Sharing Web Resources-Part 2 (Week 4)

Zero to Three

On the website, there was a section titled, “I Like Me”: Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years.  Dr. Jeree Pawl describes how young children develop self-esteem, and how parents can nurture a strong, positive sense of self in their young children.   Dr. Pawl is a clinical psychologist who has worked with babies, toddlers and their families for 40 years. She is also on the Board of Directors at ZERO TO THREE.

This section could be controversial because it did not talk about how environmental factors impact self-esteem.  I know from teaching in an emotional disabilities classroom, that often times environmental factors play a part in behavioral issues. 

 BRAIN QUIZ  (I love to look at articles about the brain because of my youngest son’s unique brain issues.  The brain is very resilient and I love to read about it.)

This Brain Quiz was created to introduce some of the basic concepts concerning early brain research in a way that challenges early childhood professionals or parents to think critically and creatively about what we have heard about the research. Test yourself to see what facts and misinformation you have heard concerning infants and brain development.  This was a very interesting quiz regarding the research of the brain.  This research could help economists and policy makers with funding issues in regards to early childhood education. 

 

I think that this website provides great information for parents, pediatricians, and early childhood professionals.  It separates some age ranges and provides what developmental milestones occur during this time frame. 

                                               

Getting to Know your International Contacts-Part 1

I have had the pleasure of learning about the early childhood field in Canada and in Hungary. 

Three of my sources work at Algonquin College in Canada.  One works in a private center. 

G. Reynolds stated that adequate funding is a major issue and that many are lobbying to have federal dollars to be used for high-quality programs.  She stated that many people simply cannot afford high-quality care for their children. 

J. Barton also works at Algonquin College.  She stated that availability and funding are major issues.  She stated that many parents work multiple jobs and have a difficult time finding a child care that meets their scheduling needs. 

J. Schultz stated that many parents are on a LONG wait list for high-quality programs, so many parents find an unlicensed child care center.  Some of the spots at her facility are subsidized and others are not.  She stated that there is current debate in Canada whether childcare should receive government funding.  Parents of early children get a $100 tax credit, but she says that it is just a "drop in the bucket".  She stated that some parents spend thousands of dollars for quality care.  The average family simply cannot afford this. 

E. Szatmari is from Hungary.  She stated that in some parts of Hungary.  There is very little money.  Schools currently are over populated and cannot fill the needs.  Where she is from, many people try to get loans from the school to try to pay for their child's care, but there is little money at the school.  She stated that many young children are being watched by grandparents in an over populated home. 

Poverty can impact anyone at anytime often without warning.  When Owen and Ella were 10 weeks old, my husband lost his job without warning.  Owen was in the hospital at the time and we had major medical bills piling up.  We also had two newborns going through a ton of diapers.  It was so scary.  Thankfully, Brian found a job a few months later, but it was a scary time.  It is important as an educator to know where the child is coming from and help meet their needs while at school. 

Sharing Web Resources

ZERO TO THREE www.zerotothree.com This resource has links for behavior and development, health related issues, education and schooling, as well as a variety of other resources. 

I found the section labeled School Readiness Interactive Birth to 3 (www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education) to be very informative and interesting.  It was a web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents or caregivers support young children’s early learning. It had age-based information on how children develop the four key skills—language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control—that are so very important to school success.

The photos are of Owen doing some physical therapy exercises, Ella spinning like a princess, and Noah's missing tooth...I just wanted to include him!  Love my kiddos!

I also found the training for physicians to be interesting.  It is so very important for pediatricians or family doctors to be knowledgeable about development, be able to spot delays, and encourage parents to seek intervention when necessary. 

Getting Ready-Establishing Contacts and Expanding Resources

Hello!  I am excited to be starting another course and "chugging" through these courses.  I must say, this educational experience is soooooo much different (with a husband, kids, bills, etc) than my experience at Purdue, but I am learning so much. 

Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts
I have emailed several people and have a response from one that is willing to discuss the information with me.  I am excited to learn more about her and Hungary's early childhood system.  Many of the people are concerned about the time constraint, so I am trying to contact more than one so I have a back up each week. 
Part 2: Expanding Resources
I am excited about the www.zerotothree.org organization.  I have looked at specific articles on the website before, but never took the time to really read it.  It has a lot of information.  One thing that caught my attention was the BRAIN MAP section this week.  My son, Owen, has significant diffuse white matter loss throughout his brain, so I am always intrigued by articles concerning the brain.  (Owen is still undergoing genetic testing and HOPEFULLY his condition is non-progressive.  Feel free to visit his site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/owenred)  I signed up for mail from them and registered.  Excited to learn more. 

My advice to you about establishing contacts is try a lot of people.  I am always so nervous that I will not have the information that I need when I have to post, so hopefully with more than one person I will have at least one person respond in time. 

Best wishes to you all!!!
Sarah