Sharing Web Resources

                                                        
   My web resource is the Harlem Children's Zone. While looking through their newsletters there was nothing that particularly struck me as relevant to my current professional development. I decided to search the website for other resources and information about something that would interest me. I came across a list of all of their programs that serve children and families. I was interested in looking through their early childhood programs. They have The Baby College which helps expecting parents and parents of children ages 0 to 3 gain a strong understanding of child development and the skills to raise a happy and healthy baby. To continue the parenting skills The Three-Year-Old Journey is another program for parents of young children to learn and share with other parents about their child(ren) and developmental milestones. Meanwhile their children are cared for by trained staff and they have time to interact and play with others. The last program that serves in the early childhood field is the Harlem Gems. This is a full-day, year-round pre-kindergarten program that currently serves 240 children across four sites. This pre-k program is to ensure that the children are school ready once they enter kindergarten.

   Throughout the newsletters I can see that there are many different newsletters and articles about the Harlem  Children's Zone and it's influence in politics. Working closely with New York City government is a way to get their name and cause out to the public. There are also influential connections to the White House. Back in February, some students and the then CEO, Geoffrey Canada, visited the White House and President Obama to announce and set up the countries first five Promise Zones which will be based off the HCZ model. This also could prompt economists to promote and invest in the early childhood field. There are newsletters as well that promote what neuroscience is saying, that high-quality early childhood education is the best way for children to be school ready and have success in their later years.

   Exploring this website had me gain more knowledge about their personal early childhood programs as well as their work outside of their own neighborhood. Branching out and reaching those outside of the Harlem neighborhood seems to be something new and refreshing to them. Visiting the White House and the President shows that their influence and passion does not just contain to what they are doing in their own neighborhood but they are advocating for educational programs in neighborhoods like theirs as well. these new insights helped me to understand more about how some neighborhoods are unable to have high-quality early childhood education. Many families are not being able to afford it or the resources are just not there. The Harlem Children's Zone is a place where the resources are there for children and families that need it.