Final Blog Assignment

The past 8 weeks have been extremely eye-opening for me. I realized there were international issues, but I guess I was naive that the issues were so major compared to some here in the states. Obviously, Covid has been an issue for basically the entire world. It is an extremely difficult time to raise our children in, but thankfully there are early childhood programs that are helping our littlest learners cope with the changing world.

Consequence #1

Covid 19

Our country has taken many precautions to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Upping our cleaning and sanitizing practices, taking temperatures periodically throughout the day, wearing masks when in public and in confined spaces. Other countries have not been able to take the same precautions and the virus has been spreading like wildfire. I appreciate that organizations like UNICEF have been offering help to countries that need assistance for children and families who have been affected by this pandemic. 

Consequence #2

Diversity

Diversity is something that is all around us, no matter where we live or what we do. In low-income situations or high-class situations, there is diversity. In early childhood education, we can teach diversity in many ways: through books, discussions, food in a play kitchen, displays in the classroom, etc. By including parents in the process of teaching about diversity through parent involvement at the school, we have a higher chance of helping children care less about color and more a chance of teaching them to accept everyone for who they are.

Consequence #3

Global Fund for Children

This organization is amazing! I really appreciate that they are making such a big deal about education for girls and bringing awareness to situations that only impact young girls. In the United States, there is awareness, but education for girls is not always a goal. It is an idea, but educating all young people is more "important" than girls. For women, there is still a divide in our rights and what our responsibilities are. If we choose to stay at home and not work, we are lazy. If we choose to work outside the home and still have a family, we are selfish. If we choose to not have any children, society looks at us like we are monsters. The Global Fund for Children supports all children, no matter their sex, but they are also bringing awareness to girls in particular, and I think it is something that more organizations should be aware of. 

Personal Goal

I would like to continue learning about how other organizations are helping girls in other countries. I also would like to see that the United States starts valuing teachers like other countries do. Early childhood educators are still viewed as glorified babysitters. It really bothers me that we have the same credentials as elementary teachers but get none of the recognition. I'd like to continue to research how we can bring awareness of the value of ECE professionals in the US and follow the lead of other countries. 

Professional Goals, Hopes, and Dreams

Ultimately, the biggest issue for everyone right now is the Coronavirus pandemic. All children are being affected as their lives have been turned upside down and their normal lives are not normal anymore. They do not go to school, they do not see their friends, or family, they cannot have birthday parties or do fun activities during the holidays. They are forced to do school from a computer, something that adults struggle with. Thankfully, in the early childhood field, younger children are still able to attend school, but the "new normal" standards are still not fun for them. Children over the age of 2 must wear masks. All day. (This is hard for some adults I know.) They are limited to the centers they can play in and with. There are no soft toys in the classrooms anymore. Baby dolls are some of the young children's most favorite toys. But, sorry. No more dolls. It has been a struggle for teachers, but especially ECE teachers. How do you keep ten three year olds socially distanced?  How can you convince a group of ten 2 year olds to keep their masks on?  There has been a learning curve that we have all had to adapt to. I wouldn't wish this "new normal" on anyone. We are making the best of it, but it is not fun by any means. 

For me, I hope that this pandemic is just a memory in the blip of time of our children's lives. I hope that we do not need to keep offering pieces of training that are gut-wrenching to our teachers. Just last week, we required all staff at my school to take a child abuse awareness training. It was so difficult to get through. I hope that early childhood education continues to be important to government officials and that ECE professionals are recognized for their hard work. I hope that the standard for requirements in the ECE field continues to be brought higher and higher and easier to attain.

Ultimately, I hope that even though this pandemic has been difficult for everyone, I hope that it brings us all closer and makes us realize that we are actually all in this thing called life together as one unit. And that kindness always prevails. 

Sharing Web Resources: Part 3

Continuing my research on the Save the Children website, there are multiple statistics about how mothers, children, and families are not receiving the help they need because of the Coronavirus pandemic. These are unprecedented times for everyone right now, and we are all proceeding into uncharted territory. With help from Save the Children, many countries are able to help their residents with food and shelter and protection from other diseases besides Coronavirus.

The Save the Children website lists many ways that they are helping countries during this difficult time. 

Additionally, Save the Children advocates for the 2.3 billion children in the world and offers help when needed during disasters and relief efforts. "U.S. policymakers look to Save the Children as the leading expert on childhood, both here at home and abroad." (Save the Children, 2020)

Reference

Save the Children. (2020). Policy and Advocacy. Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/policy-and-advocacy

Global Children's Initiative

I especially found interesting the section on ACEs or Adverse Childhood Experiences. Speaking from current experience, my husband and I are currently separated and are going through a tumultuous divorce. My daughter has been witness to our arguments for her entire 7 years of life. She saw violence and heard things that no one should ever hear, especially not a young child. For me, I worked hard to keep her away from anything that I knew could harm her, but there are some circumstances that are out of my control. She saw physical abuse done to her mother, she heard emotional and mental abuse happening all around her. She heard her father call her mother horrible names and somehow, she still wakes up with a smile on her face each day. She is, however, very angry. She has big feelings that she cannot explain. I realize now that this environment has caused her toxic stress that we will need to work through together with her. She lashes out and yells and has a short fuse. Reading about this important topic really helped me with how I can help her.

Another section I really enjoyed reading about is Early Childhood Mental Health. As an early childhood professional, I find it super helpful when parents are with us in helping their child. We are never quick to diagnose a child, but we do take anecdotal notes to present to the parents when we have a concern. Even little behavior issues are documented and saved for a later time if needed. 

The last section that I really enjoyed reading about was in the resilience section. This quote really stuck out to me and gives me hope that my own children have me as their stability. "The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult." (2020) This quote alone helps me realize that no matter what is going on in a child's family or household, as a teacher, I can make a difference in their life as a stable adult.

According to the Global Fund for Children website, "Young people have the right to protect their bodies, raise their voices, and define their futures. But millions are denied these rights every day. We work to ensure that all children – regardless of their gender or their sexual identity – can be safe, learn, lead, and thrive." (2020) Equity is encouraged for young girls all around the world. Without encouragement for some of these girls, they would not have proper health care and would not learn the correct way to take care of themselves. 

 

References

Gender Equity. Global Fund for Children. (2020, July 14). https://globalfundforchildren.org/our-partners/focus-areas/gender-equity/.

Resilience. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2020, August 17). https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/resilience/.