Best Wishes and Thanks!!

I am so excited and proud to have completed my Masters in Early Childhood Studies at Walden University. At the same time, I am also a little weirdly sad that it is over. I think it is because I have given so much of my energy, time, and self into my studies and I am deeply connected to them. It is bittersweet. Over these past two years, I have grown so much and gained so many new tools that I now use in my work and advocacy efforts for young children. I have met so many intelligent and nice people in this program. I loved learning form each of you. I now turn my thoughts to me as a skilled practitioner in the field. I have gained much more confidence in my decisions and knowledge of the Early Childhood field. Now, I practice and use it!

One huge thing I learned in my studies in how to be a leader. Before starting this program as an infant room teacher, I did not view myself as a leader. Now I am much more confident in the type of leader I want to be and how I can lead. To have this skill and the tools needed are invaluable to me. Another big thing I learned was how to network better in the field. I see much more clearly just how beneficial it is for my work. I also have a better understanding of how to do it specifically in my state and country. I have joined more EC organizations and started volunteer efforts in my state. It is amazing how many people I have met doing this. Another big thing I have learned is how deep my passions actually go. I am more passionate about my work and more dedicated to my advocacy efforts and duties. I feel more ready to face any issues I come across. This is priceless to me. These are the three biggest things I have gained in my studies during this program.

The instructors in these courses have been so informative and sweet. I definitely was challenged all along the way. I am thankful for all the feedback I received from my instructors. I especially love feedback on my papers and school work. I like constructive criticism and each one of my instructors provided that for me. I also was to thank my colleagues. I have learned a tremendous amount from you all. The new perspectives I gained because of your input and responses to my posts are invaluable to me. I would not have learned them if you had not responded and felt that I needed your advice so thank you. I wish you all the best in your new journeys as educators, leaders, and early childhood practitioners! Many Thanks!!

International Organizations

As I researched international early childhood organizations, I found so much on how they support and advocate for the healthy development of all children around the world. I took a lot of time looking at the job opportunities and memberships available. The opportunities really look like something I might involve myself in in the future.

The Save the Children organization was one that I wanted to find out more on because I see commercials and advertisements for them all the time. After looking at the website, I found out that they have been working for children for a long time. Eglanyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in England in 1919 to aid children in war-ravaged central Europe. By the 1930’s the Save the Children network was established in the U.S. and working out of 5 states. They have several job opportunities available. One that interested me the most was the Program Specialist in Early Childhood Development. They provide training, technical assistance, and management support to program partners to ensure quality program implementation and results for children. This particular job is located in Omaha, NE. You have to have a Bachelors degree in Early childhood or related field and experience as a mentor, trainer, and coach. This position would be very interesting for me if it wasn’t located in Nebraska. This leads me to what is being by this organization in my home state of Alabama. Only three counties use their programs so I am going to research further to see about getting more schools in need to use their programs.

Another organization I like is the Academy for Educational Development. I admire all the effort they put in to improve the lives of every person in the world. They create projects all over the world to meet the unique needs of each person and each area. They have many job postings and only 4 in the U.S. The Grantee Specialist job requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and 8 years experience in finance management. Duties include providing technical assistance and training to Head Start Grantees in the areas of fiscal operations and program design and management. The other job posting require additional finance experience; something I do not have.

The United Nations Population Fund advocates helping improve the rights of young children all over the world and works to improve the lives of woman and young children. One of their biggest efforts is to eradicate child marriage; something that is all too common. Most of their job postings are in other counties like Africa. Since they support rights of people and the family in general, their benefits package is amazing for people raising families. You can telecommute, get paid maternity leave, and free preschool for your children. I am glad I ran across this organization and will work with them as I advocate for children. 

National and Federal Early Childhood Organizations

This week I researched websites of national/federal organizations that advocate for children and families. I really enjoyed this assignment because it opened my eyes even more to the amazing options I have as I advocate and strive for social change. They also had amazing job opportunities that help me realize other avenues of how I and others can work/volunteer in the early childhood field. The top three that I want to share are the WESTED organization (www.wested.org), The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) (www.dec-sped.org), and the Center for Child Care Workforce (www.ccw.org).

The WESTED website was very interesting to me because it puts a lot of its effort into researching education practices and child development. Their mission is to work with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. They have been around since 1966 and positively impacted millions of children and their families. They also work towards raising the wages of early childhood practitioners which is a passion of mine. They have one department dedicated to the infant and toddler field. I plan on using this website as a resource as I mentor and train infant and toddler teachers during their professional development. Some of the positions they have currently opened are research assistant and research associates. The positions requires applicants to have experience in one or more of the following work environments: educational research, assessment development or management, educational policy, program evaluation, K-12 teaching or administration, or a state education agency, demonstrate knowledge of research principles (qualitative and quantitative), have excellent communication and writing skills, experience writing proposals and research and technical reports, and excellent time management and organizational skills  . If I do get into the research area of early childhood, this organization is one that I would consider looking into. Another position that interested me is the Infant/Toddler Specialist. I currently am an infant/toddler specialist at my local community college. The requirements are a bachelors or masters (preferred) degree and experience working as an infant/toddler teacher.

The Division of Early Childhood website is a great resource for EC professionals. They promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. They are currently hiring teaching assistants to help teach child development. The requirements are some experience in child development and a GED. It is a great position for people starting out or trying to build their resume. Another open position is for a Child Development Instructor. You must have a Master's degree in Child Development (CD); Early Childhood Education (ECE); Educational Psychology with a specialization in CD/ECE; Home Economics/Family and Consumer Studies with a specialization in CD/ECE; or Human Development; or a Bachelor's degree in any of the majors listed above and a Master's degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Education, Educational Supervision, Elementary Education, Family and Consumer Studies, Family Life Studies, Life Management/Home Economics, Psychology, Social Work, or Special Education. They are based in California so you also have to be certified to teach in that state.

The Center for Child Care Workforce (CCW) advocates to improve the quality of early care and education for all children by promoting policy, research and organizing that ensure the early care and education workforce is well-educated, receives better compensation and a voice in their workplace. One thing I really like with them, which I did, is that you can join their network by sending an email to ccw@aft.org  and ask to be added to their “listserve”. From here, you will receive information and analysis on relevant research, policy and organizing efforts that support or impede improvements in early care and education employment conditions. They have many avenues and strategies set up for higher wages that they work to include in every state. Some of these include the unionization of early childhood educators, wage incentives, scholarship programs, tiered wage options, and mentoring programs. I could not find a page listing any open positions. This is a resource I plan to use a lot as I mentor teachers. It offers a lot of motivation and hope for those who want to advocate and develop professionally. 

My Local Organizations

There are many agencies and organizations within my community and state that serve children and families. For this blog post, I am going to share three of them and state how I can play a role for each. There are so many roles, positions, and paths us EC professionals can take on in our efforts to advocate for and serve families in our community. This fact is exciting for me.

The first organization I want to share is my local Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). Their mission is to make sure that families and children’s have all their needs met. They have many items they give for free including diapers, clothes, and food. Parents can get all the information they need about local child care centers and daycare homes, including if they are licensed and/or accredited. They have disaster and emergency services for families who have just lost their home or jobs. There are many current job opportunities. They are hiring social workers, case workers, and financial assistance workers. Most of these positions require a degree of some sort and at least 3 years of experience in the related field. Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Care Services Division(DHR) has been selected to receive an Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHSCCP) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services totaling $8.3 million per year for five years. This is very exciting for our state and I have am so glad that I can be a part of how these services get to where they need to go—young children and families.

Another agency in my state is the Parenting Assistance Line (PAL). The Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) is a collaborative service of the University of Alabama Child Development Resources and the Alabama Children's Trust Fund. It is available for any parent or caregiver who is in need of support, advice, or just to talk with someone who will listen. Parents can get resources for anything they need whether it is counseling services in their area, books to read with their children, or a confidence boost. I refer PAL to all parents and caregivers who ask me for resources. The number to call is 866-962-3030 and they are available 8am-8pm Monday through Friday. They have a few positions open for a Parent Assistance Specialist. They require you have at least 2 years of experience in a childhood field and training is provided.

I also like the local Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). They aim to help prevent and control disease and decreases health issues for residents of Alabama. They provide free supplies and food to families in need, as well as professional services to help people no matter their socio-economic status or health issues. This is a wonderful resource for parents who need help with children with special needs or for parents who have special needs themselves. They are currently hiring Public Health Educators to develop and coordinate public health education programs all over the state. The pay is anywhere from $31,000-$59,000. A bachelor’s degree in an education field is required with preference to experience in a health field. I have a second passion for healthy eating and natural living. I make my own soaps, cleaners, lotions, ect, and eat as raw as I can in the hopes of being disease and sick free. I share my handmade supplies with others so that they can be healthier as well. This is a great organization that reaches ou to many people. 

New job, new hopes, and word of thanks!!

I just accepted a job offer to work at my local community college as an Early Childhood Specialist and I could not be more thrilled! I have always worked with children and that is why I have chosen to specialize in Teaching and Diversity for this Masters program. It has kind of thrown me for a loop but in a good way. I am excited to take a new area of the early childhood field. This new job will require me to work with other early childhood professionals to bring college education to more preschool teachers in my state. This is much needed in my state of Alabama as we need more teachers who are trained professionals. I hope I can use the knowledge I have gained here at Walden and from my fellow students here to help other preschool teachers better trained and more knowledgeable. Even though it is more indirect, I am thrilled to be able to reach more children and hopefully create better learning environments for them.

  My biggest hope for my future as an early childhood professional is that I am able to impact and influence adults to be better examples for their children and to help break negative cycles. Children are our future. If we do not instill kindness, compassion, empathy, and anti-bias mindsets into our children early on in their lives, then the cycle will continue. This is a big and broad hope for me. It is a process and it will be in the back of my mind everyday as I do my early childhood work.

I truly want to thank all of my classmates for inspiring me with your stories and sharing with me your perspectives and ideas. I enjoy reading everyone’s blogs and posts each week! You all have encouraged me and I appreciate the knowledge you have shared. Good luck to each of you as you continue on in this program!

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose to investigate South Asia because there is a lot going on there that I want and need to know more about. After reviewing the UNICEF website, let me tell you, I learned quite a bit. There are eight countries included in this region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The first thing I learned about that I had not known as much about before are the child marriages that take place. Child marriages can occur to girls as young as 14 years old. I read about one girl living in India who was married off to help her family financially. She had her first child at age 17 and has been mistreated ever since she was married. Upset about losing her childhood, she has started a campaign with UNICEF to help teenage girls get more rights and to keep from having to get married so early. Teenagers need this time to discover who they are as a person, create friendships, and live simple lives under peaceful conditions. Teenagers are ill-equipped to deal with the burdens of motherhood, marriage, and helping their family financially. Forcing them into adult situations and for reasons too heavy for them to identify with robs them of their adolescence that is so useful to growing into a successful and happy adult. Also, these girls have been robbed of the chance to speak up for themselves and do what is right for them. It is great that this one girl has the opportunity to team up with UNICEF to help change this cycle and to advocate for and improve the lives of other girls.

Another thing that I am more aware of is how children are used in war efforts in Nepal. Over 3,000 minors, girls and boys, were just returned home to civilian life after fighting for over 4 years during the 10 year civil war between the Maoist rebels and the Nepal government that has just come to a close. Thanks to UNICEF many, of these veterans with receive trainings in any trade they wish including, wood working, welding, and carpentry. UNICEF is also providing formal and informal education to the discharged soldiers. It is so sad to see thousands of teenagers forced to witness death, violence, and other various countless scenes and acts of war. No doubt they are suffering from PTSD and other disorders of trauma that they will likely have to deal with for the rest of their lives. This war has lasted a long time and the effects of it are going to last much longer. These teenagers have wasted their adolescent and were not even able to make the choice. Because of UNICEF and thousand of their volunteers, these teenagers can have opportunities for successful lives that they otherwise would not have and with no thanks to their government.

After doing this assignment, I am definitely more conscious of the abuses and lack of rights for children in this region of the world. I now want to do more to help and be a part of the solution. I am even more grateful for my rights and the men and women who help me keep these rights. I have a whole new and enlightening perspective on other regions of the world; one that will help me be a better child advocate and educator. 

Sexualization in Early Childhood

Sexualization has to do with treating someone as an object of desire and as things rather than as people with feelings. Sexual appeal is equated with physical attractiveness. The sexualization in today’s culture has the potential for damaging effects on the healthy development of our childrens’ and teens’ senses of self and identities (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Their sense of self-worth can also be adversely affected when they encounter sexualization at an early age.

I feel one of the biggest things that influence children are video games. Video games are riddled with sexualization and violence. Every woman avatar has large boobs, abs, is tall, and wears makeup. This sends the misconstrued message to children and teens that this is the only accepted and sexually desired physical type of woman. Anita Sarkeesian has challenged this accepted form of marketing in video games and the entire video gaming industry by creating Feminist Frequency. It is a web series of video commentaries about race, gender, class, sexuality, ability and privilege in pop culture from a feminist/fan perspective. She has gotten plenty of support and also some negative backlash. The backlash and negative comments she receives does not keep her from continuing to advocate for better, more realistic images of women in video games. Another type of exposure to sexualization is in the toy market. The Bratz brand has dolls that use heavy makeup, short shirts, long hair, and have long painted finger nails. These designs only tell a child that is what is fun, attractive, and desired. Their commercials show the dolls driving in cars, being provocative, and shopping. These are activities and instigations that are too much on the vane side. Children do not need to get the impression that self-love and success only come from physical appearance. In fact, that is one of the last impressions they need at this age from their toys; much harm can come of this. A third type of exposure to sexualization is from teenage singers. Many girls and boys look to their pop princesses and princes to guide their views on how they should dress, act, and talk. Singers like Selena Gomez and Hannah Montana (who are no longer teenagers but still influence young children and teenagers) sing about relationships and events that teenagers can relate to. They are tapped into that market.  It is vital that parents clarify any misconceptions their children receive from these singers (being any singer who your child listens to) to ensure their children understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Unfortunately, sex sells. I am afraid to say that this marketing ploy will not die down quickly. It takes perseverance and string people to change these views and sexual expectations society puts on people. As early childhood professionals we are in the perfect place to help young children and teenagers get a better sense of all of this. No one should be sexualized. Everyone should be respected for who they are and what they feel and think. It is our job to help teach children how to defend themselves against this injustice. 

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).

www.feministfrequency.com