My Supports

I believe I have a great support system. With God being my #1 supporter, followed by my family and friends, I have been able to make it through some rough spots.

God has been my everything. He listens. He heals. He speaks. He works wonders. He provides me with grace and mercy to make it through each and every day. Without His support, I have no idea where I would be.

My family has always been there for me. We may not get along all the time, but they have never stopped supporting me. Being that I have lupus (and now that I’m expecting my first child), they have helped me, especially on days when I was not able to help myself. Being diagnosed with lupus at 19 was a hard pill to swallow. I was used to being independent and doing whatever I wanted, when I wanted. Well, that had to change. My family was there to help me deal with the adjustments. When I had multiple blood clots (at age 21), they were there. I remember going into the hospital one day, and the next day there they were. They drove up to be with me. Their presence kept me calm during a chaotic and confusing time.

Friends make up the other part of my support system. I have had many “friends” come and go throughout my life. Which I believe is normal. There is a saying that friends come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. No matter what period of your life they enter or however long they stay, they always have a purpose. I have had friends come and stay long enough for me to learn a lesson or for me to help them learn a lesson. We were each other’s support. My friends who have been around for 10+ years, I believe will be here for a lifetime.

God has a way of speaking to us and supporting us through the people we come in contact with everyday. We are not meant to be on this journey called life alone. I cannot even imagine what my life would be like without the many supportive people I have in it. Without having someone who cares and loves me enough to tell me the truth, to provide a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, or a just a hand to hold. Life without the support just seems scary and extremely overwhelming!

Support Challenge

            This part of the assignment was slightly difficult. With the lupus and a baby on the way, I experience many challenges daily. To add on another challenge was just difficult to fathom. But, it is part of the assignment, so I imagined my lupus going to another stage beyond just affecting my joints and affecting my internal organs. If this were to happen, I would definitely need more support in place than what I have now. Physically, I would obviously need more assistance in completing daily tasks depending on which organ(s) were affected. Emotionally, I would need therapy because at the young age of 28, that would cause me to suffer emotionally and probably sink into a depressed state. Spiritually, I would struggle with maintaining my faith and my trust in God because I would continually ask “why.”  I’m sure that would only be initially because I am true believer that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. So no matter how bad the situation became, it would ultimately be for my good and His glory.

According to www.dictionary.com, support means the following:

• To bear or hold up
• To serve as a foundation for
• To sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction
• To maintain by supplying with things necessary to existence

God and every person in my support system are represented in this definition. They hold me up, serve as my foundation, sustain me, and help me stay maintained. Without them, where would I be? I am forever thankful for them, everyone I have come in contact with throughout my life thus far, and everyone else I have yet to meet.

My Connections to Play

What play represented for me during childhood:

“Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.” ~Stuart Brown, MD – Contemporary American psychiatrist

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” ~ Fred Rogers, 1928-2003

How people supported me during play & the role it played in my childhood:

Growing up I remember staying outside until the street lights came on. After school, I would eat a snack, complete my homework, and then out the door I would go. From the ages of 3-9, we lived in an apartment complex. You could always find me on one of the many playgrounds, jumping out of swings or climbing the outside of the equipment. (I was a serious daredevil as a child.) If I was not there, I was riding around the complex on my Big Wheel (younger years) or my bicycle (as I got older). My mom encouraged us to play and be active. We had a Nintendo but we did not waste away hours playing games. My babysitter could not wait to send us outside during the summer. Although I am sure that some of her tactics would seriously be frowned upon now-a-days, we made the best of it. As children that is what you do. You make the best with what you have and enjoy.

When I stayed with my Granny & Auntie, we would go to the park or I would play in the backyard. Imagine a 73 and/or 62 year old outside playing soccer, kickball, or baseball with an energetic 10-year old. That was playing for me at Granny & Auntie’s house. Endless fun!

When my family moved into a single-family home, the play became more creative. In my opinion, we had the BEST backyard ever. The hill was perfect for rolling down in the summer and even better in the winter. Our sledding consisted of using trash can tops or boxes. We would literally get inside a box and slide down the hill. Good times! Our parents bought a real sled (the plastic kind) and it was not as fun as the boxes. When we had to share, no one wanted the actual sled because it “slow” going down the hill. We only stayed indoors playing video games when the weather was too bad to go out.

The role of play throughout the lifespan (childhood through adulthood):

I think as people grow up, they forget how to play and what it means to play. Most adults become overwhelmed and bogged down with bills and responsibilities that they no longer have time to “play.” Adult play is clearly different than childhood play and most certainly varies from adult to adult, however that does not make it less important once a person reaches adulthood. As adults, we need a break as well to just be free and play.

As an adult, I still play. Whether I am playing a board game or card game with my family/friends or playing a game on the Wii, it is a break from everything else. I enjoy going to the park and swinging on the swings (I do not jump out anymore though.) I am still very active just like I was when I was a child. Working in the education field gives me plenty of opportunities to play. I enjoy recess and field day with my students. When I worked summer camp, the chances to play were endless! I am an adult, but I am truly a child at heart and probably will always be.

Play today:

Play today is definitely different than how it was when I was growing up. Children are more into video games, television, computers, and any other form of technology. It is rare to drive through a neighborhood and actually see children outside playing. It makes me smile when I do witness this taking place no matter how few and far between the occurrences are. I am unsure as to why parents did not pass on the greatness of play to their children. I am not sure where the ball was dropped. Unfortunately, due to the lack of play, children are not as creative or imaginative it seems. They are certainly less healthy because they are sitting around instead of being active. Something really needs to change and soon. I hope parents realize that their children need to get up and move. They need to be active or they will be in danger when they get older.

A few of my childhood play items:

I enjoyed coloring (and still do). It was & still is very relaxing.



My legos were my favorite thing to play with when I was by myself. I had the large tub & would just build any & everything.




I was & still am a "tomboy." I learned how to play these games from my Granny & Auntie. I was a very active child!



Relationship Reflection

Relationships and partnerships almost go hand in hand. Partnerships are when two people (or sometimes more) have a joint interest in something, so they come together. Relationships, in my opinion, are a step further because now (more than likely) emotions are involved. I believe that it is important to have both throughout the course of your life. It is always nice to have someone to lean on, to talk to, or maybe just to be there to listen. It is also important to have someone on your side that has the same viewpoints as you. Life is challenging but I am sure it is even more difficult to navigate through it alone.  

Positive Relationships in My Life (I can talk all day about the people close to me, so I am just going to sum them up.)

My mother could be considered my best friend because of how close we are. We get along but we also have our differences, just like most relationships. She is definitely someone I can lean and depend on. Another positive relationship I have is with my Granny and Auntie. I live with these outstanding women and they are truly an inspiration. They have been best friends since the 50s and are both retired from the United States Air Force. They have been helping my parents raise me since I was a baby. At 91 and 80 years old, respectively, they are still capable of doing everything on their own. It is truly amazing to see! My father is someone else I am very close to. I am definitely “Daddy’s little girl.”

My mom & I

My daddy

My mom, younger brother, & I

The wonderful ladies (Auntie & Granny)

I have a few close friends that I have developed good relationships with over the years as well that I basically consider family. My best friend, Ayana and I have been friends since 1998 and our friendship continues to grow. There were actually three of us who were like peas in a pod. I met Kanika through Ayana and we all became the best of friends. Unfortunately, Kanika was killed in August 2008 and they still have not caught her killers. My other close friend, Monique and I have been friends since 1997. I met Ayana and Monique in high school through playing basketball. One was an opponent and the other was a teammate. There are a few others whom I have positive relationships with but I am not going to name them all.

Ayana, Me, Kanika

Monique & I

My most important relationship is with God. I am not where I want to be in life but I am better than what I used to be. And I give all the praise to Jesus. I have truly come a long way thanks to God’s grace and His mercy. I honestly do not know where I would I be if it were not for my faith in Him.

Developing and Maintaining Positive Relationships

Developing and maintaining these relationships has not been easy. In each relationship there have been ups and downs and even some time apart. However, these relationships are the strongest I have. Communication and honesty are key in maintaining relationships. In each relationship, we are open and honest with other. We have lost loved ones together and celebrated happy times together. Relationships are not easy. Like marriages, they take work. They are not one sided. Everyone plays their part and it just works. There are definitely going to be challenges. We may not always get along but the level of love never changes. They take patience, understanding, and lots of love. Without these three things, relationships will struggle. We learn from each other and grow together. I can go a week without talking to one of my friends and nothing about our relationship will change. That is a positive relationship.

Children...

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."  ~Stacia Tauscher

"You can learn many things from children.  How much patience you have, for instance."  ~Franklin P. Jones

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt

"Your children need your presence more than your presents."  ~Jesse Jackson

"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you."  ~Robert Fulghum

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." ~Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady


These past weeks have been great!! I have learned lots from the readings, my colleagues, & my professor. Thank you all for your words of encouragment & guidance during this course. I wish you all much success in your future courses. Be Blessed!!

Assessing Children

When testing school-aged children these days, most tests do not assess the whole child. The typical standardized test only focuses on how much a child can retain. They don’t look at a child’s physical, social, and cognitive development together. These tests don’t help educators learn more about the student’s they are teaching. Instead, they let administration know how much money/assistance they will receive for the upcoming school year.

As an educator, we should focus on the whole child. We should teach the whole child and help the child develop successfully. However, this is rarely thought of after the age of 5 it seems. Subjectively we assess children every day. We watch how they interact with their peers and other adults (social), we observe how they hold a pencil and walk down the hall (physical), and then we observe their learning abilities (cognitive). I wonder if there will ever be an objective assessment to monitor a child’s development holistically. But then again, would that really be necessary? Would a child benefit if his/her scores were in a certain range? Just an interesting thought.

In doing this assignment, I had a difficult time finding out other children are assessed in different countries. While doing my research I did learn that there are children who do not take standardized tests and are doing extremely well. In Finland, education is provided to all and teachers and principals are held in the highest esteem (Asia Society, 2010). Standardized testing was abolished in the 1980s, so teachers are able to be more creative with their lessons. They have the freedom to choose their own materials and they focus on a smaller number of objectives compared to the United States. Teachers are required to have a master’s degree and they are well supported during the school year (Rushowy, 2010).

Would it be possible for the United States to provide equal education to all? Or will the “better off” children continue to have more opportunities than those living in poverty? Just another thought.

For more information about Finland’s educational system, please read:

What accounts for Finland’s high student achievement rate? (2010). Retrieved from the Asia Society website: http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/learning-world/what-accounts-finlands-high-student-achievement-rate

Gamerman, E. (2008). What makes Finnish kids so smart? Retrieved from the Wall Street Journal website: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120425355065601997.html

Rushowy, K. (2010). Finland’s secrets to educational success. Retrieved from http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/article/861076--finland-s-secrets-to-educational-success

Stress & Children's Development

This assignment was slightly difficult for me. We were asked to write about a time when we or someone we know experienced a stressful situation such as

• war
• poverty
• racism
• natural disaster
• isolation
• hunger
• noise
• chaos
• disease
• environmental pollution
• violence

and how we/they coped/survived the situation. Well, I can't personally think of anyone who has experienced any of these things as a child. As a child, I didn't experience of any these stressors. However, as an adult, I know the effects of these experiences all too well. But, if anyone comes to mind (or if my memory improves), I'll be sure to update this post.

The other half of the assignment was to research how some of these stressors are dealt with in other parts of the world. I chose to look at environmental pollution in China because they have high levels of pollution and I was curious about how it's all being handled. In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported estimates that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year, and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600. Even with China having a large population, that's a large number of people dying each year. The air in China can actually be deadly. The damaging air pollutants include sulfur dioxide, particulate matter—a mixture of extremely small particles and water droplets—ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. China accounts for roughly one-third of the global total for these pollutants. It is amazing that the air quality is so bad, yet their population is so large. Why isn’t anyone doing anything about this problem? It is estimated that air pollution causes approximately 2 million premature deaths worldwide. In the United States, it is estimated that 41,200 premature deaths are from toxic air pollutants. Something clearly has to change!!

Not only do they have to worry about air pollution, they also have to deal with water pollution. Unfortunately, after all that I read, I didn’t see any information on how they plan to fix their pollution problems. These pollutants are seriously harmful to children and can have lasting effects. I wonder if they have a “Go Green” initiative in China…

For more information, check out the following...

• http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/world/asia/26china.html
• http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8416
• http://www.benthamscience.com/open/toenvirj/articles/V002/1TOENVIRSJ.pdf
• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070709-china-pollution.html

Child Development & Public Health

For this week’s assignment, we were asked to research different public health measures that impact children’s development all over the world. I chose to research sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). I chose this area of concern because there is so much uncertainty when it comes to this issue. Doctors and researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of SIDS but they are trying many different ways to prevent it from occurring.  

SIDS is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under the age of 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death. In the United States, thousands of babies die each year. In looking at the data, the US has the highest SIDS rates worldwide. Babies between the ages of 2-4 months are most likely to die from SIDS. Most of these occur during the winter months, especially in January. I did not see a reason why this is, but I’m assuming it is because parents are more likely to have their babies under thick covers to keep them warm. It is known that politically, socially, economically marginalized, and often indigenous groups around the world experience significantly higher SIDS rates. Again, I’m assuming that this is due to the lack of prenatal care.

In Japanese, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, English, and Israeli populations, SIDS rates appear to be the lowest. The caregivers in these countries put their infants to sleep in the supine (lying on the back) position and most of the mothers breastfeed.

There are organizations (national and worldwide) currently trying to determine a cause for SIDS. However, with autopsy’s being so inconclusive, this is a difficult task. These organizations do offer suggestions on how to prevent SIDS from happening, such as placing an infant on their back while sleeping instead of on their stomach.

Learning about SIDS will help me in the future because I will know what not to do in order to keep my children out of harm’s way. I will also be able to share this information with other parents.

For more information, please visit

www.sids.org

http://www.ispid.org/

Birth Practices in the Netherlands

The second part of this week’s assignment was to research birthing practices in other countries. While searching on Google, I found some interesting information on the birthing experience in the Netherlands. The women there are spoiled compared to pregnant women here in the United States, in my opinion.

Before I walk you through a birthing experience, I thought I would share that everyone living there has health insurance because it is MANDATORY. That by itself is fascinating.

Ok, there are some differences between the birthing process here in America versus the Netherlands. A notable one is the fact that certified midwives guide almost all pregnancies. An obstetrician is only called if there is a problem during the pregnancy or delivery. The midwife performs all checkups and provides you with information on the delivery. Prenatal tests are only given if the mother has a health risk. An ultrasound is part of the basic health insurance package and is done at 20 weeks.

Along with a midwife, each mother-to-be has a doula. The doula is an experienced, non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional, and informed choice support in prenatal care and childbirth. I read somewhere that after the child is born, mother and baby are allowed to return home (if there were no complications) and then the maternity home care begins. I’m not sure if this is the same as a doula, but this person comes into your home and takes care of you and your newborn baby. She also cleans your home, does the cooking, takes care of your other children, and gives you parenting lessons. She sounds like a God send! Her services are all covered by your insurance!

Majority of births in the Netherlands take place in the home, without anesthesiology, and are supervised by the midwife. A mother is only sent to the hospital if there are complications with the delivery.

With majority of the births taking place in the home, it was interesting to find out that their infant mortality rate is lower than here in the United States. We are supposed to be a country that is more advanced than everyone, yet our infant mortality rate is high. Why is that? What are we doing wrong or not doing? I had a discussion with my Granny about this topic because I was just shocked. How come other countries are able to provide healthcare to all of their citizens? Why are pregnant women in other countries treated like princesses (for lack of a better word), but here it has a negative view? These are just some thoughts I had.

If you want to read the full story of the Dutch woman, check out this site:

http://www.ahd.tudelft.nl/~jerry/jw2/Suzie/Birth_in_Holland.html

For some other information, visit these sites:

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0241.asp (scroll down to the section titled “Birth Rituals”…very interesting stuff)

Personal Birthing Experience

For our first assignment, we were asked to share information about a personal birthing experience. Well, this was a difficult assignment for me. 1 - I do not have any children of my own; and 2 - I have never seen a live birth (I'm assuming watching Discovery Health doesn't count). So, I will share the little I know about my own birth.

My mother shared with me that she was in labor for 19 1/2 hours. They told her that if I didn't come within the next hour, they were going to have to perform a C-section. She said that I popped out 10 minutes later. At 9:39 pm on December 24, 1982, I was born. Unfortunately, that is all I know. Hopefully, she will share more information with me so that I may update you. So, I will keep you posted....

Class #2

Hello all!!!

I am in Week 1 of class #2. This class is all about child development. Although it is the first week, I am loving it already!!

So for the next 8 weeks, I will be sharing information related to child development from conception to age 8. This should be some interesting information. Stay tuned...

Thoughts...

So, this class is winding down. We have one more week left. I have been thinking about what I am going to do with this blog. I know I stated in the beginning that I would post things that have been going on in my life that show my growth, but clearly, that hasn't been happening. Honestly, it just seems like I have so much going on when technically I don't. But with the school year winding down as well, I am going to do better with this blogging thing. I am honestly learning and growing daily. It is a wonderful thing. God has been truly GOOD to me (when I don't even deserve it), and I just have to share all the things He is doing and has done in my life. I am forever grateful and can't thank Him enough. Things aren't always sweet and easy but I know that everything happens for a reason. I believe that everything will work out for the good.

To end my rambling, I just want to share that I have completed a step towards my enrichment center. I have officially set up an LLC. Nurturing Enrichment Services, LLC is currently offering tutoring and mentoring services. I was so excited when all of the paperwork was filed and approved. It was a great, yet slightly overwhelming experience. I actually realized that becoming official was the easy part! The real challenge lies ahead but I'm ready. Wish me luck!

Be Blessed & Continue Being a Blessing...Peace

Examining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides the Code of Ethical Conduct to basically serve as a guideline for any individual who works within an early childhood setting or with young children. The code is broken into four sections:

1.      Ethical Responsibilities to Children

2.      Ethical Responsibilities to Families

3.      Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

4.      Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society.

Each section has a set of ideals, which reflect the aspirations of practitioners, and a set of principles, which describes practices that are required, prohibited, or permitted.

For this week’s assignment, we were tasked with choosing three ideals that are meaningful to us. A lot of the ideals, especially those dealing with children, are meaningful to me. However, these are the three that stood out the most…

Section 1 – Responsibilities to Children

·         I-1.3 – To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.  – This ideal is important to me because every child is different. Just because a child doesn’t understand a concept as fast as everyone else, doesn’t mean that the child is not capable. That child is just on another level and is probably much better at something else. Every child has the potential to be something spectacular. If adults ignore that fact and treat children without respect by ignoring the positives, then they are setting the child up for failure. We should recognize all of the positive things that children do and help them see their potential. This helps build confidence so one day they will reach their potential and quite possibly go beyond what we thought they were capable of.

Section 2 – Responsibilities to Families

·         I-2.7 – To share information about each child’s education and development with families and to help them understand and appreciate the current knowledge base of the early childhood profession.  – It is important to keep families informed on their child’s progress. It is also important to let the families know what is being done in the classroom. Curriculums and teaching practices have evolved over the years, so parents need to be updated on the new strategies and techniques as well. By educating the parents they will have an understanding and respect for what and how we do our jobs. Families should also be kept informed about the current issues in the early childhood field. They have a voice as well and are able to advocate for their children just like us.

Section 3 – Responsibilities to Colleagues

·         I-3A.2 – To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided.  – This ideal was meaningful because although I’m working with my colleague, it is all to essentially help the child. We are collaborating to develop programs and activities that are best for the children. That is why we are in this field. We are working to help children be successful in life.

Early Childhood Education Resources

Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/56611/CRS-CW-4955232/educ6005_readings/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf

Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
   
• Websites:
• World Forum Foundation  http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/
   
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education  http://www.omep-usnc.org/
• Association for Childhood Education International    http://acei.org/about/ 

Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/ 
• Children’s Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
• Institute for Women’s Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
• Voices for America’s Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Selected Professional Journals

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Additional Resources

• Preschool Rainbow  - Preschool education activities and early childhood education lesson plans that give preschool children choices.  http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/
• Earlychildhood.com - Information, products and ideas for parents & teachers.  http://www.earlychildhood.com/
• Children Now - Children Now is a national organization for people who care about children and want to ensure that they are the top public policy priority.  http://www.childrennow.org/
• CYFERnet - Children, Youth, and Families Education and Research Network http://www.cyfernet.org/

Another interesting quote...

I saw this quote while browsing through twitter...

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million." - Walt Streightiff

 

Just thought I'd share it...

Words of Inspiration & Motivation

The assignment for this week was to post a few quotes. I love quotes. People say the most amazing things & they never really know the effect they may have on others. The few quotes I am going to share are all related to children. A few are from major contributors from the early childhood field and others are from current early childhood professionals who are passionate about what they do. These quotes all spoke to me, I hope they do the same for you.

"Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers." ~ Friedrich Froebel (the "father" of Kindergarten)

"The mind grows by self revelation. In play the child ascertains what he can do, discovers his possibilities of will and thought by exerting his power spontaneously. In work he follows a task prescribed for him by another, and doesn't reveal his own proclivities and inclinations; but another's. In play he reveals his own original power." ~ Friedrich Froebel (the "father" of Kindergarten)

"Part of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions -- not just constant sunshiny happiness." (Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, & Community: Family-Centered Early Care & Education)

"I think my passion comes from wanting to make a difference. ... You know for me, that one little sparkly will make a difference for me throughout the whole day." ~ Raymond Hernandez MS Ed, Executive Director, School of Early Childhood Education, University of Southern California

"...I learned it's not all about you. You got to take your ego out of it and think about what's best for this child." ~ Renatta M. Cooper, Program Specialist, Office of Child Care, LA County Chief Administrative Office

Children need love. They need to be cared for. They need the time to play in order to discover the world for themselves.

I may not be able to help all of the children I come in contact with, but if I'm able to help one, I would be happy. It's not about me though. It's always about the children. They are the future. They are our future.

My Personal Childhood Web

This assignment was a difficult one for me to complete (which is probably why I waited until the last minute). Majority of my childhood is unfortunately blocked out of my memory. It's all jumbled so I remember only bits & pieces, & honestly that's frustrating. I'm currently in the process of trying to work the memories out but again...it's a process. But, here goes my childhood web...


Diann (Mommy...that's what I call her)
*I love my mother. She's been an influential person in my life. She was a single mother, raising my brother & I until I was 10. While raising us, she worked full time, & attended law school. I applaud her efforts. We never wanted for anything. She was always able to make a way. My weekdays were spent with her & some of the weekends. She was good at tough love...lol. As an adult, my mother is one of my closest friends. I talk to her every morning on my way to work. She may not always understand me but she tries. She is my momma, & I wouldn't trade her for the world!!


Granny, Auntie, & Alma
*These three women have probably had the most influence on my life. When I was a baby, my mom was introduced to Granny & Auntie by a college friend. They fell in love with me & from that day on they have been family. My maternal grandparents lived in New Jersey, so they were the closest things to grandparents I had in the area. I spent most summers & weekends at Granny & Auntie's house. They taught me everything I know about sports. They helped me appreciate school & learning. With them, I learned what it meant to apply myself. They pushed me very hard but I never doubted that they loved me. Granny & Auntie have been best friends since the 1950's. They met in the Air Force. Alma met them a few years later. They have all been close ever since. Although they aren't blood, I definitely consider them family. With them I always felt safe. I currently live with Granny (91 yrs old) & Auntie (turned 80 this week). Granny gets up most mornings around 6am & rides her bike & does her exercises. Auntie does a lot of work around the house. I tell them all the time that I want to be like them when I grow up. They are truly such amazing women. And to this day, I still feel safe.


Jeffery (Daddy)
*Jeffery is actually my stepfather, but he is the only father figure I know so I call him Daddy. I am Daddy's little girl. Him & my mother were married when I was 10. They are still happily married. He taught me more about sports & how to be competitive. We had lots of fun with him growing up. After my parents were married, we took family trips every summer, he always took us (me, my brother Alexx, & my stepbrother Terrence) to parks & rec centers. My childhood memories with him are all sport related...lol. He has always, & still is, my #1 fan.


Alexx
*Alexx is my brother. He is 4 1/2 years younger than me. We have been through so much together. We were the best of friends growing up because we were all we had. I looked out for him. He had a lot of anger inside. So we eventually grew apart. In my eyes, he was my mom's favorite. I'm sure she will deny that but that's how it felt. He was in trouble a lot as a child, teenager, & even as an adult. Some of it was difficult to watch & deal with but I never stopped loving him & he knows it. Today, I am proud to say that my brother is a different man. He has turned his life around & I couldn't be prouder of him. Prayer truly changes things!!


The Babysitter
*She is the reason I want to work with children. She was probably the WORST child care provider ever. However, as a child, I didn't know how to express that. As one of her oldest children, I changed diapers & took care of the younger children. Her child care was in her apartment. She took care of approx. 10+ children & had 4 children of her own. She didn't have a husband. She was lazy & she constantly lied to the parents. For her, it was about the money. In the summer she would kick the older children out around 7/8am & tell us to go play. We annoyed her & her teenagers whenever we came looking for water or had to go to the bathroom. Just an overall negative experience. No supervision. No learning. Just sleep, eat, play. I didn't share any of this with my mother until we moved & no longer had to attend. I was afraid I would get in trouble. The mind of a child is very fragile. She is my model of what NOT to do when it comes to raising & caring for children.


These people are just a glimpse of those individuals who have helped shaped the woman I am today. Some negative & some positive experiences/influences but they all played their parts. I thank God for who I am today & who I will become. He guides me & I pray that I am becoming who He wants me to be.



My mom, Alexx, & I...Thanksgiving 2010



My Granny & I @ Medieval Times a couple of weeks ago

Mom, Daddy, Granny, & our Pastor @ Granny's 90th birthday party...Dec. 2009



Auntie & I @ Granny's 90th birthday party

Momma, Alexx, & I...ages unknown

"The Little Engine That Could"

How many remember this classic childhood favorite? This book teaches children a very important lesson that will stick with them the rest of their lives...believing in yourself. This was one of my favorite books as a child!!

Sometimes we all feel like we can't do something and so we ask for help. But what if there is no one to help you? Do you just give up? This book tells children to persevere. To keep pushing, believing that you can. Believing in yourself is an invaluable lesson for any child to learn. They end up growing believing that they can, even when others tell them they can't. They have a positive attitude when faced with life's challenges. They believe that there are possibilities in what others may think is an impossible situation. They believe they can and they do. It's amazing.

So, when you are faced with an obstacle that may seem like it will hinder your growth...remember that little engine that needed to get over the mountain. Your problem/challenge/obstacle (whatever you choose to call it) is that mountain. Believe you can and you will get over it.

(A children's book with an important lesson that is valuable to children and adults of all ages. A true classic.)

Children need love in order to grow!

Another assignment for this week was to find quotes related to children that were meaningful to us. One quote I found was

Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it.  ~Harold Hulbert (not sure who he is)

Every child needs love. They may behave badly but they still need love. In some cases, those children are the ones that need love the most. As a teacher, I have students that don't know what unconditional love feels like. They come from broken homes, abusive situations, and who knows what else. Sometimes, the love and care I show them is all they get for the day. Without love, children will grow up searching and lost. Trying to satisfy a feeling that they are unable to explain. Children need to know that people care. They need to be nurtured and loved, encouraged and guided.

The love can be in the form of listening, understanding, words, actions, and even through discipline. Take the time to invest in children. They are our future and they need our love to grow.

Physical growth

This week, we are assigned to post a picture of ourselves as a young child. Well this is me at about age 2 I believe. These pics are just a glimpse into my physical growth.

A little bit older in this pic.

At about age 4.

So, I skipped more than a few years. This is me in 5th grade. I decided to take my glasses off for this school photo. This is also 1 of 2 school pics that I didn't smile. This was the first time I was afraid show my teeth ( I didn't get braces until 7th grade, but I loved to smile).

My first blog...yay!!

So this is my first blog. I never thought of myself as the "blogger type" but everything happens for a reason. So here I am. This blog was created as a requirement for my grad class. So there will be posts related to that as well as growth over all. I believe we are growing all day, every day. Whether it is physical, mental, or spirtual, we are growing. Growth, just like progress, should be celebrated no matter how small. A victory is a victory. I will try to blog at least once a week on my growth. Until then, be Blessed & continue to be a Blessing!