Having served the early childhood education community, there are many business formats that exist. Some programs are private, for profit; public, nonprofit; cooperative for profit subsidized, etc. Prior to serving any customers or clients, all businesses need a researched business plan to help lead and guide practice (regardless of the industry). The Charlotte Metro area is home to many ECE programs. The average age of programs in the area is about 20 years. Fewer than 100 programs open annually. Many programs have serious violations, but are still in operation. Additional research is needed, and additional information is available just below:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article191314974.htmlFriday, December 29, 2017
Bank of America, Helping Advocate for ECE Services for Young Children
All communities looking to increase the educational attainment, provide work opportunity, and promote educational diversity that honors young children and their families may find great interest in the conversations set to take place early next month. Take a look at what Bank of America in Charlotte, NC is doing to promote early education.
https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/12/22/why-voluntary-universal-pre-k-will-improve.htmlRaising Robot Kids
Young children are being groomed for jobs that do not exist yet. We have heard several years of reports about the need for parents to expose their children to technology. Reality is that, children must still learn through play as well. Promoting the children's ability to speak computer language is slightly difficult. Helping parents raise children that learn through play, and support learning inspired by technology needs to be the ultimate goal. Take a peek.
Help and Rescue for Children of War
More, we need more. There are organizations that affect change in the world by valuing the lives of the very young and the elderly. More help is needed worldwide. View this article to see how this group is already affecting a positive change in communities that would be otherwise compromised.
https://www.macfound.org/programs/100change/2017/
https://www.macfound.org/programs/100change/2017/
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Deciding who Will Take Care of Your Children if the Worst Happens
It's the dreaded scenario that all parents fear: who will take care of your children if you passed away unexpectedly? When illness is involved, many families find that making decisions early on about the care of the children, may be an easier decision than if a sudden or tragic death occurred. Here are some legal topics to consider that may aid you in making one of the most important decisions in your life.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/12/20/deciding-who-will-take-care-of-your-children-if-the-worst-happens/?utm_term=.9abe495771a7Coming to the Rescue for Children During the Holidays
Recently, I received a flood of articles related to domestic violence and death related to domestic violence during the holiday season. I have not been able to understand how such a beautiful holiday, which is supposed to represent the gift of life and love, ends up being the tragedy that ends life for so many, particularly, women. When children are left to deal with tragedy during the holidays, we often end up with children that often have a loss of faith and religion, those that may question sacred holidays, or those that may have such rage and anger inside of them that they eventually make bad decisions as well. We can talk about it, but 'What are we Doing About it?' Keep your eyes and ears open, and respect the lives of children enough to help when the need is present. Don't turn your head and refuse to intervene. It is your business! Take a look at this tragic situation, and the rescue that helped to somewhat change the holidays for these children.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article190916089.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article190916089.html
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Factory Farming Doesn't Need to be the Norm for ECE
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1712/S00071/factory-farming-doesnt-need-to-be-the-norm-for-ece.htm
Although I consider factory farming of children to be slightly different from the description in this article. Often, early childhood educators, working for corporate are often forced to 'move' children throughout the school building in order to 'massage' the 'numbers' to save on labor hours. Some programs operate that way on an everyday basis, which often forces primary caregivers to be 'sent' home for the day as early as 10 am, approximately 3 hours after the school has been opened. One such preschool management team was so addicted to the practice, site directors were required to 'report the numbers' every 30 minutes throughout the facility, to the corporate office. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for the corporate office to call and suggest combining classrooms in order to release classroom teachers for the day. The children in the programs end up suffering from an inability to truly connect with caregivers. It is unthinkable that an educator, who may also be a parent, would not want to have their children enrolled in the school they work because of mistrust for their colleagues. Factory farming of children should be shameful for those committing the act, regardless of your definition.
Would You Like a 7 to 1 Return on Investment?
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/other-voices/article190071469.html
Early childhood education is hardly an investment to offer financial gains, although in some cases it could. In most cases, investors must find peace in knowing that the investment is found in the development of the young children that they serve. Resting assured that statistically, children who attend high-quality early childhood education environments complete high school and college at higher rates, are more career oriented, make decisions based on strong cognition skills, and so many other advantages. Young children are not 'cash crops.'
Early childhood education is hardly an investment to offer financial gains, although in some cases it could. In most cases, investors must find peace in knowing that the investment is found in the development of the young children that they serve. Resting assured that statistically, children who attend high-quality early childhood education environments complete high school and college at higher rates, are more career oriented, make decisions based on strong cognition skills, and so many other advantages. Young children are not 'cash crops.'
Outdoor Activity Important for Children
Outdoor opportunities are extremely important for children. In fact, regardless of where your child learns, at home (homeschool) or in a more formal setting, outdoors is an important play area, next to the classroom. When activities are planned, play is enhanced!
Trips and Gifts of Experience Versus Toys
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/trips-children-prefer-to-toys-according-to-science/
Some children wake up to rooms of toys on Christmas morning. Others may wake up to
a few toys that they listed and passed to their families prior to the day. Yet others may wake up to packages of either trips or other important experiences that may be important to children throughout the year. Only you have the ability to determine what Christmas means to your children and family. Over the past several years, I have found that many children have been blessed to be committed members of their community, by making good decisions that would bless others that may be less fortunate during kindness season. As a parent, would you be upset if your child took their Christmas toys and donated them? Further, would you be willing to research and arrange gifts for your children that would give them good experiences? Instead of spending $150 on dump trucks, buses, drones, dolls, accessories, etc., could you imagine seeing your child's face if they received a dance experience, local museum experience, or other experience of their interest? Most importantly, remember kindness season could last the entire year. Consider more 'Experience Gifting.'
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Children Still Die from Pollution, Regularly in some Countries
It is unfathomable to think that young children would be exposed to environmental factors that could kill them. This report forced many tears from me and called me to action. More research is needed, more action is needed! Take a look, act!
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/12/03/too-many-children-still-die-pollutionCurious Children Ask a Staggering Number of Questions
Are your children asking enough questions? Are you able to answer them? Take a look. You may be surprised!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/curious-children-questions-parenting-mum-dad-google-answers-inquisitive-argos-toddlers-chad-valley-a8089821.htmlUS News Reports: An Arkansas Teen Creates Children's Home in Kenya
This article is both heartwarming and encouraging. There are many programs for older children, and only a few for children under five years old, in Kenya. We now know that early education is beneficial both during the school years and beyond. This Arkansas teen is an amazing representation of kindness and forward-looking. Take a look!
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arkansas/articles/2017-12-03/arkansas-teen-creates-childrens-home-in-kenya
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arkansas/articles/2017-12-03/arkansas-teen-creates-childrens-home-in-kenya
Sunday, December 3, 2017
1000 Women Child Care Center, Edmonton Crashes Cultural Barriers
This is a lovely story of how children learn through play with other children, and how children are exposed to cultures other than their own. Take a peek.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/1000-women-child-care-centre-edmonton-1.4427794
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/1000-women-child-care-centre-edmonton-1.4427794
Preschool Suspension Should Not be an Option if Procedures are Followed
The National Association for the Education of Young Children wrote a statement saying,"Expulsion in early childhood education is not an intervention. Over a decade of research and data tell us that the policies and practices of suspension and expulsion in early childhood, which disproportionately affect children of color, are causing harm to children and families."http://www.wxyz.com/news/us-dept-of-education-study-shows-preschool-suspensions-a-huge-problem
Friday, December 1, 2017
Funny! The Real Reasons Parents Have Children Twitter Thread
What were your reasons? Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot G..Noir...Screw Driver.
Preschool Teaching Impacts Academic Success and Social Skills Among Young Children
The Carolinas' project at the Frank Porter Graham Center in Chapel Hill has provided our industry such a wealth of knowledge through the years. Take a moment to view this article to gain an understanding of how research is gathered to help young children and their families attain academic success.
Net Neutrality
Want to know more? Take a look at the attached argument.
TV Marketing Reaching our Children
While advertisers have cleaned their ads over the past 10-15 years, our children are still subject to unhealthy foods while they view prime-time television. Take a look.
Philanthropy, Galore!
Take a moment to view early childhood education philanthropy opps. Perhaps, you are able to create and fund an opportunity for the very young.
https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2017/11/28/early-childhood-education-leader-assembles-team-of-national-partners-for-next-big-projectGrin and Grow Executive Director Retires, Job Well Done!
It's not every day that we hear wonderful stories like this, but this one is great and certainly warms the heart.
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/grin-grow-executive-director-michael-knapp-retires-after-years/article_6111093f-908c-57eb-be06-30a82ab6c276.html
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/grin-grow-executive-director-michael-knapp-retires-after-years/article_6111093f-908c-57eb-be06-30a82ab6c276.html
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