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.)