Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative"

The Center has a commitment to working around the globe for children.  These are some of the projects they are working on:

Un Buen Comienzo (UBC), “A Good Start,” is a collaborative project in Santiago, Chile, to improve early childhood education through teacher professional development. The idea is to improve the quality of educational offerings for four-to-six-year-olds, particularly in the area of language development. This project is also designed to intervene in critical health areas that improve school attendance as well as socio-emotional development, and it seeks to involve the children's families in their education. (www.developingchild.harvard.edu)

The following three initial projects have been selected to launch this effort, subject to funding:

1.   Assessing the state of child mental health services in China;

2.   Developing and evaluating family-based strategies to prevent mental health problems in children affected by HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; and

3.   Addressing child maltreatment and mental health outcomes in three Caribbean nations (Barbados, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname). (http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu/)

This is a wonderful program.  It helps so many children around the world.

References:

www.developingchild.harvard.edu

NAEYC website

The website I chose was www.naeyc.org.  It is the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The entire website is relevant to y job.  I work in a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.  There are resources and up-to-date policies.  Also NAEYC advocates for early childhood programs and knows the importance of high quality child care.

There is a link to public policy on the website.  This is very important for people to look at to see what policies are being introduced.  It is important for everyone to ask question if they do not understand what the policies mean.

There isn’t anything on the website I find controversial.  I find all the information very pertinent,  There are some things you can get for free (newsletters) and if you become a member you can get a deal on their other resources.

Poverty in China

China's poverty rate has declined in recent years due to their economy except in Western China.  Western China has higher poverty rates because the econmic growth has been much slower.  In 1998, people in the West were 6 times more likely to be poor (http://www.childpoverty.org/). There are not enough new jobs in the West so many are without a full-time job (http://www.childpoverty.org/).

In 1999, the national mortality rate for children was 32 per thousand but 47.9 in the West (http://www.childpoverty.org/).


In 2001, China had a popoulation of 1.27 billion.  4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantaged conditions (http://www.childpoverty.org/).

Resource

http://www.childpoverty.org/

Web Resources

I subscribed to a newsletter through the www.zerotothree.org website.  It is a website that is researched based about infant and toddler development.  It works to make sure policies are based on best practices and current research.

I like that the web site because it has a link for all the most recent policies.  Also that it offers tips on finding child care.  Another great tool on the web site is an interactive tool for parents and caregivers to encourage early learning.

One of the policy recommendations is to support educators in addressing diversity of the families they serve.  It also suggests colleges diversify their staff and increase diversity issues in class work.  I really like the fact that they are addressing diversity at the college level.  I think this is important.

I also subcribed to www.naeyc.org.  It is another great website for early childhood information.  I am also a member.

Contacts

I have had a contact with the Family Day Care Association in Australia!  There are 2 women interested in talking with me.  I made the contact through Facebook.  I found their page and posted on their wall what I was looking for.  I will let you know how it goes!!

My Supports - What would life be like if..............

What would life be like if I could not read?  This would require me to rely on everyone else to help.  I would not be able to have the job that I have so I wouldn't have the support of my current co-workers.  I would need my husband to read everything for me.  It would be difficult in finding a job because you need to be able to read to do many jobs. 

I would need my family to help in every day things like going grocery shopping, doing banking, paying bills, and so many more things.  It would be difficult on my family because I would need them to do everything for me.

My Supports

My supports are my family.  This includes my husband, 2 children and my dad.  I also consider my supports to be my friends and co-workers.  These are people who help when I need it or just listen when needed.  I consider my children part of my supports also because they make me smile every day.  I cannot imagine my life without all of these people.   At some point everyday, someone is there to offer advice, help out on a project, or  they are just there to give a hug.  I feel very lucky to have these people in my life.