Sharing Web Resources

I chose the Zero to Three website to explore for this course assignment. This week there is an article about the President being applauded for making babies and toddlers a priority in his 2014 budget proposal. Below is an excerpt from the article:

The President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans is the roadmap for the early learning components of the budget released today.  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 is also a wonderful video segment called Rally4Babies:Learning Happens from the Start.
This segment is about 41 minutes long and it goes right along with what we have been studying about the importance of the ages birth through five years old. This segment applies the principle of building on a strong foundation for permanent success. This video also implied that all community members need to work together to benefit all children. If investment is made early with high-quality early childhood education, then children can become lifelong learners.

This website allows one to gain a wealth of insight to the issues of early childhood education. There are many recommendations for children getting an early start in life. Early experiences do matter.
From Baby to Big Kid showcases the growth and development children experience each month from birth to 3 years old. These resources translate the science of early childhood and offer strategies parents can tailor to their unique family situation and to the needs of their child.

International Contact

This week I was able to contact "Martha" a lady I met in Nicaragua a few years ago. She lives and works with children on Corn Island, Nicaragua. I was very excited to catch up with her and have a discussion.  We discussed the issue of poverty and it is the same as I witnessed when I was there. Most of the people, who live on the island, are very poor and have very little. The children who live on the island are not required to go to school; however most of them do. If they are enrolled in school they have to wear uniforms which is costly for them. Some of the children are sponsored by people who live in Nicaragua or other parts of the world.

On a more personal note, I thought the children who live there are very happy. I do not think they realize they are poor and have very little. They seem happier than a lot of the children I know who seem to have "everything" they want.

Zero To Three Website

                                     Zero To Three

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.

Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.

A current issue for this week that caught my attention is an article about school readiness.

PUTTING INFANTS

AND TODDLERS ON THE PATH

TO SCHOOL READINESS:  This article was about taking the necessary steps for children to become ready for school.

Excerpt from the article:

A child’s life of learning begins at birth, with brain development shaped

by early experiences setting the foundation for all learning that follows.

This early path to school readiness unfolds in everyday moments,

within caring relationships that nurture confidence and security. How

very young children are cared for teaches them how to interact with

the world and profoundly shapes who they will become. In essence,

the first steps toward school readiness also lead to the resiliency and

positive behaviors needed for success in the workforce and in life. 

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

This week I reviewed the list of  professional contacts that we were given to choose from. I chose four of them and made an effort to communicate. One of the contacts was an incorrect e-mail address. I have not had any luck hearing from the other three. A few years ago I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Nicaragua and I have made an attempt to make a contact there with someone I know. I am very hopeful to hear from her soon. I am very interested in making contact with international partners. I hope to not have to do the alternate assignment. Any suggestions or ideas will be appreciated. Thanks!

I  wish to explore and study the Zero To Three: National Center for infants, Toddlers, and Families website. In the past I have found their articles to be very beneficial while researching specific topics. I look forward to learning more about their organization.