Quote About Children

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”

James Arthur Baldwin  We as adults need to remember to practice what we preach.  Children see everything.  We are their role models, of course they are going to want to do what we do.

Why assessments?

Assessments have become a priority in school systems all over the world.  In Louisiana students must pass the LEAP, Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, in the forth and eighth grades in order to move on to the next grade.  I do not like this test or any like it because of the amount of pressure it puts on the students, teachers, and parents.  Some of the material on the test the children can't even relate to.  This test focuses on Reading and Math but includes Science and Social Studies.  I don't think it is fair that a child can be held back a grade because of one test.  I my kindergarten class I have to give benchmark tests for reading.  These test every three weeks are stressful.  My students don't quite understand the importance of passing a test yet but they get stressed because these tests are too long and they are very confusing sometimes.  The pictures are the main thing that confuses them and I do my best to explain as much as possible without giving the answer.

I read that Japan has a standardized test based educational system.  The article I read did not mention what standardized test but says once enrolled in junior high school all the "initiative, creativity, and thinking outside the box" is taken away because of the standardized testing.  Many Japanese students have lost their love for education because of this system.  The author mentions that because of this system Japanese are very indecisive and they don't have an opinion about anything.  He says if you ask their opinion they will answer but can't tell you why they feel that way.

I don't like our assessments but they are far better than what has been described in Japan.  I can't imagine not having an opinion about something or even worse losing my love for education because of standardized testing!

The Stress Of A Natural Disaster

I sat and thought long and hard before deciding I was going to talk about natural disasters.  I went through Hurricane Katrina as an adult and it still lingers in my heart and mind.  I also know some children who went through this and it was and still is a major stressor.  As an adult I am still not over what happened to my beloved City of New Orleans and it is even more troubling for children to try to understand why this happened.  I came in contact with one boy who got out of the city but has memories of going back afterwards and seeing houses and all the things he could remember moved up the street from where it used to be.  He remembers going into his house and seeing everything covered in black mold, all of his families belongings washed away.  He used to have nightmares about the storm. But he has recovered well from what he saw when he returned after the storm.  When he and his family returned to the city he started receiving counseling through his school and he has come a long way.

Keeping with the topic of natural disasters, I decided to talk about Haiti.  We all know about the terrible earthquake that hit earlier this year but we don't hear about anymore.  The people in Haiti are still living in tent cities and are now dealing with disease.  So not only did they go through a deadly natural disaster but now they are dealing with the stressors of disease and extreme poverty.  I can only imagine what the children in that country must feel.  They probably think how and when is this going to get better.  This country has also been hit by many hurricanes and tropical storms in the past.

Breastfeeding

I chose the topic breastfeeding because I believe it is the best thing for a baby.  I tried to breastfeed and was quite disappointed when it did not work out.  I try to promote breastfeeding to anyone I talk to who is pregnant.  Here in the United States it is more common to give our babies formula instead of breastfeeding. Many women don't even give it a try.  They don't want to go though the pain.  I was going through a lot of pain but I was trying everything to give my baby the best thing for him.  I read that in Kenya breastfeeding is a priority.  A woman who does not breastfeed is frowned upon.  It is nothing for women in Kenya to whip out a boob whenever and where ever to feet their baby.  It is so common that the mothers don't even use a cover up.  No one pays a breastfeeding mother any mind when she is feeding her baby.  If a mother in the United States tried to breastfeed in public with no cover up or anything, she would be frowned upon and maybe arrested for indecent exposure.  I think it is ridiculous that a lot of the poorer countries have enough sense to encourage breastfeeding but women in the United States just think of themselves instead of the baby.  I believe a lot of mothers in the United States are being selfish in a sense.  One goal of mine is to give workshops to parents to help better themselves and the life of their children.  Breastfeeding would be a great topic for one of my workshops.  I would show how mothers around the world don't have a choice but to breastfeed and all of the positives of breastfeeding.

My Birthing Experience

I have always wanted to have children and was told it would be very hard for me to do this.  A couple of years went by and out of no where I found out I was almost three months pregnant.  I now have a healthy, energetic 14 month old.  I went into the hospital to be induced on a Monday morning at 3a.m.  Things were progressing very slowly.  I was surrounded by my boyfriend, parents and step parents and my boyfriends mom.  On Tuesday morning I finally reached 4 cm and they broke my water bag.  Shortly after things progressed rather quickly.  I began to feel every contraction and lasted a good while before asking for an epidural.  I pushed for about an hour or so before they realized he wasn't going any further so I had to have a c-section.  I was so tired I was falling asleep in between pushes.  I had not had anything to eat since Sunday night and I had not slept.  I was exhausted.  After he was born I started feeling every pull they made on me so they gave me some medicine that knocked me out.  For the first few hours of his life I was in out and can't remember much.  I have to rely on pictures and stories.  My little Ethyn is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I call him my miracle baby!!

As for birthing in Japan, things go a little different.  Minimal noise and expressions are accepted.  Loud expressions are considered to be shameful.  Mothers are expected to deal with pain in a stoic manner.  I mentioned I had my boyfriend and father there and in Japanese tradition men/significant others are not to be present except male doctors.  In the US breastfeeding is optional, where as the Japanese consider breastfeeding a priority the day after birth.  In the japanese tradition mother and baby are not allowed to leave the house for 2-4 weeks.  The Japanese also have a few traditional ceremonies after the birth of a baby that we in the US don't have.
Oshichia- a ceremony when the baby turns 7 days.  This when the parents officially names the baby.
Hesono O- when the babies cord dries up and falls off, it is put inside a special wooden box and kept indefinitely.
Hyakunichimairi- a ceremony when the baby turns 100 days old.  Baby, mom and grandmother all dress in the finest clothes then visits family and then returns home to a celebration that includes friends, family and a lot of food.

Resource
http://www.halocc.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNJapanese03.html

Thank You!

I would like to say thank you to my classmates and Dr. Longo for all of the words of encouragement throughout the last 8 weeks.  This was a new experience for me and you all made this a great one.  I was sceptical if I could make it through an online program, but after experienceing this class I am very confident that I can finish the program.  All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

Introspective Process

One quote that is worth remembering is: "being a voice for the voiceless". (Renetta Cooper)  This quote means a lot to me.  It makes me feel good about what I am currently doing and also the things I aspire to do in the future.

Before this course I did not realize how many resources were out there and I intend to use any and every resource we have discovered during this course.  I also plan to continue to research and find more resources including continuing to use my colleagues.  I feel like my colleagues are the best resource!

Code of Ethics

NAEYC Ideals
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.  They each have their own personality and qualities.  Each child should be treated with respect and should know that they are held to the highest expectations.  Children's unique qualities should not be held against them but they should be shown how to use these qualities to better themselves.

I-2.2- To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with families we serve.

This ideal is important to me because I believe that the children benefit from their teacher and parents having a good relationship.  It's easier to deal with problems that may arise when there is mutual trust and a partnership with the families.

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 is important to me because the work situation I am in know is an example of this ideal.  I can not imagine working with people who are not willing to help and share ideas with their colleagues.  I think I am successful in the classroom because of the collaborating my team and do.


DEC Ideals
Professional Development and Preparation
4. We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services.

This is important to me because when I was new to the field I was given all the support a new teacher could ask for.  I in turn want to do this for other new professionals to the field.

Responsive Family Centered Practices
4. We shall empower families with information and resources so that  they are informed consumers of services for their children.

One of my professional goals is to conduct workshops for families to give them the resources needed to better the lives of themselves and their children.  I want to be able to give families all the resources I can.

Enhancement of Children's and Families' Quality of Lives
3. We shall recognize and respect the dignity, diversity, and autonomy of the families and children we serve.

Everyone is different and we as educators must realize and respect this.  I have handled a few different cultures since I have been a teacher and have learned that each culture has there own values.  These need to be respected and honored.  It is much easier to deal with someone of a different culture if you show them respect and not judge.

My Additional Resources

My students enjoy the website:
http://www.pbskids.org

A great book to have handy is Smart Start The Parent's Guide To Preschool Education  by Marian Edelman Borden

I also love anything by Dr. Jean Feldman.  She is wonderful and a great inspiration!

Resources for the Week

Part 1: 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://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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/~images/pdfs/snapshots/snap33.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.
  
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al.  (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42–53.
  Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title. 

Part 2: 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/wf/about.php
  This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage 
  
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education
  http://www.omep.org.gu.se/English/about_OMEP/
  Read about OMEP’s mission. 
  
• Association for Childhood Education International
  http://acei.org/about/
  Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statements. 

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week’s Application assignment.

Part 3: 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/pages/page.asp?page_id=22807
  
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/
     

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to “How Do I...?”, select “Tips for Specific Formats and Resources,” and then “e-journals” to find this search interface.) 

• 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

Video Program: "The Resources for Early Childhood"

Quotes from video!

"I've always felt like I owed the families my best."   Renatta M. Cooper


"...Create opportunities for parents and their children to have those opportunities presented to them also, helping them learn about resources for their children to be able to go to school, that there is more to life than just--what's in the neighborhood, that they realize that their children can do more."   Raymond Hernandez, MS Ed

Elena Bodrova and Marcy Whitebook

"TV shows and computers, even with carefully selected educational content, cannot replace live play mentors."  Elena Bodrova and Deborah J. Leong

"We now have scientific evidence to support a belief that many of us have held for a long time: that children’s environment of relationships in the first years of their lives shape the architecture of their brains, influencing their abilities long into adulthood.

This brain research tells us that adults---not just parents, but teachers and providers too, function as either protective or risk factors in children’s development. And that means we must, as a society, do whatever we can to ensure that the teachers and providers who spend their days with children have the preparation, support and reward that allow them to play that protective role in children’s lives."  Marcy Whitebook- from a speech given in April 2010

One of My Favs To Read

One of my favorite children's book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  I like this book because my students can relate to it at the beginning of the school year.  In this book a young racoon is going to night school for the first time and he is so scared.  His mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him whenever he feels lonely press his hand to his cheek and remember mommy loves you.  Right before he goes to school he takes his mothers hand and kisses the palm of hers and tells her the same thing. 
At the beginning of each school year, I read this story to make the children feel more comfortable and then we trace our hands and glue a heart in the middle for the kiss.

My Breakthrough Moment

My first year teaching in a public school was an eye opener.  I was used to great parent support, and kind of a la la world of teaching.  Then I came to the real world, public school.  I had the lowest level kindergarten class of the four, the most behavior problems and one child who only spoke chinese.  This little girl had only been in the US for a couple months before school started.  In the beginning I didn't know what to do.  I couldn't understand her and she couldn't understand me.  Throughout the year she and I started pointing at things to communicate, then I began naming everything she pointed to and I pointed to.  Low and behold my little non english speaking girl began saying words around the middle of the year.  After Chrsitmas break I really started working with her and by the time she left kindergarten, she was at the benchmark level, which is the highest level and she was able to hold a conversation in english.  That situation really made me see how much I really cared for children and this profession.  This was my breakthrough moment.

A Favorite Quote

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."  Dr. Haim Ginott

As a teacher I take this quote very seriously.  I work with a group of kids who don't have much and when they come to me they only know what they have seen and heard at home.  Most of the time its not good.  These babies really are like wet cement.  They watch and listen to evrything around them and thats what they learn.  When they are in my class, I do my best to make the best impression I can.

Blogging!!!!

This is my first time blogging and this is something I have to get used to.  I am looking forward to learning more about blogging and talking with my group members.