I have not heard back from my international contact, but here is the information that I gained from the Center on the Developing Child website and the audio from this week. I learned about the initiative established by the world’s government to “end poverty and hunger, ensure that every child worldwide completed at least a primary education and reduce child mortality by two-thirds by 2015” (Center on the Developing Child, 2010). The initiatives are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Dr. Shonkoff at the “World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Wealth of Nations” September 27-29, 2010 speaks to the importance of brain science in child development and the unhealthy effects of early-life adversity have ramifications both on long-term health of the individuals and society” (Center on the Developing Child, 2010).
In addition to the information gained from the Center on the Developing Child website I enjoyed the audio from Vasquez on the Excellence and equity of care on education on this week. As she discussed Standards, School Readiness, Achievement Gaps and Assessment Challenges.
References
Walden University (2011). Excellence and equity of care and education. Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4895003&Survey=1&47=7787673&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Center on the Developing Child Harvard University (2010). Global gathering in Moscow put spotlight on early childhood issues. Retrieved April 2, 2011 from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/global_child_development/moscow-conference/
Do you think that the Millenium Development Goals will be reached by 2015? Cutting child mortality by 2/3 is wonderful but how can they actually implicate their plan to do so? And I hope they can make a dent in world hunger and poverty as well. I applaud their efforts either way!
ReplyDeleteI think that ending poverty is an important part of education. If children are worried about eating or how they look then they will not be able to focus of learning. This would also help mor children survive.
ReplyDeleteUndrea,
ReplyDeleteYes, if children are hungry before anyone can begin to teach the child the immediate need must be taken care of first. We have so often experienced children that come in hungry or very fatigued. When this occurs our chief goal is to make sure that the child is fed and more often than not we have to allow that child to take a nap.
Brittany, I am not sure if the Millenium Goals will be reached by 2015. It will take everyone working together neuroscientist, politicians and educators etc. I too applaud their efforts.
ReplyDeleteCarmen,
ReplyDeleteYour post was amazing. The Millenium Goals are very attainable goals but it will take everyone's participation in this effort. I was also reading some of your comments about addressing the needs of children which made me think of an old student that I had last year. The child would come in hungry and tired but it wasn't because of neglect but the mother worked unusual hours which required the child waking up at strange hours to move from home to another care-takers house. He was cranky in the morning but after a healthy breakfast and short nap, he was a very enjoyable young man.
I also agree that if a child comes in hungry or tired that this must be addressed or learning can not take place. Great points in the posts and the comments below. I look forward to reading more posts from you.