My Final Blog Post for Current Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Course

First of all I would like to say SALAMAT PO! (Thank you), to all of you who have made this past few weeks very educational and interesting. It has been difficult for me to keep on this course because of lot stressors in my life. Being a Second Language English learner myself, has been difficult and challenging because I have to spend countless hours just to put my thoughts together. I almost gave up but (believe it or not) your first response to my first week’s blog and comments from our instructor has made it possible for me to finish this course. Your positive response had made a lot of difference. 

 I learned a lot from all of you and I hope I was able to give back what you have given me. I hope we will continue to support each other until we finish our journey towards earning our masters degree in early childhood education.

During the past weeks, I have learned that countries all over the world have the same issues and concerns about the field of early childhood. Concerns about the quality, compensation, and affordability of child care programs.  The lack of sufficient funding to support early childhood programs have put the provision of high-quality programs in jeopardy. Due to this issue also that only a small percentage of early childhood programs meet standards of excellence and that majority are mediocre or in less quality. Poor quality program has place children at risk in all areas of development. The issue of poor compensation to early childhood educators has led to high turn-over rate of teachers. This factor compromises the well-being of children who needs consistency and stability in their lives. The issue of affordability of child care, particularly for low income families, has kept many low-income mothers from workforce or from educational pursuits, making it more difficult for families to survive this current economy.  

Continuing awareness on the issue and current trend in early childhood education, not just in America but all over the world, will be my main goal in working towards finding solutions to the current concerns of early childhood field. Being equipped with knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting families and children, I will be able to support and continue to advocate for the increase funding on research programs -on the benefit of early childhood program and accessibility and affordability of early childhoo

My International Contact Part 3

The current issue that my contact talked about is the same issue that we have here in America. Teachers are getting paid less for the work that they are doing. Aside from this issue, the lack of funding for schools to provide basic things for the classroom. Children share seats and tables, books and textbooks due to high-adult child ratio.  Basic things such as papers and pencils, and other art materials are also lacking.

For teachers who are dedicated and committed to giving their children the best education and understand the importance of encouraging children to express themselves and their creativity, they take the expenses out of their own pockets. Some teachers can afford to do it but others have their own family to take care too and this situation frustrates them because they know that they can do more to improve the quality of education for these children but there is nothing they can do about it. Professional wise, they do not see bigger opportunities for their career, but given the opportunity to build their own center is one of their ultimate dreams.

She also mentions to me that those teachers tend to shift their profession to housekeeper or nanny in another country because they get paid more than being a professional teacher. It is disheartening to hear to hear this story but this is reality. We have lots of good teachers in the Philippines but were not given the opportunity to practice their profession. Some of them tried to apply for a visitor or tourist visa in America and use this as a stepping stone to look for employment but very few gets the opportunity. She was fortunate ones to get the visa but not fortunate enough to be hired right away. There were private school here in America who wants to hire her but the law requires employer to give priority to our citizens first before importing teachers or employees abroad. They said they will process her papers (visa) and wait for them to contact her again.

I totally support America’s effort to take care of its citizens first, then seek professionals abroad, but only a number of people want to take our work as teachers. Our current situation tends to make our profession the last resort for those people who cannot or do not qualify for another kind of job. The idea of being a teacher or caregiver, because it will definitely land you into employment and the qualification is very minimal is really sad.

My friend told me , if they will be given a chance to fill in the lack of teachers in other parts of the world such as America, she believes that they can expect “ the high-quality of care and education for their children, because we are passionate, hardworking and committed to giving our children a better future.”   

It is unfortunate that they have to seek opportunities abroad but if there are no opportunities in their own country, what choice do they have? It is also saddening to hear that they give up their profession to become a housekeeper or nanny abroad but what can they do to support their families? If there are anything that we can do to advocate for them, get them employment as teachers, let us help them.  

Sharing Web Resources 2

I am very excited to share with you the latest news I gathered from the Early Child Care in New Zealand. I find it very interesting use it focuses on equity and excellence in early childhood field. It gave me high hopes on the future of early childhood education. In spite of the current downfall of the global economy, the New Zealand Government has invested an extra $550.3 million in early childhood education (ECE) over the next four years. It will allow as many families as possible to access quality ECE services where they needed most (http://www.ecc.org.nz/).

  The Government’s priorities for ECE will increase participation for Maori, Pasifika and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds that will benefit the most from ECE, while also controlling the Government expenditure.

Budget 2011 includes:

• $416.7 million over four years to meet increased demand from more children staying in ECE for longer periods of time and population growth.
• $61 million over four years for a Universal Cost Adjustment to Early Childhood Education Funding Rates. The non-salary component of ECE funding rates will be increased by 2.92 per cent. $21.5 million over four years for extending Equity Funding.
• $12.8 million operating and $18 million capital expenditure over four years for an early learning information system to improve information about participation and system performance.
• $20.3 million over four years to extend early childhood education for children in State care and to expand the Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) for families in most need.

Eligibility for Equity Funding has been extended to all ECE services that provide ECE to children from high-need communities. 

I have learned that Equity Funding is being introduced to reduce educational disparities between different groups, reduce barriers to participation faced by those groups under-represented in ECE services. It also supports ECE services to raise the level of children’s educational achievement. It also provides additional resources to ECE services that enrol children from high-need communities, and will be available to all eligible ECE services from 1 July 2011.

Extending Equity Funding supports Government’s priority for ECE, which is to ensure those families who are not currently taking part and who would benefit the most participate in quality ECE(http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/ManagementInformation/RecentAnnouncements/Budget2011.aspx).

Author Heckman writes, “The logic is quite clear from an economic standpoint. We can invest early to close disparities and prevent achievement gaps, or we can pay to remediate disparities when they are harder and more expensive to close. Either way we are going to pay. And we'll have to do both for a while. But, there is an important difference between the two approaches. Investing early allows us to shape the future; investing later chains us to fixing the missed opportunities of the past. Controlling our destiny is more in keeping with the American spirit.”   

The outside links that I have explored supports the importance of having access to early childhood education. It explains the special attachment between adult and child which forms relationship and enables children to reach their full potential. It also creates a template for how they will get on with others and the type of relationship they will form in the future. It also tackled the issue on how brain connections are formed in response to everyday experiences (http://www.brainwave.org.nz/).  The negative implications on children’s IQ, greater risk of developing emotional disorders, learning disabilities and behavioural problems brought about poor environment and relationship on children were also explained on this site.

The three experts on the importance of the first three years: Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, Dr. Simon Rowley and Lauren Porter share the important role of parent in the first three years of their children’s lives. They encourage parents to give their children plenty of love and attention that will benefit their cognitive capacity, their intellectual performance, and the range of neurological and behavioural outcomes that will influence their how they will do well in life. They also tells parent to enjoy and have fun with their children (www.brainwave.org.nz).

References:

http://www.brainwave.org.nz

http://www.ecc.org.nz

http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/ManagementInformation/RecentAnnouncements/Budget2011.aspx

Equity and Excellence

Aloha my colleagues!

 My friends from the Philippines were very excited to hear about our blog exchange. They were very curious to know if the information they have given me were very helpful in our course. I told them that I am thankful and very fortunate to have them as resource persons. They gave the website where I can find additional information and updates on the Philippines’ educational system because they will be very busy in the coming weeks because their schools have lots of program for the fall.

Last time, I have mentioned the implementation of the universal kindergarten in the Philippines and the dilemma that they are facing due to the lack of classroom and teachers in early childhood. The intention is positive because they want equity and excellence in education no matter what the status of the people. They want early childhood curriculum be accessible not just for the wealthy and middle class family but even to the poorest community. The concerns are the following: need to build schools and educate and train teachers in the field of early childhood field. The main goal of this program is to improve the quality of education for young children which will help them in the future. They also believed that education is the key to solve the problems of poverty in the country by helping children prepare for primary grade school and compete in the global market.

 This week I saw some positive news about some communities helping out to build classroom and or use of their facilities to accommodate these children. One of the non-governmental organizations that offer help to the program is the Gawad Kalinga.  Gawad Kalinga’s foundation was laid on December 26, 1995 the Catholic community Couples for Christ gave birth to GK which was held for Youth Camp for gang members and juvenile delinquents in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, the largest slum area in the Philippines. The said program was organized by CFC – Youth for Christ.

In 1999, the first GK house was built for the Adduru family, also from Bagong Silang.^[2] The name "Gawad Kalinga", which translates in the Filipino language either as "to give care" or "to award care", was coined in 2000. The GK Child and Youth Development program aims to develop the skills and talents of the children and youth in the GK communities by inculcating values that bring out their full potential. SIBOL, which means “to grow,” provides value-based education to pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old. SAGIP, which means “to save a life”, is a support program for children aged 7 to 13 years old, which consists of free academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops and values formation classes. SIGA, which means “to light”, empowers teens to become productive citizens through sports, creative activities and mentoring sessions.

As part of their commitment to help families and children of poor communities to have access to quality life and education, they offer to build schools and use 300 of their facilities to use as school for children ages 3 to 5 year old. This is in support of the universal kindergarten program of the government. These facilities may not be enough but at least it will be able to cater to children in these communities. It will take time for the Philippines to meet equity and excellence in education in the Philippines but a small step will make a lot of difference. I just hope that they will continue to support the field of early childhood education and make laws that will help families and children have access to quality education in order to make their life better in the future.

Other countries look up to America on programs that promote equity and achieve overall quality yet these answers are found in other countries. We have the answers but it will be up to us to continue to advocate and let our legislature know the importance of early childhood programs in the lives of our children and their future.

                                                                                                                

Unless we reconceptualize American early childhood education research and policy and unless we counter centuries of history to create an early childhood system for all children, our strategies, as promising as they appear, will perpetuate, not prevent, inequity and inequality. America owes its children, and the world, far better (Kagan, 2009).

Reference:

http://www.deped.gov.ph/updates/default.asp

Kagan, S. L. (2009). American early childhood education: Preventing or perpetuating inequity? (Equity Matters: Research Review No. 3). Retrieved from Campaign for Educational Equity website: http://www.equitycampaign.org/i/a/document/9833_EquityMatters_Kagan_Final.pdf
"American Early Childhood Education: Preventing or Perpetuating Inequity?" by S.L. Kagan. Copyright 2009 by Campaign for Educational Equity. Equity Matters: Research Review No.3, Victoria University of Technology, Equity and Social Justice Branch. Reprinted by permission of CAL, COPYRIGHT AGENCY LIMITED via the Copyright Clearance Center. http://www.equitycampaign.org/i/a/document/9833_EquityMatters_Kagan_Final.pd

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawad_Kalinga

Updates on newsletter about the Early Childhood Council New Zealand

Aloha everyone!

I would like to share with you some news affecting early childhood in New Zealand. There are some articles that were interesting on their site but only members have access on it. I wrote them an e-mail requesting if I can be an auxiliary member but they have not responded yet. Anyway, as soon as I get their reply, I will keep you posted.

I was able to read four articles about the trends and issues in early childhood education. First is about the issue of unemployment which dropped last month. The Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says that unemployment dropped last month especially on the youth sector.

The total number of people on the Unemployment Benefit is now 55,974, the lowest it’s been since July 2009. “The Unemployment Benefit has now dropped 18% since the peak in January last year when 68,369 New Zealanders were on this benefit. “We’ve also seen the number of young people (18-24 year olds) on the Unemployment Benefit drop by 32% from 23,545 in January 2010 to 15,980” http://www.ecc.org.nz/MainMenu).

Seek New Zealand figures show new job ads are 16.3% higher than last year and Department of Labour figures show all vacancies have risen 49.7% since the lowest point in June 2009. There are now 328,355 people on benefits in New Zealand. Though some of the jobs were short term and seasonal, job advertisement on vacancies has continued to grow.

Just like other countries, it has been tough on the economy of New Zealand too. They also have issues of poverty and unemployment which are affecting the lives of families and children. However, they remain positive in their outlook. Any job opportunities, whether it be temporary or seasonal, it will have an impact on families.

The second issue that I read is about the survey on the qualifications for effective teachers.  A recent international survey asked participants what qualifications were seen as being most important in creating effective early childhood teachers. The results from 1,400 voters suggested these as the top-rated qualifications (with other qualifications getting lesser votes):

• 59% Nurturing personality
• 50% Love of children
• 42% Bachelor's degree in early childhood education
• 42% Opportunity to work with excellent teacher
• 38% Creative abilities
• 32% Close supervision and mentoring
• 31% Associate's degree in early childhood education
• 22% Regular participation in local workshops
• 21% Multiple years of experience teaching preschool
• 12% Participation in rigorous in-house training program

They find these ratings intriguing. They wanted to know other people’s reaction on this survey and requested them to share their views on their discussion board or Facebook. This will help them add perspective to this international trend report.

Base on the outcome of this survey, the character or personality of the teachers ranked higher than education attainment. In my opinion, it is really important that teachers should have positive and nurturing relationship with the children. We cannot also dismiss the importance of their educational attainment. What is your reaction?  

Reference:

 Early Childhood Council New Zealand (EEC)
http://www.ecc.org.nz/MainMenu 
(Review also media resources at: http://www.ecc.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=159)

Getting to Know My International Contacts

Aloha to all my colleagues!

During the first week of our course, I mentioned about getting in touch with my friends and school mate in college in the Philippines. I was very fortunate to have found them in facebook and accidentally, through my friend who visited me here in Hawaii last month (after so many years we did not see each other). Both of them teaches preschoolers in a private school in the Philippines but one of them started doing home school because her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder so she decided to stop working and care for her son. They were very helpful in gathering information about the issues and trend in early childhood education in the Philippines.

During the first week that I exchanged messages with them, I do not have any idea what to ask or what information I need to gather from them. I wrote messages to them using our own language and they were surprise to hear it from me. I used Tagalog (language from the Philippines) to ask questions with the impression that they are more comfortable to answer. They told me that they prefer to give updates and information about early childhood using the English language. In response I told them that I am very glad because they will make my work easier by translating it for me.

I asked them about the government and private sectors programs for early childhood education in the Philippines . I would like to share with you the information I gathered from them. They said that the Philippine government has started implementing the universal kindergarten program in public schools this school year. The purpose of this program  is to improve the quality of education for young children which will help them in the future. They also believed that education is the key to solve the problems of poverty in the country. Kindergarten programs have become a prerequisite before entering elementary education. They said that this program is facing big problems due to lack of classrooms and lack of teachers. This has been an existing problem in the education system before this program has been implemented. Now, the people are asking the Philippine Government if they are ready for the implementation of this Universal Kindergarten Programs. In spite of these concerns; the government has imposed this program on its people. 

Another update on the education system is the proposal of an additional two-year program in elementary which is equivalent to middle school in the U.S. The proposal was created to meet the standards or requirements of the U.S. and other countries in the field of education. They expect to implement this program by the year 2014.

These proposals aim to improve the quality of education in the Philippine. It aims to improve the quality of life of the people, be known to the world and compete in the global market. On the other hand, families are facing difficult situation especially those who are already living under poverty level. They can no longer afford to send their children to school for another two years.  The implications of this proposal will affect the number of children finishing elementary, high school and college. It will probably benefit the 1/3 population who can afford it and the 2/3 of population (who are in poverty situation) fate are not yet determined.

Sharing Web Resources

The Early Childhood Council (ECC) is the largest representative body of licensed early childhood centres in New Zealand. It has over a1000 member centers which are both community-owned and commercially owned, it employ more than 7000 staff and care for more than 50,000 children.

There are two issues that I read this week that affects greatly the welfare of the children, their families and early childhood professionals in New Zealand. First is the removal of the 80 to 100% funding band and second, the child poverty in New Zealand.

Peter Reynolds, CEO of the Early Childhood Council (ECC) was concerned about the cutting of funds which will greatly affect the many childhood centers in New Zealand. He said that many centers have invested on educational programs to achieve government goals in order to get funding from the government will now feel that they have wasted their money and time. He said:” to remove the goal and its associated funding penalizes harshly those centres that have achieved it, and the impact on our membership is substantial” (ECC, 2011). A number of centers are now very concerned about the impact of this on their businesses.  The ECC believed that there were ‘alternative options’ for government to consider around this issue and would seek to meet with their Minister of Education to settle this concern.

The second issue that I would like to share is the poverty facing New Zealand’s children. Professor Dame Anne Salmond quotes: ‘An ageing society that does not care for its young has a death wish’ (ECC, 2011). She said that the New Zealand policy makers must have a death wish because the children live in homes where income levels are less than 60% of the median household income. The article also was concerned about the lasting effect of this matter to children’s growth and development in the future.

David Grimmond , an economist, found out that New Zealand ranks 28^th out of 30 amongst OECD countries across 20 dimensions of child outcomes. He found that countries like Netherlands use similar amount of funding for children but has better outcomes (ECC, 2011). He recommends that New Zealand increases both its level of spending and find ways to improve how the money is spent. He also says that ‘Access to affordable early childhood education is critical form of public investment leading to positive returns from good child outcomes. For vulnerable children this will be more effective when combined with support and education that enables parents to be involved and also up skill themselves‘(ECC, 2011).

I have learned that every country are having problems economically and has affected greatly the early childhood field. Cutting of funding by the government especially the services provide for the families and early childhood education will have great impact on child’s well being. I will share with you the article I read: Child Poverty and the 1000 campaign which questions and made us think how a household could manage an income that is not even enough to pay for rent or mortgages can provide the basic goods for their children? If families cannot provide adequate food, clothing and housing for our children, what problems do you think they will have as adults? How will their learning be affected?

Reference:
 Early Childhood Council New Zealand (EEC)
http://www.ecc.org.nz/MainMenu 
(Review also media resources at: http://www.ecc.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=159)

Establishing Professional Contact

Last month, I have a friend who connects with me again after 20 years we separated in college. She decided to visit me here in Hawaii before going to California. We talked about how our lives and priorities have changed over time and during our conversation, she mentions about a friend who turned out to be a teacher at a preschool in the Philippines. I asked my help to get her e-mail address, telephone number or get in touch with me through facebook. I started by leaving messages in her facebook account and she replied back, asking me what she can do to help out. She also gave her telephone number and e- mail account so we can exchange information her, information and ideas to each other. While navigating through the site, I came across another friend who is now an assistant professor in the university where I graduated. I wrote him a letter to help me find someone from the college of education who can assist and help me gather information the early childhood education.

I chose to establish contacts in the Philippines to connect again to my old friends in college and to learn more about the challenges, issues and trends in their early childhood education in today’s time and economy.  I am very fortunate to see my friends again, though everything seems by accident, I believe all of us will benefit learning from them.

The early childhood organization I chose is the Early Childhood Council New Zealand (EEC). I have read some interesting articles from their site regarding some of the challenges facing their early childhood programs. Some of it is the effect of the economy, government laws and some changes in the policies or programs in the early childhood field. They have lots of interesting articles on their site especially the promotion and inclusion of different culture or ethnic language in their program. Some articles can only be accessed by members of the council or organization only. I send e-mail to their organization requesting to allow me to be a member though I am neither a resident nor a part of any organization or institution on Early Childhood. I am waiting for their response and hopefully, I will have access to their site and I will keep you posted in the coming weeks of our courses. 



Early Childhood Council New Zealand (EEC)http://www.ecc.org.nz/MainMenu 
(Review also media resources at: http://www.ecc.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=159)
International Child Resource Institute

My Supports

These are the following supports that are essential to my daily life. My family, friends and environment has great influence in my daily living. 

My social and emotional support

 My family support means a lot to me. No matter what challenges or problems I have at work or in my life, I know that everything will turn out great because I have them. My husband and children listen, understand and help me see things in a different perspective. They also respect my decisions whether it is different from theirs. I appreciate every little things that they do to help me out, whether it be small things, such as putting their clothes in the hamper, help cut vegetables, set-up table or put things away where it should be makes me very happy and inspired me throughout the day. Little things make me happy. It means they care about our home and they care about me.  I always tell them that every little thing they do to help out will be make a big difference in someone’s life.

 My friends who are always there to listen, make me laugh, share and enjoy their wonderful experiences, makes me realize that I need worry because they will always be there when I needed them. These people provide social and emotional support when things get rough and guides me through my decision making process.    

Every day of my life, when I wake up until I go to sleep, I think about the people around me who have been good to me and supportive of me throughout the day. I could not imagine not having them in my life and I am thankful everyday for having them. 

My Practical and Physical Support

 With the current economic situation, I am also thankful that my husband and I have a job. It is essential for us, so we can provide the basic needs for our children such as food, shelter and clothing. We can also provide essential things that will make us live comfortably and secured. This includes education, medical care and transportation for the family.

Challenges without these supports

When my husband retired from the military, he was not employed right away. Fortunately, we still have little savings from our tax refund.  We need not worry for a few months because we can still pay for our mortgage in the house and buy food for our children. He finally got the job but was not paying enough to cover for our bills. After a few months, he lost his job again. We have used up his Thrift Savings Plan and we manage to survive for a few months. During these times, the support of our friends and relatives has poured in telling us that everything will be alright. Though we know that everything will not be alright without the monetary or practical and physical support, we manage to convince our own selves that everything will turn out great for us.  The support from our friends were overwhelming and inspiring that we continue to hope and have positive outlook in life. Though we worry that next month or the month after, we will loss our house and our self-esteem knowing that we could no longer provide for our children.  My husband loss his confidence in himself but I manage to convince him to keep on trying and keep on applying for a job. It took a toll on me too but manages to keep it within myself. I get to talk to my friends just to release some of the stress and just by talking to them, I was able to gather strength and hope that we will get through these challenge. When our funds are about to turn negative zero, my spouse employment opportunity came pouring. Now his concerns become positive - deciding what job opportunity to choose.   

With this experience, I reflect upon the importance of all the support around us. I have come to realize that these supports are interconnected with each other. It really makes a big impact on our future and without it, life can be tough.

                                                                                                                         

My Connections to Play

I remember when I was little; I used to cry when my mother or my nanny dressed me up like my sister. My sister loves wearing pretty dresses with matching hair clips, bag, shoes, fan, and handkerchief. She enjoys making dresses for her dolls and playing indoors, while me on the other hand is the exact opposite of her. I have very low self-esteem when I am wearing a dress, I do not see myself beautiful when I am wearing a girls dress but rather I am confident and comfortable  when I  wear my brothers’ clothes. I am a tomboy and I enjoy playing outdoors.  I am very quiet and introvert at school but I am a totally different person when I play at home.  After a while, my parents did not mind how I looked like but rather focus on what makes me happy and what helps me overcome my shyness.

“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.”

                                              Friedrich Froebel (founder of the concept of kindergarten)

We have a big backyard with lots of fruit bearing trees. We climb trees, pick fruits and eat it while on top of the tree, swing to it and climb again. We play hide and seek and some children hide inside our house. Our family welcomes our friends and allows everyone who wants to play in our yard.  The only way you will not be allowed in our yard is when you start a fight, curse and gambles. Our friends love to go to our place because children have the freedom to play and explore the things around our yard. Their families do not have to worry where they are because they now that my parents will look after their children.  

We do not need any fancy or store bought toys. I remember marbles, tops and plastic balls are few of the toys that I have to buy when I was little. We improvised games; we use the things that are available around us. Things like sticks, tin cans and slippers. Sometimes we do not need anything, just by playing tag, hide and seek and flicking the flower petals. We never run out of things to do and we always have fun playing. We gather scraps of wood in our backyard use hammer and nail to also build our own house. Each one will bring whatever food they have such as eggs, can goods, dried fish and rice. We will cook it using improvised stove and fire woods. We will cut banana leaves to use as our plate, put our food and eat together using bare hands. These are just some of the wonderful memories I had when I was little. 

“It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.”

                                                         ~ D.W. Winnicott (British pediatrician)

Looking back, I remember how our parents allow us to be ourselves, they let us learn from our experience, whether it is a good or painful one, they let us figure things out. When I asked permission from my parents to go out and play or do something daring or challenging, they always consider my safety first. When I assure them that I will be alright and this is what I want to do, they will voice out their concern and show their support on me. In gratitude to their support and allowing me to do the things I love to do, I make sure that I succeed and share with them what I learned from the experience. I am very fortunate that I have this opportunity to play and learn from the things around me. I am not as intelligent and rich as my other friends are but I would say I can overcome the challenges that come my way because my parents and my family has prepared for the real life.

As an early childhood educator, it is my hope that children today will have the opportunity to play and experience what we have when we were younger. Every one of us has can make a difference in children’s future by allowing children to learn through play.

Essential Play Items For my Younger Self                                                                      

Slippers – can be use in any kind of game. There is a game we call “bending”. I just realized now that this game is in English which means, to bend. There are two to four players on one side and another player standing at the end of the course. Each player will carry the slippers using every part of their body except holding the slippers by their hand. It will start from the foot, positioning the slippers horizontally, using your toes to clip it; you will then hop until you reach the other person, then going back to the base. Then followed by folding your legs, and so and so forth; going up to the other parts of your body. Once you are successful and reach your head, the final step is to throw your slippers behind you, bending your body to reach it and that is the end of the game. When the slippers fell, you are unsuccessful; it is the other persons turn to play. You will go back to where you stop and finish the course. The first one to finish the course wins.

Tin can and slippers – we call this game “Tumbang Preso” which means Tumba means fall, Preso literally means jail or pressed. The game “tumbang preso” is played by one player that is “it” and as many children as they want to join the game. The “it” will have one pressed tin can and the other children, need to have a pair of slippers. The “It “ will guard the pressed tin can and make sure that it remains standing, he can tag anybody while the can is  standing. The rest of the children will use their slippers to hit the can, when the can falls, everybody can get their slippers, and go back to their bases, while the “ It” puts the can back in the can base, when the can is up and the “it” tagged you, you will be the “ It”. He cannot tag you if the can is still lying down in the ground. If the can is still up and the children do not have their slippers anymore, they can work together and make develop a strategy on how they can sneak and put the can down. The game continues until there is new “it’ or the children get tired playing the game.

Game of sticks – we call this game “Shato”. I do not know where this game originated or what the name of the game means but I remember playing it when I was little. You need two sticks, to play this game. One stick is about six inches in length and the other one is about two to two and a half feet long. Either you dig a hole to put the small stick in the middle or you use a rock to hold the small stick will be fine. You position the bigger stick in the middle of the small stick to lift or hit it as far as you can. The other person will try to catch it. If he or she catches it, they switched places, if not they will remain in their same position. At the end of the game the other person will put a rock in the middle of the stick, in an inclining position and hit it. Wherever it landed, they will start counting the distance from the landing area going to the base and that will be your score. If the other party catches it, game will be over and they will switch places. Whoever gets the highest score at the end of two games, the other party gets to hit the small stick three times, and no matter how far it is, there will be one or two persons from the losing group has to shout the word “shato” without breathing. If they stop shouting before getting into the base, the other party can hit the small stick farther and repeat the same process again.

These games promote team work, physical activities that help with fine and gross motor skills development as well as mathematical skills too.  It also promotes creativity and resourcefulness by letting children improvised and make up a game that is flexible and fun for children without having adult intervention. Children can decide and resolve conflicts on their own when needed in order to finish the game or play.