children to ask and answer questions concerning sex if they choose to. Also, adults should engage in conversation on a regular basis with young children. In doing this, it can reduce the corporation from marking sexy items to children.

Reference

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from:http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf