Finding Hope in Africa

Welcome to 2010! I just returned from spending the holidays in Zimbabwe, where my husband, older son, and I spent the holidays visiting my younger son who is working there with a non-profit, International Child Resources Institute.

He has been there since September working with programs for children and young adults who face the challenges of poverty, hunger, and disease, particularly HIV/AIDS. Before we arrived he had shared stories of the resilience of the Zimbabwean people that were powerful and inspiring. But nothing that he said could have prepared us for the wonder and beauty of the country, and the warmth and generous spirit of the people we met there. Zimbabwe is an amazing country.

There is much that can be said about the hardships that face Zimbabweans. The country’s financial system was brought to a near standstill over a year ago, with a runaway inflation that rendered their currency worthless. The people have suffered under a brutal political regimen marked by violence and corruption. And a generation of children are growing up as orphans after the ravages of disease such as cholera and HIV. But that is not the Zimbabwe I experienced.

Through my son I met a people who are kind and gentle, who hope to put the past behind them and to build a better future. They have one of the highest literacy rates in all of Africa and are eager to work hard, to endure, to survive and prosper. They do not judge others by the color of their skin. They face seemingly insurmountable odds with optimism and determination.

We spent the day after Christmas in two different orphanages, one for children from 17 months to 12 years of age and one for children in their teenage years. Many of these children had been victims of sexual or physical abuse. They knew hunger and disease, loss and loneliness. But there was a spirit of hope, particularly among the older children. They sang and danced and told us of their dreams of a future as musicians, artists, business people. They shared their stories and aspirations with pride and a maturity that is rare in children of that age in the United States. They did not harbor bitterness; they looked to the future. This experience was profound and moving.

I learned a great deal about myself and others during my brief time in Zimbabwe. And among other things it reaffirmed for me the miraculous wonder of children who, with the help of caring and committed adults, have a chance to overcome despair and suffering and build a better world for the generation that will follow. I am glad to be home and to return from Zimbabwe with memories filled with hope, inspiration, and the power of the human spirit.

Reflecting On Education As The New Year Approaches

As 2009 rapidly comes to an end, it is a time of reflection about this past year and rededication to the important priorities in the coming year. In many ways 2009 will stand out as a year of conflicting messages about our nation’s commitment to its children.

As President Obama and Secretary of Education Duncan reaffirmed their commitment to education, beginning with our youngest citizens, states cut back dramatically on funding for both early childhood and K-12 education as they scrambled to balance budgets in a time of serious financial decline. As the research continued to mount as to the importance of education in preparing our nation’s children for the increased competitiveness of a global economy and the indisputable returns on investments in early childhood education, education issues seemed to be trumped by the immediate challenges posed by the financial crisis, health care reform, and even climate change. The rhetoric was strong and compelling; the commitment of resources lacking.

Perhaps 2010 will be the year when our nation is prepared to live up to the promise to give every child a fair and equal chance to participate in the American dream—a promise that will only be realized by matching noble aspirations with the financial resources that reflect a firm belief that dollars spent on education are not a public expense, they are an investment in all our futures.

I will not be posting again until the New Year. So, until 2010, I wish you, your families, and all your loved ones a joyous holiday season. In the meantime, please let me know what you are interested in hearing about in the coming year so that An Insider’s Guide can provide you with information and insights that matter to you in the most important work you do…parenting.

Teaching Children the Value of Community Involvement

Periodically, I welcome a guest to join me on my blog. David Roy, Director of  Community Partnerships for Knowledge Learning Corporation has authored the following article on the value of teaching children about community involvement.

Over the years, Knowledge Universe has had the privilege of partnering with hundreds of thousands of young children as they enjoy their first experiences in community involvement.  Through various charitable campaigns, these children, their families and the teachers in their classrooms have raised awareness and millions of dollars for a variety of local and national organizations.

People often ask us about when children are ready to serve their communities.  While all children are different, we think starting them earlier is not only developmentally appropriate, but key to building a foundation of giving that will last through childhood and into adulthood. 

Research tells us (and our own experiences have confirmed) that children who participate in charitable activities benefit in many ways:

• They experience a sense of connection to their communities.
• They develop social responsibility.
• They become aware of diversity in their communities.
• They learn about cooperation, problem-solving and citizenship.
• They learn about cause-and-effect.
• They build confidence in knowing they can make a difference.  

We’ve had years of experience with children and philanthropy, but starting small is a smart way to encourage community service for your own child.  Recycling at home is a great way to incorporate community service into your daily routine. 

During the holidays, there are many different activities that you and your child can participate in together to help organizations including delivering food baskets, gathering toys, wrapping gifts, and serving holiday meals at shelters.  Not only do these activities create a fulfilling introduction on philanthropy and giving for your child, they offer you the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation about the importance of helping others in need and how that help can come in many different forms. You may find that this creates the beginning of a lasting holiday tradition for your entire family. 

Another important thing that parents can do is to act as role models.  Volunteer at your child’s school or center, and engage your child in conversation about community service.  When you are ready to involve your child directly in a project or cause, consider your child’s interests, skill level, development level, and talk to your child when making your choice around supporting a particular organization. 

Children have altruistic instincts, and we have found that they love being a part of something bigger, something that will benefit others.  Studies show that children who participate in community activities are much more likely to do volunteer work as teens and into adulthood, so your efforts now will reap positive results for years to come. 

With the holidays approaching and with this country and the world still languishing in a difficult economic climate, there is a keen focus on charitable activities and need.  With a little preparation and consideration, you can involve your entire family in your efforts to help others.

About David Roy, Director, Community Partnerships
David Roy oversees grants, government-sponsored funding opportunities and corporate giving activities for Knowledge Learning Corporation, a leading national early childhood care and education company. David directs efforts to access grant and other funding for Knowledge Learning’s centers and programs, and helps facilitate the company’s philanthropic efforts, including those through Knowledge Learning Foundation.

David directs KinderCare’s national philanthropic fundraising campaign, which has generated over $12 million since 2000. He also directs the Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Awards program, and serves in a leadership capacity for other organizational projects and initiatives, including KLC’s new preparatory school brand.

Bay Area Report Citing Lack Of Affordable, Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Alternatives Supports National Issue

Moving from national to more local politics related to education, last week I represented Knowledge Universe at the Board of Directors Meeting of Bay Area Council.

This prestigious organization is composed of business leaders from the nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area who have come together to improve the quality of life in this area.  With representation of close to 300 businesses, the Bay Area Council has mobilized around several critical issues that impact all the citizenry of these diverse communities.

Not surprisingly, education and specifically early childhood education is one of the key priorities of this impressive group. Led by Ken McNeely, President of AT&T California, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Committee recognizes that providing quality experiences for young children is not only a social imperative, it is a business issue that will impact not only the children directly served, but the long term economic prosperity of the region and our global competitiveness.

An important work product of this Committee was a comprehensive report issued last May,  Key to Economic Success in the 21st Century: Investment in Early Childhood Programs. This report provides an overview of the research that supports the case for early childhood education as well as an analysis of the current status of ECE in the Bay Area.

Despite the region’s reputation for innovation and thought leadership, the report highlights significant gaps in both the accessibility and affordability of quality care alternatives for children of all backgrounds, with only about one-third of eligible Bay Area children receiving child care subsidies. Unfortunately, this sad state of America’s children is pervasive around the country.

As politicians debate health care reform, the war in Afghanistan, and our economic recovery, please remember that as parents we have a unique opportunity to raise our collective voices on behalf of our children and their future. Please stay as actively involved in your child’s education as you can–whatever the setting, whatever your child’s age. As a parent, I encourage you to contact your State and Local Representatives on this issue. You can find their contact information at: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Only with your advocacy and involvement will the children of today become prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Helping Your Child Avoid A Stressful Holiday Season

While the holiday season is a time of great joy, it goes without saying that it can also be a time of stress for families and children. There is much guidance that can be offered as to how to minimize your child’s stress including keeping routines such as bedtimes intact and avoiding too many sugary snacks. Most importantly, recognize your own stress and to remember that children, even very young children, take their cues from you.

It is certainly easy to get caught up in shopping or planning for the holidays, to reacting to the heavy traffic around shopping centers and seemingly everywhere, or to the hurried pace that seems to take over even our everyday routines.

Children are not immune to these stressors, but fortunately the way you react to them will make all the difference in the world. Take time this holiday season to remember the simple joy of being with your children.

As much as you can, don’t let the frantic pace cut into the quality time you spend with them—in fact, make that time your highest priority. Their enduring memories of the holidays should be of time spent with you–reading, going for walks, talking, and enjoying mealtimes together.

The gifts of your time, love, and patience are the most precious of all, and the ones that will endure long after the presents are unwrapped and the rest of the holiday season fades into a distant memory. 

NAEYC Conference Recognizes 2009 Early Childhood Educators and The Importance of Their Work

This was another week in Washington, DC, attending the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Approximately 20,000 educators, policy makers, researchers, and children’s advocates attended the conference this year. The sessions were wide-ranging from national policy discussions to practical tips for teachers.

There were two highlights for me. The first was the opening keynote by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. On Wednesday night, he addressed a packed crowd to talk about the importance of early childhood education and some efforts by the Obama Administration to improve the quality of early care and education. It was particularly significant that this was the first time that a Secretary of Education addressed the NAEYC conference, hopefully signaling a sea change in the way that early care and education is viewed and supported.

His opening comments set the stage for his speech, reaffirming that a child’s earliest years deserve special attention and focus.:

“This is a unique moment in time when early learning is no longer an afterthought, but has come into its own and is recognized as the first and most critical stage in human development. Today we have a special opportunity to build a bigger, better coordinated system of early care and education. It is time to transform early learning from a system of uneven quality and access into a system that truly and consistently prepares children for success in school and in life. And it is time to learn from the success of high-quality programs—even as we take on the challenge of raising the bar for early learning programs in the 21st century.”

The other highlight, which was of more personal significance to me, was the opportunity to participate in an Awards Ceremony honoring the 2009 recipients of the Knowledge Universe Early Childhood Educator Awards.

This amazing initiative, which I’ve mentioned before, is sponsored by Knowledge Universe to recognize and reward 5 outstanding early childhood educators, who exemplify the best of the best among the over 30,000 early childhood education teachers in KinderCare, CCLC, and Knowledge Beginnings programs around the United States. 

Teachers are secretly nominated by the supervisors based on factors such as the quality of the classroom environment; their relationships with children, families, and their peers; the use of appropriate teaching practices, and their leadership. Classroom visits are conducted to ensure that these teachers meet the highest standards of excellence on all dimensions. The actual award is given in a surprise visit to the center, and recipients receive $10,000 and are invited to the annual NAEYC conference. Our 2009 Early Childhood Educators are:

Given that the conference was held in Washington, DC this year, each of the award winners spent time on Capital Hill, meeting with their Congressional representatives and staff, and they also had the opportunity for a private tour of the Capital and the West Wing of the White House.

These outstanding educators represented a range of programs, serving a range of children of different ages and backgrounds, but they all shared a powerful commitment to the children and families. Spending time with them was humbling and inspirational.

While Secretary Duncan talked about raising the bar for early learning programs, they have already set the highest standard for themselves, their peers, and the children they serve. They do not need a proclamation to provide exceptional care and education; they already do it from their hearts and their minds, using their talents, education, and experience to prepare the next generation for the future that awaits them.

I salute the award winners and early childhood educators everywhere for the important work they do, every day, on behalf of all of us.

The Time Is Now To Invest In Early Childhood Education

Last week I had the great privilege to attend an invitational conference sponsored by the Partners in Early Childhood and Economic Development (ECED) on Investing in New Ideas to Help Children Succeed.

The ECED was founded by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, Committee for Economic Development, First Children’s Finance and Linking Economic Development and Child Care Project. This stimulating conference was sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

It brought together a wide range of federal and state representatives, early care and education groups, policy makers, and advocates to learn from each other and exchange ideas and strategies to support investment in early care and education and, in turn, to help parents become more productive employees  in support of economic growth and development.

The range of speakers and participants was varied and impressive including Joan Lombardi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Shannon Rudisill, ChildCare Bureau, who spoke about the Obama Administrations priorities in supporting early childhood education. 

It is clear that this is a time of opportunity, but also great challenge as there is an increasing realization of the importance of early childhood education as an economic imperative of our country coupled with shrinking state budgets facing difficult tradeoffs in a time of continued economic uncertainty. There was strong consensus from disparate groups and individuals that we must continue to reframe the call for improved early care and education from a cost to society to an investment in our future.  

Given that this conference was held during the week of Veteran’s Day, It was particularly powerful to hear from the opening speaker, Major General Frank Faykes, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, who discussed the Ready, Willing and Unable to Serve Report.

This report was issued by Mission: Readiness, Military Leaders for Kids, which is a bipartisan, nonprofit, national security organization led by more than 60 retired generals and admirals, including General Wesley Clark and General Hugh Shelton, former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sadly this 2009 report concluded that 75% of 17-24 year old Americans are unable to serve because of inadequate education, criminal history, or excess weight. While describing the magnitude of the problem, the report concludes that the beneficial impact of investing in high quality early education is in the interests of national security.

According to General Shelton, “Our men and women in uniform are the best in the world. But the sophistication of our military is increasing every year so we will soon need even better-qualified recruits. Unfortunately, the number of young Americans who have high-school degrees, are in good physical shape, and are without criminal records is declining. To keep our country strong and safe, we need to ensure all young Americans get the right start in life – we need more investments in high-quality early education.”

It was truly encouraging to see so many leaders of diverse organizations come together to seriously address the problems of our children’s future. And while there was lively debate and discussion on many issues, there was consensus on at least one point–that we cannot afford to sacrifice another generation of children. The time is now to invest in quality early childhood education.

Change and Accountability For Your Child’s Education Begins At Home

I feel a bit caught up in the politics of education these days. There is so much activity, particularly at the Federal level, that has the potential to dramatically impact our educational systems from early childhood education through post-secondary education. The rhetoric is about change and accountability, both of which are sorely needed in education today. But none of this will happen without parents taking the lead, standing up for what is right for their children and in their communities. 

This past week, President Obama and Secretary Arne Duncan went to Madison, Wisconsin to talk about educational reform, specifically highlighting the Race to the Top (RTTT) grant program, which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

RTTT is a $4.35 billion competitive program that is designed to encourage and reward states that create the conditions for making significant improvements in student outcomes through educational innovation and reform. You may have heard about the RTTT funds in the context of the controversy regarding breaking down the “firewall law” in some states that says that you can’t link student performance with teacher evaluation, an automatic disqualifier for eligibility for the funds.

The RTTT calls for reform in 4 key areas:

• Adopting internationally-benchmarked standards and assessments that prepare students for success in college and the workplace; 
• Recruiting, developing, retaining, and rewarding effective teachers and principals; 
• Building data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals how they can improve their practices; and 
• Turning around our lowest-performing schools.

Yet despite President Obama’s commitment to direct significant sums of money to those states and districts prepared to move education from business as usual to a system of accountability and innovation, his speech in Wisconsin reaffirmed the personal responsibility of parents and students, who ultimately must own their own success or failure.

Citing an example with his daughter Malia, he spoke to the primary role of the family in advancing educational achievement:

Lifting up American education is not a task for government alone — it will take parents getting more involved in their child’s education.  It will take schools doing more to reach out with parents.  It will take students — students — accepting more responsibility for their own education.

So, while the health care debate seems to dominate the headlines and divide our country along partisan lines, the battle over our children’s future is also being waged. But whatever your political leaning or beliefs about education policy, the importance of family involvement in a child’s education, from infancy through the teenage years, is irrefutable. It is perhaps the most significant responsibility one could ever have.

Secretary Duncan’s Speech On Quality Education Inspires Parent Advocacy

Recently, Secretary Duncan spoke at Columbia Teachers College, highlighting the inadequacies of schools of education in preparing teachers for 21st century classrooms. While citing the growing challenges that teachers face, he questioned whether we are adequately preparing future teachers to face those challenges.

He did praise some Schools of Education including my alma mater, Stanford University, as well as some other smaller and less well known schools. One theme, prevalent throughout his speech, is the need to use data on student outcomes to gauge the effectiveness of teaching and, in turn, the preparation that teachers have received.

Another important characteristic is the use of field-based programs so that the course work is closely tied to the practical realities of teaching. And once the characteristics of effective teacher preparation programs are identified, those best practices should be shared and integrated into other programs.

But the burden of ensuring high-quality teaching cannot be left in the hands of the profession itself. As parents, you must be advocates for ensuring the quality of the educational opportunities for your children, whatever the setting. This applies to preschool education as well as K-12 education. Schools will not hold themselves accountable unless your voice, on behalf of your children, rings loud and clear. Teachers and administrators must know that you are engaged in the process of your child’s education, and that you hold them and yourself accountable to “unlocking” each child’s potential and preparing them for the complex world that they will face. 

From One Alumnae to Another: Supporting Hands-On Learning Opportunities for Tomorrow’s Teachers

In the early childhood education space, teacher development is a key ingredient for a quality child care program. Degreed teachers, who are passionate and who already possess some real-world experience in the classroom, can be hard to find. So, what is the key ingredient for recruiting exceptional college graduates?

I believe I have a simple answer to this important question – hire from a university that is committed to educating students with a “learn by doing” philosophy.  Such universities do exist and I am proud to say that I am one of the many successful students that experienced the excellent teaching at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo . 

When departing Cal Poly in 1991, I left with bittersweet feelings. My path was unknown. However, what I did know was that I felt fully prepared for whatever opportunity that presented itself to me.  Why?  Because Cal Poly encourages students to experience hands-on learning opportunities. As student, you are expected to engage, immerse and participate in many opportunities outside of the classroom.  I believe I volunteered for at least six different positions which included teen pregnancy counselor, elementary school aide, YMCA Program Coordinator and so on. 

Today, after 18 plus years of professional experience in early childhood education, I still lean on my past lessons from Cal Poly.  I am thankful for the skilled and passionate professors that continue to instill the same values in their students, which is why our Center Directors are thrilled when they are able to recruit child development graduates from Cal Poly.  Over the years we have hired several dozen grads and their overall commitment and preparation for their new profession is commendable. 

While the quality of education and instruction is above par, in recent years, Cal Poly’s  Preschool Learning Lab outdoor facilities were in need of an update. In working with the University, one question that arose was: “What if the preschool lab included an outdoor space that allowed the students to observe play and implement a variety of learning opportunities?”  Thanks to my good fortune and experience and passion for designing outdoor play spaces for children, I approached the University and offered to fund the development of a new playground; one that would enrich the child’s experience and help the students document their observations.  

Earlier this month, the new playground was dedicated. It puts children back in contact with nature, by removing the large amount of concrete surfaces that previously existed (some of the same surfaces that were there when I was a student!). Sustainable and natural components have been implemented in as many areas as possible, with the addition of new bushes and trees, a dry creek bed and mini sand dunes. Children can enjoy digging for artifacts in a pea gravel pit, and grow their own vegetables and fruit in the organic garden. 

I am so proud to be a part of Cal Poly and to be able to welcome many wonderful Cal Poly grads as members of the CCLC family. It is my hope that the enhanced playground will only help prepare and inspire future child development graduates.

About Fran Durekas, Founder and Chief Development Officer, CCLC
Fran Durekas is Founder and Chief Development Officer for CCLC, a leading provider of employer-sponsored early childhood education and care. In this capacity, she provides executive leadership and support for new center openings, long-term strategy development for centers and client relations. She also assists with CCLC center design, construction and program recommendations. You can find out more about Fran and the high-quality employer-sponsored care that CCLC offers at www.cclc.com