Time Well Spent

“I think... if it is true that

there are as many minds as there

are heads, then there are as many

kinds of love as there are hearts.”

― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Throughout this program, I have learned many lessons. There are, however, three lessons that have impacted me very deeply. The first lesson that was learned that impacted me very deeply is that differences need to be embraced, shared, and cultivated within the early childhood environment. The second lesion that was learned that impacted me very deeply is that one person can make a difference even is he or she does not believe so. The final lesson that was learned that impacted me very deeply is that early childhood educators, children, and care givers all need to be reminded of the importance of an anti-biased environment and educated about anti-bias education on a regular basis. Essentially, all of us never stop learning or growing.

Looking forward, there is one long-term goal that I have established. That goal is to continuing to learn, question, and grow. In order to have a positive impact on the field of early childhood, it is essential for other professionals and I to remain humble, curious, and inquisitive on how we can maximum the potential of all young children.

In closing, I would like to say “thank you” to everyone in this class and the program that have assisted me in the process of learning, growth, and development. I also wish Professor Davis and everyone in the class the best of luck in their personal and professional lives now and in the future. This program has been challenging, eye opening, and educational all at the same time. Not only am I thankful for this experience, but better for it.

Mary Ruple 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

After reviewing many international organizations or community of practice, three were found to be of interest.

The first international organization or community of practice that was found to be of interest to me was the International Bullying Prevention Organization at http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/. This organization is of interest of me for a couple reasons. First, my Capstone Project is focused on reducing and preventing the bullying of disabled children. Second, Bullying is a growing concern on a global scale for all types of young children. This organization allows professionals to become involved in the advocacy process on a worldwide basis and provides them with research and resources in order to address this challenge at a local level.

The second international organization or community of practice that was found to be of interest to me was the Disability Rights & Defense Fund at http://www.dredf.org/. In addition to be applicable to my Capstone Project, this organization is also applicable to me on a professional level. This international organization and community of practice was also of interest to me because it provides early childhood professionals with access to events, research & publications, peer support, and advocacy initiatives on a local, state, federal, and international level.

The final international organization or community of practice that was found to be of interest to me was UNICEF at http://www.unicef.org/. This international community of practice was of interest to me because it allows early childhood professionals to become more educated on and involved in providing disadvantaged and impoverished children around the world with the rights and resources needed in order to experience healthy growth and development. It is believed that this is imperative for every child in the world.

There are several international job opportunities that are of interest to me.

The first position would be a researcher for the publications produced for the International Bullying Prevention Organization. Skills and qualifications needed for this position would include a passion for anti-bulling, research and analytical skills, writing skills, and education or background in early childhood.  The second position of interest to me would be a conference organizer for the NAEYC. Skills and qualifications needed for this position would include a passion and background of early childhood, excellent written and verbal communication skills, time management, and event organizational experience. The final position that would be of interest for me is anti-bulling program trainer for early childhood facilities around the world. Skills and qualifications needed for this position would include the ability to speak several different languages, a passion and background in early childhood, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and teaching or training experience.

References

Disability Rights & Defense Fund. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.dredf.org/.

International Bullying Prevention Organization. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/.

UNICEF. (2012). Retrieved from  http://www.unicef.org/

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

After exploring many communities of practice on a national or federal level, three were identified that appeal to me.  The first national community of practice that appealed to me was the Early Childhood Community of Practice located at http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/default.php. This community of practiced appealed to me because it deals directly to young children and the issues and challenges that are faced by early childhood professionals.

The second national community of practice that appealed to me was the Teacher’s research initiative sponsored by NAEYC. This community of practice can be located at http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/default.php. I am really interested in this community of practice because I have a strong passion for research and research findings. I believe that research is the foundation in addressing any challenge or issue that is encountered in the field of early childhood.

The final national community of practice that appealed to me was the National Association for Special Education Teachers located at http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/default.php. Although I am not a special education teacher, my work and Capstone project pertains directly to children that suffer from disabilities.

One job of interest to me that is currently not available is a lifestyle/career coach for adults that suffer from behavioral problems or autism. It is essential to guide and prove young children with the tools they need that possess these disabilities, however, little thought has been put on whom will assist these children acclimate into society when they become adults. That is why this position interests me.

A second job of interest to me that is currently available to be is an after school program staff trainer from disadvantaged and disabled children. Although I love working with children, I find this job interesting because it would allow me to share my experiences and knowledge in order to better prepare other early childhood educators to change the lives of children.

A final job of interest of me that is currently available is a community transition specialist. This job is of interest to me because it allow the professional to assist young children and older children through the transitional process of entering into a new educational phase.

All three of these jobs of interest require a minimum of a 4-year degree in special education or early childhood education. All three jobs also require the applicant to be an excellent communicator, computer literate,  patient and compassionate, and a leader. 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

This week, we were tasked with identifying potential communities of practice and job opportunities on a state or local level that appeal to us.  After exploring the communities of practice available in the state of Michigan and in the local area. I was successful in identifying three organizations. The first organization identified was the Michigan Association of Special Education located at http://www.maase.org/Activities.php?ID=5. There are several reasons why this community of practice appeals to me. In addition to being directly related to my career, this community of practice also relates directly to my Capstone project and places a strong emphasis on anti-discrimination, professional development, and the enrichment of all members of society (MAASE, 2012).

The second organization that was identified was Early On located at http://www.1800earlyon.org/. This Michigan-based community of practice appeals to me because it places a strong emphasis on anti-biased education in the early childhood as well as a strong emphasis the cognitive, social, and emotional of development of pre-school children with disabilities (Early On, 2012).

The final community of practice that appeals to me is the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency or K-RESA located at http://www.kresa.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1. This local agency appeals to me because it directly services the community in which I work and live. It also appeals to me because it focuses on overcoming adversities associated with special education students and providing parents and schools with resources that are needed in order to foster the healthy growth and development of special education students (K-RESA, 2012).

One position that is of interest to me that is currently available is a teaching position at K-Resa. In order to be considered for this job, I must possess excellent communication skills, the ability to work with mentally and physically disable children, and a flexible work disposition.

Another position that is of interest to me that is currently not available is a social story writer for an organization like K-RESA. In order to be considered for this job, I would need to possesses excellent story writing skills, a full upstanding on the developmental and social challenges associated with autism and behavioral disorders, and excellent communication skills.

A final position of interest to me that is currently available is a Program  Area Supervisor for the YMCA in the Kalamazoo area. In order to be considered for this job, I must possess excellent communication skills, an understanding on how to work with underprivileged and homeless adults and children, and one-year supervisory experience.

References

Early On. (2012). Home. Retrieved from http://www.1800earlyon.org/.

K-RESA. (2012). About us. Retrieved from http://www.kresa.org/Page/1.

MAASE. (2012). Communities of Practice. Retrieved from http://www.maase.org/index.php.

Reflecting on Learning

I cannot believe that we are already on the last week of class. When reflecting on all of the knowledge and information gained from the class and my peers, I am left with several hopes for the future for early childhood professionals, children, and their families. However, one hope that I am most passionate about its that all early childhood educators, individuals working in the field of education, and society in general will be given the opportunity to learn as we have about anti-biased strategies, “isms”, discrimination, and diversity. With this knowledge, I have become a better professional in the field of early childhood, friend, mentor, and member of society. I truly and passionately hope that others could benefit the same from the knowledge and information.

Finally, I would like to personally thank everyone in class that has allowed me to learn, grown, and become more competent in this subject matter. Every member of this classroom has made this experience a pleasure and has equally contributed to who I am today. So again, Thank you. 

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

Share with your colleagues the area of the world you chose and why.

The area that I selected was the Middle East and North Africa. I selected this region because I have always been intrigued by its history. However, I know very little about this region in terms of education and early childhood practices.

Describe in detail some of the challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting.

According to UNICEF (2012) poverty and inequity are two of the biggest challenges that children face in this region.

Explain how these experiences might have an effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development.

Poverty is likely to impact the children’s’ access to resources, health, stability, healthy development on a social, physical, and cognitive level. Inequity is likely to have a negative impact on females or certain race groups in terms of their cognitive development, emotional development, social development, and identity development.

Include a personal and professional reflection. Explain the insights you gained and the influences they may have on you as a person and as an early childhood professional.

One of the biggest insights gained from learning about this region is that no matter where children are located in the world, poverty and inequity are issues to a certain degree. However, in this region, these issues have a tendency to be more prevalent and severe than others. In learning this, I will be more sensitive to the needs of all children, but especially those from this region in a professional capacity.

References

UNICEF. (2012).  Middle East and North Africa. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/northafrica.html. 

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the book expert by Levin (2009), I was taken back by some of the examples, but not surprised. I think the topic of sexualization of early childhood or sexualization of childhood in general is a critical concern of all professionals and parents that must be addressed immediately.  Although I have not encountered this topic to the degree discussed by Levin (2009) personally, I have encountered traces of it. For example, one of my neighbor’s children who is age six dresses and acts as though she is a tween. If I didn’t know she was six years old, I it would be hard to believe. However, another neighbor’s child looks as if I were when I was six years old. This is mostly because her parents closely monitor what she is exposed to via media sources and encourages her to act like a little girl. A second example of the sexualization of early childhood is watching the show Toddler’s in Tiaras. I am almost disgusted every time that I see this show. These girls wear more make-up than I do as an adult and are dancing in a manner that most high schools would have seen as being unacceptable when I was in school.  Music, I am finding is a major concern for all parents and early childhood educators. Without thinking, parents will allow their children to listed to everything that is on the radio without realizing the worlds contained in the song and how receptive their child is too them.  Although the melody is fun and catchy, the messages contained in these songs are damaging to the healthy development of young children. I was in awe when I found out that one of my friends let her little one sing along and listen to Lady Gaga songs. My friend that it was cute that her and her daughter were both fans of the same artist and that brought them together.

As mentioned, all of these examples and the sexualization of early childhood will and does have negative implications on children.  In addition to damaging their self-esteem and self-image, this exposure can cause these children to be experienced to subject matter and peer pressure that they are not ready to handle. I think the best way to address this issue is threefold: Observation/Awareness, Responsibility, and control. Parents and early childhood professionals should observe and be aware of all of the content that children are exposed to. Parents and early childhood professionals should be responsible to take action to ensure that children are encouraged to be children. They should also be responsible in their actions and what they watch or listen to in front of children. Finally, parents and early childhood professionals should be willing to and able to control what children are exposed to.

In order to reach these objectives, it may be necessary for early childhood professionals to become advocates on the issue and offer training courses for parents and caregivers within the community. Every parent now a days wants to be the “cool” parent. However, the reality of this role must be understood and changed for the healthy development of children.

In closing, my awareness about the topic of sexualization of early childhood has been further supported and heightened this week. I was aware it was a concern, but now I know it is a critical issues.

References

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). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf