Getting to Know International Contacts

Unfortunately, I have still been unable to contact any early childhood professionals outside the United States, and therefore have completed our alternative assignment.

            This week, on the World Forum Foundation website (www.worldforumfoundation.org), I viewed the video about what would happen if child care centers suddenly closed. While this video was filmed as a simulation, it brings to light the significant consequences that a sudden decrease in access to quality child care would bring to our children, families, and economy. As parents are forced to scramble for child care, many of them would be faced with the requirement of having to stay home with their children, resulting in inadequate staffing across all industries. The video stresses the needs of the early care and education field- we need quality teachers that earn reasonable wages that compensate for the high demands of this position. Furthermore, it points out the significant brain growth that takes place during the first five years of children's lives, and how early learning experiences shape brain architecture, which in turn has a momentous impact on children's later capacities to learn. James Hildebrandt also points out the economic impact of quality early learning experiences- that children who begin life with high quality experiences require fewer additional resources throughout their school years and into adulthood. There are two quotes from the video that I felt were important to share:

"We would do well to remember that our children should always come first."

 - James Hildebrandt, economist

"Our children are our future...when we do not provide for our children, we do not provide for ourselves. When our children are in danger, we are in danger...our children need us now...if we care for them today, providing the kind of environment and quality experiences we know make a difference, we will be caring for our communities today and tomorrow." 

 -Claire Knox, Professor, Early Child Development Humboldt State University

            Additionally, I viewed information from Harvard University's Global Children's Initiative, and learned about efforts aimed at improving early childhood education around the globe. The Global Children's Initiative was developed in 2006 with the foundational belief that the "vitality and sustainability of any society" (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/) rests on the society's ability to provide high quality opportunities early in life so that all children can achieve their full potential and develop into responsible and productive citizens. I learned that the Global Children's Initiative is helping to sponsor programs in Rwanda, Chile, and Brazil (among others). In Rwanda the goal is to strengthen family communication skills so that relationships can be strengthened, thereby preventing depression in families with at least one parent being HIV positive. The program also aims to reduce children's misconceptions about HIV transmission, such as teaching children that they cannot be infected by the disease simply by hugging their parents or eating from the same dinner pot. This will strengthen parent child bonds and reduce children's fears about their parents and living with HIV. In Chile a program entitled Un Buen Comienzo, a project in Santiago, Chile, is aimed at improving early childhood education through teacher professional development. Teachers are trained in methods to improve the quality of educational experiences for children ages four to six, with a focus in language development. Efforts to intervene in critical health areas, improve school attendance, improve children's social-emotional development, and involve families in their child's education are all part of this initiative. In Brazil the Global Children's Initiative launched Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância, a program that utilizes the science of child development and health to guide the development of stronger policies and larger financial investments to benefit families and young children. This effort aims to foster a society that is more prosperous, sustainable and equitable.

            Finally, I am excited to share a follow up from my last blog post: In the Zero to Three special email, it was reported that Congress has approved a six month extension of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program! This means that the bill will now go to the president to be signed, providing an extension that maintains current funding levels for the program, ensuring it continues until March 2015, when it will need to be reauthorized.

References

"A Day Without Childcare" (2012). http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/media-and-resources/wofo-tv/

Global Children's Initiative Fact Sheet: Mission and Activities. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/