This week preknow.org had a lot of discussion about many of the issues that are going on with pre-K across the nation. I have been working with Georgia Lottery Pre-K since 1993 and because of the changes that Governor Nathan Deal and his committee have brought forth, as of the Fall of 2011, I may not be working in a Pre-K classroom, unless I am approved to be the Lead Teacher. Starting in the Fall of 2011, the Lead Teacher for a Pre-K classroom in a Public school, does not have to be certified, so what will happen to the children in those classrooms? I have a BA in Social Work and an Associate in ECE, so I am waiting to see if I meet the requirements to become a Lead Teacher, I sure do hope I can be a Lead Teacher, because I love Pre-K and the children that enter into the classroom.
The ideas from this week made me think about what will happen to the children that are in a Ga. Lottery classroom, if the person hired doesn't have experience with children particularly four year olds. Most children in pre-k have never been on a school setting, so they need extra love and support and teachers have to build a strong relationship with parents, because you as the teacher are responsible for their baby. I love meeting the parents during our home visits and starting a relationship that can last a life time.
There were several economists and politicians that were against Gov. Deal's proposal to make Georgia pre-K half day, so all parties got together and talked with and Gov. Deal decided to keep pre-k the full 6.5 hours, due to parents having to find and pay for after school, especially for those children that would have attended a public school pre-k classroom.
Pre-k programs are essential and every young child deserves to attend a program, so that he or she can play, develop social skills and learn the skills necessary for kindergarten and future years of education. I hope that all of the people that are in office and decide what is best for our children's education, make the right decisions and do what is best for each individual child.
In my judgment, pre-k is a successful program and many children have benefited from the program. I have enjoyed working with pre-k and watching all of the children throughout my years, grow and become successful. Every child deserves only the best.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wk3 Getting to know your international contacts: Alternative
Alternative Assignment:
I chose the country Mongolia from the website, http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/. I learned from this website that Mongolia transitioned from a socialist centrally planned one party state to a multi party democratic state with a liberalised econonmy started in 1990.
The country joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 and Mongolia became one of the most open economies in the world. However, the structural adjustment hit families hard, unemployment rose, inflation and prices soared. Cuts were made to social services and welfare reduced support available just when it was needed most.
Despite the growth and stability Mongolians have yet to see the benefits. In 1998, a survey indicated that 36% of the population were living below the income poverty line and that poverty in Mongolia to be higher in many urban areas that in rural. There is a poverty research survey underway for more recent estimates.
Before the transition social services were of high standard and accessible to all. Now, access to health care for poor familes, migrants and those in remote rural areas is poor, this is due to health insurance scheme that demands user fees and restricts use to those registered as living in that area. The quality of serivces is bad and those who can often turn to private health clinics for treatment, further increasing the gap between the rich and poor.
Malnutrition, is a growing concern 30% of children under five in 1998 had a low height for their age and 10% were underweight. Many children and their families also show signs of nutrient deficiency. Some 51% of the population did not have access to safe drinking water in 1998.
I chose the country Mongolia from the website, http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/. I learned from this website that Mongolia transitioned from a socialist centrally planned one party state to a multi party democratic state with a liberalised econonmy started in 1990.
The country joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 and Mongolia became one of the most open economies in the world. However, the structural adjustment hit families hard, unemployment rose, inflation and prices soared. Cuts were made to social services and welfare reduced support available just when it was needed most.
Despite the growth and stability Mongolians have yet to see the benefits. In 1998, a survey indicated that 36% of the population were living below the income poverty line and that poverty in Mongolia to be higher in many urban areas that in rural. There is a poverty research survey underway for more recent estimates.
Before the transition social services were of high standard and accessible to all. Now, access to health care for poor familes, migrants and those in remote rural areas is poor, this is due to health insurance scheme that demands user fees and restricts use to those registered as living in that area. The quality of serivces is bad and those who can often turn to private health clinics for treatment, further increasing the gap between the rich and poor.
Malnutrition, is a growing concern 30% of children under five in 1998 had a low height for their age and 10% were underweight. Many children and their families also show signs of nutrient deficiency. Some 51% of the population did not have access to safe drinking water in 1998.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wk 2 6162-3 Sharing Web Resources
The organization I chose is: Pre[K]Now: A Campaign of the Pew Center on the Stateshttp://www.preknow.org/.
The focus of this organization is: The vision is a nation in which every child enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. To collaborate with advocates and policy makers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary prekindergarten for all three and four year olds.
The organization has current information that details the importance of pre-k across the United States and how early childhood professionals can get involved with state and local officials, to provide the best possible early education to young children.
I learned that there are many states that have pre-k and that there are many educators who know and believe the imprtance of a high quality education is very important at an early age. In my judgment, pre-k must be made into a universal program to provide all children an opportunity to learn and be successful.
The focus of this organization is: The vision is a nation in which every child enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. To collaborate with advocates and policy makers to lead a movement for high-quality voluntary prekindergarten for all three and four year olds.
The organization has current information that details the importance of pre-k across the United States and how early childhood professionals can get involved with state and local officials, to provide the best possible early education to young children.
I learned that there are many states that have pre-k and that there are many educators who know and believe the imprtance of a high quality education is very important at an early age. In my judgment, pre-k must be made into a universal program to provide all children an opportunity to learn and be successful.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wk 1:EDUC - 6162 - 3
Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts: I hav emailed 4 individuals and yet to receive a response from either one, so I moving onto the Alternative for Part 1.
Part 2: Expanding Resources: I am toren between two of the websites that we could choose to resource and learn from. I chose Zero to Three and The PEW center of the states. http://www.zerotothree.org/ http://www.preknow.org/. I love learning about infants and toddlers and how we can build their social as well as their language skills and communucate with parents on these issues. However my heart and passion is with Pre-K children and laying the foundation for many fun, yet successful school years. The process that I went through to chose my website was as follows: I looked through all of the websites and I took what caught my interest and researched the website to see what it was all about. I am looking forward to looking at and learning from both of these websites thorughout this course and even beyond.
Part 2: Expanding Resources: I am toren between two of the websites that we could choose to resource and learn from. I chose Zero to Three and The PEW center of the states. http://www.zerotothree.org/ http://www.preknow.org/. I love learning about infants and toddlers and how we can build their social as well as their language skills and communucate with parents on these issues. However my heart and passion is with Pre-K children and laying the foundation for many fun, yet successful school years. The process that I went through to chose my website was as follows: I looked through all of the websites and I took what caught my interest and researched the website to see what it was all about. I am looking forward to looking at and learning from both of these websites thorughout this course and even beyond.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wk 6: My Supports
My daily support factors are:
My religion is supportive in my environment, I am able to wake up in the morning and able to go to work, without a job I would not be able to pay bills, provide food or clothing, I would be lost, if I didn't know and believe that prayer works.
My husband supports me daily, he helps me by encouraging me to improve my education as well to build strong relationships with the children and their families.It would be very hard if my husband wasn't in my life, because he very positive. I would be lost without him.
The county that I work for provides the staff to open the building where I work on a daily basis, so that educators can teach children and children have a fun, loving and safe environment.
I have a Pre-K Coordinator that works outside the building, she is the contact person for the entire Pre-K program in our county, I also have a Bright from the Start consultant that works with the state of Georgia and the Pre-k classrooms that we can contact, Principal that is the top contact person for a building, then the Asst. Principal who is the contact person for classified staff as well as Pre-K
concerns or questions. Then there is the Lead teacher in the classroom that I receive support from daily in and out of work. I enjoy working with my teacher, she doesn't make it a big deal of who is in charge in the room. her concern is what is best for each individual children in our care.
It would be very difficult if these people where not in place to contact on Pre-K issues that may arise in the classroom, I have worked with Pre-K 17 years, but there is something new to learn everyday. If the above people where not available, my job as a Pre-K teacher would be more difficult then it already is and as far as my husband, Iwould truly be lost and miss his support and encouragement.
I have a Pre-K Coordinator that works outside the building, she is the contact person for the entire Pre-K program in our county, I also have a Bright from the Start consultant that works with the state of Georgia and the Pre-k classrooms that we can contact, Principal that is the top contact person for a building, then the Asst. Principal who is the contact person for classified staff as well as Pre-K
concerns or questions. Then there is the Lead teacher in the classroom that I receive support from daily in and out of work. I enjoy working with my teacher, she doesn't make it a big deal of who is in charge in the room. her concern is what is best for each individual children in our care.
It would be very difficult if these people where not in place to contact on Pre-K issues that may arise in the classroom, I have worked with Pre-K 17 years, but there is something new to learn everyday. If the above people where not available, my job as a Pre-K teacher would be more difficult then it already is and as far as my husband, Iwould truly be lost and miss his support and encouragement.
The challenge that I think would be hard for me is to have the support of my husband and co workers during my Master's program. My husband is very supportive and very encouraging and he always has something positive to say about my work and my grades. My co-workers that already have their Masters encourage me to work hard and always offer their help if I need it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Wk4: My Connections to Play
2 Quotes: 1).Playing reduces stress, improves life, and increases creativity. Who doesn't want that? Stevanne Auerbach, Dr. Toy 2). Along with milk and vegetables kids need a steady diet of rocks and worms.
Rocks need skipping,
Holes need digging,
Water needs splashing,
Bugs and Frogs and slimy stuff need finding.
Advertisement RVing
I always had someone with me outside and encouraging me to explore, but to be safe. I was the kid who was not afraid of picking up bugs, snakes or anything else and either trying to keep it or chasing the other kids around the yard with it in my hand.
I feel that play is different now than when I was a child, children don't go outside and play that much any more. They have way to many other things to occupy them, they have video games, computers and other electronic materials. I would hope that young children would be encouraged to get outside and play more and to explore the beauty of outside. I still love the outdoors, I love to get out and look at trees, bird watch and work in my flower garden. I am constantly collecting things to share with my students, we have snake skin, bird nest, bee hive, pine cones, leaves and even dead bugs that are in bug boxes. I love for my students to get outside and play, explore and learn. It is very important to get out and play.
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Rocks need skipping,
Holes need digging,
Water needs splashing,
Bugs and Frogs and slimy stuff need finding.
Advertisement RVing
I always had someone with me outside and encouraging me to explore, but to be safe. I was the kid who was not afraid of picking up bugs, snakes or anything else and either trying to keep it or chasing the other kids around the yard with it in my hand.
I feel that play is different now than when I was a child, children don't go outside and play that much any more. They have way to many other things to occupy them, they have video games, computers and other electronic materials. I would hope that young children would be encouraged to get outside and play more and to explore the beauty of outside. I still love the outdoors, I love to get out and look at trees, bird watch and work in my flower garden. I am constantly collecting things to share with my students, we have snake skin, bird nest, bee hive, pine cones, leaves and even dead bugs that are in bug boxes. I love for my students to get outside and play, explore and learn. It is very important to get out and play.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
6161 Child Development and Public Health Wk 2
Nutrition/Malnutrition
Effects of malnutrition can be devastating and permanent. Whether during the pregnancy or first year of life, it can have a profound effect on a child's health as well as their ability to learn, communicate, socialize, reasoning and the way they adapt with their environment.
We have to secure their survival, but ensure that they have a healthy and stimulating childhood. This will prepare them for the future and help them to contrubute to the social and economic development of their countries and communities. There were 925 million hungry people in 2010 abd 578 million are in Asia and the Pacific. (pdfcast.org)
In South Asia, 78 million out of 150 million childrenin developing countries are still malnourished. The leading causes of mortality are respiratory infections, diarrhea and birth related conditions.(Unicef, 2000). South Asia is the worst off among all the regions in the developing world including Sub-Saharan Africa. One-third of children in South Asia suffer from low birth weight. Low birth weight is inextricably intertwined with and is indeed a manifestation of maternal under nutrition.
I have learned that if a child comes to my classroom that could possibly be malnutritioned, that could be a leading cause of him or her to have not developed properly. As an early childhood professional, I must help to get the word out that no child should be hungry and no family should have to worry about not being feed properly or at all.
http://www.worldhunger.or/
http://www.pdfcast.org/
http://www.unescobkk.org/
http://www.unicef.org/
Effects of malnutrition can be devastating and permanent. Whether during the pregnancy or first year of life, it can have a profound effect on a child's health as well as their ability to learn, communicate, socialize, reasoning and the way they adapt with their environment.
We have to secure their survival, but ensure that they have a healthy and stimulating childhood. This will prepare them for the future and help them to contrubute to the social and economic development of their countries and communities. There were 925 million hungry people in 2010 abd 578 million are in Asia and the Pacific. (pdfcast.org)
In South Asia, 78 million out of 150 million childrenin developing countries are still malnourished. The leading causes of mortality are respiratory infections, diarrhea and birth related conditions.(Unicef, 2000). South Asia is the worst off among all the regions in the developing world including Sub-Saharan Africa. One-third of children in South Asia suffer from low birth weight. Low birth weight is inextricably intertwined with and is indeed a manifestation of maternal under nutrition.
I have learned that if a child comes to my classroom that could possibly be malnutritioned, that could be a leading cause of him or her to have not developed properly. As an early childhood professional, I must help to get the word out that no child should be hungry and no family should have to worry about not being feed properly or at all.
http://www.worldhunger.or/
http://www.pdfcast.org/
http://www.unescobkk.org/
http://www.unicef.org/
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