Getting to know my International Contacts.

Hello Everyone , I wanted to introduce you to my new friend Thierry Koningstein ~ He is 33 years old, he lives in Boxtel in 

the Netherlands. Thierry said that they do not have States in the Netherlands, but they have providence's. Boxtel is

located in the province of Noord Branbant. Thierry is a teacher and teaches children with special needs. He teaches at 

Herman Broeren School. I asked Thierry about poverty in his country.

Thierry stated that there is a number of people who are finding it harder to make ends meet. He stated that some of the 

reasons for problems are gambling addictions, and job losses. The economy is in a crisis, he stated. He did say that he 

has not noticed a huge problem with this subject but that he hears of business closing.

I look forward to finding out more about the Netherlands, through Thierry.

Personal Resources

The name of the newsletter/program I subscribed to is Child Care Aware of America. The address is http://facebook.com/USAChildCare

Their mission is to “promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership, and support to community child care resource and referral.”

The reason I chose this organization was because after I complete my Master’s, my goal is to be a director of a child care facility and I feel that with their goal to “ provide leadership and support to community child care resources” I would like to be in on their ideas.

The name and link of the international website I selected was http://www.naccrra.org/.  The organization’s focus is on that of increasing the quality of child care. The NACCRRA offers training to child care professions. They are also interested in improving the families and child’s life.

The reason I chose this organization is that they want to improve the outcome of families and children in the child care setting. They receive no state funding.

The issue/ trend that caught my attention was on the www.naccrra.org  site. The article was in the “Journal Gazette” a newspaper in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The article I am referring to is about “Indiana one of the first stated to develop disaster guide for child care. The reason I chose this article was first off I feel that to be prepared and not scared is a motto for everyone, not just at home but at the work place as well as child care facilities. The article discusses child care providers right now they only have a plan for fire or severe weather situations. The child care preparedness guide covers all emergencies. Everything from flash floods to threats of violence.
This is very near and dear to me first because I live in Indiana. Second, I work at Early Head Start and I am employed at a facility where we were are prepared for all these things. Early Head Start is under the umbrella of Hamilton Center. Hamilton Center is a Mental Health Facility, and we are required to do each of these test monthly, bi monthly and bi yearly. I was just shocked to see not all facilities were under a prepared plan. At Early Head Start we ensure the safety and wellness of our children. With the unknown violence that occurs at the schools now days, it is best if there is a lockdown procedure in place as well. This article discussed this very issue. And actually Early Head Start was on a lock down just a few months ago. With Early Head Start being within a Mental Health organization sometimes the people are not always mentally stable. And that was the case. There was a client who was obsessed with an employee and the whole facility became locked down until she was found and was stable. I am learning that not all child care facilities are under a disaster plan.

http://facebook.com/USAChildCare

www.naccrra.org

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130709/NEWS07/130709526/1067/NEWS07

Establishing Professional Contacts

As of the current moment I have not had any contact from the two professional contacts. I will continue to try and if I still have no success I will move on to the Alternate. I am attempting to get in touch with Priscilla Rixon at Melboure Australia, the Victoria University.


And the Early Childhood Organization I choose. The reason why I choose this organization is because of its resources and the experience it offers. Where I work we get lots of information from this organization and newsletter as well.


Early Childhood Related Websites - United States.
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org.

                                “MY SUPPORTS”

I would have to describe my factors within my daily environment that are supportive to me; and the benefit these support.

I would have to start with my husband, Rich. He is my Number One Support. I would have to say every day he tells me how proud of me he is; and he has been the number one supporter of me continuing my education. Richie has been the one to help me understand that I can do it. He has told me on several occasions to breathe and I can make it and that twenty four months is not really that long. The benefit I see as having Richie be a supporter for me is that without him I might have given up on school. He is such a big impact on my life. He has helped guide me and listen to my complaining as well as my successes.

The second supporter I have to support me is my co-worker and friend, Kim. Kim helps me on a daily basis. She is there as I get stressed over work, as well as being there for me in my personal life. We have become very close over this last year. She has taken on the role of “little sis”. Without her support and guidance my job would be more stressful. We do things in our personal life together as well. She and I have taken trips together; just mini vacations. When we are together we laugh and laugh. Having someone I can be this close with is a great asset to my life.

Without the support how would I exist…..hummmm I began to think about this as I was writing what supports they are to me, and I began to tear up. The thought of having to face daily life without my husband and best friend made my heart ache. The thought of waking up to the other side of my bed cold broke my heart. The thought of going to work and not seeing Kim was just as bad. Taking my steps in life without them beside me was terrible to say the least. I just hope and pray that I will never have to find out. I know that one day it is conceivable that my husband may die; or my best friend moves away. I will hope I do not become depressed. I know that this will surly happen. If something like this does happen I know I will need to seek help. I know life does not end with the closing of one door. I just pray that I never will have to experience that closing.

My daily life is better because of these two people. I wake to my husband’s voice every morning. He leaves early in the morning but will always kiss me before he leaves. My life has been so impacted because of him. He is my rock, my foundation. My husband is my best friend, my lover, my everything.

My friend Kim, she supports me, and shows me that I don’t need to be serious all the time. Laughter helps the sole. I laugh so hard when I am with her I cry. I cannot image my world without her. We are always talking or texting. We are always together. Everyone at work laughs when they see one without the other. They want to know where our side kick is.

With these two people in my life there will be nothing but benefits. 

MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

“My Connections to Play” by Diana Cox

QUOTES= what play represented for me in my childhood.

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

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Graham Greene

PICTURES OF ESSENTIAL PLAY ITEMS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER=

 Mrs. Beasley doll was from the 1972 TV show Family Affair. Mrs. Beasley was there for Cissy after her mother died. I had many losses in my childhood and I felt like Cissy, Mrs. Beasley was the only one there for me.

 This is the Chrissy Doll, 1970’s she was given to me and became my best friend; she and I had many adventures. She was one of my first students as I played teacher. J Who would have know that I would grow up to become a teacher? Chrissy is still with me today. She sits and watches over me as I complete my homework each week.

These two toys are something that I spent many hours playing with the one on the right allowed me to enhance my “teaching” skills the one on the left enhanced my “imagination” skills.

HOW THE ROLE OF PLAY WAS FOR MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER:

There was not a lot of people who supported me in my play when I was younger. I was pretty much left to fend for myself in my childhood. The role of play in my childhood was something I enjoyed with the neighborhood kids. I spent many hours running climbing trees, making “mud pies”, taking whatever we had in the yard and making “a grocery store” and having customers check out.

TODAY'S PLAY VS PLAY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP:

Play today is so different from when I grew up. When I grew up I was outside from the time the sun came up till the street light came on. As a child we made up games, found ways to keep us busy. Days were spent outside except for in the winter. And usually then we spent time between friends’ houses. We stayed at different friends’ houses until we drove their mothers crazy. Play was so important when I was young. I learned so much through imaginary play spent many hours imagining what my adult life would be. Today’s children are so wrapped up in technology that no one gets outdoors. They are worried about what the new trend is; and how they can conquer the next level in that video game. The games live little to imagination. Virtual reality is what is replayed the imagination of the child.

PLAY THROUGHOUT MY LIFE AND THE ROLE IN ADULTHOOD:

The roles of play through my life, and how it has played in my into my adulthood; I would have to say that I believe play has kept my heart young. I have found that working with children has kept me very young. I have found how pretending with children and giving them the childhood I never had has lead me to where I am now in my adult life. I am in a position to foster and help children’s lives grow. I am so grateful for this opportunity to help someone else in their lives, and their imagination. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationship Reflection~~~

Meet My Family~ The top picture is of me and my children; I am Diana Cox of Terre Haute Indiana, Meagan-Leigh is my daughter and she is 23 years old , and my son, Caleb is 18. The bottom picture has my husband, Richard (loving called Richie by me). The reason my relationship with these people are so important is because they are my world. My husband and I have been married 25 years in June. My children mean the world to me. I would die for my kids. Even though my children are not learning to walk, talk or write they are still learning and growing every day. Every day is exciting and new for them and they are so excited to share it with me. I would have to say almost every day is a positive experience with them. My son, is a junior in high school and plays football, and throws shot put and manages the basketball team. He comes home and is so excited to share the “fun facts” of the evening with my husband and myself. My daughter is getting ready to begin a new job. Her new job is working as an Early Head Start teaching assistant. She will be working with me. This is new and exciting for both of us. She also recently has become very serious with a gentleman. She is awaiting his proposal. She shares a lot of things with me as this is a new aspect of her life.

Someone else I have a positive relationship with would be my co-worker and very close friend, Kim. She and I have shared many hours talking and learning about each other. She has become like a sister to me. I was so glad to have Kim come into my life. I needed a close “female friend” and she has become this for me. I truly love her like a sister.

The ways in which each relationship is positive and what contributes to developing and maintaining each relationship; is first and foremost, trust. I trust each of these people with my life. My husband, Richie and I have learned to trust each other and tell each other everything. There are no secrets between us. We treasure the time we get to spend together; even if it is cutting grass together or planting flowers. We love being together, holding hands in the grocery store is just one of the things you will find us doing on a Saturday afternoon. We have found out after 26 years of being together, communication is the number one key. We discuss something if it is bothering us. We never go to be angry. We are always honest and open with each other.

The challenge I would have to say in maintaining a relationship with my children over time would be; they don’t like the advice I give them. They think that I am butting in to their business. But after I step out of the way and let them handle the situation the way they think it is supposed to be handle, and it fails, they come to mom and dad for advice. They then realize that I was really right. The challenge I have learned from the rest of my relationships is sometimes I forget to listen completely. I forget to tune out everything else and listen and then give input. Sometimes this has gotten me into a whole lot of trouble.

Special characteristics of these relationships that make them partnerships; I would have to say trust and communication, and probably mutual love for one and other. My husband and I spend very little time together. The trust issue has never been an issue for us. Then the communication issue, sometimes neither one of us really want to hear what the other is saying but afterwards we realize that it is not what we wanted to hear, but what we needed to hear. We take our time that we get to spend with each other as very special time. Without my husband’s love and support I would not be back in school right now. He stands beside me no matter what.

The experiences with my relationships has taught me to be an effective childhood professional, because it has taught me that communication is key. Love and respect for each other goes really far. Talking out differences really helps, and being there for one and other is what it is all about. Taking it day by day. Step by step, and even if necessary inch by inch. Together we will make it to the finish line. Whether your finish line is getting to your 25^th Wedding anniversary, your graduation, your wedding day, or in my case, graduating with my Master’s Degree. One step at a time. 

pictures to go with quotes