Thank you classmates as we end this semester. I hope that you will have a fantastic Hanukkah, Christmas, Kawanzza and Epiphany. A Blessed New Year. I just realized we are almost done with this program and getting ready to start thinking about our thesis.
My hope for working with families is that I remember all that I have learned in this class! Remember to ask the awkward questions. Remember to incorperate the information in my lesson plans and my daily interaction with the children. That I give families "put ups" to build the family esteem because all families have the right to equal education and access to services.
One goal . It is a lofty one but here it is. That all children and families have equal access to education, health care, jobs, and feel nutured for who they are and what they can become. That we can look past the color of ones skin to get to know the person on a deeper level so that injustices and bias can begin to disappear.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Welcoming a New Family from a foreign land!
I have struggled all week to come up with a country that I know very little about because I have either met someone from other nations or have done/read/seen a report on many of the others. I have asked around to my close friends to help me out and they came up with the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic:
The following places are where I would start and see where they lead me. Many of them would be immigrants who have a direct knowledge of the country and maybe the family and know what they will need to become successful here in Washington State.
Czech Republic:
The following places are where I would start and see where they lead me. Many of them would be immigrants who have a direct knowledge of the country and maybe the family and know what they will need to become successful here in Washington State.
- I would contact the local translator bank to learn a few words and to get an insight into what the family maybe experiencing.
- Contact the local or closest consulate.
- Find a local church that does services on their native language and again talk to the people that go there to find out what the family might be facing as the transition to Washington State.
- Find the local community here in Washington State and see if any of the people there would be willing to talk with me about their culture and how I should respect the family.
- My local Child Care Resource and Referral might have information about where to get books, translation for newsletters and culturally relevant play materials.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Personal side of the -ism
I personal side would have to come from a relative who has made remarks about other cultures, race and peoples sexual orientation. This relative has done this on numerous occasion's. The most recent was a comment about a person from Canada and being of Arab decent.
The way the comment was said made it sound like everyone else is less intelligent than the relative when it comes to this relatives profession. For the situation to change I will have to start to stand up for those talked about in a bias or prejudicial way and it has to start the next time I am with this relative and comments are said.
I felt ashamed because I would think that my relative would know better, after all we were raise almost the same. The relative seems to be unaffected by what is come of the mouth of the relative. I hope by starting to speak up the relative will start to understand that others may see the relative in a bias or prejudicial light because it can go both ways. Bias' and prejudices are not exclusive to the Caucasian race.
The way the comment was said made it sound like everyone else is less intelligent than the relative when it comes to this relatives profession. For the situation to change I will have to start to stand up for those talked about in a bias or prejudicial way and it has to start the next time I am with this relative and comments are said.
I felt ashamed because I would think that my relative would know better, after all we were raise almost the same. The relative seems to be unaffected by what is come of the mouth of the relative. I hope by starting to speak up the relative will start to understand that others may see the relative in a bias or prejudicial light because it can go both ways. Bias' and prejudices are not exclusive to the Caucasian race.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Micro-Agression Awareness
As I went about my week looking for micro-aggression, I never found a true example of it as it was directed at another race or type of people. I did however realize my own sarcastic remark about a friend.
While waiting for other church members to arrive for play rehearsal, we realized that none of us had a key to the building. I then realized who might have a key and said,"Carrie has a key. Is she suppose to be here? That's right she is always late." Even though this is a fact, many of us know this about her. I did not need to say it out loud. Later on that night she did confess to us about always running late and is trying to get better at being on time.
Looking back on that night she really wasn't that late. My friends and I did applaud her for trying harder to get to places on time. I also realize she is a mom with two teenage daughters and a husband that might need a little more help getting ready to go places. So some of the times when she is late it is because of others in her family.
Micro-aggression does happen but today while I was out shopping I did not witness any. I eavesdropped on conversation around me, paid attention to how store clerk treated people, and watch how people treated each other as the walked by each other and waited in lines. Maybe it is the time of year that brings out the nice in all of us, but rude remarks are said about others and people ignored while in the mall and stores. It is too bad that this feeling can not be carried on for the whole year instead of this one time of year.
While waiting for other church members to arrive for play rehearsal, we realized that none of us had a key to the building. I then realized who might have a key and said,"Carrie has a key. Is she suppose to be here? That's right she is always late." Even though this is a fact, many of us know this about her. I did not need to say it out loud. Later on that night she did confess to us about always running late and is trying to get better at being on time.
Looking back on that night she really wasn't that late. My friends and I did applaud her for trying harder to get to places on time. I also realize she is a mom with two teenage daughters and a husband that might need a little more help getting ready to go places. So some of the times when she is late it is because of others in her family.
Micro-aggression does happen but today while I was out shopping I did not witness any. I eavesdropped on conversation around me, paid attention to how store clerk treated people, and watch how people treated each other as the walked by each other and waited in lines. Maybe it is the time of year that brings out the nice in all of us, but rude remarks are said about others and people ignored while in the mall and stores. It is too bad that this feeling can not be carried on for the whole year instead of this one time of year.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I asked my husband the questions: his definition of culture is something past on to the next generation. His definition of diversity is someone that is different than him.
His definition are very basic but he know that culture is relevant to each person and their family. What I see is being omitted is the part about how we can take on other cultures if we do not have a strong sense of our own culture. His simple definition of diversity is right on the money for me. Because we are not all the same and even if we have the same color of skin, something will almost always set us about even in the tiniest way.
My husband definition of culture and diversity has not influenced my definition of the two topics. I however might use them to explain to others what they mean because of the simplicity of the answers, but when in a job interview I will use a more complex answer that goes in the greater depth. And yes I have been asked my definition of diversity and culture in interviews lately.
His definition are very basic but he know that culture is relevant to each person and their family. What I see is being omitted is the part about how we can take on other cultures if we do not have a strong sense of our own culture. His simple definition of diversity is right on the money for me. Because we are not all the same and even if we have the same color of skin, something will almost always set us about even in the tiniest way.
My husband definition of culture and diversity has not influenced my definition of the two topics. I however might use them to explain to others what they mean because of the simplicity of the answers, but when in a job interview I will use a more complex answer that goes in the greater depth. And yes I have been asked my definition of diversity and culture in interviews lately.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Leaving My Home!
If I had to leave the home I live in for another country and was told that I could only take three item with me I would have a hard time choosing. For now I would take a blanket that my husband gave me before we were married, a bible that a friend gave me years ago and a stuff donkey I received as an infant. I would take these thing because the are near and dear to my heart. Items that have comforted me in one time or another in my life. I would tell some one of the comfort they gave me when my life was troubled and made the moving forward smoother. And that each person gave them to me with love.
If I could only keep one item. That would be hard they each mean a lot to me. I guess it would be the bible. It has words of comfort and joy in it. I could use it to teach from. To show other that there is hope in the world and that we have not be left.
As far as my family culture goes it is one of move around, father was in the military. So being able to keep the stuffed donkey has been a key to my past and present with my mother and brother, he has also kept his stuffed dog. The blanket is an unusual gift from my husband(fiance at the time) but it remind if the love he has for me that is always surrounding me and our daughters. And finally the bible is from a very dear friend who was afraid that I would not ever know Jesus. It took sometime but I have finally come to know him. With the last two item the came at a point in time when my life settled down and I and my family were able to start some traditions. There are many more item I would love to take because they each hold a special memory of the giver.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Final blog assignment
First I want to thank you for being my classmate this semester and commenting on both my blog and discussion post. Each comment has given me more to think about each week.
Now to the question.
The insights I have gained in this course is that researcher spend more time designing most of their project than doing them, unless it is a longitudinal study.
The nature of research project has not change for me. I do not have the patients for a long term project mine are the quick in the classroom situations. Like if this happens then what are the results.
The lessons I learn about each step in research is to be clear about what is to happen and to be able to write everything out so it can be reproduced by other students or researchers.
The challenge I faces was too many variables. I narrowed it downed to one and made sure that each child had a secure attachment as part of their condition of being in the research project.
My perception has not change we still need good research but now when I look at the research articles I will know what to look for to see if there is a valid project and results.
Now to the question.
The insights I have gained in this course is that researcher spend more time designing most of their project than doing them, unless it is a longitudinal study.
The nature of research project has not change for me. I do not have the patients for a long term project mine are the quick in the classroom situations. Like if this happens then what are the results.
The lessons I learn about each step in research is to be clear about what is to happen and to be able to write everything out so it can be reproduced by other students or researchers.
The challenge I faces was too many variables. I narrowed it downed to one and made sure that each child had a secure attachment as part of their condition of being in the research project.
My perception has not change we still need good research but now when I look at the research articles I will know what to look for to see if there is a valid project and results.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
International Research
The website I choose was the Early Childhood Australia. The site can be a bit confusing in trying to find research but I found it.
What I found most of their topic on was teacher education and how to teach different subjects. There were topics on behavior management and how to test young children. One topic that caught my eye was the ones about play. They write about how play is disappearing from kindergarten and how more play needs to be in a child's day.
It is interesting to note that the same topics that we struggle with here in the United States they are struggling with also. Play, teacher trainings and how to stay on age level so the child is ready for school.
Resources:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
What I found most of their topic on was teacher education and how to teach different subjects. There were topics on behavior management and how to test young children. One topic that caught my eye was the ones about play. They write about how play is disappearing from kindergarten and how more play needs to be in a child's day.
It is interesting to note that the same topics that we struggle with here in the United States they are struggling with also. Play, teacher trainings and how to stay on age level so the child is ready for school.
Resources:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
Saturday, September 24, 2011
positive changes
The positive change I know about is the treatment for autism. The children who have autism are being diagnosed earlier than in the past. I care for a young boy who has a diagnosis of autism and he has had that diagnosis since he was three before that the doctor diagnosis was PDD. He currently has speech and OT and goes to a developmental preschool. He gets OT both at school and through a private practice doctor. He has come a long way in the two years I have known him. The acting out behaviors he had are just about gone, we are working on gentle touch or asking his friends for high five's to get the sensory need filled, he also love deep tight hugs from all his friends and they are give them to him very freely. His verbal skill are just starting to come out, a lot of babbling like infants do, but he does have a great vocabulary. The social skill he has are still emerging as well, he will play side by side with a peer and the occasional exchange of toys or words will happen.
If the research on early intervention had not be discovered then the little boy I care for might be lost. Not only is it about the intervention because of developmentally delay first seen but what is needed to help children who have autism or PDD. It is these discoveries that will help them become citizen that add to society rather than take from it.
If the research on early intervention had not be discovered then the little boy I care for might be lost. Not only is it about the intervention because of developmentally delay first seen but what is needed to help children who have autism or PDD. It is these discoveries that will help them become citizen that add to society rather than take from it.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Research Simulation
I have chosen the topic of autism with either look at how to develop age appropriate relationships, how to deal with flexible schedule, or attachment. I still have not decide what to look at but and leaning toward age appropriate relationships. I have been applying for jobs in the special education field and some of the job require knowledge of autism. One such job is in my local school district, is a program just for children with autism. With this knowledge I will feel confident to apply for this job and hopefully get it. I am also caring for a little boy who has been diagnoses that is on the autism spectrum and would love to be able to help him and his family out more than what I an currently doing.
The chart has been helpful in learning about key terms and what to look for in credible articles and websites as we being our research.
The chart has been helpful in learning about key terms and what to look for in credible articles and websites as we being our research.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Three Consequences
I do not look at them as a consequence but as a new awareness. Many countries struggle with the somethings as us in the United States. Teachers who are not sufficiently trained, inequity in the types and amounts of care children receive and funding for the under privileged.
In come countries they are just now realizing that the early years are just as important as the middle childhood. Therefore teachers are either bring down older child curriculum or are just not schooled in how to care for children birth to age eight.
The care some children receive may not be the best or teachers maybe overwhelmed by caring for too many children. Those children who do receive quality care come from families who have money.
The children who need the care the most cannot receive it because there is no or little money to fund care in their country or city.
There are many organization who are working on these children behalf. My goal would be to continue looking at my chosen site and becoming a member. What will make it easy is there is a local chapter just down the road from my house that I can become active in once I am done with come of my prior commitments.
In come countries they are just now realizing that the early years are just as important as the middle childhood. Therefore teachers are either bring down older child curriculum or are just not schooled in how to care for children birth to age eight.
The care some children receive may not be the best or teachers maybe overwhelmed by caring for too many children. Those children who do receive quality care come from families who have money.
The children who need the care the most cannot receive it because there is no or little money to fund care in their country or city.
There are many organization who are working on these children behalf. My goal would be to continue looking at my chosen site and becoming a member. What will make it easy is there is a local chapter just down the road from my house that I can become active in once I am done with come of my prior commitments.
Friday, August 12, 2011
UNESCO website
They support inclusive care and education. They are a group that has many different types of member from different countries and organizations such as UNICEF and Aga Khan foundation for Asia and East Africa.
They would like to insure equal access to early education for all especially the poor and ask that countries redistribute fund so all can have access to early care and education.
They like the fact that parents should be involve in the education of their young child and the education should be relevent and have play incorporated in the day.
UNESCO has written a brief in regards to coordinating service and making sure that recommendation to the government leader are heard. This can be done by making sure thae committee is attached to a particular agency or leader. This needs to happen so that the time spent on these committees is not for nothing.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
They would like to insure equal access to early education for all especially the poor and ask that countries redistribute fund so all can have access to early care and education.
They like the fact that parents should be involve in the education of their young child and the education should be relevent and have play incorporated in the day.
UNESCO has written a brief in regards to coordinating service and making sure that recommendation to the government leader are heard. This can be done by making sure thae committee is attached to a particular agency or leader. This needs to happen so that the time spent on these committees is not for nothing.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Debt Crisis affect ALL
With the debt ceiling deal done and signed we thought everything would be fine. Wrong! Now is the time to start advocating for the program we hold dear to us that have federal money attached to them. Headstart is one of those programs. The executive director is asking all that are involved in Headstart or know of the program to talk to their congressmen, over their summer break, to keep the funding level as is. There are even question you can use if you cannot think of your own.
Here is the link to the questions: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.nhsa.org/files/static_page_files/965D71E4-1D09-3519-AD57A1C7B2F94F02/August_2011_Town_Hall_Meeting_Questions.pdf or try:
http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/recent_news/government_affairs_update_week_of_august_4_2011
to see the whole response to this national problem and to get the link to the question if the first link does not work.
Here is the link to the questions: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.nhsa.org/files/static_page_files/965D71E4-1D09-3519-AD57A1C7B2F94F02/August_2011_Town_Hall_Meeting_Questions.pdf or try:
http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/recent_news/government_affairs_update_week_of_august_4_2011
to see the whole response to this national problem and to get the link to the question if the first link does not work.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Inequity in Latin America-CHILE
The Harvard University Center for Child Development has chosen to start a program in Chile called "a Good Start" in which they focus on three area of development in order to improve child learning in Chile. The started out with four sites and will expand to 60. Their main focus is teacher training. I high quality teachers equal higher knowledge in their students. Their second focus is keeping the children healthy so they are at school and ready to learn. High quality language instruction and getting parents involved are other component they will start in each site. They are committed to ending the inequities in Chile and hope to have the program spread to other countries in Latin America.
They also have programs starting in other countries and research on other developmental issues surrounding children especially mental health issues.
The site does not go in depth as to what inequities Chiles has nor how they plan on over coming them other than to have actor both private and public to commit to two years of helping them.
References:
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/
They also have programs starting in other countries and research on other developmental issues surrounding children especially mental health issues.
The site does not go in depth as to what inequities Chiles has nor how they plan on over coming them other than to have actor both private and public to commit to two years of helping them.
References:
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Deeper Look
I chose to look at the tab "Take Action". In this section they write about several topic, two of them I explored in depth. They are Love Me, Teach Me campaign and the Decade of the Child.
Love Me, Teach Me is a program to get teachers and parent to think about how they treat the children in their lives and around the world. It is broken into four parts: See Me, Hear Me, Love Me, and Teach Me. Each part deals with how children should be seen with respect. See Me is about registering your child at birth to give them the rights they deserve. Hear Me is about listening to your child and taking then into account when making decisions. Love Me is just what it say even if you do not have your own children stand up for others who need help. Teach Me is about giving quality education to all children every where.
They also have another action starting in 2012 focusing in on children every where for next ten years. Their goal to re-establish childhood as that and then try to answer these three questions:
During the Decade, we will seek to answer questions such as these:
Reference: acei.org retrieved July 23, 2011
Love Me, Teach Me is a program to get teachers and parent to think about how they treat the children in their lives and around the world. It is broken into four parts: See Me, Hear Me, Love Me, and Teach Me. Each part deals with how children should be seen with respect. See Me is about registering your child at birth to give them the rights they deserve. Hear Me is about listening to your child and taking then into account when making decisions. Love Me is just what it say even if you do not have your own children stand up for others who need help. Teach Me is about giving quality education to all children every where.
They also have another action starting in 2012 focusing in on children every where for next ten years. Their goal to re-establish childhood as that and then try to answer these three questions:
During the Decade, we will seek to answer questions such as these:
- What is our view of the human being and how does that affect our view of childhood?
- Have changes in child-rearing practices and societal expectations of children served children well or contributed to a decline in their overall well-being?
- What supports children—and ultimately all of us—in creating strong relationships, a healthy environment, and opportunities for lifelong growth and learning; and how do we make these a normal part of every child’s life?(ACEI.org.)
Reference: acei.org retrieved July 23, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Poverty in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a relatively young country, gaining independence in 1991, with new problems that they had not had when they were part of the Soviet Union. They decide to use "shock therapy" to jump start the economy, privatizing many state run industries and farm. They had some growth in 2001 of 5.3% in their GDP with 60% of the country being in agriculture. At the time of their of independence they were at their poorest 32.9% below the Soviet poverty level. It rose to its highest point after independence to 60% but then fell to 47% in 2001 with extreme poverty being 13%. Many of their children live in poverty 41% in urban and 51% in rural areas. UNICEF has done a independent study of the country and found that 75% of the children are malnourished and 14% have no health care. 85%-90% go to school and kindergarten attendance in down 30% . The decline is due to the cost of school and health care and the lack of resources.
This country has started to address these problem and has a 30 year plan broken up in to smaller goals to not only end childhood poverty but poverty in general.
This country has started to address these problem and has a 30 year plan broken up in to smaller goals to not only end childhood poverty but poverty in general.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Web resources
Last week I got a little a head of myself with out realizing it. The local group I choose was HeadStart and the international group was association for childhood eduation international
with the HeadStart they have a place to join again at a reasonable rate $25.00 that will get you access to classes they offer and the e-magizine they publish and scholarships. For the international group they have chapters all over the world and a very local one for me here in Tacoma Washington. To join is reasonable $35 for students and the benefit are:
Student members receive:
with the HeadStart they have a place to join again at a reasonable rate $25.00 that will get you access to classes they offer and the e-magizine they publish and scholarships. For the international group they have chapters all over the world and a very local one for me here in Tacoma Washington. To join is reasonable $35 for students and the benefit are:
Student members receive:
- A subscription to award-winning Childhood Education (six issues per year).
- A subscription to ACEI’s member newsletter, ACEI Exchange (a special supplement in Childhood Education).
- ACEI E-news, monthly (12 issues per year). Provides international education highlights, links to resources and events. (Email address is required.)
- ACEI Action – Advocacy alerts on timely public policy issues relating to childhood education and children’s rights from sources worldwide.
- Discounts on ACEI book publications – 20% off retail price.
- Reduced registration fees to ACEI’s Annual International Conference and other ACEI events.
- Volunteer and leadership opportunities, including chapter networking opportunities.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
World Connections
Because of time constrains and not paying attention to how long the assignment might take I will start with the alternative and then move to finding a contact around the world.
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us is the site I went to. If you have time check out Bonnie's Blog it is very interesting. They will soon have a discussion group going.
For part one I have chosen HeadStart for a state side contact
National Head Start Associationhttp://www.nhsa.org/
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate
and for a contact out of the United States
Association for Childhood Education Internationalhttp://acei.org/
(Review also these online resources at: http://acei.org/knowledge/
You can join the association for a fee and they have a students fee that is reasonable.
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us is the site I went to. If you have time check out Bonnie's Blog it is very interesting. They will soon have a discussion group going.
For part one I have chosen HeadStart for a state side contact
National Head Start Associationhttp://www.nhsa.org/
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate
and for a contact out of the United States
Association for Childhood Education Internationalhttp://acei.org/
(Review also these online resources at: http://acei.org/knowledge/
You can join the association for a fee and they have a students fee that is reasonable.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
My Supports
I have lots of supports on a daily bases. From my husband who support my decision to further my education to get a better job to my daughters who know that when I need to do my homework they will pickup the slack or job that needs to be done. In fact my older daughter wants to work over the summer so I will be doing homework while she cares for the children in my child care. My mother checks in with me to see where I am in my studies, job search and life in general. The other support I receive does not come from a person but from my belief in Jesus who gives me the patience and strength to care for all the people I do. I am a list person whether it is written or in my head or on the calender these at times are the only way I can keep track of the busy week my youngest daughter and I have. If I did not have these support in my life I may not be where I am at today.
If I were pick one challenge I might be to be hard of hearing or deaf. I would need a way to know that someone was at my door and the phone was ringing. I would need to teach my family, friends and church community how to sign. Again I know my family would be there to help because that is just the way we are. If they were not there I do not know what I would do. Life would be harder than what I have now or what I know.
If I were pick one challenge I might be to be hard of hearing or deaf. I would need a way to know that someone was at my door and the phone was ringing. I would need to teach my family, friends and church community how to sign. Again I know my family would be there to help because that is just the way we are. If they were not there I do not know what I would do. Life would be harder than what I have now or what I know.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
My connection to play
"the center of gravity is outside the child" John Dewey
"It is hard, although not impossible, to reawaken the spirit of play in an adolescent or an adult through story telling, the arts and othr means of they did not experience play in childhood." Joan Alman
People who supported my play when I was a child are two people still in my life today my mom and grandma. At my grandma house there was a box in the linen closet that had some of her old clothes and my grandpa too and my brother and I would play for hours with these few things. We would be railroad workers, passengers, waitresses cooks and what ever else we could come up with from what was in the box. At home I plenty of dolls and Barbies and all the thing a girl could want for pretend play. I even had a few cats that would let me dress them and treat them like babies. Again play was allowed for great length but when it was time to eat or do our chores they needed to be done at that time, no warnings were ever given to us.
Play today is different when my daughters were younger I would not let them freely roam the neighborhood, like I did as a child. And if they did or do go to a friends house I have to meet the parents and see the house. Most play that I see is still from the child imagination with some TV or video games thrown like"pause the game" from when they pause their video games.
I use play to relax, even in my work day I will build Lego's with the boys sometimes they want to do what I do so I start to show them and they often times will take over my project. But play is the fun things I do, read, draw, go to craft fairs, sometimes it is even cooking.
"It is hard, although not impossible, to reawaken the spirit of play in an adolescent or an adult through story telling, the arts and othr means of they did not experience play in childhood." Joan Alman
People who supported my play when I was a child are two people still in my life today my mom and grandma. At my grandma house there was a box in the linen closet that had some of her old clothes and my grandpa too and my brother and I would play for hours with these few things. We would be railroad workers, passengers, waitresses cooks and what ever else we could come up with from what was in the box. At home I plenty of dolls and Barbies and all the thing a girl could want for pretend play. I even had a few cats that would let me dress them and treat them like babies. Again play was allowed for great length but when it was time to eat or do our chores they needed to be done at that time, no warnings were ever given to us.
Play today is different when my daughters were younger I would not let them freely roam the neighborhood, like I did as a child. And if they did or do go to a friends house I have to meet the parents and see the house. Most play that I see is still from the child imagination with some TV or video games thrown like"pause the game" from when they pause their video games.
I use play to relax, even in my work day I will build Lego's with the boys sometimes they want to do what I do so I start to show them and they often times will take over my project. But play is the fun things I do, read, draw, go to craft fairs, sometimes it is even cooking.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Relationship Reflection
Relationships are important to me because they are one part of who I am. Each of my family and friends brings out a different part of me, some the serious side others the funny or the crafty or better yet the knowledgeable and/or the caring side. But each friend and family member has those same characteristic within themselves. I would no trade my friends or family member for anything.
What is amazing in this time of technology is finding old friends and reconnecting with them and rebuild a long domante relationship.
My mom, my husband and my daughter are the closest and most positive relationships I have. My mom who has been there through everything in my life and is my second biggest cheerleader I have. Yet I have been there for her when times have been rough. One story that comes to mind is the birth of my first daughter and the possibility of have a C-section, she was there through the whole birth and let me know I could do this. Then the favor was returned, if you want to call it that way, when a few years ago she drove herself to the hospital and the doctors half way through the day started to talk about emergency surgery. With a call to me I was there by her side waiting on test results to see what was to happen next. The doctor said no surgery this time but to go home take her meds like she is suppose to and call her regular doctor Monday morning.
My husband is my biggest cheerleader he let me know that what I want to do to better myself is ok and that he will pick up the slack as needed. I work at this relationship the most because he is the one who will be with me forever. I make sure he know that I love him with all my heart and soul. I trust in the decision he makes even if he does not consult me first, he has done this in the past with wonderful results.
My relationship with my daughters is two fold. Yes! I am their mother and let them know that but we also talk about things, school, friends and dreams.My oldest daughter has moved into a new role of being a wife so I let her know that what she does is not ok at times and that she now needs to think about her husband before make major decisions.
Challanges would be overlooking the small flaw we each have. Sometimes I forget that my friends and family are human and that what I expect out of each of them may not be what they see I need or get. Other times I forget that no one is a mind reader and I need to speak up if I want or need something.
We are listener and thinker first then react or set in to motion a plan.
This works well for me as a preschool teacher because I listen first then repeat back what I hear and the help with a solution if one is needed. Also for me most of the time I can leave my personal stuff at the door so I am there for the children and their parent if need be.
What is amazing in this time of technology is finding old friends and reconnecting with them and rebuild a long domante relationship.
My mom, my husband and my daughter are the closest and most positive relationships I have. My mom who has been there through everything in my life and is my second biggest cheerleader I have. Yet I have been there for her when times have been rough. One story that comes to mind is the birth of my first daughter and the possibility of have a C-section, she was there through the whole birth and let me know I could do this. Then the favor was returned, if you want to call it that way, when a few years ago she drove herself to the hospital and the doctors half way through the day started to talk about emergency surgery. With a call to me I was there by her side waiting on test results to see what was to happen next. The doctor said no surgery this time but to go home take her meds like she is suppose to and call her regular doctor Monday morning.
My husband is my biggest cheerleader he let me know that what I want to do to better myself is ok and that he will pick up the slack as needed. I work at this relationship the most because he is the one who will be with me forever. I make sure he know that I love him with all my heart and soul. I trust in the decision he makes even if he does not consult me first, he has done this in the past with wonderful results.
My relationship with my daughters is two fold. Yes! I am their mother and let them know that but we also talk about things, school, friends and dreams.My oldest daughter has moved into a new role of being a wife so I let her know that what she does is not ok at times and that she now needs to think about her husband before make major decisions.
Challanges would be overlooking the small flaw we each have. Sometimes I forget that my friends and family are human and that what I expect out of each of them may not be what they see I need or get. Other times I forget that no one is a mind reader and I need to speak up if I want or need something.
We are listener and thinker first then react or set in to motion a plan.
This works well for me as a preschool teacher because I listen first then repeat back what I hear and the help with a solution if one is needed. Also for me most of the time I can leave my personal stuff at the door so I am there for the children and their parent if need be.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Quotes!
to the world you are one person,but to one person you are the world.
unknown
Unless you try to do something beyond what you already mastered, you will never grow.
Ronald E.Osborn
The first quote I found a few years ago as I was putting together a power point presentation on foster care and it nice summed up the feeling I have about foster children and children in general because you never know if you are that one person who will make a difference in a child's life.
The second one I found for this class and points to how with each new thing we try we grow a bit just like children in their development.
unknown
Unless you try to do something beyond what you already mastered, you will never grow.
Ronald E.Osborn
The first quote I found a few years ago as I was putting together a power point presentation on foster care and it nice summed up the feeling I have about foster children and children in general because you never know if you are that one person who will make a difference in a child's life.
The second one I found for this class and points to how with each new thing we try we grow a bit just like children in their development.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Intelligence testing!
Testing the"whole child" would depend on the age of the child and what you are looking for, if anything in specific. I do believe testing is an added benefit of a great child care and preschools because you know where a child's strengths and weaknesses. You might even be able to tell what kind of learner the child is, does he do better when he see it done first or just hearing the directions. If you are going to test you should test all the areas you can: language(both expressive and receptive), fine and gross motor, spatial ability, self help skills, and cognitive. There are probably more areas you could test but these should give you a fairly good picture of the child. Then if therea are concern you have data to show a parent so the child can recieve the services he needs.
Chinese standardize testing
The Chinese value rote memory of most everything they score on a test. Chinese student are tested to see what elementary school they into as well as high school and college. The most information I found was on the college testing it is a multi-day test on everything they have learned or memorized. They put a lot of emphasise on "drill and kill" learning therefore many of their students cannot think outside the box, it is always an apple is always an apple or if you draw a tree it looks exactly like your classmates or the teachers.
So now many of the teachers in China are looking to the way we educate children so their students can be better in the United States when they come to study. They are looking at way to teach collaboration and creative thinking. How to work as a team and view other opinions as part of a thinking process. But with this move of thinking on their part so have we started to move to their way of thinking "drill and kill" maybe a way we can raise our test score.
I am not a great fan of is the one test fits all which many states have moved to because of No Child Left Behind(NCLB) because children do not all test the same way. The child could have an off day and not do as well for what ever reason we may not know about. Some are better at the pencil and paper test while other would do better if they could tell you the information. What I truly do not agree with is testing a child at his grade level when he is on an IEP and can not do the work at that level. I think a collection of best works both done by the teacher and child might be a better way to look at a child.
Sources: http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=5264
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/17/education-in-china-testing-diane-sawyer_n_785016.html
Chinese standardize testing
The Chinese value rote memory of most everything they score on a test. Chinese student are tested to see what elementary school they into as well as high school and college. The most information I found was on the college testing it is a multi-day test on everything they have learned or memorized. They put a lot of emphasise on "drill and kill" learning therefore many of their students cannot think outside the box, it is always an apple is always an apple or if you draw a tree it looks exactly like your classmates or the teachers.
So now many of the teachers in China are looking to the way we educate children so their students can be better in the United States when they come to study. They are looking at way to teach collaboration and creative thinking. How to work as a team and view other opinions as part of a thinking process. But with this move of thinking on their part so have we started to move to their way of thinking "drill and kill" maybe a way we can raise our test score.
I am not a great fan of is the one test fits all which many states have moved to because of No Child Left Behind(NCLB) because children do not all test the same way. The child could have an off day and not do as well for what ever reason we may not know about. Some are better at the pencil and paper test while other would do better if they could tell you the information. What I truly do not agree with is testing a child at his grade level when he is on an IEP and can not do the work at that level. I think a collection of best works both done by the teacher and child might be a better way to look at a child.
Sources: http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=5264
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/17/education-in-china-testing-diane-sawyer_n_785016.html
Sunday, March 27, 2011
children of the Appalachian mountians
As I thought about region that are in needed for many thing like Haiti and Japan with their earthquakes or Libya and Egypt with civil unrest I decide to look closer to home and remember a report I had seen about the children of the Appalachian mountains. Many of these children live in extreme poverty some with no hope of ever getting out. Many of their parents have low paying jobs or no job at all or the they are addicted to painkiller which they use or sell for money that does not go back to their families but to support the drug habit. The few who do make it out of the mountains and hollows come back to teach or coach at the local school. They make it out through scholarships for grades and athletics. Many of the children suffer from malnutrition or dental disease, teens live in cars or friends just to make to school each day or not have parents steal from them.
Things have changed in this area but change comes very slowly form them,just like many places in inner cities that have the same problems.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6865077
Things have changed in this area but change comes very slowly form them,just like many places in inner cities that have the same problems.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6865077
Childhood Cancer
I have a niece and nephew who are childhood cancer survivors. My niece was diagnoses at the age of 5 with cancer and a name to long too write and pronounce, but it was a type that was very rapid in growth. From the time of onset to the time of surgery it had grown from baseball size to large grapefruit size (about 10 days) and that is after removing part of the tumor of biopsy. She is now a college student studying graphic design. Because of the chemo treatment she had she does have some learning disabilities and was on an IEP throughout her school years, in high school the teachers gave her some strategies to from learning and she has been able to use them in college. Throughout her treatment the doctor tried to make sure she missed as little of school as possible. She did get upset at the doctors when her hair fell out but what kept her going was the prize she was to get at the end of treatment, plus lot of prayer from me and her paternal grandma church. I knew with the grace of God everything would turn out the way it needed to be. My niece's mother still has the hardest time dealing with what happened to her daughter but does not seek help with her feelings and is very clinical when she talks about the cancer no feelings emerge and the her father has talked about it with some feeling but not very much. I know very little about my nephew treatment but he is now a college student too. The only thing I really know is that he can not do very physical things because of the graphed bone he has in his leg from the cancer.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Breast Feeding
In the reading it mentioned that breast feeding was best for the baby. It mentioned the first milk to come in which is really milk but colostrum, a thick high calorie fluid. This milk last about three days. The breast milk also changes as the baby grow and nutritional needs change. The CDC reports that children who are breast fed have few colds and have an immunity other infection because immunity is passed through the mother milk to the baby. Babies that are breast fed have few incident of SIDS, type2 diabetes and being over weight. The CDC as well as the World Health Organization encourage mothers to breast fed for the first year, if that is not possible then the first six months.
The benefit to the mother are many too. Lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Return to pre-pregnancy weight faster, reduces uterine bleeding and aids in stopping ovulation(natural family planning).
I have breast-fed in the past with both my daughters, so I feel very comfortable with others feeding their babies this way. I have encouraged it with my families I care for. Moms can either pump here or feed their baby here. I will use their milk to feed their baby. If the mom is not comfortable feeding in my classroom I have an area set up for a quiet space they can use, the same goes for pumping if needed.
Many rural area of the world lack clean drinking water making breast feding the best way for an infant to recieve nutrition for the first six month if not the first year of the babies life.
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/en/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/research/index.htm
Stassen Berger,K.(2009) The develping person.Worth Publishers. New York, New York
The benefit to the mother are many too. Lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Return to pre-pregnancy weight faster, reduces uterine bleeding and aids in stopping ovulation(natural family planning).
I have breast-fed in the past with both my daughters, so I feel very comfortable with others feeding their babies this way. I have encouraged it with my families I care for. Moms can either pump here or feed their baby here. I will use their milk to feed their baby. If the mom is not comfortable feeding in my classroom I have an area set up for a quiet space they can use, the same goes for pumping if needed.
Many rural area of the world lack clean drinking water making breast feding the best way for an infant to recieve nutrition for the first six month if not the first year of the babies life.
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/en/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/research/index.htm
Stassen Berger,K.(2009) The develping person.Worth Publishers. New York, New York
Friday, March 4, 2011
Child birth
I have given birth to two wonderful daughters. Each expeience was very different. My oldest was induce because her heart rate dropped during a contraction and we did not know if this was a new problem or an existing one. I was given the risk of inducing labor and decided that the risk where livable. I went home to get my bag and husband and it was off to the hospital where my mother and dad meet us. We called my husband parents to let them know. No extra drugs or medical attention was needed. No C-section becasue that was one the risk I was informed about. I was however monitored the whole time with a fetal heartrate monitor both an external and internal monitor. About twelve hours late we had a beautiful daughter named Jessica. Our youngest daughter was all natural no drugs or monitors. Woke up with my water breaking first thing in the morning. About twenty four hours later we had another babys girl Rebecca. I both deliveries I went from not beign very dilate to a 10 in a matter of few hours and wanting to push. And the doctor and midwife who were to attend to each birth did not make it in time. The doctor was because of how fast I went from a 4 to a 10 and the midwife was because it snowed and the roads were icy.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Code of Ethics
- We shall demonstrate in our behavior and languafe reaspect and appreciation for the unique vaue and human potential of each child.
- We shall empower fmilies with information and resources so that they are informed consumers of services for their children.
- Above all, we shall notharm children. We shall nor participate in the practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children.
- To further the professional developmetnt of the field of early chldhood care and education and to trengthen its commitment to realizing its core values as reflected in this code.
National Association fo the Education of Young Children Code of Ethical Conduct 2005
Division for Early Childhood Code of Ethics 20009
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Motivational Quotes
Built in passion to make a contribution, to fix all the injustices. Louisa Derma-Spark
Owed the families the best. Renatte M. Cooper
Owed the families the best. Renatte M. Cooper
Leader's quotes
Faith in the unlimited possibilities of the child never falter. Maria Montessori
...empowered parents to make their own decision and respected children as individuals rather than appendages. T. Berry Brazelton
...empowered parents to make their own decision and respected children as individuals rather than appendages. T. Berry Brazelton
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Personal Childhood Web
My pesonal web is small because of my family moving around a lot,
The most improtant person is my mother, because of her going back to school numerous times in my childhood I learned to value education as a way to get ahead in your job.
Next would be my grandma and grandpa because the taught me hard work and perseverance get you what you want and deserve.
I have a younger brother who just accepted me for me even though I was geeky for the time and is now proud of the things I have accomplished.
I do have a negative influence that would be my sixth grade teacher who said to me "you will not go far because your parents are divorced and you don't apply yourself" from that time on I set out to prove her wrong which I have done quite successfully!
The most improtant person is my mother, because of her going back to school numerous times in my childhood I learned to value education as a way to get ahead in your job.
Next would be my grandma and grandpa because the taught me hard work and perseverance get you what you want and deserve.
I have a younger brother who just accepted me for me even though I was geeky for the time and is now proud of the things I have accomplished.
I do have a negative influence that would be my sixth grade teacher who said to me "you will not go far because your parents are divorced and you don't apply yourself" from that time on I set out to prove her wrong which I have done quite successfully!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Favorite book
I have several favorite books for different reasons. This first one is Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper because it let a person know it is ok to be different. The second is Jamal's busy day by Wade Hudson. It lets parents know that children had busy days at school and they take on some of the same task adults do.
And final Everything to Spend the night. No matter how prepared you think you are, you're never really prepare.
And final Everything to Spend the night. No matter how prepared you think you are, you're never really prepare.
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