Sharing Web Resources…… Week 4

The information on the Zero to Three website that is particularly relevant to my professional development is Infant and Toddler Policy Issues.  Working in Early Head Start I like to stay current on issues pertaining to health and nutrition. The issue  on the impact of child nutrition programs and provides policy recommendations for the reauthorization of the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) make me view this in a new way (Sklar & Kossen, 2009).  I’ve had experience in both programs and it is interesting to learn the recommendation to better serve families.

Policy Recommendations

1. Revise CACFP area eligibility to allow more food insecure families with infants and toddlers, particularly those living in rural areas, to receive access to nutritious foods.
2. Increase CACFP reimbursements to reflect the actual cost of providing food.
3. Eliminate administrative barriers to participating in child nutrition programs.
4. Increase efficient use of resources by requiring collaboration between WIC agencies and early care and education programs such as Early Head Start.

Through the website, I’ve learned politicians and neuroscientists add to the website by the research.  For instance, there is a section Public Policy where there are different topics where politicians and neuroscientists’ expertise are added to the information. 

                                               

In exploring the website, I’ve learned there is link for state and community policy. This link is for policy decisions made at the state and community levels directly impact the lives of infants, toddlers, and their families.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program

(CACFP), established in 1968, reimburses

family child care providers, child and adult

care centers, Head Start and Early Head Start

providers, and afterschool programs for the

nutritious food served to eligible children, as

well as meal preparation costs and training

for staff on nutrition, child development

as it relates to feeding practices, and

Implementation of the CACFP program (Sklar & Kossen, 2009).

The Special Supplemental Nutrition

Program for Women, Infants and

Children (WIC), begun in 1974, is a federally

authorized program providing economic

supports to purchase nutritionally balanced

foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding

instruction and promotion, nutrition

counseling, and referrals to health and other

social services (Sklar & Kossen, 2009).

Sklar, C., & Kossen, J. (2009, June). Reauthorization of wic and cacafp. Retrieved from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/Nutrition.pdf?docID=9081

Zero to three, national center for infants, toddlers, and families. (2012). Retrieved from http://zerotothree.org/

                                              

Childhood Poverty Research.... (International Part 1)

The podcast I listen to featured Delfena Mitchell, the founder of the Liberty Foundation. This ia an organization that provides residential care and education for abused and abandoned children in Belize, Central America. The podcast discussed the abuse and neglected children in Belize. According to Ms. Mitchell, Belize has the highest incidence of abuse and neglect in Central America. Ms. Mitchell gave examples how to help children deal with the aftermath of the abuse when coming to the facility, such as medication and recreation activities. After reaching out to Ms. Mitchell, I have not received an email back from her.





INDIA

India is home to the majority of poor people in South Asia, and deprivation is endemic, especially in rural areas (CHIP, 2007).

Insights…..

Ø 62 million children under the age of five are malnourished and 34 % of newborns are significantly underweight.

Ø The cycle of disadvantage starts at birth and continues through childhood to motherhood and the next generation.

Ø Income from migrant children's work constituted between 18 and 45 per cent of the poorest households' income.

Despite the poverty, India is making efforts to improve the life of citizens there. Over the last five decades India has made systematic efforts to alleviate poverty through measures to increase economic growth, including liberalization of the economy, targeted programmes, land and tenancy reforms, participatory and empowerment based approaches and the provision of basic services (CHIP, 2007)

The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP). (2007) Country Overviews Retrieved   from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo

Episode 3: Delfena Mitchell [Audio podcast]. (n.d.). Retrieved from World Forum Radio:  http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio

Liberty Foundation | Liberty Foundation exists to provide ... (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.libertyfoundation.org.uk/

Sharing Web Resources…..

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies- To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community Child Care Resource and Referral. (http://www.naccrra.org)

Issue/Trend:  Childcare Dilemma: Parents Weigh Costs

Childcare is becoming too expensive for families with the change in the economy (Arnold, 2011). Quality of child care is becoming increasingly difficult to afford for working families. Parents have to choose between quality childcare for their child verses saving money.

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.  (http://zerotothree.org/ )

Issue/Trend:  Our Families, Ourselves: How Our History Influences How We Raise Our Children

     The information provided the way we are raised influences the way we bring up our kids, the power of the past on our parenting. Also, parents can use reflection and self-awareness to make good parenting decisions today (Siegel, 2009).

Arnold, A. (2011, November 2). Childcare dilemma: Parents weigh costs. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodfocus.org/artman2/publish/impact

Naccrra, the national association of child care resource & referral agencies. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.naccrra.org

Siegel, D. (Performer) (2009). Our families, ourselves: How our history influences how we raise our children. Zero to Three. [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/our-families-ourselves-how.html

Zero to three, national center for infants, toddlers, and families. (2012). Retrieved from http://zerotothree.org/



Bridging the Connection in the Early Childhood Field

This week I attempt to contact 4 early international childhood professionals to learn more about the field from a global aspect.

·         Ruzanna Tsarukyan- The Step by Step Program was initiated in Armenia in 1998, initially by the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation - Armenia, in order to support early childhood education in the face of difficulties due to the economic crises in the country. (Asia)

·         Marcelle Delahaye Camping, CEO and Founder of the Liberty Foundation The Liberty Children’s Home provide care and education for abused and abandoned children in Belize, Central America.

·          Eric Atmore-The National Early Childhood Development Alliance (South Africa)

• D'Andra Howard-UNICEF Eastern Caribbean  (Barbados)

Below is a copy of the email I sent to the professionals.

My name is Andrea Cureton I live in the US and currently pursuing a M.S. Early Childhood Studies - Admin, Mgmt. and Leadership at Walden University. The focus of the course I’m currently taking is the issues and trends in the early childhood field. To understand more of a global aspect of the early childhood field, is it ok if I contact you time to time to discuss the state of the early childhood field in your country, your concerns, as well as your hopes and dreams in the early childhood field?  I have a passion for the early childhood field and look forward to communicating on this expanding field.

Sincerely,

Andrea Cureton

 

Since I was unable to contact the early childhood professionals, I had to choose the alternative blog assignment.  Hopefully in the coming days I get a response from the any early childhood professionals.

·         World Forum Foundation

·         World Forum Foundation Radio

Expending my Resources….

I’ve decided to join the following:

·         National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies- To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community Child Care Resource and Referral.

• ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

  Naccrra, the national association of child care resource & referral agencies. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.naccrra.org
Zero to three, national center for infants, toddlers, and families. (2012). Retrieved from http://zerotothree.org/ 

"My Supports"

       My support starts out with a daily inspiration email quote from my friend every morning. The   quotes are typically empowering and help me get started emotionally for the day.

“Never ever allow your today situation to scare you from achieving your goals because the most high GOD has a purpose for your life.” Abednego Akwasi Asante Asiedu

Throughout the day, I will come back and read the quote to give me motivation and determination to get through the day, which is a significant benefit. If I did not have support, my day would be a little harder. I work with a lot of community partners, families, and colleagues, and it can be a challenge. Having the encouragement through quotes keeps me motivated. If remove from my life, I would miss the encouragement and support.

Prayer is a very important support system in my life. The benefit of prayer is it renews my mind and lifts my spirits. It will be very difficult to live without with prayer, the impact would be less calming and unfocused.

I like to add a seasoned mentor as a part of my daily support. Having a connection with a seasoned professional can improve my decision making and share guidance. Having a mentor will be an added benefit to my professional development. Without this support, it will be a challenge. For example, a seasonal professional can give you advice a book can not tell you. The impact of not having a mentor will result in alot trial and error methods for decision making.

My Connections to Play!!!



"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn."

O. Fred Donaldson

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."

Maria Montessori



The role of play was very important to me as a young age. I can remember my mother supporting play with me as a young child. My Cabbage Patch Kid Lolita was favorite doll of all time. I remember getting her for Christmas on year, and it was the best! Lolita came with a birth certificate, and I remember signing my name on her birth certificate. When it was her birthday, I can remember my mom letting me invite a friend over with her Cabbage Patch for a pretend party. Also, I can remember playing school in my bedroom. I would take attendance and teaching my students (dolls). Reflecting on my childhood, I love teaching children. When I was pretending to play school and taking care of my dolls, it has fostered me into this profession. Children are my passion! This is a reason why children need play to learn and explore.  I believe play today is different from my childhood because it is full with technology to assist in the play. Its mind blowing to watch kids use the computer and send text messages better than adult can.  My 5 year-old step-son likes to play video games a lot, and we have always limit the time spend playing. I try to motivate him to go outside and experience just playing.   All early childhood programs should foster child-initial play. As children grow, it is a possibility the play will reflect what the child may become as an adult.

Relationship Reflection

Relationship/partnerships are very important to me because the knowledge gain you learn from these relationships. Relationship/partnerships can build character of person, build trusting relationships, and confidence. The relationships I have in my life represent my beliefs on relationship/partnerships.

Mother- My relationship with my mother is very important to me. My mom is a true nurturing person who taught me how to love and care. My mom made sure I had a childhood of experiencing thing in life outside of my normal environment. My mom made me feel significant by spending time, along with making sacrifices for a better life for me. Our relationship is based on our great conversation and spending time together. Our time together is a way of maintaining our nurturing relationship.

Dad- My father taught me about being an independent person. My dad took the time to teach me about the ways of survival in the world. Our relationship has evolved over the years from the many life lessons I’ve learned from him. He made me feel special by letting me always be, “daddy little girl.”

Fiancé- My Fiancé and I relationship have had multiple levels. We had a friendship that has developed into a relationship, my partner. My Fiancé has been a positive aspect on my life by empowering me to be the best I can, encouraging me when I’m down, and given me confidence. His has given me support and advice to achieve all my dreams. We have maintained our relationship by always being open-minded and supportive.

My relationship has instilled values of hard work and determination to best as I can be in my profession. From these relationships, I can truly said I’ve has blossom into a better person with morals and values that can handle any situation.

There are challenges to maintaining relationships, such as work, school, or living apart from each other. It is important to overcome these challenges by finding quality time together and keeping the connection. Relationship/partnerships developed at an early age look upon into adulthood.