Saturday, October 26, 2013
A Special Thank You!
I would really like to thank Cynthia for her positive support and encouragement as we have shared a course together. She has opened me up to the ideas of Reggio Emilia, shared the importance of child observation, and inspired me to self-reflect more often. She has also shared many of her beautiful and meaningful classroom experiences which I will remember and learn from. Her wise spirit has transcended from the computer screen so much that I know, without having met her in person, that she would always be there to support my efforts in this amazing field! Thank you Cynthia!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Course Resource Section #3
A great text that I have come across in my early childhood studies has been Infant and Toddler Development and Responsive Program Planning, by Donna Wittmer and Sandra Petersen. This book does an excellent job explaining the relationship-based approach to teaching and child care. It has deeply helped me to understand the way that emotional attachments affect the development of a child. This book also guides a teacher into developing successful relationships with parents.
The Zero to Three organization has developed a series of 12 podcasts titled Little Kids, Big Question. It covers topics such as sleep, emotional development, crying, healthy habits, and more! The experts interviewed in this series really help you learn how to put research into practice. To download the podcasts visit the website: http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/
We all experience times in our lives when we are in need of inspiration. I like to get inspired by the moving and wise quotes of Maria Montessori. Her vision of early childhood education is still revolutionary to me. I am currently spending much of my time blending her methods in with present day technology and age appropriate practices. To get my fix, I visit http://www.dailymontessori.com/maria-montessori-quotes/. I also use this website for Montessori quotes to put into my monthly newsletters to parents.
The Zero to Three organization has developed a series of 12 podcasts titled Little Kids, Big Question. It covers topics such as sleep, emotional development, crying, healthy habits, and more! The experts interviewed in this series really help you learn how to put research into practice. To download the podcasts visit the website: http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/
We all experience times in our lives when we are in need of inspiration. I like to get inspired by the moving and wise quotes of Maria Montessori. Her vision of early childhood education is still revolutionary to me. I am currently spending much of my time blending her methods in with present day technology and age appropriate practices. To get my fix, I visit http://www.dailymontessori.com/maria-montessori-quotes/. I also use this website for Montessori quotes to put into my monthly newsletters to parents.
Course Resource Section #2
As early childhood professionals, we must all verse ourselves on the rights of children. By knowing and understanding their rights, we can better advocate for their well-being. Visit UNICEF’s website http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf to learn more!
Course Resource Section #1
Early childhood professionals can do more that just report abuse or neglect when we believe it is occurring; we can help to prevent it! Learn the facts of child abuse and how it can be prevented or reported by visiting: http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf. This website will lead you to NAEYC’s article “Where We Stand on Child Abuse Prevention” (2009).
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Inspiring Quotes
“Teachers themselves have the power to be playful and joyful with the children, establish warm positive relationships, speak kindly, and make learning fun.” -Sue Bredekamp, (2011).
I love the idea that teachers have the “power” to create a positive learning environment in their classrooms. Despite circumstances, we can change the lives of young children by providing this safe and loving space for them to grow and develop. Speaking kindly and making learning fun is something that all early childhood professionals should be doing, and through this we obtain our power to educate every child.
"Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgment to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them." -Sue Bredekamp, NAEYC.
This quote reminds me that as teachers we are always learners. We must always strive to learn about DAP, current research, and what’s new in early education. As society changes so should we, while still remaining true to DAP and being sensitive to culture and diversity. We can only benefit our students if we hold the proper skills to make decisions in their benefit.
“Being considerate in life will take your children further in life than any college degree.” -Marian Wright Edelman.
I love this quote because over-all I believe that teaching grace and courtesy should be included on every classroom’s lesson plan. The young children in my class are there primarily to learn how to interact with their peers and with other adults. To be polite and a good friend is an incredible important social skill that will get you far in life.
“I had a built in passion that it was important that I make a contribution to the world, to fix all the injustice in the world. And I wanted to do this through teaching.” –Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Oaks College, CA.
To teach is to make a contribution to the future of our society. What a powerful position to be able to guide children down the wonderful path of life! This quote humbles me and helps me to feel the gravity and importance of our roles as educators.
“My passion has been evolving through the years, it’s an ongoing process, like a ripple when you throw a rock and the center ignites.” – Leticia Lara LCSW, Regional Manager, Outreach and Professional Development, Zero to Three.
The passion that I had when I first began teaching had grown and expanded through the years. At first, I simply wanted to help children to discover the world around them. Now that I have been exposed to those in need, I want to give learning opportunities to all children as it is their right. Passion should be growing, expanding, and changing as we learn and have new experiences.
Resources:
Bredekamp, S. (2011). Q&A With the Editors of Developmentally Appropriate Practice. NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/event/developmetnally-appropriate-practice
Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. NAEYC.
Wright Edelman, M. Marian Wright Edelman Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marian_wright_edelman.html
Course Media. The passion for early childhood. Walden University.
I love the idea that teachers have the “power” to create a positive learning environment in their classrooms. Despite circumstances, we can change the lives of young children by providing this safe and loving space for them to grow and develop. Speaking kindly and making learning fun is something that all early childhood professionals should be doing, and through this we obtain our power to educate every child.
"Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgment to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them." -Sue Bredekamp, NAEYC.
This quote reminds me that as teachers we are always learners. We must always strive to learn about DAP, current research, and what’s new in early education. As society changes so should we, while still remaining true to DAP and being sensitive to culture and diversity. We can only benefit our students if we hold the proper skills to make decisions in their benefit.
“Being considerate in life will take your children further in life than any college degree.” -Marian Wright Edelman.
I love this quote because over-all I believe that teaching grace and courtesy should be included on every classroom’s lesson plan. The young children in my class are there primarily to learn how to interact with their peers and with other adults. To be polite and a good friend is an incredible important social skill that will get you far in life.
“I had a built in passion that it was important that I make a contribution to the world, to fix all the injustice in the world. And I wanted to do this through teaching.” –Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus, Pacific Oaks College, CA.
To teach is to make a contribution to the future of our society. What a powerful position to be able to guide children down the wonderful path of life! This quote humbles me and helps me to feel the gravity and importance of our roles as educators.
“My passion has been evolving through the years, it’s an ongoing process, like a ripple when you throw a rock and the center ignites.” – Leticia Lara LCSW, Regional Manager, Outreach and Professional Development, Zero to Three.
The passion that I had when I first began teaching had grown and expanded through the years. At first, I simply wanted to help children to discover the world around them. Now that I have been exposed to those in need, I want to give learning opportunities to all children as it is their right. Passion should be growing, expanding, and changing as we learn and have new experiences.
Resources:
Bredekamp, S. (2011). Q&A With the Editors of Developmentally Appropriate Practice. NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/event/developmetnally-appropriate-practice
Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. NAEYC.
Wright Edelman, M. Marian Wright Edelman Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marian_wright_edelman.html
Course Media. The passion for early childhood. Walden University.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Personal Childhood Web- Granny
My great-grandmother, Della Owens, was a truly amazing woman. She was widowed in her early forties and left to raise and support six children, working many jobs to do so. By the end of her life, at the age of 94, she had outlived four of her own children. I was one of her many great-grandchildren, but somehow I felt like I was the only one. I often spent the night with her in her apartment in a retirement community. She always had bean soup and cornbread hot and ready for dinner. She would let me walk around and explore her community, getting candy from the other residents. Her hugs were out of this world, the kind that you can feel in your soul. At night, we would sometimes still be cold under her electric blanket. She would tell me to put my feet on the backs of her legs to keep them warm. Even in her very old age, she was always putting the well-being of others before herself. Even though her life was filled with tragedy, she was eternally grateful for everything that she had, which wasn't much. The matriarch of the family, she nurtured and loved everyone. A few members of the family struggled with alcoholism and/or drug use. She never turned her back on them and always had faith that the Lord would intervene. Her influence of faith and endurance is still and inspiration to me. I feel so grateful to have come from such a strong woman.
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