Global Children's Initiative

In 2006, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University was founded "on the belief that the vitality and sustainability of any society depend on the extent to which it expands opportunities early in life for all children to achieve their full potential and engage in responsible and productive citizenship" (Center on the Developing Child, 2012).

The Global Children's Initiative has three essential objectives.
1. to reframe public discourse about the early childhood period
2. to support innovative, multidisciplinary research and demonstration projects
3. to build leadership capacity in child development research and policy

 Based on the three objects, the Global Children's Initiative builds activities in three realms. 
1. early childhood development
2. child mental health
3. children in crisis and conflict situation

Center on the Developing Child. (2012). Harvard University. Retrieved on July 28, 2012, from: http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/globalinitiative/

Sharing Web Resources

The specific sections that seemed relevant to my current professional development were the blog, success stories, and regional highlights.  These sections shared information about issues around the world, as well as, stories of hope and encouragement.  I particularly liked how you could select the country you wanted to know more about.

After reading a blog on The Global Fund for Children 2012 Summer Newsletter speaks about we need to take global action against child labor.  This opened my eyes to the severe hardships children go through.  It also made me realize that there is a lot to be done to protect the children around the world. 

The Global Fund for Children 2012 Summer Newsletter contains information that adds to my understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field.  Hilary Clinton, among many others support Global Fund for Children and their partners. 

From exploring this newsletter, I have gained new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field.  It takes devoted organizations and partnerships with many others with the support of economists, neuroscientists, and politicians to support early childhood. 

Poverty in China

• According to the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre , about 15 to 31 urban individuals living in China are in poverty.  

• There are about 4.2 million children living in absolute poverty and another 8.7 million children living in disadvantaged conditions.

• Poverty is more prevalent in western China than eastern China.  Western China has a higher child mortality rate than the nation. 

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=coutryo

Sharing Web Resources

The Global Fund for Children: http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/

The Global Fund for Children is an organization that envisions all children being valuable and sympathetic citizens of a global community. Global Fund for Children strives to provide the tools for children to have self-respect and pride that is necessary for future growth.  They work with creative community based organizations and the vulnerable around the world.  The issue that caught my attention from the newsletter was child labor.  It is estimated that 215 million children are involved in child labor around the world. 

Establishing & Expanding Resources

In attempt to establish communication with professionals outside of the United States I have e-mailed several different organizations explaining why I need to establish communication. I reviewed the e-mail addresses for early childhood professionals worldwide provided by The Global Alliance of NAEYC and UNICEF"s local organizations and representatives worldwide.

I e-mailed Early Childhood Australia: The Australian Early Childhood Advocacy Organization, The Canadian Association for Young Children, and the Early Childhood Council New Zealand (ECC) to establish contact with an early childhood professional. At the present time, the organizations I contacted have not replied. I will continue to email other organization to establish contact.

The website I decided to study is The Global Fund for Children. I choose this website to study for a few different reasons. The main reason is because this organization offers resources to the most vulnerable children in remote areas around the world. As well as partnering with grassroots organizations to best reach young children and youth.

It is a good ideas if the website you decided to study has a place sign-up to receive the latest news to sign-up I recommend you do. This will help you stay current with issues, ideas, and information.

My Supports

My family is the most supportive of me in so many ways.  My family supports my choices, ideas, feelings, and opinions.  Having a supportive family makes all the difference.  If I did not have my family to support me, I could not of accomplished all that I have.  As a child, my family was not very supportive, that's why it is so important for me to have a supportive family of my own.   Without the support of my family I would not be able to have the career I have, nor would I be able to continue my education.  It is the support of my family that encourages me to become who I am.

If I did not have the support of my family, I would face many challenges: emotionally, practically, and physically.  I would be overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to do the things I can with the support of my family.  As I mentioned earlier, I would not be able to further my education or be an early childhood professional.  Without a supportive family I would not have the time or energy to do everything myself.  It takes all of us to help with the household chores.  It is also important for our family to be respectful, kind, caring, and to work together.  With out having a supportive family I would not have what I need and want.  I could not even imagine not having a supportive family.  My family is supportive of me in every way.  Having a family that is supportive encourages openness, respect, responsibility, and strong meaningful relationships.  With out my family there is no way I would be who I am today. 

My Connections to Play

Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child.

Joan Almon
Contemporary American educator

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

http://www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes

http://thatsamorelikeit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Children-Playing.jpg

The people in my life supported play when I was younger by allowing me to explore the world around me.  I was able to venture out into the forest and discover all the wonders surrounding me.  My family would take me to the creek or water and we would spend hours playing, exploring, and discovering. 

I feel that play today is different from the play in which I engaged in as a child.  I loved playing outside, building forts in the woods, digging clay out of the side of the hill, climbing trees, digging for snails, swimming, catching crayfish and fireflies.  Children today would much rather stay inside and play video games because it's too hot outside.  Playing outside is important for children.  They have so much to learn from exploring the world around them.