There is no one in this world who does not need, want , or have some sort of support. I have many support system that get me through the day. Some I can live without and others I could not. My family is one of the greatest support systems that I have. Without them I would not be where I am today and that includes in this program. They all provide me with a tremendous amount of emotional support. I was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and everyone in my life keep me going. My co-workers provide me with support at work by always having my back and being there when I need them. My car, money, computer, and cell phone all also provide me with support. Without my car I could not get to and from work to make the money that is needed to live on and pay bills. Without my computer I would not have the option of being in this program. And last but not least i depend on my cell phone to keep in touch with everyone, to wake me up in the mornings, and to remind me of what I need to do for the day. As I said some I can live without but others I can't. I can't imagine my life without the support of my family. But without all the others in my life, it would be hard but doable. I haven't always had a car so I know how to ride the bus. I haven't always been in a supportive work environment so I could deal with that. And I have not always had a cell phone and a computer. Life would be harder but I would make it.
As for the challenge I choose to be disabled and in a wheelchair. I chose this because it is something I have to face sometime later in life. I may not need a wheelchair but I will be disabled in some way. If I were in a wheelchair, my biggest support would be my wheelchair. Without it I wouldn't be able to get around. I would have to depend on others a lot to do things for me. I know being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't do anything but having a support system around that are willing to help you is definitely needed. Without a good support system life would be very hard. And without a wheelchair I would be bound to my house and possibly the bed.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Connections to Play
Quotes about childhood play:
These three things were essentials when I was a child. I always had a jump rope and still do. Cabbage Patch kids were the only dolls I would play with and I treated them like they were my children. And a kickball was essential because all the kids that lived on our block would come together for games of kickball and dodge ball. Kickball was a neighborhood favorite.
My mother is an early childhood teacher so she always understood the importance of play. As a child all I remember doing was playing, whether it was inside, outside, or at the ball park. My brother and I always played.
The only way I think play is similar is that all children like to play. They may not play the same games as we did growing up but they still want to play. I grew up in the 80's and all I can remember is wanting to play outside. My brother and I would get up on Saturday mornings, do our chores as quickly as possible and get outside to play. Children these days only want to be involved in electronics. Whether it's a game system, computer or some sort of music device. Cell phones are even becoming big with children at a young age. I grew up with all boys so I was a tomboy. I could run faster and play sports better than a lot of the boys and I enjoyed it. Now girls want to be cute all the time. I miss the games of kickball, hide and seek, kick the can and dodgeball.
The role of play is very important because it teaches so many things. I think adults forget how to play. Adults need a little playtime here and there also. We as adults and educators need to encourage play as much as we can.
Play for young children is not recreation activity,... It is not leisure-time activity nor
escape activity.... Play is thinking time for young children. It is language time. Problem-
solving time. It is memory time, planning time, investigating time. It is organization-of-
ideas time, when the young child uses his mind and body and his social skills and all his
powers in response to the stimuli he has met.
--James L. Hymes, Jr., child development specialist, author
It is a happy talent to know how to play.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher, poet, essayist
These three things were essentials when I was a child. I always had a jump rope and still do. Cabbage Patch kids were the only dolls I would play with and I treated them like they were my children. And a kickball was essential because all the kids that lived on our block would come together for games of kickball and dodge ball. Kickball was a neighborhood favorite.
My mother is an early childhood teacher so she always understood the importance of play. As a child all I remember doing was playing, whether it was inside, outside, or at the ball park. My brother and I always played.
The only way I think play is similar is that all children like to play. They may not play the same games as we did growing up but they still want to play. I grew up in the 80's and all I can remember is wanting to play outside. My brother and I would get up on Saturday mornings, do our chores as quickly as possible and get outside to play. Children these days only want to be involved in electronics. Whether it's a game system, computer or some sort of music device. Cell phones are even becoming big with children at a young age. I grew up with all boys so I was a tomboy. I could run faster and play sports better than a lot of the boys and I enjoyed it. Now girls want to be cute all the time. I miss the games of kickball, hide and seek, kick the can and dodgeball.
The role of play is very important because it teaches so many things. I think adults forget how to play. Adults need a little playtime here and there also. We as adults and educators need to encourage play as much as we can.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Breastfeeding
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.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Quote About Children
| Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” | |
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. |
Sunday, December 12, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
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.
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