Sharing Web Resources

• Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

Some of the outside links lead to social networking sites such as Twitter, You Tube, Facebook, MySpace, Care2, Squidoo, Flicker, and FirstGiving.

• Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

YouTube is the number one online video community resource that allows millions of viewers to watch and share original videos. Save the Children utilizes this site to connect, inform, and inspire millions of people all over the world.  This site is also used as a distribution platform for Save the Children videos and  PSAs in regards to the work they do in disaster areas as well as for the welfare of children all across the globe.  Views are able to leave comments about the video(s) they few.  The videos brings awareness of hardships families are experiencing around the world; with the intent to solicit support from society at large.

• If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

Speak Out Today and Tell Your Senators to Stop Cuts to Children

The senate is currently considering a critical funding bill and Save the Children is asking everyone to speak up and speak out to solicit funding to continue the support of low-cost interventions that produce high- impact results.  The goal is to protect the most vulnerable victims from poverty and instability; our children.  In the past, the United States funding has supported millions of children all over the world by opening doors to education and providing support to victims of natural disasters.  One percent of all federal funding is used to save lives in the fight against disease, poverty, hunger, and illiteracy; in hopes of creating a healthier and secure world.

• Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

Japan Earthquake Tsunami Relief

Immediately following the Tsunami disaster, Save the Children arranged for emergency response teams to assess the needs of children and their families.  Based on the findings, several child-friendly spaces were established in an effort to provide shelter for displaced families. These spaces promoted opportunities for children to play with other children while freeing up their parents so that they could began working on rebuilding their homes.  In an effort to meet the needs of all children and their families, there plans to establish more child-friendly spaces in the near future. These children may not have all the books and art supplies that we have access to within our classroom, but they do have one important thing that have been taken away from us and that is the opportunity to “Play.” This may actually place them at a greater advantage than we have, because children learn through the freedom of play and exploration of their environment

• What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

One insight I gained from the website is the annual Advocacy Day.  I didn’t realize that there was an Advocacy Day in honor of children all around the world.  Over 215 Save the Children advocates attended the two day event on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  The Congressional offices conducted over 130 meetings where participants were able to boldly speak about the issues that are negatively impacting the lives of children all around the world.

Reference

Save the Children. (2011). Japan Earthquake Tsunami Relief. Retrieved from  http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6621121/k.3D08/JapanEarthq uakeTsunami_Relief.htm