Conclusive Thoughts...

My journey in writing this blog on child poverty has had its impacts. My awareness of the issue has changed in the fact that child poverty is not only occurring overseas. The narrow view I held has broadened and sadly it has occurred to me though my research, the extent of which child poverty is occurring in New Zealand… my city, my community , ‘my own backyard’ !

I found a definition describing poverty as an insufficient means to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, healthcare and housing. I have seen in the articles and information I have researched that poverty is a sad reality for too many families in New Zealand and this is reflected in our appalling world ranking for child poverty.

The New Zealand Government has responded to this issue, and that of vulnerable children through their involvement in producing the Green and White Papers for vulnerable children in New Zealand. The Action Plan produced has initiatives with time lines in place for the commencement of programmes such as a special phone line to report abuse.

It is vital that early childhood teachers are aware of child poverty and the extent to which it occurs in New Zealand. Early childhood education centres and teachers have a responsibility to be to build relationships with attending children and their families, provide the basic need of  nutritious food and have a knowledge of, and information available about supportive agencies for families in need.

The progress to decrease New Zealand’s world ranking for child poverty “will require the will, commitment and courage of many to acknowledge the issue and find a way forward” (D’Souza et al, 2003, p.71).

Please watch this short clip about how we as individuals can make a difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2GunVwl6K4M

 References:

D’Souza, A. J. , Turner, N. , Simmers. D. , Craig. E. , & Dowell. T. , (2012). Every child to thrive, belong and achieve? Time to reflect and act in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1352) pp 71-80. Retrieved from http://library.eit.ac.nz:2095/docview/1034429924/fulltextPDF/13DA46A62DE2AA7906E/31?accountid=39646

Dragoneater. (2007, January 29). Touching story – Starfish [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2GunVwl6K4M