Sharing Web Resources

The website that I chose was The Global Fund for Children (http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/).  The Global Fund transforms the lives of children on the edges of society such as trafficked children, refugees and child laborers by assisting them in regaining their rights and pursuing their dreams.  The Global Fund has reached 8 million children worldwide. 

                GFC’s approaches are to scout, support and strengthen most susceptible communities.  They scout by seeking organizations that serve the most disregarded children in the world.  The support by investing in under-capitalized organization that provide critical services to vulnerable children and they strengthen by ensuring there is strong leadership and healthy developed organizations.

                One of the issues that are trending with GFC is The Girl Declaration and why it matters.  They focus on the hopes and dreams of young girls in Pakistan as opposed to young girls in Brazil, Kenya and the Philippines.  The Girl Declaration includes the voices of young girls in 14 different countries that voiced/explained what they thought they needed to reach their full potential.  GFC said that there are three reasons why the Girl Declaration is a crucial step forward is because the needs of the world’s adolescent girls are serious and urgent, it was written specifically written by those impacted; girls and because it’s the best change to make an impact that is lasting against the fight against poverty. 

                During this week’s assignments’ we discussed diversity and I would like to share the link to GFC’s Free Online Diversity Resource Guide (https://www.globalfundforchildren.org/the-global-fund-for-children-releases-free-online-diversity-education-resource-guide/ which provides great information.

Reference

The Global Fund For Children. (n.d.). The Global Fund For Children. Retrieved November 6, 2013, from The Global Fund For Children: https://www.globalfundforchildren.org

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

During this week 1 Assignment I have tried to establish contacts with Early Childhood Professionals around the world and have been unsuccessful in doing so.  I have emailed many but haven't received a response back from any and some mailerdaemons were sent back to me as well.  I emailed Mr. Eric Atmore of South Africa who works with The National Early Childhood Development Alliance (no response), Mrs. Bimbo Are of Nigeria who works with Ajoke International School (no response), I also reached out to someone in the Dominican Republic at the following email address santodomingo@unicef.org (no response).  I waited a couple days to see if they would respond and then I emailed jane@aeces.org and moukram@hotmail.com and both of these emails came back to me.  I was disappointed that I haven't received in responses back as I was looking forward to networking with others outside of the United States but it has been a failed attempt so far.  If any one has any ideas that could help me reach someone please let me know.  I would much rather learn from talking and discussing versus listening to a podcast which is my last option.  I will continue to try and make contact with someone but if anyone has any ideas or tips it will be greatly appreciated. 
The organization that I chose to learn more about is The Global Fund For Children.  I chose this website because I always see infomercials on television about funding programs to help children who are less fortunate and I honestly wanted to learn more about how they receive funds, how to they disburse funds when they are received and to also learn how these projects help with the development of young children.  I have subscribed to their news letter and will be exploring their website as a part of my learning.

Latarsha Riddick

My Supports

     Receiving day to day support is important to me.  Whether it be personal relationships or working relationships, they tend to make me not only a better professional but a better person as a whole.
     My husband is my biggest support, not just financially but mentally and emotionally as well.  His continuous encouragement makes me strive to want to do better, not for him but for myself.  I always want to be the best at everything and I know that's not being realistic, but I'm the best in his eyes.  My mom is another big support for me, she pushes me, gives me needed advice and sometimes unwanted advice but I listen because she's my mom and I know she will never stir me wrong. 
     There are a lot of department heads working with Head Start, and me being a Center Director I have a lot of people to answer to on a day to day basis which I don't like but it's how our agency does things.  Recently, a new Education Coordinator was hired and she challenges me and pushes me in a less aggressive way to do better.  I see the way she carries out things on a day to day basis and it challenges me to change my way of thinking and some of the way I do things.  This is a support from someone who doesn't even realize they are supporting me.  She always tells me I'm doing a good job and sometimes ask for my input which means a lot and having someone who is in a higher position who challenges you, gives you the constructive criticism you need and doesn't hesitate to tell you that you are doing a good job is a supportive person to me.
     Some of my staff are a big support, they step in without even asking or without overstepping their boundaries and without complaint and being a director of a facility where you have independent employees who are willing to go the extra mile is huge with all the job responsibilities that I hold.
     All of the supports mentioned make things so much easier and whether it's at home or at work I feel the positive energy from the people who surround me.  Without these supports it would be that much harder for me to succeed and I would always be second guessing myself.  If I didn't have my husband and my mother I don't know what I would do because after all they are my biggest fans and they challenge me to want and to do more.  I have been on jobs where people didn't support you, everyone was out for themselves, however, being surrounded by people who have your back, can step in when needed, sets examples and can give you constructive criticism and praise makes my workdays that much easier and less stressful and without these people I don't know that I continuously grow as a professional.

Connections to Play

 Quotes that represent play in my childhood

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

               ― Plato

“Genius is play, and man's capacity for achieving genius is infinite, and many may achieve genius only through play.”  ― William Saroyan

 

 

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a school teacher and I would play school all the time.  I would use my dolls as my students and would teach them lessons.  I would use paper, chalkboards and books to play pretend school. 

As a child growing up we played with dolls, played kick ball, hide and go seek and other outdoor physical games. Sometimes I would hate to go outside, especially during the summer because it was so hot but my parents encouraged us to engage in physical activity.  Sometimes my parents or even grandparents would come outside to play with my sisters, cousins and I and that would make it that much more fun to have them interacting with us.  

In today's world most children would much rather watch television or play video games and feel like it's a punishment to go outside and play.  It's sad but parents don't even reinforce childhood play like my parents did when I was growing up.  This is one of the reasons I feel child obesity is at an all time high because they don't engage in enough physical activity.  Parents should encourage their children to play, read books and they should minimize the use of video games and television.  If parents new the importance of play in a child's development I believe they would be more apt to encourage play and even participate in it with their children.  As a early childhood professional it is my hope that parents become more knowledgeable about play and development of their child and its importance.

 

Relationship Reflections

Relationships are important because it helps to mold a person into who they will become.  It is important that relationships are healthy and enjoyable because it can take away from a person's self-worth if they aren't. 

Relationships are important to me because the relationships that I have formed throughout my life has either influenced me to want to do better, made me happier or have just taught me many things.  I will admit that some relationships that I have had over the years have come to an end(one's with friend's) because I feel that I had outgrown those relationships and I had to cut my losses and move on. However I have had some relationships that I will forever be grateful for and these people will always be in my life.

One of my biggest cheerleaders is my mother, she is my rock.  I love this lady with all of my being because she is my mom and I am who I am because of her.  She has taught me so many things throughout my life and no matter what my plans are she always supports me.  She's not afraid to tell me when I'm wrong and she will still put me in my place if she needs to and I listen because I know she will never tell me anything that would hurt me or hinder me. 

My mother in law passed away on July 31, 2013 and she was my second mom.  I am grateful because I had the opportunity to know her and to love her.  The biggest/happiest thing that I can say about her is that she treated me as one of her own.  She also supported me, encouraged me and was just an all around good person.  She would also put me in my place if I needed it, and her advice was never taken for granted.  We could talk about anything and most important, unlike a lot of mother in laws she was never opinionated and she never chose sides if issues would arise.  She is truly missed!!

My husband is my best friend.  We can talk and laugh about anything.  We have been married for 10 years, been together for 13.  Although we have had challenges, communication has always been the key to overcoming those challenges.  He is my number 1 fan.  He encourages me when I don't have the energy to encourage myself.  No matter the decisions I have made he always supports me and he always had my back.

My sisters are older than me but they make me feel like I'm the oldest sometimes.  I refer to them at times as my little older sisters.  I don't know if they know how much they inspire me.  They are more outgoing than I, I tend to be more serious and since we were little kids up until this day they encourage me, make me laugh and make me cry.  But on that same note they tend to come to me for advice which lets me know that they value my opinion because over the years they have learned that I am never going to tell them what they want to hear but the truth and they appreciate me for that.  I love them to pieces. 

All of the relationships mentioned have help mold me into the person that I am and the person that I'm becoming.  It has taught me as a professional that all relationships take time, effort, trust and communication.  These things help me as a professional daily and when building partnerships with families.  When building partnerships with families you must put forth the effort to start the process and show families that they can trust you and that you aren't their to judge them and there must be constant communication to keep those relationships going.  Most of all it takes work from both parties and it can never be one-sided because if so partnerships/relationships will never be successful. 

"My Connections to Play"

Quotes that represent play in my childhood

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

― Plato

“Genius is play, and man's capacity for achieving genius is infinite, and many may achieve genius only through play.”  ― William Saroyan

Essential Play Items for my younger self

People Who Supported Play/The Role of Play in my Childhood

Growing up as a child I really didn’t do a lot of playing.  Just like many parents, my parents use to tell me all the time as a child to go outside and play.  To me I thought that was a punishment because all I wanted to do is get my doll babies and play school growing up.  I have always loved to read and I would get my dolls, sit them all upright and read them a story, or I would get my Etch & Sketch and pretend it was my chalkboard and try and teach them how to do math problems.  The most memorable times of play for me was play that wasn’t forced.  When I use to visit my grandparents on the weekends I use to love to play outside with my grandfather.  When we were around he acted like a big kid with us, playing softball, 1, 2, 3, Red Light, Hide and go seek, kickball and many more.  This made playing fun and it also allowed me to get the exercise that I needed because when at home all I ever wanted to do was play school or house. 

Play today versus the past

In my opinion play is totally different in 2013 versus 30 years ago.  When I was growing up children ran, jumped and played all day long or until they were called in the house and then they still wanted to play.  However today I don’t think that children are playing enough.  They still play the same games today but are more interested in video games and television.  Because of this, children aren’t utilizing their muscles and they aren’t getting the exercise that they need.  I feel that play is a vital role in a child’s development and that parents should cut the televisions off, take the video games away and encourage their children to go outside and play so that they can exercise their muscles so that they can develop physically.

My thoughts regarding play

As a child I didn’t know the importance of play, as I have grown and learned play is a vital role in a child’s development.  Although I would much rather have played with my dolls as a child, I still was able to go outside and interact with my siblings and cousins, especially on the weekends with my grandfather.  I think that it’s important that play is continuously enforced because stimulated play is part of children’s healthy development and can help with the prevention of childhood obesity. 

Relationship Reflection

I have always heard people say, you can’t live in this world alone; this is why I am thankful that I have people in my life who love me unconditionally.  My closest relationships are with my husband, my mom and my siblings.  These people are the most important to me even though I have many other people who I know without a doubt love me.

Relationships are important to me, some don’t last and some last forever.  They have molded me to become the person that I am today.  You not only learn from relationships but you grow from the bonds that are built and they continuously teach me the meaning of unconditional love and how to not only receive it, but give it as well.

My husband, Tracy is my number one fan.  He supports me not just emotionally but in every aspect.  He encourages me to go after my dreams and encourages me.  He doesn’t judge me but isn’t afraid to tell me when I am wrong.  He loves me unconditionally and in turn taught me how to do the same.  We can be silly together and serious together.  He knows me inside out and knows what makes me tick, he cares about feelings and always has a listening ear and I do the same for him.  We have grown together as individuals and as a couple and after ten years of marriage our relationship and bond together continues to grow because of the love and support that we show one another.

My mom, Peggy is the best even though she still treats me like a little girl instead of 34 year old.  She always shares her experiences and we can talk about anything without judging.  She also supports my aspirations and dreams and about hard work.  She is a good example of what a mother should be.  She is a woman of grace and her example showed me how to be one also.  We don’t always agree but we have learned that we don’t always have to.  She gives me respect as a young woman but will remind me if need be that although I’m not a child, I’m still her child. 

My siblings, Christee and Renee are older than me, but I feel like the oldest.  They come to me for advice and for moral support.  They value my opinion/feedback when it’s offered and it means a lot to know that they value the thinks that I have to say and even come to me when they need to.  We have our sibling rivalries from time to time but the unconditional love and support that we show one another keeps our bond close and unbreakable.

All of these relationships are important and because they continue to grow and continue to shape the person that I am.  We maintain these bonds because we communicate and respect one another which are vital in any relationship.  We listen to one another and we care about each other’s feelings.  The one characteristic that makes each of these relationships special is the unconditional love and respect that we show one to another.

These relationships contribute to me as a professional because I have learned through these relationships that if my heart isn’t in it nothing will manifest.  So I apply that same thing to my work, if my heart isn’t in what I do then I won’t be successful at it and I won’t be able to build positive and meaningful relationships with the children and families that I serve.