Getting to Know Your International Contacts

My international contact has not respond to my questions and concerns about the issue of poverty. Therefore, I have chosen to read and share insights about poverty in the country of China. China is has a population of 1.2 billion or more people. In recent years, China has made a major effort in their poverty reduction. China poverty reduction is due to their economic and social transition. Nevertheless, the national poverty line for China is low according to the international standards, which mean the people are living close to the poverty line.

Nevertheless, China’s transition from a central planned to a globalized market economy has helped reduced chronic poverty and the disadvantage people. In regards to childhood poverty, 4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantage conditions. Since the 1990s, children living in poverty have declined. Nevertheless, people living in China continue to look for better opportunities to improve their living conditions and the everyday lifestyle for their families.

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP) www.childhoodpoverty.org

Sharing Web Resources

World Forum Foundation

www.worldforumfoundation.org

The organization focuses on providing quality services for young children in diverse setting. This organization encourages and promotes early childhood professionals everywhere too continue sharing and exchanging ideas that will help provide a quality service for young children in diverse settings.

One of the main focuses from the website was the curriculum for young children. The early educators are a group of professionals known as the “working group.” As a group of educators, they are working together to develop an age and developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children. The early educators are using effective and research-based approaches to assist them with developing and implementing the curriculum in the learning environment for young children.  

Within the curriculum, it is important for the early educator to consider the different cultures. Therefore, when lesson plans and activities are implemented in the classroom the diverse learners will feel comfortable because at some point of time the curriculum addressed diversity. Nevertheless, all the diverse learners will receive the chance to learn about various cultures through their age appropriate curriculum.

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I was able to establish contact with Mr. Eric Atmore in South Africa through email. Through email, I explained to him that I wanted to learn about The National Early Childhood Development Alliance in Africa. In his email, Mr. Atmore asked me why was I interested in learning about early childhood education in another country. I explained to him that I have a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and that I teach 3 to 4 year old children, and I am currently working on my Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Therefore, I have always had an interest in early childhood development of young children. Nevertheless, after my explanation of why I was interested he was eager to share information. He discussed how the alliance focuses on young children and also their families. He discussed how the early childhood programs in Africa purpose is to protect the child's right to develop to his or her fullest potential in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. I explained to him that this is a similar focus to most early childhood programs in America. He also stated that, "If I needed anymore information he would respond to mail email as soon as he had the chance."
The second person I tried to contact in Hong Kong is Dr. Betty Po-King through email to learn information about Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association. Nevertheless, I was unable to reach her and she has not responded back to any of my emails. I am still waiting for a response from Dr. Po-King.