GLOBAL CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE

Zambian Early Childhood Development Project

For nearly half the world’s children especially girls and those from different populations early childhood education is not guaranteed. This is despite the fact that early childhood is the most significant period of development in our lives, establishing the cognitive, emotional, and social foundation upon which we build our futures. By getting children ready for school, we arm them with the tools necessary to build fulfilling lives, become productive citizens, and take their place in the global community.
More than 100 Zambian and international experts will examine ECD best practices that can be implemented not only in Zambia, but globally. UNICEF has a strong partnership with the Ministry of Education in striving towards providing every Zambian child with care, development, and education while they are still very young. UNICEF is also pleased to be working in close collaboration with NGO and CBO partners in supporting the numerous early childhood care development and education centres (ECCDE) that are caring for Zambia’s youngest children.

Sharing Web Resources: NHSA

Developing effective partnerships and goal-directed relationships with families is a critical part of supporting family well-being and children's school readiness. Research shows that children have better outcomes when parents have adequate resources, live in safe home environments that support learning and development, and provide active and intentional learning experiences. These conditions result in children who are more likely to perform better upon entry to kindergarten and show resilience throughout childhood and adolescence. There are over 25,000 family services staff and supervisors and over 7,000 home visitors who work with families in HS and EHS programs. Local agencies have established different qualifications for family services staff and supervisors, ranging from a Masters of Social Work or other graduate degrees to family development credentials (www.nhsa.org). The Defenese industry has used its significant power to try and convince Congress to protect defense spending from cuts and if they succeed, all 1.2 trillion in cuts would be borne by non-defense spending. This would mean that the Head Start cuts would cause over 200,000 children to be dropped from this program.

Poverty in Mongolia

I kind of have given up on contacting a early childhood professional. But the show must go on!! I visited the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre's page and found the information on Mongolia to be interesting. Mongolia doesn't have service as some countries to to help them come out of poverty. A particular concern is that the state is failing to support many of those children and their families who are suffering most. Some children never enter school, others drop out of classes, the numbers of street children and families in urban areas increased during the 1990s; although numbers of street children are now falling, many factors related to poverty still push new children onto the streets. Access to health care to  people who are poor and in remote rural areas are bad and even though its there it is not a great service. This country doesn't seem to care about the well being of their poor and homeless population and if there were more available resources then the Mongolian people may be able to receive some sort of help.

www.childhoodpoverty.org

NHSA

WWW.NHSA.ORG

There vision is..... 

To be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community.
To work diligently for policy and institutional changes that ensure all vulnerable children and families have what they need to succeed.

NHSA's News You Can Use is a bi-weekly publication that keeps NHSA members informed about all we are doing to serve them better including: 

• There speaking engagements and events where NHSA is representing you;
• Registration and details about all our upcoming events and trainings;
• Updates about our affiliates; and additional resources.

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UPCOMING EVENTS FROM NHSA

September 10, 2012

NHSA's Fall Leadership Institute, Head Start Awareness Month, Get Parents Trained for Advocacy with Abriendo Puertas!, Family Development Credential Instructors Institute, What do You Have to Share?, Time & Effor Reporting and Cost Allocation Webinar & Back to School Sale, National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, 2013 Healthy Tomorrows Grand Cycle Announced, September NHSA Family Connections Newsletter

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GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN and NHSA

I chose this organization because it doesn't just focus on one country or one child but it benefits every child everywhere. The GFC works to advance the dignity of children worldwide. They pursue this mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with many of the world’s most vulnerable children, and by harnessing the power of children’s books, films, and documentary photography to promote global understanding.
 
HERE IS THEIR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO
https://www.globalfundforchildren.org

I sent an e-mail on Thursday and I still have not recieved and reply. They also have a contact number which I called but I never spoke to anyone.


I also chose the National Head Start Association because I grew up in a head start program so I am trying to further educate myself on some of the things they focus on and to see if anything has changed since I was enrolled.

There mission:

NHSA Mission

Is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education.
We are compelled to fulfill this mission by the promise of all the possible outcomes:

• one powerful, united Head Start voice;
• a collegial, collaborative Head Start field, one that is a valuable and valued partner and resource to early childhood development and education;
• nonpartisan support of increased Federal commitment to Head Start and, ultimately
• healthier, empowered children and families and stronger, more vibrant communities.

MY SUPPORTS.....

This will be short and sweet. Their is only one reason I have continued my education as far as I have and that is because of mother. She supports me through my positives and negatives. She is there for encouragment and corrections and sometimes I need more corrections than anything. I want to not only make a better life for me but for her as well. I don't want her to have to ask anyone for anything but me and I want to be able to do that without hesitation. God is also a major support in my life because his love is unconditional, I know that even when I really, really mess up that he will still always be their. I believe that if I was to ever lose my mother I don't think I would continue my education unless I were to have children. In order for me to be half way complete God is always present in my life regardless of anything that I go through.

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.

Ovid
Roman poet
43 BC–17 or 18 AD

My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is. 

Ron Olson

When I was younger it was never a question of having toys to play with or playing outside; my parents and my teachers were open to play. I believe play is the reason I am the person I am to day. During family functions when I was growing up all of the children were made to go outside and play. When me and all of my cousins would go outside we would play hide and seek, red light green light, freeze tag and whatever else we could come up with to entertain us. Play time was all about being creative with your available resources as well. If we didn't have any toys that we "wanted" to play with we would use pots and pans our mema didn't use anymore or find old sticks and and buckets to play with.
Today play is so structured and everyone has to follow rules. The only rules we had back in the day were "no blood shall be drawn, no bones broken, and no tears shed" now go play!!!!!!!!!! I think we should let our children control what they play and how they play. It allows them to become independent and they are able to make their own decisions.