The new ideas and insights that I gained about early childhood systems around the globe from Harvard University's "Global Children's Initiative is that the main focus is on the overall health, development and survival of all children. The Global Children's Initiative is devoted to the responsibility of the children needs and the positive outcomes when it comes to economic productivity, health and the society as a whole. The other insight I gained from the site is that the Global Children's Initiative is building, researching, reframing, implementing and educating policy makes, educators and other professionals on how the learning process and behavior pattern start in a child's early stages of life. The site provided me the knowledge of how experience influences the brain and genes. I learned that a healthy environment and lifestyle leads to a healthy development (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2012).
.
The site educated me on how stress can affect development and the preventive measures to take to avoid and cope with the challenges of stress. there is positive stress that contributes to healthy development, such as increased heart rate, and hormonal levels being elevated. Another stress response is tolerable stress that can be harmful due to the length of the stress on the body's alert system. Then there is toxic stress that can be a lifelong disaster due to physical or emotional abuse, neglect, substance abuse, mental illness, or experience or exposure to violence. This type of stress can affect the brain development, body organs, other diseases and cognitive impairment. The site is to help invest and improve the lives of children and benefit the society down the road. I have learned that early intervention and successful prevention programs can be a positive outcome and impact on the younger aged children (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2012).
The additional information that I gained about issues of equity and excellence is that it takes a village to get the goal of putting the needs of all children first. Children from all around the world are faced with challenges of inequality and in order for the education field to be a success, respected and equal to all is to implement the same standards, care and attention to all children regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, race, parental education, or location.
Reference
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2012). Global Children's Initiative. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/
I believe this website is one of the best resources an early childhood educator can have. I was also disheartened when I read the effects of stress on the developing brain. When you think about the millions of children worldwide who live in poverty, war zones and among unstable families, it really makes you think. Additionally, I believe in the old African adage “it takes a village to raise a family” and you described it well. Families, communities, and policy makers need to all take an active role in supporting healthy development. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
ReplyDelete