Final Blog for EDUC 6162

     According to my International contact, Tamalin Harper, who says “The South African constitution, through the Bill of Rights, makes provision for children’s socio-economic rights, including the right to basic education and protection from neglect, abuse and exploitation. However, South Africa still has a long way to go to effectively meet the needs of the majority of children.” “More than half of South Africa’s children live in severe poverty, which jeopardises the realisation of their rights as contained in the South African Constitution” (Du Plessis & Conley, 2007). The government assists families when they are too poor to afford education and their basic needs.  Sometimes this is achieved through subsidies and/or grants. Research has shown that grants have contributed towards food, education as well as basic goods and services for millions of children across the country (Kibbel, 2010).  Mrs. Harper says “Some of the prominent challenges and obstacles facing ECD facilities include absence of learning materials and resources, especially within the classroom setting, minimal funding, lack of qualified teachers, inadequate security for children whilst at the ECD facility, as well as poor toilet amenities.”   She also expresses “Despite of the government’s efforts to alleviate hunger and food insecurities,” the challenge still remains.  According to Mrs. Harper’s sources, “Hunger is highest among Black African children with 17% of the total Black African child population living in households that reported child hunger compared to 13% of Coloured children, 2% Indian and only 1% of White children.” These statistics raise a red flag to me as a professional because children are merely products of adults.  Personally, I feel as though no matter what country one resides, they need to be taught to responsibly use birth control methods to reduce the preceding statistics.   Additionally, in 2009 in South Africa, 7 million children lived in households that did not have direct access to clean drinking water, and there had been very little improvement in children’s access to water between 2002 and 2009” (Kibbel, 2010, p. 102). Mrs. Harper gave me great information about the state of the Early Childhood Sector (ECS) in South Africa and I appreciate her willingness to take the time to cooperate and assist me/us in learning about ECS in her country. 

     From learning with my international contact, I realize that early childhood educators all over the world have a need for qualified instructional personnel in this field.  It is disheartening to me that even though very young children need a solid educational foundation to build on all other academic successes, there is a great demand for qualified persons to meet these needs.  I would like to pose this to my classmates.  If you know someone who loves young children and are perhaps willing to study early childhood education, please persuade them to do so.  We need them more now than ever. 

     It has been a wonderful eight week journey with you –Dr. Longo and colleagues.  I appreciate your willingness to learn, explore, support and research the many Issues and Trends in Early Childhood education.  My favorite part of the class was to view the clip of the Gonzales family because it allowed me to view immigrants from another perspective.   

References

Kibbel, M., Lake, L., Pendlebury, S. & Smith, C. (eds). (2010) South African Child Gauge 2009/2010. Cape Town: Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town.

Du Plessis, P. & Conley, L. (2007) ‘Children and poverty in south africa: The right to social security’ Educational Research and Review, 2 (4): 49-59.

Getting To Know Your International Contact Part 3

Professional goals, hopes, dreams and challenges of Tamalin Harper of South Africa

·         As a professional what are your future plans?

I am coming to the end of my working career soon. I want to continue as long as possible to plough back years of experience, knowledge and skills into a new generation of educators

·         What would you like to see cultivated in the early childhood development sector?

I would like to see professionalism from those working with children and then recognition of that by all those who regard this as child-minding.

·         How can or how will you influence positive change in the ECD sector?

                I lecture and do on-site mentoring and assessment.

·         How will you make the change?

             Passion, conversation and good practice to emulate.

·         Have you seen any changes as a result of your efforts?

              Not as much as I would like – but yes.

·         What have been your challenges in the ECD sector?

Convincing even well-educated persons of the foundational value of ECD and the life skill s that are built through this work

Lack of willingness to make or collect resources if necessary to ensure a good programme of activities for children

Lack of commitment in those who have been fortunate enough to be trained – often at no cost to themselves.

·         What would you like to see in the future for the ECD sector?

    

               A system that recognizes experience and skills without necessarily a paper qualification

              Understanding of the value of play as a methodology and therefor slower move to more formal  methods or requirement for young learners.

·         On a more personal note, what encouraged you to go into the field of ECD?

       Having my own children and seeing the hunger for knowledge and speedy progress very young children make in a suitable environment.

Sharing Web Resources Week 6

Sharing Internet Resources

http://www.pewstates.org/

The link I chose to explore in the PEWS site was this one which referenced home visiting.

http://www.pewstates.org/projects/home-visiting-campaign-328065

Why home visits? The review expressed that some of the most costly social problems are rooted in early childhood.  The article notes home visits for the first three years of life (a critical developmental period) leads to fewer children in social welfare, mental health, and juvenile corrections systems, with considerable cost savings for states. My twins were provided with services from the state, “Early Steps” which helped me tremendously with obtaining services for my children.  They received a program coordinator, special instructor, occupational and physical therapists, adapted physical education teacher and a vision therapist. With the help of God, friends and these services, my children received services that would not have known about.  Home visits are valuable asset to children and families.

Please view this video clip of a home visit.

http://www.pewstates.org/news-room/press-releases/watch-a-home-visit-85899379777

Next, I was lead to this link.

http://www.pewstates.org/news-room/press-releases/michigan-creates-data-driven-standards-for-home-visiting-85899409215

This link shares how Michigan mandates that home visiting programs track and measure outcomes such as fewer preterm births, reduction in child abuse, improved family self-sufficiency and increased school readiness. Also, the law ensures that the state’s investment in home visiting goes to proven, effective programs.

From that link, I was lead to
http://www.pewstates.org/research/reports/medicaid-financing-of-early-childhood-home-visiting-programs-85899401369

This site recognizes a variety of funding streams that support home visiting programs.  Then says Medicaid has the ability to reach so many recipients who are at risk can finance home visiting services for eligible mothers and children at risk.  I though this report was quite interesting because it would provide services needed for families to thrive.  I pictured home visiting as a professional telling the family what to do but from my experiences and what I have viewed in this report, the professionals demonstrate to the parent healthy parenting skills.  It also states that within Medicaid services are various mechanisms that are available to support home visiting programs.

By scaffolding through this site, I have become familiar with different views of home visiting.  I have gained information on the funding aspect, professional aspect and a recipient’s aspect.  I learned that home visiting is a popular means to help get families on track of raising their families.  Also, people who receive home visits obtain help with other aspects of their life, like education and job searches.  Good site for early childhood educators to visit!