"Plan B" for week Three!

I have given up on my international contacts. I haven't heard from anyone. I opened up the "World Forum" website and found myself intrigued by an organization dedicated to the well being of children all over the world. It made me curious about it's funding sources and its ability to generate and maintain interest with early childhood professionals world wide.  As a public school employee I also fantasized about filling out a conference request form to go to a conference in Ireland and having the conference approved....

One of the keys to engagement must be the working groups. Each member to the Global Summit has chosen an area of interest to devote themselves to. I took a look at the work of the "Play Group" and found kindred spirits. I emailed the contact on the workgroup website. I will keep my fingers crossed but not hold my breath.

I am on spring break with a bit of time on my hands so I took in three podcasts with interest. I listened to George Forman from the University of Massachusetts on World Forum Radio. It was an interesting piece on learning theory and Piaget. The last podcast recording on the World Forum Radio was in February of 2011.

https://ccie-media.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/WFR_08_GeorgeForman.mp3

I then found myself on the Whole Child podcast listening to three esteemed women talk about home and school partnerships. The focus was on elementary schools but the subject was of interest to me so I stayed for the whole 40 minutes.
 http://www.wholechildeducation.org/podcast/partnerships-between-home-and-school-the-real-missing-link

Finally, I listened to a podcast on NAEYC Radio called "Who Will Save Kindergarten?". A quick podcast about the importance of play and the urgent need for professionals to advocate for play in a kindergarten classroom. My favorite take away from this podcast was this; all children were automatically ready for kindergarten twenty years ago because kindergarten was a place to honor their innate ability to play!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/naeyc-radio-national-association/id328570104

Lastly, I spent some time on the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Center (CHIP) website. The CHIP was created to fill in the gaps internationally related to the knowledge base, international research, and documentation of policy around issue of childhood poverty.  The funding phase of the CHIP program is now over, in fact the website is a bit dated as a resource. The organization expressed hope on the site that the page would stay open until at least 2007. It has. 

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php

As I end a week submersed in research, websites, and policies related to childhood poverty, I cant help but feel sad and overwhelmed. It seems to me that very well intentioned, well funded, and well organized groups have been working for two generations or more to end poverty.

                                                                  And still.....

Week Two, Who Knew? PEW!

Part of my struggle to with an online degree has been to cultivate a healthy relationship with my computer. Subscribing to blogs, managing a Google reader, and navigating the basics to write a paper has all been new territory for me. Last week, I subscribed to The PEW Charitable Trust's newsletter. The news from the organization shows up in the RSS feed in my email box....amazing!

I have been working on a policy in our state to add parent education via digital media to a smart phone, iPhone, iPad, or computer for parents to watch while their child is screening. Policy making is not my strong suit and I am learning so much in my "one woman lobby mission" as I go along.

I am asked often to speak at Early Childhood Initiatives all over the state on the importance of investing in Early Childhood programs. Gathering data for these talks has been time consuming. Until now...

PEW, delivers up to the minute research right to my "door" in newsletters full of great information for me as I spend time at our state capitol and visiting with legislators. Here is a link to today's newsletter.

http://www.pewstates.org/research/data-visualizations/proof-into-policy-pre-k-milestones-85899376577

In this piece, each states investment in early childhood programs is reported in millions. When you look at Minnesota's investment in 2005 and compare it to the investment Minnesota made in 2012, you see a slight increase. Compared to other states, the early childhood investment Minnesota is lacking. This is research I can use, this week!

Investing is EC is a safe bet!

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.

We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew. From its first day in 1948, Pew’s founders steeped the new institution with the entrepreneurial and optimistic spirit that characterized their lives. Early priorities included cancer research, the Red Cross and a pioneering project to assist historically black colleges.

As the country and the world have evolved, we have remained dedicated to our founders’ emphasis on innovation. Today, Pew is a global research and public policy organization, still operated as an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organization dedicated to serving the public. Informed by the founders’ interest in research, practical knowledge and a robust democracy, our portfolio has grown over time to include public opinion research; arts and culture; andenvironmental, health, state and consumer policy initiatives.

Reference

PEW Charitable Trust mission statement. Retrieved from  http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work.aspx

Expanding Resources

I have heard about the PEW Charitable Trusts for years as a member of Minnesota Public Radio but have taken the time to investigate who they are and what they do. I was drawn into their mission statement:

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.

I recognized familiar faces for someone like me who is interested in early childhood policy. Their ten year project, Pre-K-Now,  mobilized advocates from the philanthropic, policy, and business communities on behalf of national preschool for every child who wants it has been successful. Minnesota, like many other states, is seeing an unprecedented commitment to early childhood programs. I signed up for the newsletter. 

Find out more about PEW at:

      

http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

Establishing Professional Contacts

I thought this assignment sounded easy and then I started. The Global Alliance seemed full of contacts. I started with China, a place I have visited. No luck, Dr. Betty Chan Po-king's email cam right back to me. So did Siobahn Fitzpatrick's from Ireland, the home of my grandparents. 

I was able to successfully send an introductory email to Juan Sanchez from Spain and Eteri Gvineria from Georgia. As of this writing, I have not heard back from either one of them. Keep your fingers crossed. 

I went out on a limb a  bit and searched for International Parent Education Organizations and found one. I sent an introductory email to Mr. Habib Abdennebi, the General Secretary of the International Federation of Parent Education,in France. Again, keep your fingers crossed.

Here is the email I sent as an invitation to connect:

Greetings Sioban, I am looking for a pen pal of sorts. I am currently enrolled at Walden University in a Masters program. I teach parent education in an early childhood setting here in the states and am looking for an early childhood professional to connect with over the next 8 weeks while I am in a class called "Issues andTrends in Early Childhood Education". I am hoping you might be able to help me find someone willing to communicate via email once or twice a week. Maybe even yourself!

I have attached a flyer to introduce myself. Thank you very much for considering!  

Katy Smith

Licensed Parent Educator

ECFE Winona, MN

 

"My Supports"

This is Byron, he is married to my friend and colleague, Stephanie. They have one daughter, Elleigh who will be two in April. Byron is a first grade teacher during the week and a rodeo cowboy during the rodeo season. Two weeks ago, Byron's horse rolled head over heels with Byron in the saddle. As the horse went to right himself, he rolled over Byron again. Stephanie and Elleigh were there and rode the ambulance to the trauma center and prayed that he would live.

I would need a lot of support if I were in Stephanie's shoes. I would want someone with me at all times to tell me that things were going to be OK. The person in my life who I count on the most in times of stress is my husband, Matt. If he was seriously injured, I would be a mess. Emotionally, I would need reassurance, someone to hold my hand, someone to cry with, someone to talk to, someone to help me sort through all of my feelings. Mostly my fears.

Practically, I would need someone to make sure my responsibilities were covered.  I would need help sorting through insurance. I would need someone to take over my classes at school. I would need to find somewhere to stay. I would need someone to bring me what I need from home so I wouldn't have to leave Matt's side. I would need someone to take care of things at home, the mail, the shoveling, and all the other things we just do without thought that need to be done.

Physically, I would need to be near Matt. It would be so hard to leave him in the hospital each night. I would probably need someone to remind me to eat and to get outside for some fresh air. I would probably need medication to help me sleep. I would surely be a wreck.

As I write this entry, I can think of people who would jump right in without being asked to help. I know that I really wouldn't need to worry about anything except being there for my husband. I am blessed with a chosen family here in my community and my real family all over the state who would just be there. The factors that would be supportive if I were in Stephanie's shoes are friends, family, good health insurance, a supportive work community, plenty of sick time, a home that is paid for, the ability to navigate a hospital setting and the aftercare necessary to get Matt back on his feet. My daughters live in three different states but I have no doubt they would drop everything to be here for us if we needed them. I have plenty of support.

Byron will be OK but not for a long while. His injuries were life threatening. Steph and Byron will need lots of support over the next several months. I am happy to be there for them. I know she would do the same for me.

"My Connections to Play"

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood".                        Fred Rogers

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."
                          Pablo Picasso

Growing up, we had a family cabin on a beautiful lake in Northern Minnesota. That's me in the striped swimming suit, my summer uniform. When I got dressed in the morning, I put on my swimming suit and took it off at night only to put on my pajamas. I loved the water and spending long summer days outside. We spent the whole summer at the lake. We swam, we sailed, we fished, we skied, and sometimes we even fell asleep on the dock watching northern lights. The great outdoors was essential to my play as a young child.

In Minnesota, if you don't like winter, winter will wear on you pretty fast. I added this picture that I drew to illustrate another essential play element for me, art. I cannot remember a day without doodling something. I spent hours as a child drawing, cutting, painting, and coloring.

I grew up in a big family. As children, we were given lots of time and lots of space to play. My parents loved the outdoors and provided wonderful places to live that were very conducive to play. Woods, lakes, parks, and big yards were always available to me. When I wasn't outdoors, I kept myself busy indoors with art and books. There was always something to read in our house and we had easy access to art supplies as well.

When I look at all of the toys available to children today, I actually feel sad for them. So many of the things parents and grandparents buy for small children are very popular but have very limited playability. Children seem to have so much that they don't know where to start. Toys often play for children while children are expected to be entertained. There is very little room for creativity in much of what is being mass produced for children today. My siblings and I would rake up grass clippings and make elaborate homes out of them. We would play with our "structure" for days. We were required to use our imagination to see the fireplace, the kitchen, and the bedrooms in those grass clippings and we did. I spent my days largely unsupervised and outdoors. Today neighborhood parks are empty as children find entertainment at home too engrossing to step outside. 

I have a very playful spirit. I still find great joy in being outdoors or drawing something with a brand new box of crayons. Play continues to be a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to connect to children and the adults in my life. I love to laugh and be silly. I cannot imagine a day without play. I make sure to get it in. If I don't, I find myself misbehaving like a little kid. 

Relationship Reflections

Without a doubt, my most important relationship on Earth is the one I have with my husband of 30 years, Matt. This relationship fuels me, inspires me, grounds me, and makes life a grand adventure.  I found my soul mate in 1979, lucky me!

These are my grown daughters. They take my breath away! They are so much fun to hang out with. They make me laugh till it hurts and occasionally cry as we navigate our mother-daughter relationships. Each of them is wonderful in her own way and I feel so lucky to have been here to raise them. I must mention my nearly 20 year old cat who gives me someone to talk to now that the girls are on their own.

I will  use this accomplished, talented, good looking group photo to symbolize my relationships with colleagues.  I work with and know some absolutely amazing teachers who challenge me to grow in my professional life. My professional relationships are key sources of thoughtful conversations, interesting dialog, and passion for the work I do. (See if you can find me in the pic above)

What would I do without my friends? I love having a circle of friends in my life, some who have known me since grade school, to just be with. My friends insist that I go after my dreams. They push me, they laugh with me, they are there no matter what. They understand me and accept me for who I am. I have lots of women in my life who at anytime are welcome to walk right into my house and make a pot of coffee, no matter what the bathroom looks like! I love that you cannot see faces in this picture, making room for new faces too.

Oh to have five more hours in everyday to devote to my relationships. During the school year, and especially in the last year and a half as I represented Minnesota, I was challenged just to maintain many of the relationships I enjoy so much. I do know that it really doesn't take much to stay in touch these days. I credit my iphone with salvaging many relationships through Instagram, iMessages and emails.

I believe that each of these categories of relationships are partnerships. I am in a lifelong, loving partnership with my husband on a mission to love one another the best we can. I am in a lifelong partnership with each of my daughters on a mission to create a family we can all feel loved and accepted in.  I am in a career partnership with many colleagues on a mission to make schools and our communities better for children. I am in a partnership with my friends on a mission to love, support and challenge one another to live our best lives.