Sharing Web Resources

 

I have not received my newsletter from the National Black Child Development Institute, but I do know this organization focuses on, “improving child welfare services, making universal early care and education a reality, building family support services, pressing for educational reform and providing vital information regarding children’s health, through educating as well as advocating; methods to better and promote growth in lives of black children and families,” (NBCDI). The Early Childhood Commission in Kingston, Jamaica, is the other organization I subscribed to. This organization, “was established by the Early Childhood 

Commission Act (2003), in keeping with the strategic goal of the Government to improve the quality of early childhood education, development and programs throughout the early childhood sector,” (Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica).  Also, after studying this resource, I subscribed to the Child Defense Fund.  All of these sites, and organizations were created to help educators, and educational administration have a purpose behind their everyday dealings. These organizations provide a resource that allows us to better serve every child and family that we may come across, with, “effective parenting education and support, effective preventative health care, early and effective screening, diagnosis and intervention for children who are ‘at risk, the provision of safe, learner-centered, well maintained ECI facilities, and effective and meaningful curriculum delivery,” (Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica).

Resources

Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica.  http://www.ecc.gov.jm

National  Black Child Development Institute .  http://nbcdi.org

Getting to Know... Part one (International Contacts)

I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to contact the professionals from Jamaica, but when researching poverty in others countries, I found researching China very intriguing.  When thinking about China, I never would have associated extreme poverty with this country. When someone says China, I associate someone who is on top, being in charge, (being that this country holds the majority of our debt). I really assumed that China held the most millionaires than any other country in the world, why I do not really know, I just pictured power.  Even though China has established economic growth, and the health and educational rates are higher than any other country,  the poverty rate that remains in this country is high, and on the rise.  It is disturbing to learn that 4.2 million children in China live in poverty, (CHIPS).   It is truly an eye opener to learn, or have it brought to my attention that poverty does exist in more areas than the U.S. Poverty is an ugly thing that has to be demolished. From other sites, it is explained that children who live in poverty, are more likely to be in poverty as adults. This is very disturbing to know. We must have more individuals who are willing to make that difference and create a better life for those children and families, and provide greater opportunities for their futures. 

REERENCES:

 http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/ending-child-poverty/

Sharing Web Resources

 The newsletter from the NBCDI, addresses multiple topics that all relate into bettering the lives of all black children, and their families. The newsletter provides black history moments/ key points for the entire year, as well as suggestions on how to become a better early childhood educator.  

I also subscribed to receive notifications from the Commission in Jamaica, for Early Childhood Education. There is one portion of this site that addresses caring tips, parenting tips, and one that caught my attention, dealing with parental stress factors. This section caught my attention, because after taking a trip to the wonderful island of Jamaica; it touched me to see how important education is to their communities, and society. It was really moving to visit the schools and see how polite the children were, and how they so much enjoyed being in their educational environment. The teacher there, in Jamaica, explained how they did not have many schools within their communities, and that the children only went for half a day, either in the morning, or the evening, based on the family needs, farm work, house work; the children would do when not in school. She explained how some families had problems with this because if their child was very young, they could not stay home, unattended, by themselves, but the parents still had to figure out a way to work and provide a healthy way of living for their family. When speaking to the educators in Jamaica, I did not associate those stress factors with the stresses within the United States, However, after reading the page on the site for the Commission, and returning back to work, it is very evident to see that our parents face stress factors, that are not identical to those parents in Jamaica, but our families experience them just as well, just in a different nature.

Resources

Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica.  http://www.ecc.gov.jm

National  Black Child Development Institute .  http://nbcdi.org

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources (Part Two)

Along side of the Commission of ECE in Jamaica, I also subscribed to receive notifications, alerts, and newsletters from the National Black Child Development Institute.   This organization strives in  “improving child welfare services, making universal early care and education a reality, building family support services, pressing for educational reform and providing vital information regarding children’s health, through educating as well as advocating; methods to better and promote growth in lives of black children and families,” (NBCDI).

Resources

Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica.  http://www.ecc.gov.jm

National  Black Child Development Institute .  http://nbcdi.org

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources (Part One)

 I was unsuccessful in my attempt to contact the commission for early childhood education, in the country of Jamaica. I did however, request to receive notifications, and enrolled to receive newsletters from their website. The mission for the Commission of ECE in Jamaica is to, “integrate and organize the delivery of  excellent early childhood programs and services, that  supply fairness and access for children who are 0-8 years of age, in healthy, safe, and nurturing environments,” (Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica). There are many individuals on the board within this organization.

Resources

Early Childhood Commission, Government of Jamaica.  http://www.ecc.gov.jm

National  Black Child Development Institute .  http://nbcdi.org

My Supports ( I Am So Grateful)

When I think of my support; I cannot begin to think of just one person or factor. My life has many avenues of support, and I am very grateful for this. My parents were my biggest support systems.   My mother passed in 2001, and my father passed in March of 2012. These two were my backbone!!! 

My father and I at my college graduation... (Larence)

My mother... Julia

My husband, who is also my best friend, took on a huge role of support not only after our marriage in 2010, but after my father’s recent passing. For a while, I did not realize how much support I had. But after evaluating my life, I have determined and recognized that I receive support from my husband, my sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, my church family, my colleagues at work even provide me with support, as well as the children and families that we provide services to, as well.  

                                      

 

 I honestly believe my largest support comes from above. I know without doubt, that there were many times, that I would not have even made it with the love and support of my Heavenly Father, God.   I would not have stepped out on faith to even continue my education, without the reassurance from Him. 

It says in His word, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them,” (Isaiah 42:16), and, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Having this support reassures my worth, my happiness, and my purpose. 

My Connections to Play

                    2 Quotes that summarize what play represented for me during my childhood.

“It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities and talents.” ~Eric Hoffer

“Play needs direction as well as work.” ~Elbert Hubbard

Resource:

www.quoteland.com

                         3 pictures of essential play items for my younger self

Pretending to play school was always fun!!!

Working on my game was a great help in my development!

Pretending I was a super star, and gaining a love for singing... something  I continue to do today. :-)

Play is totally different from when I was engaged in it as a child. I say this, because when I was younger, yes, I had a Nintendo, or a gameboy, but I also ALWAYS went outside to ride my bike, or play basketball, kickball, baseball, and so forth. I even played house, cooking (in the dirt), and much more. I used my imagination to engage myself in play. Where today, there are many children do not really go outside, and are more engaged by electronics within the home. 

Play was very influential in my life; from the times of me pretending that my bike was my car, and I always took my  parents’ parking space in our driveway, or playing house on our back porch, using my baby dolls, and cooking like my mom, but in the dirt. Play became really influential when I began to gain an interest in singing, and my mom bought me a karaoke machine that I would carry everywhere, and just sing, even if I was by myself, pretending to be performing a concert for millions of people, or when my father encouraged me to become great in basketball, by working day in and day out. If I was not introduced, nor allowed to engage myself in play, I would not me the jewel that I am today.

Relationship Reflections

Relationships and partnerships are very important to me. Having the development of relationships and partnerships help nourish my needs for social involvement, as well as help build my knowledge by gaining unknown information from others who are more experienced. 

This relationship meant  the world to me... I love my husband so much, and I am so grateful that God saw fit to bless me with a man that He created in the likeness of Him. We have been married for 3 years now (September 4th), and even though we are separated at this time,  I thank God for this relationship !

The relationship that my sister and I have is very strong now, especially since the recent passing of our father, (our mother passed away in 2001). My sister and I are 13 years apart, (she is older... lol...), so we really did not have a strong connection until I went to college, and grew up a little bit.  Now, we are BEST FRIENDS!!!! There is not a day that goes by, that we do not communicate. I love my sister!!!!

T

The relationship that I have with my youth group at church is very important. In order to create this relationship, I had to gain trust, and prove my worth to these youth and young adults, and show them the blessings and the anointing God has instilled within me.

The relationship with my students is very crucial. When they first attend the center, the relationship is not established, until they gain the trust in you, and see that you are there to care for, and protect them. I always tell my students, "Ms. Sese loves you, and I promise I will not let anything happen to you". And God knows I mean this!!!!

The relationship that I have with my nieces is a funny one. I am their "second" mother, however, they will confide in me, and ask me for advice a little more than their mother; my sister. I love them, and am very proud of them. They are growing up to be very responsible young ladies.

The same feeling that I have for my nieces, I have for my nephews... These are my babies!!!!

Youth Group from Church @ Christmas Parade

These are my younger brothers. This relationship is very interesting, because these men are really my cousins, but when my mother fell ill, I resided with my aunt/Godmother, (their mother), and we were raised as siblings... and you can not tell us any different!

This is me and my old assistant... this relationship grew from a professional relationship, to a personal friendship. Even though she has moved away, we always find time to communicate with one another, and are always there for one another, no matter what!!! I love this chic!!!

Youth group from church, at Creation Museum.

These are some of my staff. This relationship has also grown from a professional to personal. All of us, (my staff) have a wonderful, family/friend oriented relationship. This can be difficult sometime, because at times, there were those who took advantage of my personality, but I then realized that those individuals did not qualify nor fit into the style center we are conducting.

  Relationships help build my emotions and my social relationships with people. Not only am I able to become more confident and more relaxed in my everyday dealings, some relationships allow me to love and be loved, and that is the greatest feeling in the world!