Getting to Know International Contacts

UNICEF  (http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html)

I was able to take a close look at the United Nations International Emergency Fund also known as UNICEF as an alternative to sharing information from an International contact. According to the website UNICEF has been working to improve children's lives internationally since 1947. Originally their mission was to respond to the millions of displaced and refugee children deprived of shelter, fuel and food in the aftermath of World War II. Today UNICEF is staying true to its purposeful beginning by helping with more than just displaced and refugee children but all children’s and their rights and well being.

UNICEF provides help for childhood in all facets including: poverty, preventable child deaths, AIDS/HIV, prenatal care, sanitation, nutrition, affordable health care, early childhood education and protection. UNICEF meets the needs of children all over the world through their regional locations including: Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, East Asia and the Pacific, Eastern and Southern Africa, Industrialized countries, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East, and South Asia, and West and Central Africa.

UNICEF website has a list of countries that lists facts. For this assignment I was able to review the poverty in Sierra Leone, Africa. Due to the recent outbreak of Ebola, I choose this county because it has experienced Ebola years before the United States. Sierra Leone actually has Ebola survivors. According to the statistics 52.9 % of Sierra Leone is in poverty. Hypertension is high due to high salt intake within the diet. There is a link between salt and high blood pressure. Children born in poverty have a low birth prevalence and low school attendance. 

Sharing Web Resources

NAEYC- The National Association of Education for the Young Child

WWW.NAEYC.ORG

Vision Statement

All young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.

Mission Statement

NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

Identify one current issue/trend from the newsletter and/or from the website that caught your attention

Family Engagement in Early Childhood- I thought this topic was related to the changing demographics within the classroom. How families from different cultures get involved in their children's education. In the article it discusses how children’s progress can be tied to classroom activities and home activities. Development and learning are strongly reinforced and further family involvement is inspired. Teachers who discuss changes in a child’s readiness skills can open a dialogue about the child’s strengths and any areas of potential concern for families. Overall the best engagement is when both families and teachers can work in partnership to ensure that children continue to receive appropriate instruction and related experiences to further their development.

Share if there was anything else you learned from studying these resources related to the topic of this week

I also learned that some program governance procedures and structures used by Head Start, such as parent councils, do not relate strongly to family practices at home. While these programs do engage families, allowing them to participate and exert a degree of local ownership and investment,but they do not affect home activities. 

http://www.naeyc.org/content/research-news-family-engagement

My Supports

Having a support system is key to raising children. I honestly believe one person can't do it alone. My husband, mother, stepmother, sisters, aunts, church, close friends, doctors and my child's teacher is my support system. Right now my husband supports our family financially due to high childcare costs and complications with my last pregnancy. Thanks to my love I am able to be a stay at home mom. My husband is also caring and funny. His presence is always felt, especially when he is home. Both of my mothers check in on our family and love their grandchildren. My stepmother is able to babysit them for date nights and other events for my husband and I. My sisters and aunts are encouraging and allow me to vent my stresses about the world. My church family is always willing to pray for us and offer support. My close friends come by to play with my children and sometimes brings their children or bring their nieces and nephews on play-dates. Doctors, occupational therapist, and developmental specialist help with our youngest daughter who was born severely premature. They help with her development. and lastly my oldest daughters Pre-K teachers. They help with her development. 

I can't imagine life without our support system in place. Every person mentioned plays an important role in our life. Our children have developed relationships with our support system Without them we would be miserable. Struggling to make life enjoyable. Not able to ask for help or see their smiles would be devastating. 

If we could add to our support system free or reduced full day Pre-K would be helpful. Half day programs are governmentally funded but I strongly believe full day is the way to go.