Thank You!

My most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional is to continue teaching, but move to a younger age level. Our schools no longer recognize kindergarten as an Early Childhood Setting. We have been moving away from the best strategies for younger learners, and kindergarten looks more like first grade. We have little to no time to form and maintain relationships with our families. It breaks   my heart. In order to establish these relationships and remember the most appropriate strategies for this age group, I would like to teach younger students.

I would like to thank all of those who have traveled the Masters Journey with me. Life has been an up and down for me during this entire process, and quite honestly I am amazed that I made it through. From my house flooding and living in a hotel for months, to being evaluated under a new administration with incredibly rigorous standards, to having my daughter experience treatment for anxiety about not being able to breath or eat, to then later have surgery to remove adenoids to having my sister committed to a psychiatric facility twice for depression and suicidal behaviors. Life this year has been rough. Really rough! But I’m thhhhhhiiisss close to being finished! I thank you all for partnering with me as we work through the courses and this program.

I wish the best for all of you. I am hoping that you all find your passion!

Ukraine

The current circumstances in eastern Ukraine amount to protection crisis, where basic rights of families and children are affected. The ongoing state of uncertainty and escalating violence is taking a heavy toll on the children’s and families’ mental health and well-being. Heavy fighting, massive destruction and general insecurity, deaths of family members and friends as well as loss of property and livelihoods have caused massive stress to families who are directly affected.

The following information was gathered from the Ukraine UNICEF website.

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Mass media reports about the fighting and destruction affect the mental health of people living in safer places and exacerbates worries about the future. The results of UNICEF psychosocial assessment  of children in Donetsk region indicate that 37 per cent of all children aged 7-18 have been directly exposed to adverse or threatening events. Teachers, parents, and caregivers are not always capable of addressing these concerns as they themselves are under stress.

 Widespread displacement has led to separation of families and children, and as such family tracing and reunification of children with families remain priority tasks. Another particularly vulnerable group are children in institutional care. UNICEF partners on the ground also report tensions between host communities and IDPs. UNICEF’s monitoring and discussions with people reveal divides in communities and anger, frustration and lack of hope for the future. These factors call for psychosocial support, care and counseling aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence with a focus to diffuse and address anger before it leads to conflicting situations. 426 school psychologists have reached over 12,884 children with psycho-social support Over 19,578 calls are received by UNICEF-supported children’s hotline on a bi-weekly basis Psychologists trained by UNICEF have provided outreach services to 3,422 teachers and local psychologists Community Protection Centres and Child-friendly spaces in schools have provided services and/or information to over 30,000 children and caregivers.

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I think about Eastern Europe every day. I wonder how in the world children in Russia or Ukraine have a chance when the average child is not beginning any formal schooling until 6 or 7. And then, it is very “old-school” with demands and pressure. Teachers are bribed to give extra attention to wealthy students. The poorest really don’t stand much of a chance..It saddens me, and for years I have wanted to go back. With the way politics has played out over the past few years, I wouldn’t feel safe..

Let them Be Little

Three or more examples, from your personal or professional experience, that further illustrate the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment.

-There are many opportunities when music is played and children dance in a way that shows they have watched overly sexualized dancing

-Many children need guidance who need to be advised to keep hands to self, as they are attempting to mimic what they have seen between a man and woman, and attempt to recreate those moments.

-Children are often dressed inappropriately, wearing clothing that is too skimpy and makeup applied.

The implication this may have on children’s healthy development is a creation of an illusion that value is placed on what one can do for someone to entice them sexually. An idea an early childhood professional might use to best respond to these concerns and to reduce the negative impact on children is to have a center policy on clothing that includes reasons of safety rather than sexuality.