• This week I explored several links on the Zero to Three website, but decided to share on the topic:

 Toward a Bright Future for Our Youngest Children: Building a Strong Infant-Toddler Workforce 

T he past two decades have been marked by an explosion of knowledge about early development. We now know that high-quality experiences in the first years of life set the stage for healthy development, school readiness, academic success, and more productive lives.

1.  Research shows that all domains of development—social, emotional, intellectual, language, and physical—are interdependent and work together to promote a child’s overall health and well-being,

2. To ensure healthy children, strong families, and positive early learning experiences, professionals in a wide variety of roles and settings must respond to the needs of infants and toddlers in partnership with families and within the context of each child’s culture, ethnicity, and primary language. This work requires a level of specialized knowledge and skill that is unique to the developmental needs of these early foundational years, as well as collaboration among practitioners. Strengthening systems that support professional development is a critical task for the early childhood field. While all states are in the process of designing and implementing these systems, none of them are adequately funded, most have components missing, and some only minimally include the infant-toddler workforce. No state has fully formed a coordinated, cross-sector system of professional preparation and development for practitioners who work with children from birth to age 8—the full developmental spectrum of early childhood.

3. We must create and sustain an integrated professional development system that:

 •Fully incorporates infant-toddler workforce preparation and ongoing professional development based on widely accepted, evidence-based competencies

•Is aligned with and articulates into college degree programs

•Includes alternative pathways to credentials

•Connects the various service delivery program types

•Provides appropriate compensation

Federal and state policymakers must support cross sector workforce initiatives and invest in comprehensive, integrated early childhood professional development systems to ensure that our youngest children and their families have the opportunity to reach their potential.

One of the links that spoke about the issues discussed this week was building early childhood systems. All infants and toddlers need access to high-quality, affordable early care and education, health and mental health, and family support services. Programs and services that address these areas are critical; however, they are only as strong as the infrastructure that supports them. These resources will help you to promote comprehensive, coordinated systems of high-quality, prenatal-to-five services in your state. 

 Retrieved from

http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/policy-toolkit/professional-development-final-for-web.pdf

 Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

This week I was unable to connect with my professional contact. She was busy and did not respond to my questions. I  have decided instead to share the insights that I have garnered from the Harvard University’s Global Children’s Initiative website this week.                                  
 The  Harvard University’s Global Children’s Initiative website provides much information on the work that is being done all over the world to address issues of equity and excellence. I was able to gain insights on the purpose of the Global Children's Initiative Program, their objectives and the work that they are doing around the world globe.The Center on the Developing Child has launched the Global Children’s Initiative as the centerpiece of its global child health and development agenda, in an explicit effort to build an integrated international approach to child survival, health, and development in the earliest years of life. However the insight that I found most interesting was the article by  Jack Shonkoff. He states that "Achieving sustained prosperity in any society depends on building a strong foundation in all children in order to help them fulfill many roles: successful learners, healthy and productive workers, contributing members of their community, and effective parents of the next generation. Early childhood policies and programs contribute to these goals by providing enhanced learning experiences for children living in poverty, as well as parenting education and supports for their families. But while these policies and programs have produced long-term benefits for individuals and society, the quality of implementation and magnitude of impacts have been inconsistent at best. If we want to do better for our children, we must aim higher" (Shonkoff, 2013).

 I do agree that more needs to be done at the implementation level in order to magnify the impacts programs and policies have on their intended target. In my country I have seen investment of millions of dollars in projects and programs. However, the implementation of these programs were not as impacting thus many times the magnitude of impact  on the target was missed. I believe greater monitoring at the implementation level is needed. This will help to ensure maximum quality out.

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),

Sharing Web Resources

This week I found the information shared by Dr Grace on the media segment most relevant to my current professional development. The Zero to three website shares much information that also connects what I have leaned this week about the new supporters of early childhood. The website provides facts about the early years and the importance of investing in early childhood.  For example, an article on  human brain development  illustrates that during the remarkable first three years of life, the brain creates 700 new neural connections every second.Synapse formation for functions such as hearing, language, and cognition peak during this period before children reach preschool. These peak periods create the important foundation for higher level functions that will be built on top of them. During this sensitive period, early experiences influence whether this important foundation will be strong or fragile. The early years thus present a prime opportunity to positively influence the course of a young child’s life. 

The article also highlights the support of the politicians. Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE.  applauded  President Obama for his leadership in emphasizing how important it is as a nation for us to begin where learning begins – at birth. He shared that the President’s plan for Early Education for all Americans is the road map for the early learning components of the budget. The budget includes $1.4 billion to expand the comprehensive supports offered to the most vulnerable families through Early Head Start – which for almost 20 years has proven it improves both child and parental outcomes. The plan would provide $200 million in 2014 specifically to create more high-quality child care options for babies and toddlers with working parents, using Early Head Start’s quality benchmarks, expertise, and resources. Looking ahead, the budget proposal provides for $7 billion over 10 years to ensure young children and families have access to high-quality child care.

There are many other insightful pieces that are found on the website, however the one that I found most interesting is the the article on child mental health. I learned that infant and early childhood mental health includes a full spectrum of social and emotional functioning. This ranges from the ability to form satisfying relationships with others, play, communicate, learn, and express emotions, to the disorders of very early childhood.

Zero to Three website http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/

                 Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1

I have been fortunate to make contact with one of my conversation partners. She is Mrs Michelle McBean, an early childhood professional. She works with the UNICEF Office in Guyana and she also heads the Early Childhood Department at the University of Guyana.She believes that UNICEF has been outstanding in its work to reduce poverty in Guyana and around the world. I was directed to the UNICEF website Guyana to read about what has been happening specifically in Guyana. Mrs McBean is currently spearheading a UNICEF funded project that  provides training opportunities for caregivers who work with children in the 0-3 age category since most caregivers who work at this level are untrained. She believes that the early years are critical and persons who work with children during the early years need to be well trained.
 I was pleased to learn that among the many goals that UNICEF is working towards achieving is the  elimination of poverty and hunger.There are several programs that place emphasis on monitoring the situation of children and women in Guyana, and on the continuous improvement of monitoring and evaluation systems, which can produce reliable disaggregated data and analysis, to help better understand and address the issues of poverty affecting children and women. Education is the way out of poverty and UNICEF has partnered with the government to propel primary education. Currently, Guyana is on track to achieving universal primary education with net primary enrolment rates consistently above 95% since 2000 (MDG Report 2011).

I look forward to hearing from my other contacts during the weeks ahead.





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              ZERO TO THREE

The organization I selected is Zero to Three. The link for this organisation is http://www.zerotothree.org/

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.  It plays a critical leadership role in promoting understanding around key issues affecting young children and their families, including child care, infant mental health, early language and literacy development, early intervention and the impact of culture on early childhood development. Their mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. ZERO TO THREE is unique in their multidisciplinary approach to child development. Their emphasis on bringing together the perspectives of many fields and many specialists is rooted in the robust research studies showing that all domains of development—social, emotional, intellectual, language and physical—are interdependent and work together to promote a child’s overall health and well-being in the context of his family and culture.

A current issue that I found interesting is 'The Rally 4 Babies. Rally 4 Babies seek to bring awareness to the importance of early stimulation for babies (0-3) and hopefully get states to allocate funds for projects that will teach parents and other programs that work with young children how to provide stimulating, secure environments for the child from the prenatal period to approximately three years(Zero to Three).
Another issue that I found quite interesting is school readiness

School readiness is best conceptualized as a process that occurs over time, in the context of caring relationships with informed and supportive adults who can nurture both the qualities and the developmental skills that help children become successful learners. We know that kindergarten is not the beginning of a child’s educational experience, nor is it the endpoint for school readiness. We know that infants and toddlers 

explore, process, and understand their world differently than older children. Furthermore, infants and toddlers are dependent on their relationships with adults in distinct ways that have an effect on their learning and development. In addition to unique cognitive and developmental processes, infants and toddlers are developing the foundational qualities of curiosity, mastery motivation, and other approaches to learning that are critical precursors to school success. Finally, social and cultural contexts add another layer of complexity to early development that further influences the goals and expectations for early development, learning, and school readiness (Zero to Three).

I am very impressed with the strides that Zero to Three is making to improve the lives of young children and their families. After attending the Rally 4 Babies. I wish I was living in America so that I could sign the petition to make my voice heard. Those who can, please support this campaign!,

My professional contacts

Establishing Professional Contacts

Hi Colleagues,
This week I emailed two early childhood professionals from the Caribbean Region.One is from Haiti and the other from Jamaica. I met both of them at the last Meeting of Caribbean Professionals in Saint Kitts and Nevis and I was very impressed with their presentations on their various programs on Early Childhood. I  am  interested in knowing how their programs have been doing. I have not yet gotten responses from either of them, but I hope that I will very early in the new week. If I do not, then I may be forced to do the alternative assignment. I have chosen to focus on and explore the Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families because it seems interesting and it is packed with information about the dynamic world of early childhood. Hope blogging will be fun over the next eight weeks.

MY SUPPORTS

   

Never forget the ones who made you stronger and always respect the ones who stood by you. (  Tabetha Brooks)

In my daily life I depend on the support of many people and things. Some of them are:

My Staff - I depend on the staff in my department to function effeciently so that our department can run smoothly. They show their support by keeping deadlines, going the extra mile to ensure that what needs to be done is done and excreta.  Without their cooperation and support I will be an unsuccessful department leader.

My family- They are my best supporters. I depend on them for all types of support, but especially emotional support. I feel comfortable sharing my inner most thoughts and know that their advice is always genuine     Cannot imagine my life without their support.

The internet- I depend on the support that I get from the internet providers. I am able to communicate with my colleagues at the various education centers across Guyana for stats and other needed information to get my job done, without ever leaning my office space. I can study on line, connect with friends and family and so much more. The internet helps to make life much more easier for me. Occasionally, when my internet is down  I feel frustrated because I am unable to get my work done.

My God- Faith is an important component of my life and therefore as a believing christian I depend on the support of my heavenly father for all that I need to get through the day. These needs may include: strength, wisdom to make the best decisions, patience and compassion, etc. I am assured of His support each day through prayers. Even when my day may not go as planned I still feel at peace. Without God's support I know that things will not go right

                                                                              

                                                                       

I have decided to select visual impairment as my challenge.

If I were to become visually impaired or blind I would be sad and frustrated. I would need the emotional support of my family and friends to get by. I would need to learn how to use the technology available for visually impaired persons to do my job effectively. I would also need the support of the community because at times they are not very sensitive to persons with this challenge. With the support of all mentioned I will be able to live a fulfilling life. Without the support of these persons and things, I believe life can become dull and uninteresting.