Saturday, October 27, 2012

Finally Made It

I would like to say Thank You and I hope to see you in the next course. I have learned many new ideas and insight from each of you. I have enjoyed all the post and blogs.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Collabration in groups


Are high-performing groups hardest to leave?

 
I have worked in groups that are high performing groups in the Head Start where I work. I have worked close within programs in which everyone works as close as family. In the jobs in which I have worked, we have to say good-bye each year from each other. When you work together in a good way, it hard to depart from a group where you have formed a bond. The hardest group for me to leave was the job of center administrator from the center to the administrative office that was a tough decision to make.

 
What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

Closing Ritual consists of sometimes parties or goodbye ceremonies, balloon liftoff, programs and even dinner. I have had to write goodbye speeches for people when they are leaving a group or an organization.

 
How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program?

 
I have learned that working in an online degree group, you form a closeness with the people in your group, because I can’t wait to get to see what my group has responded to me and others. Sometime you share several classes with the same colleagues. Usually at the end of a course, I always tell the entire group goodbye and hope to work with them in other courses. I always say thanks you for providing me with professional and personal insight that I can share with others.

 
Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

 My mother always told me that closure is a good thing. I had to rely on that statement when she passed. I would not want to start of project and did not finish it, therefore the same is for talks in group or meeting, they must be closed or adjourned. Adjourning help the team or group the opportunity to say goodbye, good job, and even see you later. I have learned that adjourning means the start of something new and better.

 

 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Communication and Conflict Management

Over the past six months I have been experiencing conflict with one of my coworkers. I have trying very hard to communicate effectively with her. All of my attempts have been unsucessfel because she thinks that she can use her authority to do want she wants to do. I tried to use listening skills with the cowoker because I have found that if you listen to people and let them know you care, you can minimize conflict. I believe that if  you show someone that you respect them and try to listen to their concerns they are going to interact and communicate with you more positively. I think that if you do not have the 3Rs in your professional  and social life you will be someone who is unsuccessful in  the work you do and in your relationships. I will continue to work on this relationship with my co-worker, I can only treat her like I want to be treated. I do do believe that this coworker know what triggers ma and she tries her best to upset me.

I have learned that “conflict is not simply an argument or a struggle, it is negative interaction between two or more independent people, rooted in some actual or perceived disagreement.” (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012 p. 220). I believe that respect is the most important because when you are respectful to the person who you are communicating with then more and likely you are able to reciprocate and be responsive to their needs in the situation. I believe that one day, this relationships will get better. Thsi course has taught me alot on how to deal with conflicts and strategies to use.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Week 4 Blog

For this assignment, I learned that others are others to communication to well. During the assessments, my husband and my best friend said that they enjoyed when I speak to others in public. Both said that I am people oriented, and I enjoyed speaking and listening to others. My husband tells me all the time that I should have went into public speaking. I speak often at local board meeting and I am the training officer for my agency. I enjoyed listening to others and being able to give feedback to their questions and comments. Communication is a vital part of the relationships that we have with others. I try to look people in their eyes when talking to them. I teach my children never to look down when talking always give eye contact and listen to everyone opinion. This assignment was very helpful to me.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Communication and Culture


In my opinion, cultural differences cause everyday relationships hard to have effective communication. I communicate differently with different people, to my friends, I give hugs, kiss,smiles, and different facial expressions and to strangers, I often say hello or hi. Every situation cause for a different perspective because it may be the language, tradition, or a world issue that causes a lack of communication between the two. I believe that people communicate differently because of cultural differences and things that are related. I am not able to communicate to someone about the presidential election if they are not aware of what is going on or they speak the same language. Communicate is important but can be very challenging when there are barriers. We communicate with those that we feel comfortable around as well. When communicating we must learn culture rules about communication.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Communication is not always straightforward!

For this week's blog assignment I chose to watch a sitcom, that I would not advise anyone to let their children watch if they are trying to teach them good communication skills among family members, peers or other adults. I watch Family Guy for the first time in its entirety.
 
A group picture of a cartoon family, with a father, mother, son, daughter, baby and dog
 
Sound Off Observations
  
As a watched with the sound off I notice the family lips moving and facial expressions where as if they were excited and happy  to sit at the breakfast table together at one point and sitting on couch together. The wife hugs the husband, the mother kisses the baby and the sister and brother were conversing back and forth. The dog even had good body language, excitement in the facial expressions. The family gave each other I contact, there were hand gestures, hugs, kisses,  and soft touches. By just looking at the screen with no sound one would think that this is a normal, functioning family with good communication skills which is loving. From looking at the screen and hearing no sound, you would think that the family communicates well together with good language, listening and non-verbal skills.
 
Sound on Observations
 

When I watch the show with the sound on, I found myself in aw of the communication between the family members, there were ugly remarks toward each other, the husband was affectionate toward the wife, the baby seemed to hate the mother by the tone of his voice, the sister and brother argued throughout the show. The dog seemed the be one with the positive remarks, eye contacts, and good body language. The dad would try to belittle the daughter during the breakfast table, and the baby called the mother out of her name. The communication for this family was very dysfunctional and there was a lack of positive verbal communication, eye contact, and the body language much better between the dad and the mother. Once I watch with the sound, I had a different opinion about what I head from the family. Being able to hear what someone say really makes a difference.
 


Friday, September 7, 2012

Competent Communicator


Every since I was about twelve years old I have known a competent communicator. Ms. Blackburn who is a pioneer in my community, she is 82 and is still a good volunteer in our community. She know how to listen, hear, understand and share with you. Ms. Blackburn smiles with everyone, hugs small children and others. She is a excellent listener. She looks you into your eyes when you are talking, sometimes pats you on your back and she gives you great feedback. She worked in the head start program where I work as the nutritionist. All of the parents and children loves her. I enjoy hearing the questions and positive comments that she gives to the parents about any concerns they may have concerning allergies, picky eater, diet, and substitutions. Ms. Blackburn accepts that not everyone is going to agree but she does not show any negative body languages, eye contact or voice tones. Ms. Blackburn talks with knowledge and wisdom and when she starts to talks everyone begins to sit and listen.

I find that a competent communicator is able to communicate through both verbal and non verbal communications by smiles, laughter, honesty, eye contact and good body language. I hope that when I am 82, I am able to be just like Ms. Blackburn. I have learned that different communications can be very difficult to understand such as written communication, such as text or letters. I have learned that some people voice tone is just loud and boisterous but there is no harm. I am willing to learn how to communicate to others in all ways rather it is oral or written.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

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,  I hope that I am able to take what I have learned from this course and help others who have struggled with diversity, culture, inequities and use the knowledge to help them understand about similarities and differences. 

A goal of mines when it come to 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 discussion, blogs and learning about how others have dealt with situations similar to me, it made this experience some what easier. 




Saturday, August 11, 2012

Welcoming Families From Around the World


As a early childhood professional are working in an early childhood setting.You receive word that the child of a family who has recently emigrated from a country you now nothing about will join your group soon. You want to prepare yourself to welcome the child and her family,in order to support families who have immigrated you need to know more than surface facts about their country of origin.”

I chose the country of Hungary, Hungary is located in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe. I believe to in order to truly help this child/family, I want to first learn about their country's food, customs and belief before I can do anything else. I want to help them  feel comfortable in their new environment. I want to learn their customs upon greeting others so that they don't get offended. 

I would make them feel comfortable fixing food that is similar to what the family eat or are used to, such as Hungarian cuisine, goulash and chicken paprika, but their food are associated with much more.  I would also try to find little artifacts that are from their country such as clothing, pictures, and others.  I would also create a photo album with picture of their country so they can have things are related to what they are used to. I would try to learn Hungarian (Magyar) language by purchasing the Rosetta Stone series. I think all of this strategies will help the family feel welcomed.

As an early childhood professional, I would see if there is anyone in the community who is able to help the family by translating their language and I would take the family to local markets, schools, community events so that they can feel a part of the community in which they are in. 

I would encourage the local school that the child will be attending to make their classroom as culturally sensitive as possible with poster, pictures, books, artifacts that are welcoming and inviting. 




Flag of Hungary

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression


This week I have the chance to share about an incident where I have experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression in this day and time.. I choose to discuss an incident that will never leave my mind and I will always try to best to change the attitudes and  behaviors of the people in this town. On July 27, 2012, a friend and I chose to go to a local restaurant in a small town in Mississippi, the same town where I have lived for 36 years. We entered to building and a sign said, please wait to be seated by waiter, so we waited and waited and waited so after after five minutes or so we seated our selves. After a minute of being seated a man walked over to our table, please let me remind you that this man is the waiter who was supposed to seat us when we entered to building. He blatantly said " you can't sit here, you have to sit back yonder", my mouth dropped and my friend begin to drop her head because she knew what was about to come out of my mouth. I explained to the man that we were not going to move and I did not see a reserved sign that said " white only"" or "colored". I asked the man why was he whispering did he not want all the professional people in the restaurant to know that there was a table for " colored only" in this day and age. So I let the people know that they were eating in a restaurant that had "hidden prejudices". I asked to speak with the manager and he came over along with some other people in the restaurant and I explained my story, several people asked for us to sit at their table, the restaurant was fill with white people. I joined a white couple who was so polite and she explained to us, that they was not aware that blacks was asked to sit in the back, she had never noticed it and the lady got up and went to every table talking to others, so many people came over to us apologizing for what we had went through and paid for our lunch to eat at the same restaurant for the next week. My friend and I have been enjoying lunch on the locals and we will eat our last meal on Monday. The people are much friendlier as we walk through the door, but there are still a few stares and whispers, but we will continue to eat there even when our free spree is over, we change change some attitudes if not all. 

I was so hurt because everything really thinks that prejudice like this instance does not exit, but they do, I call them " hidden prejudices' and they will never go away. This incident reminds me of what I see in movies not real life situations, and it disturbs me to think that with all the changes in the world we still have situation like the one me and friend encountered just last week. I don't think it's nothing I can do to change these types of situation, people are going to want to change from the old into the new, and people refuse to change and that's just final. Education and knowledge key if we are going to change the mindset of people. 




Saturday, July 21, 2012

Practicing Awareness of Micro aggressions

Micro aggressions  in my opinions are a persons way of using little stereotypical statements or emotions to others. Most micro aggression  are negative and unintentional but some are intentional, people know what they are doing.  After reading the resources and listening to Dr. Sue I understand that people really don't know they are doing this things so harmful to other. The week has taught me that I have said things that I didn't mean that were not nice but now that I know better I am not going to say or act that way again. A lady came into a Chinese and ordered food and decided to cancel it and didn't order anything, so a lady who was standing there said that these Chinese people are mean because of the lady look


I have been at fault for using micro aggression toward a people some point in my life.  I have learned a lot about myself this week, and about others that I come into contact with. Learning and educating yourself about other culture and diversities will help you understand better better about others and what you say and do harms other people's feelings.
When we work with parents their children,and our co-workers we must know how to effectively communicate both verbally and non verbally. Parents will be key in this change in communicate effects to change the way we see others. 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This assignment ask us to call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.). I asked the following people about culture and diversity.
Friend
What is your definition of culture?" Culture is how we talk, walk, the way we see the world around us."
What is your definition of diversity? "Diversity is a combination of all the different types of people in the world. based on race, religion, language."
Family Member
What is your definition of culture? " Culture is one's behavior in a particular group of people such as the way they sit, foods, the way they talk, things they do on holidays"
What is your definition of diversity? " diversity is everything that makes you different in your life
Colleague
What is your definition of diversity? "Culture is the differences that we see in people"
What is your definition of culture? " Diversity is how you see yourself by the way you were reared and your family background"


     Over the past three weeks we have been studying that some pieces of our culture is  easily seen  such as the music we listen to , the clothes we wear , and  the food we eat and even what holidays we celebrate, but I have learned that culture is more than skin deep, there is what is called deep culture and that the part of our cultures that is seen such as our tradition, beliefs and values we use with our families.  “ When early childhoods educators think about culture, they think about the surface things that are easy to see, taste and define.” (Derman-sparks L and Olsen Edwards J.). 


     After this week reading and videos and what I have learned so far about culture and diversity none of the people I asked about the definitions mentioned deep culture, surface culture  or family culture, power, or social identity. No one mentioned how we can help children understand the differences in each other.  I have learned so much  about culture and diversity. I think that all educators should be able to use the knowledge about culture and diversity to help them in their classrooms. 

References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves




Saturday, July 7, 2012

My Family Culture



This week assignment allowed me the opportunity to to image if a major catastrophe would almost completely devastated the infrastructure of our country. 

If there was a major catastrophe that caused me to have to leave the United States I know that I would have to be  selective in the items I had bring with me as I relocate with my family. The first item I would bring would be my Bible. The Bible is my sense of spirituality and calmness at all times, during the good and the bad times.

Second, I would bring my family's birth certificate as a source of identification. i think that in a situation like this you will need your identification so that you will be able to tell your race among things. 
Lastly, I would bring my photo album box with all of my memories in it. The album has been in my family for 30 years and we just add to it each time someone dies, have a birth, marriage, divorce, birthday parties,  first kiss, graduations, etc. The book also has our family tree information from my great-great grandmother and father. The album has something personal  from all of my family members.
I think that all of the items that I have chosen represents who I am and my culture and someone on the outside will be able to understand my culture. This assignment made me think real hard about if this was to happen and what would I really do, so I took a walk around my house and those three things I feel I would need with me if this was to happen to me. 
 It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. 
-- Maya Angelou

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

When I Think About Research.......

 What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?


Over the past eight week I have learned a lot about research that I did not know prior to this class. Research was not my strong point. After the reading the book and the learning from everyone post, I have greater insight about research and the process. I learned that research is a process that must be followed in order to have a successful study.


·        In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I     Since this course, I have learn that research is not easy and you must take research seriously. I learned that research is necessary to help others learn and continue to improve the fields. Research allows us to continue to learn from literature and enable you to take information to help others. I did not know that research was so in dept and there was so many steps that had to followed in order to get the study correct. 

I·     What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?


        During the past eight week I have learn that research is a process that must be followed. Over the course of the time I learned about research process, ethics in research, but the most important piece was how to interview young children and direct observation. I feel that learned an important piece of information because I will be working with young children. I gain so much insight from the weekly readings. 

·      What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?


      One challenge that I faced was the choosing a research topic, I had to rethink my research topic a couple of time with the help of Dr. Davis. The feedback that was given really helped my in attempt write a good research question. The feed back help me to narrow my question down. 


\    What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? 


     Since taking this course I have learned that the early childhood field will benefit from the research it will allow others to learn about the change it helps other to give their input on how to help children and their families. I have learned that research is a great part in what we know about the field but you have to follow the process in order to make sure that the data is valid and reliable. 





Saturday, June 2, 2012

Research Around the World


This week assignment allowed me the opportunity to to read and think about international early childhood research. Here are links to three influential international web sites dedicated to early childhood:
Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

For this Blog Assignment, choose one of these links, and explore the available research. Let the following questions guide your search:
What are some of the current international research topics? Some of the research topics include:


  • The Early Years Learning Framework-Getting Started
  • Learning and Teaching through Play
  • Everyday learning about responding to emotional need of children 
What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? After exploring the website this is what was so insightful, the following question was asked:
  • Can we make our children smarter?’ On Sunday morning of May 6, 2012, the program 3Q aired on SKY asking this question.
    Pam Cahir, the CEO of Early Childhood Australia spoke to 3Q about the biggest improvements to early childhood education in 25 years.
    More Australian babies and toddlers are in childcare than ever before. And they’re there when their brains are laying down the pathways vital for later learning, intelligence and social capability.
    Pam Cahir tells 3Q how new national reforms are ensuring childcare centers provide a nurturing environment that will have a long-term beneficial effect on our future society.
    The website is very diverse and meets the needs of all of its reader, the website offers many early childhood topics. I also had never seen a web site that offers strategic goals for two years, this was a great idea to incorporate into a website. 
  • What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? This website offered a wealth of knowledge and information about memberships, code of ethics, and research in practice series. All of the information was very informative.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

For this blog I chose option 1 which was to share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: I will provide a  real-life examples of research benefits to children and/or families; I am familiar with stories of people who have been positively affected by research that I would like to share with my colleagues.


For this assignment I chose to talk about my mother who was a participant in research study on leukemia, she received a treatment to help get the chemotherapy out of her body. The antidote was given to help with the leukemia in her kidney. After the medicines was given she was better and the chemo left her body immediately. I am so grateful for the research and it helped my mother. The research was done on children at a local children hospital and it help them so my mom gave permission and consent to receive the same treatment and it worked. The medicine was given to my mother so that the chemotherapy would not paralyze her by staying in her kidneys. 



If we knew what we were doing it wouldn't be research.





Saturday, May 12, 2012

Personal Research Journey

The research simulation allowed me the opportunity to look the topic and subtopics and began to research the area. I learned from the  research simulation that research is important and that the topic must narrowed down in order to be measured. The topic I chose to research is cognitive development in children birth to three years of age. The subtopics chosen include the difference in cognitive development in boys and girls, how does cognitive development affect language development in children, and does technology improve cognitive skills.

I would like ask if anyone have any advice or insight about the topic that can assist me in the upcoming weeks. During the research I have chose the subtopic of what is the difference in cognitive development in boys and girls. I looked at this because I see that in some cases learn certain things different from boys and I wanted to know more that information.  Over the past two weeks, I have learned how to evaluate websites, conduct good research by using the "practical guide to reading research articles" which is a great tool. I will continue to  use the information learned to help me in the research process.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Consequences and Goals

Over the past weeks, I have have gain and expanded my knowledge of early childhood education. The pod casts was very enlightening and reading my classmates discussions and blogs gave me even greater understanding and knowledge. I learn early childhood globally through others blogs. I learned three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development which includes:

  • Poverty is a global issue and we all need to help with the problem.
  • As an educator, I can learn from global contacts as well as they can learn from me. Knowledge is power.
  • All children deserve a quality education, and I want to make sure that I provide quality learning to children by learning the standard, Developmentally appropriate practices, and how we close the achievement gaps.l
  • My goal to is to continue to try to form international relationships and learn all I can encourage others to learn about the field. As educator we must not only learn the field the field we must share the passion for the field, the students and the parents. 

Friday, April 13, 2012

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

I enjoyed reading the Episode 10, Susan Lyon was intrigued by a small child’s conception of the word “city”, and began pondering how children think, eventually visiting Reggio Emilia and then bringing the “100 Languages of Children” exhibit to the San Francisco Bay area on two occasions. She initiated the Innovative Teacher Project, and began working with the Presidio Child Care Center and the San Francisco public schools. Currently she is working with an Italian architect to rehab a San Francisco structure into the first Italian immersion preschool. 

UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/), I learned that  the 2000 Dakar Framework for Action reaffirmed the importance of early childhood by including the development of early childhood care and education as the first of its six main goals. secondly, I learned that the not only in the United States that money and finance is issue that  the greatest difficulty faced by many countries in their efforts to expand and improve the quality of early childhood care and education is the mobilisation of resources. Thirdly, We have talked and discussed quality in early childhood and the article discussed the ECCE workforce is often made up of a diverse group of pre-school teachers, care workers, informal carers and other professionals. Adequate training and work conditions are essential so they can integrate the content and practice of early childhood care and education and address the transition to formal schooling. I have learned alot about quality, equity in early childhood that I can take back and use in my workplace.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sharing Web Resources

The National Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families (National Head Start Association, 2006).
Parents and Head Start staff can go to www.education.com and they can download many articles that can help parents with their children from the first day of school to transition.  This website give parent an array of information that will help them be successful in kindergarten.
The website also offers a form to fill out for all head start alumni.  The website also offers the Disaster Relief Fund which is a permanent assistance program, which was to assist the head start community during the September 11 attack. The fund is now used to assist head start and early head start programs staff, and families who become victims of natural disasters. The website offers professional development and training that support the understanding and implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and Head Start Core Values that is important in the field of early care and education.

 I really enjoy reading the website because each time I go to the site there is a ton of articles and information concerning upcoming training that allow you opportunity for growth in the field.



www.nhsa.org

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

Unfortunately I have not received a response from my contact and I have emailed my contact several time. But the alternative assignment for this week afforded me the opportunity to learn about the global resources. 
The center main goal the Global Children Initiative Center’s commitment to global work represents both an acknowledgement of moral responsibility to meet the needs of all children and a critical  investment in the roots of economic productivity, positive health outcomes, and strong civil society in all nations, from the poorest to the most affluent. I learned that the Global Children’s Initiative has
begun to build a portfolio of activities in three domains: early childhood development; mental health; and children in crisis and conflict situations.
In the early childhood education area the center has the first priority in this area is to adapt the successful work the Center has conducted in the United States for a broader range of strategically selected audiences, in an effort to energize and reframe the global dialogue
around investments in the earliest years of life.

Mental Health the center's priority  is  
Assessing the state of child mental health services in
China;
 Developing and evaluating family-based strategies
to prevent mental health problems in children affected
by HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; and
 Addressing child maltreatment and mental health
outcomes in three Caribbean nations (Barbados, the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname).
In the area of children in crisis and conflict situations the center priority is to Two issues are the initial focus of activity in this domain:
 Exploring comparable approaches to surveying
child status in post-earthquake Haiti and Chile.
 Bringing the science of child development into
strategies for addressing acute malnutrition.
Building Broader, More Diverse Leadership Capacity


This website is a great resource that help you understand what other across the globe is doing in a effect to help young children develop and grow.


brazil.jpg

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sharing Web Resources

The National Head Start Association is a website that offers a wealth of information. The website helps with the latest information about head start. The website keep me abreast with the lastest data in head start.

  • What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development? On the website there is a section that offer you to tell your story about head start. The newsletter gives you the opportunity as a parent to tell how head start has touch your life one way or another. Also there is the Natiional Head Start Radio 
  •  where you'll get fast answers and expert advice on the isuess you really care about. NHSA Radio offers two channels one for parents and one for Head Start administrators. Simply select the channel below, then click the play button to listen to the program right on your computer.
  • Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-n ewsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways? Articles that I read really made me think was the following two articles". 

  • What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?  The website has a affiliates page that give the early childhood supporter a chance to show their support of the field. There is also a blog where supporters can share about a particular subject or issue. 
  • What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter? It was  very interested to read the articles on the radio and in the newsletters. It give me a chance to learn so much about the early childhood field. The websites lets you know about the upcoming conferences where you can further learn about the field and provide you with professional development that will help in your services with children in the field

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1


I have not yet to hear a response from my international contact. I have sent an email, but at the same time I have started with my alternate assignment. The following people are from the radio podcast. I enjoyed learning and hearing from  people who share the same passion as me. The world forum also has a blog, I also invite my classmates to blog at http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/

The podcast promotes the exchange of ideas between people and cultures on all topic related to young children. I learned that there are many resources and people who are as as passionate about learning about poverty and how to help in the communities who are affected. In my opinion we are all affected by poverty in one way or another.

 


2.  Barbara Jones (BJ) founded the Pine Grove School in Falmouth, Maine in 1985  and celebrates the schools 25th anniversary. The school is a charming wood signal building nested in a grove of pine trees and was used as a  school house in 1917


   


3. George Forman grew up in Monroe, Louisiana received his doctorate in developmental psychology at the university of Alabama, worked with Howard Gardner at Project Zero and he is currently  Emeritus Professor at the University of Massachusetts and the Presidents of Videatives 
Inc.



 



4. TJ Skalki is Principal of the Mother Earth's Children Charter School, the first indigenous charter school in Canada



Sunday, March 11, 2012

Sharing Web Resources

I chose the The Global Alliance of NAEYC, I chose this organization because of the work they do for the field of Early Childhood Education. I emailed several persons but yet to receive a respond, I have continued to send emails. The alternative to that assignment I chose the radio podcast because I want to hear  and see and what others are saying about the early childhood education field.


The services that the National Head Start Association offers a variety of services of Head Start and Early Childhood Professionals. I have been a member for five years. One article that I found interesting in the Newsletter was the "What the Debt Limit Means for Head Start, the articles states that there will significant challenges for Head Start in the future. I think that all people that work in head start should subscribe.I look forward to the newsletter to learn what new in Head Start in every issue. 


TThe organization link is: http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance.  

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Establishing Professional Contacts

I have been experiencing trouble with communication with professionals in the Early Childhood Field. I have email several person and asked would they be able to communicate. I have yet to receive a respond. I will continue to try to make communications because I have never had communication with anyone outside the United Stated and it would be great to learn about other professionals in this field. It has been a challenge, I have been trying since Sunday to get a response and yet to receive one. I will have to do the alternative assignment to part one.

For part 2, the selection was easy, I chose the National Head Start Association, I have been working in early childhood for about 16 years and have a strong bond with head start and will continue to learn and grow from what I learn. I had no problem choosing a website for this assignment. I enjoy learning and working with four and five year old students and seeing how they develop in front of your eyes.

I look forward to reading everyone blogs.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

My Supports

I have several supports in my life that help me emotional, socially, physically and mentally. The first support I  have is my husband James, who is there for mentally, emotionally and socially. We share daily conversations before and after work. I could not live with the support that he gives me on a daily basis he is the person who I can come home and hare my triumphs and declines in life.

Secondly, I have my children, whom I just sit back and watch and wonder, " was I really like this when I was young" I enjoyed going to games, plays, just sharing quality time with on a daily basis.

Third I have my work family who I get a chance to  share resources and knowledge with. We have learning together and we encourage each other to learn more about the field of early childhood education.

Fourth, I have my technical supports such as a alarm clock, Ipad, IPhone, kindle, planner, laptop without these item my life would be very chaotic because I depend so closely upon them to stay organized, on time, and well prepared which enable me to stay upon of my daily routines, meetings and personal business.

Lastly I have my sorority sister, they help me socially by having girls night out, church, prayer groups and telling me the truth when I it. All of the supports are needed in my life to have a life that full of love, attention and affection. My life without these supports would be chaotic, depressed and miserable because each of these support help me on a daily basis and is needed in my life. I cannot image life without any of  support and  I know my husband and kids cannot imagine life with me because we need each other for love, and support.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

My Connections to Play

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author
Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.
Abraham Maslow
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.”
 ~ O. Fred Donaldson (martial arts master)

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I always wanted to be a teacher, when I was young, my mom brought me chalk and I had a blackboard on my wall in my room. I pretended to play school with my dolls and my cats.
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I loved playing double dutch jump rope with the neighborhood kids. I would always choose someone who would win with me.

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Hopscotch  was a great game that taught numbers. We teach our children today how to play in head start.

All of the quotes above remind me of what play means to me. When  I was younger I did not know that play was so important to development under I completed college and learned that play is so important. My mom always allowed me to go outside, really she encouraged me to get out to jump rope and things of that nature.When I was a little girl I played hopscotch with the other little girls on street because I did not have a sister so I played games with the others on my street. My brothers are all about 15 to 20 years older than me so I had no none to play with as a kid but the children on my block, I was so fortunate to have such a friends and we are all still friends and we get together three times a years and do things together with our kids.

It is so hard to get children to play games that I played when I was young. Play is totally different from how it was when I was young , When  I was young there was more activities that we were involved in that enable us to do gross motor activities such as jump rope, bike riding, hopscotch. Today children are more involved in technology that is not so physically fit. Children spend more time indoors rather that outdoors. I am very happy that game makers are making games more give children more choice of physical activities. I am so happy that I understand the importance of play in children.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Relationship Reflection

Relationship Reflection

These are some of my favorite quotes

 The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” 

Anthony Robbins 

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” 
Flavia Weedn


Relationships are important to me because the more  supportive relationship you have you are able  to communicate your thoughts, feeling, emotions and enable you accept criticism that will help you throughout life. Everybody crave and need social contact whether its from family, friends, church, or pets.  These supportive relationships has helped me with the death of my mother. Relationships bring fun, fulfillment, comfort, and joy and takes the stress out of your life. 

I have several relationships that play a vital role in my life, such as my husband, children, brother and my Sorority Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta  Sorority. My husband and I have a    relationship that I can share anything with him and he does not look down on me he supports everything I do and gives me advice even if I don't like it. We help each other and we live, think and pray together. My relationship with my brother is a sibling relationship, family must always support and communicate with each other. My sorority sisters provide a relationships the helps me get through times when I need that sisterly excitement and I am able to have that sisterly love because I am a only girl, so I am blessed to have a family of sisters to talk to on a daily basis.

I think that everyone must have respect, good communication skills, love, friendship, compassion in order to have good relationships in life. The relationships I have people really comes from the relationships I had as a child. I remember my dad always talk with me about my day at school or whatever, I guess that's why I try to ask questions and be concern about what parents think and encourage their participation in the program. All of the relationships that I have had in the past and the relationships I have now play a major part in the way I treat parents at the first meeting with them. I treat people the way I really want to be treated.