Professional Hopes and Goals

As I look back over the past eight weeks and begin to think about working with children and families who come from very different and diverse backgrounds I hope that I can offer an environment that has trusting relationships, love, compassion, patience, respect, and consideration for all children and families that I come in contact with. This course has really touched my heart in so many ways.  One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that each child and family is provided with the services they need in order for their children to be successful in school and within the community.  I also hope that each child will receive a fair and equal education regardless of their social identities.

A goal of mines when it comes to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to see anti-bias education for children, parents and all education people who deal directly with children and families. I think that if better understanding of culture and diversity was to happen, better communication will transpire between everyone.

I would like to thank all my colleagues because I have learned something from everyone. I enjoyed reading the discussions, blogs and learning about how others have dealt with situations similar to me, it made this experience somewhat easier. 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Working as an early childhood teacher in head start, I chose to India as the country of origin from where the family is coming from. I chose India because this year in my classroom I have a new student who has come to us from India.

In order to prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family I will and have:

1.      I will try to learn some simple welcoming words in their language, and knowing how and when to use them.

2.      I would make them feel comfortable fixing food that is similar to what the family eat or are used to. We have worked closely with the family to make sure that this child gets the foods he is used to as well as informing the about getting him to try new things. In addition this family is vegetarian so we have been challenged to get him to eat.

3.      I will learn what the family values and structure, culture and traditions are in order to know how to support and incorporated these into the curriculum.

4.      Add items to the classroom setting such as dress up clothes, food in the play kitchen and toys and/or puzzles, etc. that correspond with India’s culture.

5.      Sitting down with the family before the child beings and discuss topics such as likes/dislikes, beliefs, traditions, and their expectations of their child and work together to meet these goals.

I hope that these preparations will benefit both the family and myself because I will be able to include the cultural norms in the class curriculum and involve the other students in the understanding of the new culture.  I hope this will make the family and child feel welcome and as eager to learn about our culture as we are theirs.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

An incident where I witnessed someone as the target of bias and prejudice happened when I was working in public school. During the holidays of Christmas and Easter I observed children of the Jehovah’s Witness beliefs being unable to participate in the celebrations.  During the celebrations these students were sent to another classroom of students who were not celebrating at the time.  This sent the message to students, "if you don’t believe like us you are wrong."

For me, I remember feeling this was sad and unfair for the excluded students because they received a message "you are different and we don't completely accept you for your beliefs/traditions."  I felt as though the teacher could have turned these celebratory traditions into educational opportunities for the students to exchange/share cultures. By creating an environment where students learn and share cultural beliefs and traditions all cultures become accepted and welcomed; therefore, all students are equal with no dominant culture influence.

A book/movie that I feel shows the power of bias and prejudice would be that of “The Green Mile”. The main character John Coffey has a healing touch and when he was trying to save two little girls, which he is found holding bloody and dead. He is found guilty because he is a large black man in 1932. He was only trying to help the girls but because of his skin color he is sent to the electric chair. Of course, this is a fictional story but what do you think the outcome would have been if something like this had happened in 1932. Even though they found out who the real killer was they still executed him.

Awareness of Microaggressions

Microaggressions occur when verbal behaviors create feelings of uncertainty, inferiority or marginalization even if there was no offense consciously intended (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.).

One microaggression detected this week was at my work we have 4 centers and 8 classrooms and there are only 2 African American teachers. During a conversation among my co-workers about why one center is getting something that we had asked for but were not getting one of the teachers said, “It is because Ms. A works there and well you know she is black”. I was taken aback by this statement; I could not believe that she thought this was the reason. She continued to say they, Ms. A and Ms. B always get what they want because if they don’t they will say that the agency is discriminating against them. Wow….this had never even crossed my mind and to hear it coming from a co-worker really bothered me. This was a definite act of discrimination and prejudice against these ladies.

Before this class I have not ever heard of microaggressions but I realized that I have dealt with them all my life. Since I married my husband at the age of 17 after our son was born I have been told and talked about. People will say they will never stay together they are too young well we have been together since we were 15 and will be celebrating our 23^rd wedding anniversary in July. I feel sad that people never even gave us a chance they stereotyped us because we were young and had a baby by saying it would never last.

This assignment has cautioned me to be aware of things that others say as well as to be very careful before I speak and do the same to another.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Microaggressions in everyday Life. [Video
              Webcast]. In Perspective, Diversity, and Equality Retrieved from  https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fweb
apps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1958978_1%26url
%3D

             

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

What is your definition of culture?

·     Culture is people’s ideas and ways of learning

·         Culture is learned behaviors that teach us about our heritage

·         Culture is the way we walk, talk and live. It is what we are made up of, our race, religion and ethnic
  backgrounds.

What is your definition of diversity?

·         Diversity is having different cultures in the same area

·         Diversity is having many different types of things in a group

·         Diversity is how we are all different

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

·         Surface culture is mentioned in the form of race and ethnicity

·         Family culture in the form of heritage, religion, the way we talk and live

·         Social identity is the form of how we think, learn, walk, talk and live.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I don’t think any aspects were omitted.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

I have learned that culture is the way we eat, sleep, talk, worship, celebrate holidays and live (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2012, p. 55). I have learned from asking the questions to my friends, colleagues and relatives that we all have the same general ideas about culture and diversity. In these past three weeks I have discovered that there is much more to culture and diversity than what we see on the surface. I know have a better understand of getting to know about how we are all different and I will be able to take this knowledge into my classroom and help my children understand that we are different and we can learn from each other.

Resource:

Derman-Sparks, L. and Edwards, J. (2012). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and
            Ourselves. Washington, DC; National Association for the Education of Young Children

My Family Culture

I find it ironic that we are doing an assignment that has us placing ourselves in the middle of a major catastrophe, with so many people devastated my Hurricane Sandy. As I was thinking of the three material things I would bring with me, I have a heavy heart for those who are being relocated.

1.      I would want to bring my photos so that I would be able to reminisce about those who are no longer with us. I want to be able to keep my memories of my children when they were small and the last 23 years with my husband.

2.      I would take my birth certificate, for identification purposes.

3.      My children’s baby books, though they are grown men now I still look back at them and remember their childhoods.

Being told when I got there that I could only take one item with me would be just another devastation. I would want to keep them all, but if I was only allowed one it would have to be my photos. These I have from myself as a baby to the marriage of my oldest son. These would help me to keep memories alive.

This exercise made me really think about what is important to me. First and foremost it is my family, which is why I chose the pictures to keep everyone close to my heart. I was saddened very much to think about having to leave my current life behind and begin again.

When I Think of Research....

When I first began this course the thought of research terrified me and having 3 different professors really worried me. After it is all over I realize how important research is in working with young children and their families. I want to be able to provide them with the correct information and make them comfortable in every way possible.

This year in my classroom I have a child from India, this being rare in our area. This child and his family are also vegetarians, which put a bind on our cook, who has never dealt with this in her years of head start. It began as a challenge for our staff but through research and communication we have done our best to make this family as comfortable as anyone else in our classroom. Every time I speak with this family I hear from them, thank you and you are so kind. If it wasn't for research on his culture and beliefs I would not have known how to accommodation them and for this I am thankful.

I want to say thank you to all of my colleagues for all your support, ideas and sharing of your knowledge that helped me though this course.

I especially want to thank you Dr. Walker for taking over our class and being so kind to us and not making and major changes to the course. Again, Thank You!!!

Best wishes to you all and I hope to continue this journey with you.

Research Around the World

I decided to explore Early Childhood Australia, A Voice for Young Children,   http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/. Their mission statement: Early Childhood Australia will advocate to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years. This says to me that we are all striving for the good of the children.

The resource themes explored on this site are Being Belonging and Becoming, School Readiness, Baby and Toddler Sleeping and Childhood Obesity. These are all issues that we have explored and experienced and should have further research.

I found the Research and Practice Series very informative, the discussion of topics such as Partnerships, Respecting diversity and The Code of Ethics are just a few of important issues deserving further research.

This is a website that I will go back to for more research to gain new ideas for everyday classroom issues. This site contains an abundance of information for educators.

Research that Benefits Children and Families

If I possessed the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field, it would be autism and special needs children. I have worked in the special education field and have worked with children with very different autism spectrums. I grew to love these children and want to learn more about their condition, so that someday I may go back into the special needs field and be able to understand how they learn.

One of the teachers I worked with at this time had a little girl and she was about 15 months old and she noticed that she wasn’t talking, was showing signs of being sensitive to sound and touch, she didn’t like mom to hug or kiss her and she was would get very upset when their routine was interrupted. This mom had her daughter put through a series of tests and the doctors diagnosed her with autism, after this mom blamed herself for things she ate, working in a school with asbestos and having her child vaccinated. 

We have all heard these stories and we know that none of these can be determined to cause autism, nor can they be ruled out as the cause. I would like to do extensive research and be able to figure out the cause and be able to help these families. If we can’t find the cause then I want to be able to help families deal with what life has given them and be able to reach out to the children.

My Personal Research Journey

For my research simulation I have chosen, how to get parents involved in their child's learning environment. I work in Head Start and a big part of my job is to get parents involved, so naturally I want to learn more. I am currently a teacher and have recently applied for the position of Disabilities/Mental Health Specialist. In previous courses and in my position I have learned how important parent involvement is so now I want to now how to effectively communicate with parents/grandparents/guardians. I know that sometimes it is hard to reach parents and not offend them.

I have found article on the subject but would love to have some input from my colleagues/friends. I would like to hear from some of you about personal experiences and if anyone would like to share any literature with me that would be just grand. 

Resources that I have discovered so far in my quest:

Tyler, V. H. (1993). Teacher attributes and school support structures that promote parent involvement in early childhood education programs. University of South Carolina). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 151 p. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqcentral/docview/304069694/fulltextPDF/1393118F6914FB42E32/3?accountid=14872. (304069694).

Hilado, A. V. (2010). Understanding the relationship between social resources and levels of parent involvement in illinois early childhood programs: A program-level perspective. Loyola University Chicago). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqcentral/docview/763008450/abstract/1393118F6914FB42E32/8?accountid=14872 . (763008450).

Final Blog: Issues and Trends

I want to start off by saying thank you to my international contacts for being so understanding and taking time out of their busy schedules to correspond with me. I would also like to thank each one of my course mates for all their posts and feedback on my posts. I have learned so much from each and every one of you.

The three consequences I discovered as as follows:

1. There are the same issues being discussed around the world. Examples: quality care, poverty, issues with standards, etc.
2. Quality care is the number one issue discussed among all that I have been in contact with.
3. There is a need for a better compensation for educators and to provide better opportunities
   
   
   The goal that I would like to see implemented in the early childhood field is to create a universal set of standards.
   
   Again, thank you all for your support and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Catherine

Getting To Know Your International Contacts Part 3

My Australian contact lost her father this week so she was unable to correspond; thoughts and prayers are with her. I did reach Dr. Sahin and posed the following questions to him with his responses below.

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

We believe in improving quality through family and community interactions. Children learn at home and at school, or should I say all the time. Keeping families and communities involved helps carry over what they are learning.

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

There are many opportunities such as workshops, observations of other classrooms in other schools, mentoring, etc.

What are some of your professional goals?

To improve the quality of early childhood education, to raise awareness about early childhood education in the society, and to conduct national and international level studies to support family programs.

What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

I hope to be able to create awareness about the importance of preschool education nationwide, there are always going to be challenges in anything we do, we just have to keep pushing to make things happen.

I have enjoyed getting answers from my correspondents. It just shows how we can be worlds apart and still have the same goals and the same issues. It was nice to discuss things and see how we handled them either the same or different.

Week 6 Sharing Web Resources

The early childhood organization that I have followed along with this course is the “Children’s Defense Fund”. The outside link that I decided to follow and research is that of NPR News http://www.npr.org/2012/06/11/154761297/why-is-poverty-inequality-growing. Within this link was a transcript entitled “Why Is Poverty, Inequity Growing?” This is a conversation between the host and Peter Edelman, Professor of Law and faculty director of the Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy at Georgetown University.

Professor Edelman speaks of the economy and low wage jobs playing a majority part in poverty. I learned that in the United States there are 103 million people that have incomes below twice the poverty line. I was shocked to learn that this line is $44,000 for a family of four. This puts myself and my family in this category, and that scares me.

When researching the organization “Children’s Defense Fund”, I found what is called “What this State of America’s Children Handbook.” This provides key national information in different areas to better inform and enable people to stand up for the children in their communities. There are charts showing how the children in each state are faring in protecting children. Here is the link for anyone who wishes to research http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/soac-2012-handbook.pdf.

I have learned that we need to educate ourselves as well as the families we work with and ones in our own communities about the challenges that face our children and insist that our nation make better investment choices for their futures. We need to work on making sure that we ensure every child’s chance at thriving and surviving. 

Week 5 Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 2

I finally reached another international contact. Dr. Volkan Sahin he is Co-Chair ACEI International Outreach Committees as well as, Hacettepe University School of Education, Elementary Education Department,  Early Childhood Education Program.

In corresponding with Dr. Sahin I learned that  Turkey is Its centralized education system. The Turkish Ministry of Education oversees and governs all educational policies, applications and activities throughout the entire country. Public, private or organizational, all schools must follow a centralized curriculum created and administered by the Ministry of National Education.

The following is Dr. Shain’s response to this week’s discussion.

The biggest educational issue Turkey is dealing right know is the new  education system called 4+4+4. It is part of an ongoing education reform and the particular part that causing a lot of debate is the change in elementary school starting age.

You see, in the old system the elementary grade starting age was age 6 (72 months). With this new system any child who is older than 60 months (age 5) can be enrolled to the first grade. This change brings a lot of  issues regarding equity and excellence. (I can’t understand how you can put a five year old in the first grade, just shows how different countries do things differently).

First and foremost, some critics say (and I agree) that enrolling younger children to first grade (particularly alongside with their older peers) will create a lot of problems since the school readiness is a real question with this younger population. To me this is also an equity issue since this academic year two different age groups will compete for their teachers' attention and resources. This reckless implementation will surely increase the classrooms sizes to, even beyond, the limit. This also brings us to the excellence issue. With the increasing numbers of students and changing student population the teachers will have a heck of a time in their classrooms. It will be really hard to keep up with the needs of two different age groups and the quality of education will certainly affected by these changes.
http://www.okuloncesi.hacettepe.edu.tr/index_en.html

My other contact Lynda Matthews has been out of reach this week. I am sure she will respond and when she does I will add to this post.

Sharing Web Resources Week 4

The specific section that chose relevant to my current professional development is the section on poverty. This article states that poverty impairs a child’s emotional, intellectual and physical development, which we have been learning about thought out this course and others. These wind up costing our nation billions of dollars in health care and lost productivity. Below is the hyperlink to this section for anyone that wants to read more.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/state-of-americas-children-2011/intro.html

The resources that made me think about investments differently is that of early childhood programs increasing a child’s chance of avoiding the “prison pipeline”. This is just something I had not thought about in early childhood, something to research and really think about.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/juvenile-justice/

This website and newsletter show many resources of dealing with the budget and making sure there are funds available. These programs have well-documented economic and societal value. Studies have shown that investments in quality early education can produce a rate of return to society significantly higher than returns to most stock market investments or traditional economic development projects.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/budget-watch/

I learned that there are many organizations out there working towards helping children and their families. I looked to see if there is a CDF organization in my state, but there isn’t the closest is in Tennessee. I hope to have something like this in my state so that I can be more involved.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 1

One of my contacts is Lynda Matthews she wears many hats. This is her title
Manager Early Learning and Curriculum
Department for Education and Child Development
South Australia

She  manages a large team of diverse – mainly educators – who are responsible for supporting pedagogy, the implementation of the National Quality Standard http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/home.aspx  
The Early Years Learning Framework  http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda/Quality/Pages/EarlyYearsLearningFramework.aspx , the AEDIwww.aedi.org.au  and other things which you may get an overview on  http://www.earlyyears.sa.edu.au/pages/HOME/Early_Years_overview/

When I asked her about specific issues of poverty that she encounters in her professional life as well as those she is concerned about throughout the world this was her response:

South Australia is geographically large and significant parts of it are sparsely populated.  Most of the population lives in Adelaide with regional towns being the next most populated locations.
Poverty levels are measured by the Socio Economic Index for Area (SEIFA). Data shows that poverty levels are significantly related to demography.
The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) - based on the Canadian EDI - measures vulnerability of children as they enter school across five domains including Social competence, physical health and well-being, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills and communication and general knowledge.  The data is collected at a census level.  Vulnerability levels align closely with poverty.
To break the poverty cycle, the focus on improving outcomes for young children -pre-birth to five is critical.  How a system responds in both universal and targeted ways is part of the work we are involved in.
Our focus is education.  Some of our programs are targeted and others are universal.  

Examples include:

Learning Together a program that works with parents and children to improve the quality of relationships through a focus on dispositions.  Another part of the program is provided in homes.  This very successful program is focused in low SES areas.
Children's Centre’s have a preschool component, child care or long day care and health services are part of the wrap around care available.  These are also in low SES areas.
Universal preschool is a major strategy aimed to improve outcomes for all children.  Kindergarten (preschool) began in SA at the beginning of the last century. O All children in SA are entitled to 15 hours of preschool per week-wherever they live.  Children who have special needs, Aboriginal children and children under the guardianship of the Minister are entitled to enter preschool early with guardianship and Aboriginal children entitled to attend from three years of age.
A new National Quality System will assure that early childhood care and education services operate at or above standard.  The standard ensures that services, no matter where they are located operate to standard.
Part of the standard is the Early Years Learning Framework, the national curriculum for all services Birth to age five and transition to school.  The framework is called Belonging Being, Becoming and is based on principles and practices that articulate pedagogy, principles including secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships, partnerships, high expectations and equity, respect for diversity, ongoing learning and reflective practice, holistic practices, responsiveness to children, learning through play, intentional teaching, learning environments, continuity of learning and transitions, assessment for learning and five Learning outcomes - children have a strong sense of identity, children are connected with and contribute to their world, children have a strong sense of well-being, children are confident and involved learners and children are effective communicators.  These are based on research and evidence and aim to build the best possible future for all Australian children.
A particular concern is the gap in outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children.  Poverty is an issue, particularly in remote locations.  Particular targeted support has been provided but has had no long term sustainable outcomes in education.  The current focus on family literacies and a strength based approach are showing promise.
The broader picture related to poverty is at least equally complex.  Although Aust. had some innovative strategies to minimize the impact of the world economic crisis, the impact has still been felt across all income brackets.
Those living closer to the poverty line have least resilience.  Governments are feeling the squeeze and are forced to make budget cuts.  Visionary leaders have to deal with constraints in order to ensure that those most at risk are supported to rise beyond the barriers of poverty that surround them.

After corresponding with Lynda, it seems that they are having the same or very close to the same issues are we are in my little community in Southwest Virginia.

It’s like Dr. Grace stated in the media segment, “The Effects of Poverty on the Early Childhood Community”, it is so important that we break the poverty cycle at an early age because children that are born into poverty are most damaged by it than children who enter into it at later ages.

I know that this is a huge posted but I felt it all needed to be shared. I am still working on finding another contact and Lynda is trying to help me as well.

Week 2 Sharing Web Resources

I subscribed to The Children’s Defense Fund the web address is http://www.childrensdefense.org/ . I want to learn more about this organization.

The Children's Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization that has been around for about 35 years.  Its focus is to advocate for children and youth of poverty, minorities and children with disabilities.  Their mission is to make sure "no child is left behind," and that each child receives the head start they deserve in life.

The organization has a monthly newsletter that can be emailed.  The main issue that was brought up in the June 2012 issue is that the Affordable Care Act which includes the Medicaid expansion was upheld by the court on June 28, 2012. This is great news for pregnant women, children and families they will be able to seek medical care without this these families would not be able to get medical care and this would be devastating.

They are holding a conference in July, Creating Change—National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. This one-of-a-kind conference will connect communities of child advocates, young leaders, faith leaders, policymakers, service providers and others to create real change for children at the state, local, and federal levels in 2012 and beyond.

Part 1 Establishing Professional Contacts and Part 2 Expanding Resources

Part 1, Establishing Professional Contacts

I have been trying to establish my professional contacts, with no responses. I have sent numerous e-mails some have come back and others just no response, yet. I have sent to the CEFP-Australasia Region, Childhood International, Head Start-Sharon Kirksey-Walcott, Step by Step Program Haiti, UNICEF, and Center for Early Childhood Care and Development in the Philippines as well as the ones that were returned.

I received an email from the ACEI, Sheri Levin, Member Relations and Communications Manager; hopefully she is going to be able to put someone in contact with me. Keeping my fingers crossed because I am so excited about this assignment. http://www.acei.org/

I am hopeful that more will respond, but until then I will research the Alternative assignment.

Part 2, Expanding Resources

I have chosen from our resources to research Child Care Aware of American formerly known as the NACCRRA. The web address is http://www.naccrra.org/ I have subscribed to the network and will receive the newsletters and any other updates. I chose this resource because of the vast amount of information including State Child Care Licensing, Cost of Child Care, Poverty, Quality Matters, School Readiness and Parent Perspectives as a few. I am excited and eager to dive in and learn more about this organization.

Daily Supports

Factors within my daily life that are supportive to me, oh there are so many. Number one my children, even though they are grown but still live at home…lol they are my rock my reason for continuing my education at my age. They have encouraged and inspired me to be the best that I can be. A close second is my husband of 22 years, I couldn’t live without him. He is my soul mate we have been together since we were 15 years old; I don’t know what life was like without him. He supports me in everything that I do and there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t tell me how proud he is of me and my accomplishments. I can’t even address how difficult it would be to exist without these supports; I know that I would not be the person I am today.

My family, friends and colleagues are a wonderful support system in my life; everyone has been so encouraging to me and kept me going. My job well that is easy, the money keeps me living. My students and their families are the reason I travel 45 minutes to work and 45 minutes home every day. I love each and every child that I come in contact with and I try to build that relationship with their families as well.

As far as a challenge for me to imagine, I have always wondered what would happen to me if I was diagnoses with diabetes. My father, grandmothers on both sides had it and I developed gestational diabetes while pregnant with my first son. Well about 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed as Insulin resistant or better known as Metabolic syndrome as well as a heart condition. My greatest fears were having to be on medication for the rest of my life and being alone. I am so lucky to have the support system that I do. If it wasn’t for the support of my family and friends and the motivation I get from my student’s this would be a lot harder than it is.

Childhood Connection to Play

Adults are obsolete children.  ~Dr. Seuss

In my soul, I am still that small child who did not care about anything else but the beautiful colors of a rainbow.  ~Papiha Ghosh

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.  ~Jean de la Bruyere

Being able to run and play. We lived on a mountain in the woods and we had big imaginations with what little we had.

Camping was a big thing for us growing up, especially since we didn’t have to leave the mountain to do it. Again, using our imaginations to pretend we were somewhere else.

This picture is so similar to the tree house we built with my dad. We had so much fun playing in there.

Being able to run and play in the open without our parents having to worry, it was a great childhood. We would get up early in the summer and play until dark, even after dark when we were camping. I had a hard time when my children were growing up we lived in the town, even though a small town, there were still worries of someone or something happening to them. I did play outside with them but not until they were older did I let them venture out on their own. We would go to my parents and they were allowed to run free. It’s sad that times have changed so much that we have to worry about someone taking our children.

Play is such a vital part of being a child and growing up. We develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills through play. Children need to be children.

Relationship Reflection

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 200 p. 4).

My number one relationship is with my husband, Brian. We meet when we were only 15 years old and have been together ever since. We have been married for almost 22 years and he is my soul-mate, we understand each other more than any two people I have ever met. It took me a while to decided to pursue my education but when I did he was very supportive. He has cooked, cleaned and taken care of the children while I attended college. Our children are grown now but he is still there for me helping me achieve my dreams and goals.


Next would be my relationships with my sons, Jeff is 21 married with a baby on the way in December, our first grandchild. Marcus is 18 and full of life. They have always been my rock, my motivation, to show them that if you set your mind to it, it can be done. I hope that I have instilled these qualities in my children. I hope that I can use the tools that I developed with my children to become the professional that I was meant to be.


Getting the parents’ perspective on many topics and learning from them will build a partnership based on mutual respect and trust. The give and take of positive conversation is a plus. Each interaction moves us toward our goal. We can learn a lot from the parents in our programs. To recognize that they have much to teach us is the first step in building the partnership.  And, when we have their trust, they will share with us.


The partnership between the parent and the teacher cannot be underestimated. When it is built on mutual trust and respect, everything else falls into place.

When I Think of Child Development....

Wow, its hard to believe another class is almost over!!! But isn't it exciting that we are getting through these together??

Reflection:

I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support during these eight weeks.  I have really enjoyed reading you all blogs and discussion within the past weeks.  This has been a great journey for me and my knowledge from this experience has sharpened in some many aspects.  By the responses given to me during this course, it has really helped me to stay on task and to exchange vital information that was useful and needed.  Not only that, you all made me feel welcome in so many ways, especially when I didn’t understand certain parts of the assignment. I would especially like to thank Dr. D for all your support and encouragement.

I wish everyone well as they continue their education and continue to obtain more information that will allow them to prosper in the near future with the intent that you all have set in your mind to do after your accomplishments.

Thanks again and I wish you all the best!

Catherine

Quotes:

This is my favorite quote: "They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel."--Carol Buchner

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
― Albert Einstein

“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
- Malcolm Forbes

“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.”
- Dr. Hiam Ginnot

Testing for Intelligence

Looking at children holistically, I believe there are two areas that should be assessed.  The first area is the child’s well being.  This includes yearly health exams. Children should be checked to see if they need glasses, need speech help, or have some kind of disability.  These are just to name a few.   Learning cannot happen if the child cannot see, or hear the teacher.  I often think of the kid who comes to school hungry and cannot focus.  His hierarchy of needs has not been met, so learning cannot take place just yet.  The second area is of course assessing their learning through testing.  I think testing shouldn’t just be pencil and paper.  I believe it should vary from group projects, oral presentations, book reports, and verbal testing with the teacher. Today, we have all kinds of learning styles, and it is important to reach all our students.  Incorporating social learning into our assessment is an important tool I believe. 


I read an article entitled, “China’s Children too busy for playtime.”  The children go to school Monday through Friday for nine hours a day. Their parents only work eight hours.  Most children spend their weekends studying and doing extracurricular activities.  They lack in play, and are missing out in socialization.  The children are assessed through testing like here in the states, but these children strive for perfection.  In one study mentioned in this article, only four out of ten children said they had friends to play with when they were allowed to play.  This could contribute to why the children are so unhappy.  A 16 year old even committed suicide because she failed an entrance exam to high school.  I think this says it all.  Children in China are simply assessed in one area only and that is their grades.  These children are missing out on childhood and playtime which allows them to develop in other areas. 

All around the world, we are assessing our children.  In some countries, success means nothing less than perfect.  In other countries, as long as you try, you have succeeded.  Every child is unique and has something to offer.  It is our job as early childhood professions to help our students be the best they can be.  If it really is a calling for us, we will bend over backwards to make sure everyone is learning.  In some classrooms today, you will find teachers just using worksheets after worksheets. This shouldn’t be us.  I do believe if we give our children more opportunities to collaborate with their peers and have time to just be kids that we will see assessment scores rise.  I feel that if school is all work and no play then students will be no longer interested in school by second grade.  Assessment should comes in many forms. 

Reference:

“China’s Children too busy for playtime.”  China Daily.  Retrieved from: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/13/content_871182.htm

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Natural disaster

April 2011, the area where I live suffered a string of deadly tornadoes. This is something that was not heard of here in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. It was a terrible ordeal for many families who lost everything. In the aftermath we could drive by one house that was demolished and the one right beside it not even touched.

Several of my students were subject to the horror of what these storms brought. Even today every time it storms, a little thunder and lightning, they are horrified. It takes a lot of consoling and reassuring them that everything is okay.

Natural disasters happen all over the world including flood, wildfire, tornado, earthquake, blizzard, hurricane, landslide and volcano. We never know what will hit us so we have to prepare for any and every thing. We have tornado, fire, and earthquake drills at our schools every month.

Here are some of the natural disasters in 2011:

2011

Natural Disasters Around the World

March 11: JAPAN -- A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan triggering tsunami activity. It is said that over 10,000 may have been killed.

Feburary 22: NEW ZEALAND --The Canterbury Region of New Zealand was struck by a 6.3 earthquake that has killed over 98 people. *SEE MORE ABOUT NEW ZEALAND HERE*

January 13: BRAZIL -- Thousands of families living on mountain slopes face risk of being washed away in the heavy rains and flooding that have killed more than 900 people.

January 1: AUSTRALIA -- The Australian city of Brisbane has experienced widespread flooding, although the peak level is a metre lower than feared. The death toll in Queensland's flooding went up to 15, with dozens more reported missing.

References:

Natural disasters around the world. Retrieved from http://gvc1007.gvc10.virtualclassroom.org/

Immunizations

Disease prevention is the key to public health. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (CDC, 2009).

UNICEF promotes the worldwide use of immunization and vitamin A supplementation as effective means of achieving international goals: one-third reduction of the under-five mortality rates by 2010 and the Millennium Development Goal of two-thirds reduction in under-five mortality by 2015.

I am a strong supporter of vaccines and immunizations. I believe that we must do everything we can to keep children safe and healthy. I know that there are questions about whether or not immunizations cause a range of physical and mental complications.

It is sad that there are so many children that die every year in third world countries due to no funding and no means of getting the vaccines or the people to administer them to the children.

I am posting below my resources and extra resources for anyone that would like more information.

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009).  Vaccines and Immunizations. Retrieved
            from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/howvpd.htm

http://www.unicef.org/immunization/index_bigpicture.html

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00053391.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10376617?dopt=Abstract

http://www.vaccinesuncensored.org/third.php

Childbirth In My Life and In China

At the age of 17 and in the first weeks of my senior year in high school, I found out that I was pregnant. Boy, was I scared to death!!! I had no idea what to expect and didn't know what to do. My pregnancy was a difficult one with being in and out of the hospital, from being dehydrated to preterm labor. At 30 weeks I started spotting and leaking fluid. I had to go on complete bed rest  only being able to go to the bathroom. I asked to go to my senior prom but at 34 weeks the baby's lungs were not ready. At 37 weeks I was allowed to attend my graduation, where afterwards I began having contractions and when we got to the hospital I was told that we would have a baby by morning. After a couple of hours the contractions just stop!!! I was told it was because of the medication they had me taking before to keep me from going into labor, being off it for a few days and the excitement of graduation just started the contractions. I went home and it was 2 weeks later at 39 weeks my water officially broke. I felt excited and scared at the same time. I ended up getting a epidural too early and they left it on too long. After 18 hours of labor I was finally able to start pushing, but I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. I had a nurse on one side and my husband on the other holding my legs and watching the monitor and telling me when to push. After 5 hours of exhausting pushing I was unable to continue, they had to use forceps to pull my son out. He ended up having a dent in his forehead. He was beautiful, I worried throughout my pregnancy what was I gonna do with a baby....it was so natural when I saw him I just knew what to do. I miscarried 2 years later and 3 years later I had another beautiful baby boy. 


I chose China to research about childbirth. Chinese culture traditionally has preferred males to females. Male children are preferred because they continue ancestral rites that care
for the soul after death (Myers, 1997). Males also have the responsibility to care for elderly parents. Because daughters tend to leave home to join the husband’s family, elderly people are concerned about who will care for them if they do not have a son. Extended female family members help the new mother during the birthing period. Traditionally, women from the extended family attend the birth rather than the husband. Childbirth is seen as “women’s business,” and most health care providers are female. Zuo yue zi (“doing the month”) is a unique aspect of Chinese childbearing. A Chinese woman will typically stay indoors for 1 month after giving birth (considered a vulnerable period) to allow her body to recover, regain balance, and avoid present and future illness. Other rituals surrounding zuo yue zi include washing the mother’s and family’s clothes separately, avoiding sexual relations, and limiting movement so the mother can rest as much as possible. A postpartum woman should also avoid drafts, stemming from the belief that any wind or cold can enter the body and cause future disease, like arthritis. Clothing must cover the entire body. A woman should not shower, brush her teeth, or wash her hair for a month following childbirth, although she may take a bath with ginger and red wine a week after childbirth (Hao & Moore, 2000).

References:



Hao, G. L., & Moore, J. F. (2000). Perinatal care: Cultural and technical differences between China and the United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 11(1), 47-54

Myers, J. H. (1997). Birth-planning policy in rural China: The cultural imbalance between innovation and tradition. Journal of International and Area Studies, 7, 22-31

Completing Foundations: Early Childhood Studies

Its hard to believe that just 8 weeks ago, I was just starting this journey of getting my Master's Degree!! We have all made it through.
I want to thank each and everyone of my colleagues and our professor for all your encouragement and support. I have learned so much from all of you. You have all been so encouraging, supportive and informative. I feel like we have become a team working together.
I hope that we continue our journey together, if not I wish you the best.

Three Ideals from the NAEYC and DEC Codes of Conduct

The following are just three of the codes of conduct from the NAEYC and DEC that I find meaningful.


NAEYC


I-1.1    To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education to stay informed through continuing education and training.


This one means a lot to my professional life because I want to be the best I can be for my children. Continuing my education and going to trainings keeps me up to date. I have said it many times I am a life long learner.


I-5.5    TO create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.


This one is something I am learning more about everyday, through this course and in my classroom. My agency uses the Brigance assessment and all of the above are covered in this. Being in the early education profession this is what we build upon with our students and their families.


DEC


We shall be responsible for maintaining the appropriate national, state, or other credential or licensure requirements for the services we provide while maintaining our competence in practice and research by ongoing participation in professional development and education activities.


I have grown and learned a lot over the past two years being in head start about licensure. We just had our evaluation and passed without any violations, thank goodness!!! Our agency does trainings throughout the year and even though money is sometimes an issue they will at least send one or two of us to go and come back and teach the others what we have learned.


Above all we are all in this profession to be there for the children, they are our number one priority. I love what I do and I want to be the best that I can be.

The Division for Early Childhood (August, 2000). Code of Ethics. Retrieved 17 February 2012. Website: http://www.dec-sped.org/

NAEYC (April, 2005). Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. Retrieved 17, February 2012. Website: www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETHo5.pdf