Getting ready— establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

     As I began the process of establishing professional contacts outside of the United States, I chose two countries that interest me the most; one being Jamaica a place that I love and London, another place that I want to visit. I found the organization named Professional Jamaicans, for Jamaica, Inc, uplifting our nation’s children one at a time and Childhood first, healing hurt minds an organization based in London. I contacted both organizations through their perspective Facebook pages, introducing myself and giving them some background information and asking them if I could converse with them regarding trends and issues in the early childhood field within their country. I heard back from the organization in Jamaica, informing me that I would be able to interact with them, currently I haven’t heard back from the organization in London.

    The early childhood organization that I selected to study is the (NBCDI) National black child development institute. National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/
(Newsletter: http://nieer.org/resources/newsletter/index.php

References
https://www.facebook.com/ChildhoodFirst

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=419397244780040&set=a.326148444104921.88674.173029902750110&type=1&theater

MY SUPPOTS

     Everyone needs support from others, my life is very fulfilling, rewarding and very busy! I’m a mother of three, a wife, sister, daughter, grandmother, friend, student and teacher. Therefore, support is very important and greatly needed and appreciated. Factors in my life that need support and is number one, is parenting, my husband helps and supports me with daily life events and experiences for our family. Such as; attending parent teacher conferences, and high school open house affairs, being a chauffeur driver, shopping assistant, cooking and household chores  just to name a few. I receive support from my husband when I feel overwhelmed with school work; he’s my biggest supporter and believer! He cheers me up and keeps me focused and striving.

     The challenge that I choose to imagine with regards to support in my life would be, if I didn’t have the support of my husband, I have a few friends who are divorced or single with children and they express how difficult it is and emotionally draining not to have someone else to help and pick up the slack. I am very grateful that I have an equal partner in life, who provides financially, washes dishes, does laundry and cooks! Moreover, he’s great with our children, very supportive and he’s the best grandfather to our granddaughter! My life would be very different and difficult if I didn’t have all of the support I receive from him, I am very blessed!

My Connections To Play

Play is such a wonderful childhood experience, that teaches children about their world and how to grown, learn and interact with others. Two quotes that depict what play represented for me are:

1. “Play is our brain's favorite way of learning”.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

2.      “Play keeps us fit physically and mentally”.

Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist

     I love these two quotes, because play is fun and we learn best when it’s fun and no pressure; also, playing keeps children in shape and keeps their minds growing. As adults we still love to play, pretend, imagine and engage in meaningful relationships.

 As a child I loved my barbie dolls! I would play with them all day, pretending make believe lives for them.

 Making blanket forts was something else that I enjoyed immensely! Creating your own personal, creative, hideout was amazing to me!

My parents fostered my play as a child, by allowing my sister and me the opportunity to play, run, jump, skate, ride bikes, and create those amazing blanket forts. Today play is so different from when I was a child, I played jump rope, softball, climbed tress, play tag, and made mud pies. Children of today are not engaging in these play formats, instead children are watching television, social media, and playing video games, with little or no physical contact or in person socialization. I thank God that I can say I had an awesome childhood experience in regards to play; moreover, my kindergarten experience was wonderful I remember playing on the floor with my favorite teacher building with red blocks! Play is needed to help children learn about themselves, and the world in which they live.

Reflectiing on Builing Relationships

     I have so many healthy relationships that are so very important to me, but for this blog I will be writing about my (GIRLS)! That is my two daughters ages 23, (Siera) 13, (Niara) and my granddaughter (Erin) who is two years old.  Some positive factors that make our relationships positive are the quality time that we spend with one another, which is number one! Some other factors are honesty, acceptance, understanding, encouragement, forgiveness, guidance, reassurance, respect, teamwork and unconditional love! I truly love my girls and they love me, were always talking to one another, asking questions, such as; how was your day? How can I help? Is there something bothering you? And the list goes on forever. I believe that mother daughter bonds are very important, because as a mother I have to be a good role model and example for my daughters, we all learn from each other and believe me they keep me caught up on things! Motherhood requires a person to be a great nurture, doctor, counselor, coach, teacher and friend; I am all those things and so much more. My motherhood role has also shaped me into the educator that I am today, because I have children and I want to see the best for all children and a part of that is ensuring that the children I service feel loved and excepted, just as my children feel. This helps them to thrive, grow, learn and become healthy social/emotional beings!

                                                        My two girls! Siera and Niara

                                                       These  are photos of my 13 year old and my granddaughter!