Professional Hopes and Goals

The hope I have for diverse families and children is that they are welcome into a system that is prepared to serve their needs.  I believe every child no matter the background deserves the same home extension of their culture.  We are the foundation for setting the standards of children’s learning and I believe it is critical to develop a sense of self worthy especially in acknowledging their culture.    

The goal I have for early childhood is to mandate that diversity and equity be a yearly training in all centers and programs.  It is so easy to fall into the surface culture that we often forget the extension of the children and their family’s home.  We must be informative in our calling to meet the needs of cultural backgrounds and it needs to begin with certified training on a yearly basis.  Like CPR we must stay abreast on the latest information to save lives.

I would like to thank everyone for their comments and feedback!  I have learned a lot from everyone in the last eight weeks.  Good Luck to all of you and may continued success follow you with the lives you touch in teaching and caring for children.  Happy Holidays!!!!!

Welcoming Families from around the World

The country I chose was Italy for my family of origin.  I chose this country because I have always been curious about the lifestyle and the family culture.  The five ways in which I would prepare for my family and be responsive to their needs is the following:

Is doing some basic research on the culture in which I learn the family structure and that Italians are very intense and do a lot of arm touching and want eye contact at all times.  (So when I do speak with them face to face I will understand their demeanor and the hierarchy of the family).  I will have a translator at the initial meeting and all forth coming meetings.

Another way I would prepare is understanding some basic Italian language and finding out where they are from in Italy because there is different dialect depending on where you live in the country. This will be helpful in paperwork also as I prepare it in their native language to make it easier for them comprehend as well as feel more comfortable. 

The third way I would prepare is incorporating books and music in their native language as well as a lending library in which the parents can read to their child in the native language.  I would continue to encourage the native language with the parents and child.

The fourth way is to visit an authentic Italian restaurant and become familiar with the foods and customs of the culture.  Educate myself through experiences and become aware of the differences.

The last way I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive is understanding their religion and celebrations of holidays.  I want to make sure that I am responsive to their customs and use them to educate others in the classroom as well as give the family an opportunity to come in as guest speakers. 

I believe the items or extension of the family’s culture into the classroom will ease the possible tension of the family and make them as well as the child comfortable in the environment.  I want the family to know they are the child’s first educator and that my classroom is an extension of his or her learning from home.  All of these incorporations will help make a solid connection with the family and child and build trust.   After all, trust and a solid foundation are the essence to building a true educational experience, because we all know that early childhood sets the foundation to a positive learning experience for children and their families.   

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejuidice, and Oppression

This past Sunday I watched Mississippi Burning a movie I would not normally watch in my house but one my husband said “Come on it’s a really good movie”. Well for once he was right.  If you have never seen the movie it takes place in the 60’s during the time of Martin Luther King and his peaceful protest and three boys go missing.  Now Mississippi is one of the last states that wanted integration and it espicially shown in this small town.  I am not sure I would have survived in this town or this era when segregation was such a huge demise of our country.  The depiction of how African Americans were treated was just appalling.  Houses burning down, lynching, and even just mutilating a person, it was horrid to watch the cruelty that another person had to endure because they did not have the right skin color.  There was no equity for African Americans in this movie they were treated as less than second class citizens and had no rights to vote.  They were inferior to white people and were treated as animals. 

I could never in my life imagine living in a time in which I could not be friends or even speak to African Americans because of their skin color.  It brings me back to my visit of the Holocaust in DC and the overwhelming sickness of hatred a person could feel for another.  It was horrid to be quite frank and something I never want anyone to endure.  It was almost like walking through the halls of the Holocaust museum in silence because there were no words to express the dehumanizing of an individual.

In the end, though the two FBI agents were able to figure out who killed the three boys and had each of them arrested and sentenced to prison for 7 to 10 years and although that is not enough time for human life it was the turning point for this town which was suffering.  The town got a new start because these men got locked up and people were able to live again.  In the real world we know that scenarios such as these were great attributions to the fight of equity as African Americans have the right to vote, segregation is over, and people no matter what their skin color are all have equal opportunities protected by civil right laws in the United States.  However, I would have wished for less violence, more open minds, and peace to solve the discrimination and prejudice of the world. 

Microagression

I will be honest in saying I experience microagression at least once a week depending on where I am at and who is with me at the time.  I have been married to an amazing man for the last 13 years who is Cajun otherwise known as African American to everyone else.  We have three beautiful children and I would not trade my life for anything in this world.  However, microagression is alive and well in society today when looking at couple of interracial relationships.  This week I experienced two microagressions.  One was at Wendy’s when the African American cashier stated my husband sounded educated (really?  How is he suppose to sound) Huge stereotype as we all know what she was leading into…..and the second microagression happen tonight when my oldest son was wrestling and because he is dark skinned a coach from the other team said I like the way you support your son mom even if he is losing.  My reply of course was the one winning is mine.  Needless to say I got the apology and that he was very good, but it just burns me up that people just don’t ask instead of assume.  It is still sad in the 21^st century that we still judge people on the color of their skin and not the content of their character.  Prejudice and discrimination are still very prominent in today’s society, except now it is closet prejudice.  I sure do wonder what life would be like if there were more people like Martin Luther King….until then I will continue to touch lives with tolerance and promote culture and diversity. 

Perspectives on diversity and Culture

This week I spoke to three different individuals all in the early childhood field and asked them what their definition of culture and diversity was.  Here were their answers:

Culture
Beliefs…ways of life shared daily by a group of people in a specific place or time.

Diversity
The mixture of different people, races and cultures.

Culture knowledge experiences and beliefs that classifies one group of people from another

Diversity a variety of people from different races, cultures and backgrounds.

Culture: someone's beliefs and or surroundings in which they were brought up in...could have to deal with your mannerisms, your social environment or how u view society....

Diversity: means being different from the norm of things, being versatile being able to adapt to change...

All great answers and some I would even use in some type of context.  For example, culture is a belief system it is your mannerism and classification in society based on your similarities and differences, but it is also like like Janet Gonzalez-Mena stated they are unconscious rules that govern everything we do that we learn early on (Laureate, n.d.). 

A perfect example of Culture is Holidays around the World and incorporating parents or volunteers to come and speak about their culture and share and dispel information about their heritage in the way they celebrate holidays.  It is giving insight to children and exposing them to other people’s lives and beliefs.

I don’t think any aspects have been omitted in their answer on culture, except that culture is everywhere and it happens on a daily basis unconsciously but not in a specific time or place.  As for diversity I believe they emphasized more on the race and surface culture than richness of the individual that you don’t see from the inside.  Such as why they practice a certain religion or live with four generations of family verses a nuclear family.  Diversity is the language, mannerism, and being able to identify yourself based on practices taught in the home.  It is very difficult to live an existence of a diverse world when the dominant culture becomes very empowering in their lives.  Diversity is about not losing yourself outside your home.  

Overall, I think people’s perspectives on culture and diversity is just as different as we view from the surface.  They are perspectives on what we have experienced and learned from others.  There is no right or wrong in what others believe are the essential in culture and diversity as long as they are willing to grow.   I loved hearing from my friends and their aspects of diversity and culture and cannot wait to hear more!!

My Family Culture

My Family Culture

I thought this assignment was going to be easy when I first read it but then I begin think what is it that really defines family culture to me.  I would begin with contemplating the three items I must bring, as you all know as Americans everything is precious when it comes to family so choosing was very difficult.  The first item I would bring with me would be a small trunk that was made by my grandfather’s father from Germany.  The trunk was a simple of his craftsmanship that he brought over as a young man to America and raised a family of nine children on back in the depression.  It is a story inside a box of family history as you look at the assembly of how the trunk was made.  The next item I would bring is a Holy Bible which generates the family history of my ancestors and 6 generations there after….this bible is irreplaceable it is a true artifact of my life and my family history.  The last item I would bring is an old recipe on carrot cake.  It’s one of those items that are a family secret that my mom learned from her mom and I learned from her but without the actual card, it’s a lost tradition that my daughter will never know or be able to pass on her to her daughter. 

As for being told that I could only bring one item from the three I would have probably had said no can do, either they all go or I don’t go.  But then the shocked would have worn off and well I would be left with what actually represents my family culture.  I would say I would take the Holy Bible it is an irreplaceable artifact from my family’s history that details the start of my family from Germany to immigrating to the United States and the 5 generations that precede it.

 I believe culture is not always found in items, it is the memories that we hold dear to our heart in the births of new generations and celebrating the legacy of those who have come before us.  Each item I chose was a true representation of who I am.  I am the success of a man who worked hard to provide his 9 children opportunity to provide theirs.  I am the tree branch on the Bible of a legacy, and I am the secret to a cake so good, you would want to slap your momma lol!!!!

I am Michele. 

What I learned in EDU 6163

I will be quite honest in saying this class was particularly frustrating as well as a true learning experience.  I learned a lot about research and the importance of qualitative and quantitative research and mixing the two methods up to make a stronger case.  I also learned that depending on how you conduct your research, determines the validity of your topic.  These last eight weeks have really put perspective in conducting a real research topic, and one I will be quite honest in stating I am glad I understand.  However, I never knew the work that actually went into selecting a group of participants and getting consent etc… I believe not only working with children but doing research with children is one of the hardest jobs an early childhood professional can conduct.  The ethics and liability alone are overwhelming in the fact that certain criteria’s must be met when working with children.  I still believe that professionals in early childhood are true callers because we change the world one child at a time. 

Early Childhood Australia

I chose the NAEYC version of Australia to further my international studies and well I really like the website.  It was set up very similar to the American website and the issues that affect us also effect children and professionals half way across the world.  Some of the current international research topics I found interesting were using assessments as a stepping stone, and learning and teaching through play.  Here were other topics, but all were very similar to those we see in everyday research in America and other parts of the world.

The surprising insight I gained from Australia’s early childhood magazine was a reform that started in January 2012 and that is the ratio of infants would go down to 1:4.  It did not state the specific of the old ratio but I found it quite interesting that they are just now reforming to a lower ratio to implement higher quality care.  This was amazing to me I thought with their progressive era that ratios of this nature would have already been in place. 

At last the other area I thought was interesting was an article on providing middle and low income families with more government support in paying for child care.  Already in place is the government assistance that each family that pays $7500 per year in child care gets it back at the end of the year.  But now the government is going to supply more assistance to families of the low and middle class to make sure their children in high quality programs.

It always amazes me that simple things such as ratio were not a huge factor in international worlds but making sure all families have proper care and the resources to pay it are.  In America we focus n high quality care but only let the privilege who can afford it attend or the poverty stricken to say that we are closing the achievement gap.   Either way we are leaving out the majority the middle class.  I really did enjoy the articles on what effects earl y childhood in Australia. 

Research that Benefits Children and thier Families

If I were researching a topic which esulted in positive results that was for the common good of society it would be Why implementing high qualityearly childhood programs universally will close the gap on achievement.  I would begin by stating that we know in America today there is a huge achievement gap between class societies because of poor quality child care and high quality programs.  I would then go ahead and state the facts surrounding my research with Head start verses family child care etc...and why society is still suffering from achievement gaps when children enter kindergarten.  I then would post the results of my research stating that implementing high quality programs that are federally funded would close the achievement between class societies because of the following:

1) All teachers would be required to have a BA and all assistants a CDA.
2) All children ages 3 to 5 would be required to attend no matter the class status.
3) The program would be of high quality and developmentally appropriate.

The benefits would be that all young children have a strong foundation because they attended a high quality early childhood program for 2 years.   There would be no achievement gaps because there would be no class status.  All children ages 3 to 5 would receive the same high quality programs that prepared them for entering the academic world of education.  It would show a lower crime rate and less behavioral issues as well as more parents involved in their children's education.  Parents would be able to attend to college while their children were in the program breaking the cycle of class system especially in poverty.  More parents would be able to work and less assistance for welfare would be needed because quality care would not be an issue. 

I dream of one day making this research a reality as I continue to pursue my education and work towards my doctorate in advocating for universal preschool. 

Research Topic

Well....the topic I chose was is learning through play preparing children for going to school academically but, the question I am really going to answer is the benefits of play which will prove that it prepares children for school. The reason I chose this topic is because I am a firm believer it does work! I teach preschool for 4-5 year olds and the growth I see quarterly is amazing. Using a curriculum that has objectives in which children can build and grown on while playing is phenomenal. Being a professional in early childhood is a challenge in itself, but having to defend our profession in the fact that our children do learn is a disgrace! I chose this topic to inform society about the importance of play and how children learn and develop. It is funny to me that when I was young play was acceptable and important in being a child, but now everyone wants to know are they academically ready for the challenges of kindergarten. What is the purpose of knowing the alphabet if the child cannot even express their emotions in an acceptable way or have the ability to make good choices? Play is the spark of thinking outside the box....exploring the world through their own pace of development. The zone of proximal development and the theories of Vygotsky and Piaget are true testaments that learning through play does exist.

 

In closing I found some great sites on the benefits of learning through play:

http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v11n1/lara.html

http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/crisis_in_early_ed.pdf

Farewell EDU 6162

Well to be quite frank about the consequences I learned internationally our early childhood program really sucks compare to countries such as Brazil, Norway, and Sweden. I mean even Mexico is starting to put their children first by funding programs for early childhood and here we are trying to fight to keep ours in the budget. I really did learn that even though the United States is the most powerful country it is not the smartest when it comes to education. If we know and research brain development, economics and all the ties that fit into the mesosystem than why are we not putting our children first?  Countries such as Zimbabwe and Singapore are revamping their early childhood programs in efforts to enhance their children’s quality of care and learning.  They even understand that educating the future of their country is the economic stability they need.  I feel like I beat a dead horse in asking America why when it comes to early childhood.



Although my journey in EDU 6162 was only 8 weeks I learned a lot in international contacts and issue and trends.  I am more aware of the problems and the research of early childhood, and what I can do to make a difference.  I want to thank all my colleagues for their responses in every aspect.  I enjoyed reading everyone’s post and their perspectives on trends and issues.   I wish everyone the best and look forward to advocating with all of you in the future.  Only 4 more classes to go woohoo!!!!!!

International

The first article I read was about Brazil trying to get the federal government to pass a congressional bill that would make it mandatory to fund an early childhood program for children ages 0 to 6.  Yet, like most countries this bill has lots of conflict surrounding the funding.  In Brazil, it is mandated that funding for education follows strict guidelines where 25% out of 60 goes to early childhood and then elementary education and the other 40 going to secondary education.  Brazil is challenging its government to invest in early childhood they understand the importance of educating the very young and promoting equity in their country.  Many officials are concerned that only the rich will have an education and that many poor families will not have an education nor understand the importance of getting one.  I am so fascinated by Brazil and their efforts; I would love to do an internship in their early childhood program. 

The second article I read was the quality improvement of preschool in Singapore.  This country actually in the 70’s try to implement a universal preschool for all children but the cost was too high so they turned it over to private sectors.  However, private sectors in Singapore are nonprofit agencies who are given subsidiaries to poor families to attend preschool in 2004 nearly 99% of the children’s population had attended 1 to 3 years of preschool.  The attendance to me is amazing so much that even poor countries such as Singapore knew that they needed to improve the quality of the children’s education.  The nonprofit organizations are making an effort with the help of the country to train and educate caregivers.  The outcome has been phenomenal as caregivers are highly educated and the quality of care has improved drastically.  Way to go Singapore! Oh and by the way the quality of care has been equity across the board for the majority of the country since the trainings have begun.

The last article was a short insert of implementing many languages into preschool and hiring educators that can speak multi languages to enhance the children’s culture and others who are from other countries.  I will be quite honest this article did not appeal to me it is often very hard to add culture in the classroom in terms of speaking it on a daily basis but to want educators to be fluent in many languages will make it even more difficult.  I know Spanish and speak it to my children in ways they can comprehend and reciprocate, but to add another one at this point for me would be a train wreck.  I love culture and discussing it and finding interesting ways to add it to the classroom but by no means could I speak it on a daily basis in many languages. 

In any thoughts ……none of these articles really pertained to my professionals goals in a huge sense except for advocating that all children receive quality care and learning and that my enhancement for broadening my education on other cultures has occurred. 

NHSA

I want to first say that I love my website!!!!!!!!  The NHSA had a great article on Dr. Tammi Mann the director of Head Start testifying on the detriment of cutting the budget for early childhood programs... Her grant talked about the waiting list of participants the ever growing need of the children and the spring enrollment of over 500 applicants in which they could not serve ½ because of the lack of increase.  Dr. Mann also touched on the fact that they have to come up with over $7500.00 each year to serve the children and families in the program.  If I had read this article first and then answered this week’s discussion question I could have fully related the struggles to the White House Council.  However, I did explore the website in more depth and found that in the Open window segment you can email President Obama about the importance of Head Start and not cutting the budget as well as writing or videoing the difference Head Start made in you or another child’s life.  Well I must say I did both today and felt like that small step is the start of a new direction for me and my advocacy for early childhood.  I am so inspired by the timeless dedication and actions of others in early childhood and this website is such a great advocacy of my passion.  It is almost like whatever the issue we are discussing for the week is the important issue or trend for the month or week. 

Global Early Childhood

I read several articles from the developing child from Harvard and I must say Brazil is on top of their game.  A group of Brazilians ranging from policy makers to civil society leaders gather together at Harvard to understand the importance of  child development and how it can be applied to most social complex problems.  The range of leaders wanted to strengthen early childhood policies in their community as well as strengthen public and social policies.  Many of the leaders vowed to go back to their jurisdiction and communicate to their stakeholders beginning with the parents to the head of state about the importance of early childhood.  I commend Brazil for their dedication to children and bettering their community.  It takes a village to raise a child and this country is willing to take on the task.

In the next article I read it was about the children in Zimbabwe attending an early childhood program.  Basically the program is trying to develop an assessment tool of the physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development of the children.  The assessment will be necessary for understanding the progress the children have developed in the program and monitoring the achievement gap.  The assessment is called ZAMCAT which stands for Zimbabwe Child Assessment Test and is sure to make a difference in the early childhood program. 

The last article I read was the basically an array of the collaboration and dedication that Harvard dedicates to early childhood globally.  They worked with the people of Zimbabwe to develop and assessment tool, brought the people of Brazil over for a leadership class in the importance of early childhood and social problems.  The magnitude of the work Harvard puts into creating a better world is inspiring.  I hope one day to be able to part of the change of the world but in the meantime I will continue to make a difference one child at a time.

Nondefense Discretionary Programs

Well as you know I love the website the National Head Start Association and the reason why is their love for early childhood education.  This week they had a great article on the 3000 organizations that signed a letter asking for the protection of nondefense discretionary (NDD) programs.  Programs such as Head Start make up 3.4% of the budget and are not the cause of the growing debt.  If congress decides to cut NDD programs than more than 100,000 children will lose their Head Start or Early Head Start position in the middle of the school year, which basically puts us back to square one in the achievement gap of children in poverty. I love this article for many reasons it validates why we do not need more budget cuts and it really makes people think about how important early childhood education is to our community and our children. 

As for the topic of neuroscientist, economists, and politians this article wraps it up very nicely on how important their support is to early childhood education. I think this week I hit it out of the ballpark with this article and issues surrounding economics and achievement gaps between children in poverty and their peers.  I say increase the budget that gives a return investment and a brighter future and implement Universal Preschool too!!!!!!!!!

India's Poverty

India is home to the South’s highest poverty rate.  The challenge this county faces is unique in an all aspects as they face poverty in both high and low regions of the land.  The poverty associated with this country covers all spectrums of struggle such as education, health, skills, and economic growth.  India’s high rates of communicable diseases, malnutrition, and maternal and prenatal illnesses, are predominant among poor people. The fast rates of non- communicable diseases, while rapid urbanization is resulting in new health problems, such as HIV/AIDS.  Children of India also face severe poverty as an estimated 400 million children 0-18 make up the population.  Nearly half of the children in India are malnourished or born significantly underweight.  The 20% of the world’s children out of school come from India and girls are less significant.  In fact girls make up almost 68% of the work force in India (Marshall).  Boys are regarded as highly favorable and are encourage attending both primary and secondary school. 

Although, India faces such a crisis in poverty they are making strides in reducing the spectrum that is associated with it.  Important achievements have been made in health and education. Infant mortality fell from 80 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 69 in 2000. The enrolment of primary school-aged children rose from 68 percent in 1992/1993 to 82 percent at the end of the decade (Marshall).   At last India’s government is implementing programs such as the largest food subsidy programmed, which is explicitly targeted towards the poor.   In essence, the life for children and the people of India are hard and unimaginable in a world that associates poverty with food stamps and EEO housing. 

Marshall, J. (n.d.). Childhood poverty research and policy centre. Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/ p://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

Web Resources

The website I have chosen to focus on for the next eight weeks is http://www.nhsa.org which is the National Head start Association.  This organization focuses on the advocacy of providing children with early intervention services to become a healthier and more academically accomplished young person all over the United States.  The article that caught my attention in this month’s newsletter is the 2013 budget for the Head Start program and the danger it inflicts.  The Head Start program is looking at significant budget cuts in 2013 affecting teacher cuts and the program as a whole.  Children’s acceptance into the program will be significantly cut as well as the budget for operating cost.  The NHSA is asking for all educators to contact their congressman and advocate for the benefits of the Head Start program.  I know as a Head Start teacher the severe impact the budget has on the program.  I lost my job last year along with several other teachers and assistants after we went form an 18 classroom program to 10.  We served 280 kids in 2011-2012 and those numbers have decreased significantly.  In a population in which the Head Start program serves a majority of the young children it really broke my heart to know that we loss major funding this school year and now are at risk for losing more.  In relation to the demographics and the budget cuts it is simple as long as we are losing we are failing our children.  It is hard enough to be an immigrant in the United States but not having the proper services to give each child a level playing field is even more of a tragedy.  I crinch at the thought that Congress won’t think enough of our young children to advocate for their education; it is time to implement universal preschool!  The demographics show the increase in populations of immigrants and their children needing early intervention services.  It would be un-American not to provide them with an equal opportunity education. 

International Contacts

Well I must say this assignment has not been easy thus far.....I have contacted over 8 individuals from the resource blog and have not heard from anyone.  I am not sure if they think it is some type of joke by me contacting them or what.  I thought I was professional in my contact and intializing some type of communication, not sure what to do now but to turn to the alterntive assisgnment.  If I do not hear anything by next week then I will be forced to do the alternative, not really what I wanted to do considering I was looking forward to hearing from at least one individual on their trends in issues in their country.  If anyone is reading this and has had any luck in a contact please enlightem me on how you got them to repsond.  I understand individuals are busy but to hear from another professional in ECE influcing another would really make my day!  I just need one contact!!!!!!!!!!!

My Supports

Ahh support, I think without it I would have quit my job a billion times this year as it has been one of the most overwhelming and stressful career changes of my life.  My support begins with my husband who listens no matter how frustrated or angry I get because administration offers no support. I think without his strong support and lending an ear I would have gone crazy by now, he is my cheerleader!  Someone I can confide in and never questions if I am right or wrong but always knows that I have my classrooms best interest at all times.  I beleive if my husband was not the strength I need to go to my job and give my very best, I would not make it.  I would be a ticking time bottom ready to explode at any minute he is my decompression chamber at the end of the day. 

As for my 4 caregivers in my classroom I cannot live without these group of ladies.  They are my strengths each providing a special gift in the classroom that makes it run smoothly.  I crinch at the thought of losing any of them and will fight to the death to keep them.  We are all so compatible and supportive of each other they take away my stress and vise versa I take away theirs.  I beleive if I were to lose one of these lovely ladies I would run!!!!!  I have worked with other coworkers when my ladies were out or on vacation and I thought I would just jump right off a bridge.  I have a very ecclatic class that needs alot of support and guidance and when the missing links are gone it impacts our world tremonsously!!!!!!!!!!!!  I thank these ladies all the time for their support and courage to show up in our crazy world everyday and I value their input and their strengths they bring so we can be the best me (S) we can.

I have two children who have severe disabilities.  One is a X who is DD and very defiant and has many behavior issues.  Without the support of these extra ladies in my classroom we could not survive.  This particular child needs alot of guidance and one on one support and I beleive without it we would just fall apart both mentally and spiritually.  X is a constant disruption and disturbance to all the children in the classroom.  We need each other to piggy back off of our strengths and continue the mind set and tone of this individual.  As for our other friend Y who is an emotional wreck and cries, throws tantrums lasting 45 minutes and longer, that individual is a constant challange everyday in the classroom. The benefits of these particular ladies is we all keep our sanity!!!!!  Adminsitration often turns a blind eye to our friends situations until recently when they had no choice but to be involved for disruptive and aggressive behaviors.  We often get little to no support but just recently we turn the tables on them by providing them with the company of our friends in the office on a 2-3 times weekly basis.  We are now getting a behavior specialist involved and the support of the trainer who often runs and criticizes the situation and how we handle it.  In the last six months we have had one of the toughest classroom at our center and now we are getting the support we need to help these two friends become successful in the classroom.  I beleive honestly none of us could go on another month with these behaviors but with the Lord's strength and the support of each other always making a pact to have each others back I feel very blessed and forunate to know they appreciate me as much as I love them. 

My Connections to Play

There are children playing in the street who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.

J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER,

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.--Plato, Greek philosopher 

I was so excited to write about play and the impact it had on me as a child...I grew up in the 80's what a great time too!  We played outside all day and used our imagination and came home when the streets lights came on.  My parents were a great supporter of my play they encourage it and supported my passions of my love for my Cabbage Patch Doll which I still have today including my adoption papers.   My doll is Lila Julienne and she went every where and had all the accessories I would need to be a great mom :) My mom would tell people that is her granddaughter and supported me in wanting more children by buying three more siblings.  I played for hours with my dolls and created elaborate scenarios in playing house.  I never let my friends hold any of my children but I always created ways they could join in the fun!  My second love was my big wheel, of course it was not exactly like the one pictured  because the seat was higher but I remember burning some rubber in my cul-de-sac.  My friends and I would race carry our babies on the back and be the police to the older kids because we knew that we were the fastest.  My childhood was fantastic I was always outside, never even knew what a video game was until I was in the 7th grade and then still preferred to be outside.

 I think the difference of youth today is they don't know how to play.  They prefer electronics over imagination and exercise and show no interest in interacting with friends because it is so hot outside!  I never knew what hot was and I lived in Oklahoma for 7 years as a child.  I understand that the dynamics have changed with urbanization and children missing but take them to the park for goodness sakes or go outside with them and watch them play!  We grow up as adults and I know for myself that play with and without my parents was an integral part of my childhood still today. 

I believe what separates us from our childhood is the ability to play....if  recent studies can be found that taking a 30 minute nap improves our thinking abilities at work, than why not study the measure of play and how an imagination can improve your overall abstract thinking.  I bet if we asked a 4 year-old the best way to build a bridge they would come up with a better solution than a 28 year old who has a masters in engineering.  Its all about the ability to think beyond the problem in the box but to explore the problem beyond its realms.   

Relationship Reflection

I will begin by stating that relationships are a key component of who we are and what we become later in life.  It is a known fact that our parents and environment influence us beyond our years before we even realize it is happening.  Relationships are the glue that holds us together and defines who we are on the inside.  I grew up with great relationships stemming from my mother, siblings, and aunts to now a wife and mother. 

I cannot recall the events that took place with those wonderful relationships but I have not spoken to my mother, siblings, and aunts in over three years now....instead I fill my days with caring for my three children, and being a teacher, and a wife.  My positive relationships begin with my three beautiful children whom I love with all my heart.  Each of my children are unique and different, a relationship I cherish as I spend quality time with each of them understanding why they are so special.  My oldest son is 15 and I must say there is something about your first born because we have a bond that is tight like glue.  He tells me his dreams and aspirations, looks to me for support and comfort and always willing to share his special moments with me.  In return I empathize, laugh, and celebrate his life.  We are so alike and yet so different.....My middle child is 12 going on 13 and though he reminds me allot of myself, he such a polar opposite of what I envision for him too.  Smart and witty he makes me laugh and smile but his teenage perceptions of the world make me want to scream!  I am not sure if he is going through a phase right now or I am just seeing more of his dad in his personality, but I long for my sweet child's affection and  kisses.  My son use to love to sit in my lap and read and now I have to compete with his IPOD and phone.  I miss my little man but i look forward to the man he will become.  My youngest is 4 and a princess, I hope she never grows up!  She is such a joy so warm and giving and always thinking of her brothers.  She loves giving kisses and telling me how much she missed me...a word  I don't take for granted for I know as a mother there will be an absence of time before she remembers to say it again in her adult years.

 Here is a picture of my family and our nephew...my greatest joys and achievements!

Although, my children are a true blessing I learned how to love and be patient from my husband. Marcus is my rock and salvation, the only person who has been true and loved me unconditionally. We are complete opposites yet he makes me whole in every way. We have been married for 13 years and although we have been through some tough times we always made a promise to work through it together. I know there is no one I would rather argue, love, or want to make me happy then my husband who commits himself to me everyday of our lives.

I know that my positive relationships come from the love and joy of my family, but I do understand as a parent and mother the perspectives of my parents and children I interact with every day. I know what it is to empathize and have concerns about your child and be a military spouse, and that is why I keep the lines of communication open. I know sometimes that I maybe the person they need to vent to or give him or her support. Being a teacher is not just about sharing the love of learning but I am also a counselor, mentor, and advocate. Parents need to know they have a partner in their child's learning and I do my best to rest assure they can count on me. I am the beginning of the education system. I determine the positive and the negative of children's lifelong learning success. I am the first impression.

Continued Thanks and Inspiration of Early Childhood Education

"No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure." Emma Goldman

"An aware parent loves all children he or she interacts with - for you are a caretaker for those moments in time." Doc Childre

I want to thank my colleagues for your guidance and inspiration these last 8 weeks in class.  It has been a pleasure reading your responses and receiving your comments.  I have truly been exposed to different insights and the way other educators view the world of early childhood education. I believe we are all on a great path and will continue to make a difference in the world of young children.  May you continue to reach for the stars and find success in your dreams.  Best wishes to you all!!!!!

Intelligent Testing

Is intelligent testing necessary or is about accountability for federal dollars?  In my experience of working in elemetary ed. and early childhood education I have seen the pros and cons of intelligent testing.  Children are not being testing for intelligence.  They are being tested to see if their teachers are doing their job so the school can recieve money.  I mean really lets be honest here, children cannot recive modifications in fomal testing unless it is specifically in their IEP and that can have some catch 22 in it.  I beleive intelligent testing does have a purpose but it should serve the purpose of the child.  If the federal government wants to really test the intelligence of children then lets put our money into individualizing the testing like we are taught to teach the individual child.  Every child would have a test that best suits their style of learning and multiple intelligence. 

In Finland here is the criteria for the school system.

The Finnish school system uses the same curriculum for all students (which may be one reason why Finnish scores varied so little from school to school).

Students have light homework loads.

Finnish schools do not have classes for gifted students.

Finland uses very little standardized testing.

Children do not start school until age 7.

Finland has a comprehensive preschool program that emphasizes "self-reflection" and socializing, not academics.

Grades are not given until high school, and even then, class rankings are not compiled.

Teachers must have master's degrees.

Becoming a teacher in Finland is highly competitive. Just 10% of Finnish college graduates are accepted into the teacher training program; as a result, teaching is a high-status profession. (Teacher salaries are similar to teacher salaries in the U.S., however.)

Students are separated into academic and vocational tracks during the last three years of high school. About 50% go into each track.

Diagnostic testing of students is used early and frequently. If a student is in need of extra help, intensive intervention is provided.

Groups of teachers visit each others' classes to observe their colleagues at work. Teachers also get one afternoon per week for professional development.

School funding is higher for the middle school years, the years when children are most in danger of dropping out.

College is free in Finland.

In Finland, students are not sorted into different groups or schools but different types of learners are learning together. In this kind of setting high achieving students seem to serve as positive models for their less advanced classmates. The curriculum differs from that applied in systems characterized by tracking and streaming. Efforts are made to provide instruction to cater to the needs of different learners in terms of their skills and interests.

Preschool education — a relatively new addition has been part of their educational system for the past 10 years.  Preschools are nonacademic in the sense that no clear academic targets are set. Socialization into school culture and learning to work together with children is the central role. Preschool is not compulsory in Finland, but 96-97% of the children go to it.

http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1075-u-s-students-compare.gs

Stress on Children's Development

In August 2005, a major disaster happened in New Orleans, Loiusiana it was called Hurricane Katrina.  My husband is a native of Louisana born and raised with many family members spread throughout the state including New Orleans.  In August 2005 his family was devastated by the hurricane that destroyed New Orleans and their home.  His sister Tonya and her three children ages 4-12 were sent to to the Superdome to ride out the storm, and were changed forever.  The devastation and the facts of assults ans sexual battery were true and all around.  She states their was no security in the building that could really help anyone and that once the storm actually approached land the lights went out and all hell broke loose.  Fortunately she stayed in a nearby opening in the hall but she said she could hear the cries and screaming of women being dragged and men fighting and children cying.  Somthing that was very hard to hear and hard for her to say.  My nieces and my one nephew do not talk about the devastation they experienced, losing their home and all their belongings, walking along the streets that were once familiar but now flooded with dead bodies.  Stranded for a day with no food or water helpless with my sister not being able to reassure them of anything but that they will be okay.  Our dad and their grandpa could not get to New Orleans for two days because of road damage and flooding but he was able to locate my sister on the third day and he stated he will never forget the frightening looks on all their faces as they cried and cried.  My nieces and nephew are not the same anymore.  Instead of their love for watersports and New Orleans they told my sister in law they wanted to stay in Alexandria where their was no large bodies of water to surround them.  The effects of that hurricane have taken everything that is "normal" to my nieces and nephew. The months of nightmares and anxirty they experienced even with family around was overwhelming for them.  They continue to experience nightmares every once in awhile waking up screaming in cold sweats, but they do not talk about their experience to anyone not even my sister in law.  My nieces and nephew are victims of a tragedy in which their innocence was taken away and the reality of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has set in..... In a survey of 2,362 children effected by Hurricane Katrina by LSU health systems that survey stated that children that were exposed to Hurricane Katrina, experienced severe symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress. In fact, this study found that about half of the children experienced high levels of depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms.  Once you take away the childlike elements of being a child and put real life trauma and situatations of adult like stress it takes away a part of the soul of the child no matter how resilant we think they are in the world.


I think after seeing my nieces and nephew and my fear of tornadoes that I experience as a child, the curiosity of the children of Japan and the tsunami also wanted me to find out more information on the stress they developed because of a natural disaster.  In reading the Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear reaction the major concern for many parents was the psychological and emotional scars.  Since the events in Japan many doctors have seen more children for high rates of anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, depression, and PTSD.  Many young children fear the causes of nuclear exposure and watching loved one die because of it.  I cannot imagine a young child thinking the only way to survive is potential death. 

My nieces and nephew are older now 11 all the way to their first year in college but the magnitude of that day and the events their after have not changed their quiet whispers among each other to letting the world know how they really are changed forever.

Nutrition and Malnutrition

There are many reasons nutrition and malnutrition are large areas of concern for young children in early childhood.  Abraham Maslow once stated that a child must have his or her basic needs in order to be able to function and be successful in education.  Nutrition is one of those basic needs.  Children must have good nutrition and a balance meal to have healthy cognitive development.  A study has been shown that children who are healthy score higher on aptitude test and have better muscle control noth fine and gross motor.  However there can be amy negative effects of malnutrition in young children. 

According to mother/childnutrition.org malnutrition can stunt children's growth, cause death, and have irreplacable damage on young children age 2 and younger.  Listed below are  facts about hunger and malnutrtion in women and young children.

 

In 2008, the number of undernourished people in the world rose to 963 million (more than the combined populations of the United States, Canada and the European Union), up 40 million from 2007.

Hunger does not affect just the individual. Economists estimate that every child whose physical and mental development is stunted by hunger and malnutrition stands to lose 5 percent to 10 percent in lifetime earnings.

The total food surplus of the United States alone could satisfy every empty stomach in Africa; France's leftovers could feed the hungry in Democratic Republic of Congo and Italy's could feed Ethiopia's undernourished.

Today 25,000 people will die from hunger. A child dies every six seconds of malnutrition or starvation.

There is enough food in the world today for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life.

The global rise in food prices has pushed an estimated 40 million more people into hunger this year, UN food agency says. There are now 963 million hungry people, accounting for almost 15% of the world population. The financial crisis, could tip even more people into poverty and hunger, it warns.

By 2009-end, the ranks of the hungry is expected to swell to 1 billion people. Number of hungry rose by 110 million in past 6 years.

Chronic hunger is calculated by prevalence of child malnutrition in population, rates of child mortality and proportion of people who are calorie deficient.

There are an estimated 350 to 400 million children under 18 suffering from hunger in the world today.

WHO/UNICEF estimates 149 million children under five are underweight — a key indicator of undernutrition.

Between five and six million under-fives die each year from diseases which they could have survived if they were not undernourished.

73 percent of the world’s underweight under-fives live in just ten countries.

Today in India malnutrition ranks 66 out of 68 countries, with over 200 million people starving. 
Malnutrition places a heavy burden on India. It is linked to half of all child deaths and nearly a quarter of cases of disease. Malnourished children tend not to reach their potential, physically or mentally, and they do worse at school than they otherwise would.

There are many reasons. Most fundamentally, poor parents find it hard to buy enough food; but that is by no means the only factor. Impoverished and rural families are also less likely to go to a doctor when their children fall sick, which they do a lot, thanks to dirty water and poor hygiene. Inadequate nutrition lowers the immune system, increasing the risk of infectious disease; illness, in turn, depletes a child’s nutritional stocks.

I believe that nutrition and malnutrition is a serious topic in early child development it effects all domains and can help or hinder a child.This topic is splly important to me because I am in preschool and deal with a variety of backgrounds of children.  I have seen those who don't eat unless they are at school and those who receive a well-balanced meal both at home and school.  I never want to see a child go hungry or not able to function because they did not have enough to eat.  It is my job as an early childhood educator to educate parents on the benefits of nutrition and be the voice of the voiceless my young students. 

Child Birth

My childbirthing experience was very typical of most women.  I did not know I was pregnant with my second child until 8 1/2 weeks and once the nurse said that I had morning sickness the next 7 months.  Besides the sickness everything else that goes with pregnacy such as swollen feet and gaining weight was normal.  I did not rest as much as I would of liked with a 3 year-old running around but I felt very healthy otherwise.  The day I gave birth my water broke outside while I was setting up his pool, my husband rushed home from work and sped all they way to the hospital because he didn't want me to have the baby in the car.  Needless to say it took 5 hours and 13 minutes to push my son into the world and he was 8 ilds and 13 oz. and 21 inches long.  Everyone remarked how big his hands and feet were but he is 12 now and grown into himself quite well.  I did not have an epidural during labor but a simple spinal tap which only lasted 3 hours.  I recommend getting the epidural if you can because pushing through the pain of labor was very hard and very frustrating. 

As for births in other countries I read about women in South America.  In south America only women can attend the delivery and usually it is the mother or a midwife, because of cultural traditions.   Men are not allowed to attend the delivery nor see the wife and child until after they have both been cleaned up and dressed.  Latin women after giving birth practice a custom of postpartum lying in which they have a period design to give them rest between childbirth and returning back to work.  Most women in these cultures do not return to office jobs after giving birth but go back to the fields and work.  The postpartum lying period gives women a chance to reccoperate and gather their strength back to care for the family and work again.

EDUC 6005 Colleagues

This special thanks goes out to all my colleagus from EDUC 6005 at Walden University!  You Rock!  Each and everyone of you has change my views or inspired me for the better.  It is not often that I can associate myself with such great people in a profession that gets viewed as babysitting, but you all have definately proved we are more than just what people see. We are the profession that changes the way society views children and education in this world.  I am proud to have worked with all of you these last 8 weeks. May you continue to find success and inspiration in serving children.  Oh and one last thing if you see me on the news its because I am sleeping outside of Congress until we get Universal Preschool!  Janet Kien do you still have Hillary's number?  :)  Take care and God Bless everyone!

Code of Ethics

The NAYEC Code of Ethics I chose were 1-2.8 to help family members enhance their understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents.  I chose this particular ethic because as a professional I beleive it is my duty to assist the parents in understanding their child's development and to be able to support them in a positive way.  Often times children struggle because their parents don't understand or know how to help them.  I want parents to feel empowered in my classroom, that they are part of their children's learning and development the deciding factors in most homes on their children's school success.

The second NAYEC Code of Ethics I chose was I-4.4 to work through education, research, and advocacy toward a society in which all young children have access to high quality early-care and education programs.  I have been on this particulasr subject for the last 7 weeks and I will continue for the next 70 years.  We live in a land of oppurtunity yet we do not put our children first.  It seems every where else in the world there is some type of universal preschool, except for the United States.  I will continue to fight and speak to every person that will listen that our children need a solid foundation to be lifelong learners.  All children need exposure to the Universal Preschool!  We should not be accessing children and diagnosising them when they are in elementary school, there services should of been met in the early years.  A child who is service in early-intervention will most likely not need special education classes when he enters school.  I think that statement says it all.

The third code of ethics I chose came from the Division for Early Childhood.  We shall rely upon evidence based research and interventions to inform our practice with children and families in our care.  This is a powerful statement to me as I feel our profession is an onging devotion to the research and practice of early childhood.  It is our duty to implement the research and interventions into are practice to give our children and families the ultimate preschool experience. 

Early Childhood Resources

• 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/
  
• Here are some of my favorites I use often in my classroom they give me great ideas on activities and up to date information on the latest news in early childhood.  They also give me great ideas for games when I need a little spicing up on a rainy day!

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/default.aspx

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/

http://www.earlychildhoodeducation.com/resources/

Passion, Motivation, and Wisdom....

"My passion is to make sure that all children are taught in environments and ways that would nurture their ability to grow and develop to the fullest"

Louise Derman-Sparks

"Early childhood education and all education is a civil right issue because all children in education should endure optimal life experiences, it opens up the world to them and gives them the tools to ask questions and investigate."

Renatta M. Cooper

Quotes from Experts in Early Childhood Education and My Inspirations for Teaching

"Finally, learning occurs within the context of social relationships with other members of the community who have similar, if not identical, issues and concerns from the realm of practice."

Virginia Buysse Ph.D


"There is a beautiful child inside every child.  Put your energy into finding that child."

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

Childhood Web

There are many reasons I chose these five people in my life as inspiration and great influence, most importantly their dedication to me.

The first person that influence my life was my mother.  My mom was a very strong person who loved her children very much and always made time for us.  She read to me every night and gave me the gift of loving to read.  My mom was a very passionate person who always believed in my dreams and supported me in anything I chose to do even when I had to learn the hard way.  My mom is my greatest cheerleader in life.

The next greatest inspiration in my life is my school counselor my senior year in high school Ms. Blackwell.  My senior year was a very difficult time in which I became pregnant and chose adoption for my child.  When everyone else felt I was making the wrong decision, Ms. Blackwell gave me the wisdom and courage to do was right for me and my daughter at the time.  She was my hero who took care of me and told me that "I was the bravest person she knew, because I was giving someone a greater gift than myself."  I still talk to Ms. Blackwell today 17 years later and I thank her every time for giving me the strength I needed to be a better person.

The third person who always was there for me and impacted my life for the better was my third grade teacher Mrs. Mckenzie.  I was a new student starting a new school in the middle of my third grade year and she made me feels so welcome.  Afraid and not knowing anyone she took care of me, introducing me to my best friend I have kept in touch with the last 25 years and making me feel very special.  Mrs. Mckenzie was more than a teacher she would tell me stories of her and her best friend writing letters on toilet paper, she would always teach the material in a way that we could relate and understand and she always knew how to make me smile.  I have never known another teacher to touch me that way she did but she influenced me beyond any measure she ever thoguht to compare.

The fourth person who made me the person I am today is my brother and sister.  Growing up we often had to lean on each other through the difficult times of life and without them I am not sure I would of made it.  When I thought I needed to be strong for them they showed me how to be strong.  They were my best friends growing up we always had each others back and took care of one another.  We had and still do have a very special relationship that only brothers and sisters know about they are my safe place when I need to talk and my crazy siblings when I need a laugh!

This last person was my greatest influence in life, yet my memories of them were short lived as she passed away when I was 13, my grandmother.  My grandma was the greatest she loved all 26 of her grandchildren but made each of us feel like her favorite.  She taught me how to sew and we made my first homemade dress together.  She taught me the love of the Lord and provided me with my First Communion supplies needed for the special day.  My grandma always cared for others and would take me to her friend's houses to help her, she showed me the meaning of caring and being selfless.  I would not be the compassionate person I am today without her special talks and showing me how to change the world.

In the end I am truelly blessed to know these five people, they are the reason I am the mother, wife, and child I am today. I want to leave this poem I was given when I faced the biggest decsion of my life choosing adoption but the greatest support of my life Ms. Blackwell. I work with teenage girls and choosing adoption in my spare time at a local nonprofit organization hoping that one day I make a difference in a girl's life the way she has made in me.

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

 

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

© Author Unknown

My first year of teaching....and six years later I know why I am here.

Six years ago, I began my adventure of teaching preschool and never once did I think it would change the way I viewed the world.  Last year I was introduce to a child that had down syndrome, little did I know he would be in my classroom months later.  My first intial reaction to the news was  a little skeptical at first because I was not sure how I would be able to teach and meet the needs of each child and still be available to this child with disability.  Little did I know that child would change my world....Over the course of 8 months of school this child and I spent 6 hours a day with each other we accompolish potty training, he learned how to write his name, all the typical preschool curriculum.  My children and I grew to love this little boy he became the leader of our classroom teaching others to share and be kind, and most importantly to be tolerant of others.   In June of 2011 after a year of preschool I had to say to good-bye to my special friend as he embarked on the world of kindergarten. I must say it was the most difficult task I have had to do in my career in teaching.  I cried at our graduation, never once thinking of how this child changed me until I realized I had to say good-bye.  I miss you dearly my friend.

My favorite childhood story

As a child growing up my mom would read to me every night and my favorite book she read over and over was Hooper Humperdink..? Not Him!  As a child growing up we all experience some type of growing pains of not being invited to a party or being teased because we are diffferent...but this story changed it all for me.  Hooper Humperdink was a story of humanity in which a young child couldn't come to the party becuase he was not like the others....I always asked my mom over and over "Why are they so mean to Hooper, don't they see he is sad?"  My mom would always reply the same "Not every one in this world knows how special different is, you will see Hooper will change their minds."  In the end Hooper always changed their minds.  A simple bedtime story that I thought was a special moment with my mom, became a life lesson that its okay to be different. A story I have passed along to my children.

My Inspiration for teaching early childhood..

I once was in a class in which the teacher never asked questions or let the children express their ideas and I asked her "Do you think they are learning anything?"  The teacher looked at me and replied "Well what do you think I am doing?"  I answered her in a quiet smile and handed her the inspiration that was given to me several years ago from a dear colleague "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."  A chinese proverb I post on my classroom wall every year to remind me that I am setting the foundation of  lifetime learners, and I want to make it count.

Here we go!

Alright, new blog for the new year and so excited!