MY SUPPORTS

Factors within my daily environment that are supportive to me are time with God, my husband, my I-pad, and my television. I live a very stressful life. No good, I know. I am taking online classes towards my Masters degree; I work full time; I work part time as a Realtor and I am a wife and mother of a two year old, which comes with several homemaker responsibilities. How do I juggle it all? By the grace of God! God is my ultimate support through prayer, meditation, and thanksgiving. I also have my husband who has my back in assisting with household duties like cooking, cleaning; and taking care of our daughter. My I-pad provides an escape for me to listen to music, read the bible, play a game, browse facebook, or watch netflix. It is a nice mental escape from work and the stresses of daily life. Watching my favorite TV shows does that for me too—for 1-2 hours a day, I can pretend like I don’t have clothes to wash or homework to do. It makes me feel good. I get engrossed into the story line and wait in anticipation for the next episode. Those mental breaks get me through life. Without these supports, I would be a basket case. If my husband were not here to physically support me, life would be sooo much harder. I could not imagine raising my daughter alone. Hats off to single parents everywhere! It is hard, but truly rewarding! If my husband was not in the picture, I would be responsible for all our daughter's meals, baths, grooming, getting her to school, bed, etc... I don’t want to imagine life without help and support from my husband. I would go insane, especially because he is the organized one. I am fortunate to have a husband who cooks, cleans, organizes, and is a phenomenal hands on father. Without that...I just don’t want to imagine it.

But...if I had to imagine myself without my husband in the picture for one week and I was responsible for all the household responsibilities, including the care of our 2 year old, I would need several supports starting with prayer and meditation. My I-pad is a must to read daily inspirations and scriptures, as well as listen to music and play games. I would also need a good TV show to fall asleep to. I know I couldn’t survive a week alone, so I would definitely call my sister and grandmother for support. I would drive one hour and ½ to pick them up and they would stay with me for the week to support me in my daily tasks. They would assist me with cleaning, cooking, and getting my daughter ready for school, meals, and bedtime. That would allow me free time to do school work and make real estate contacts. They would also provide emotional support to me because I would certainly be missing my husband and would need someone to talk to. If I didn’t have my grandmother and sister to lean on, life for me would be very hectic and hard to manage. I would be even more stressed out than I already am and I would feel alone. I am grateful for my supports!

My husband, daughter, me, and my grandmother at my cousin's wedding.

Me and hubby!

Grandma!

My Connections to Play!

PLAY QUOTES:

"Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities."

Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist

"Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child."

Joan Almon
Contemporary American educator

Growing up, my grandfather was very strict and all about school work. He didn't emphasize play too much, but on some level he realized it was important for us to play and would allow us to go outside on Sundays to play. It wasn't at the playground, but just across the street from the house where he could see us. My sister, cousins, and I had a great time playing and talking together and with other children. I just remember feeling freedom from a strict household. Play was definitely a mental and social outlet for me. Despite his strictness, my grandfather did allow us to participate in holiday play festivities like trick-or-treating and Easter egg hunting. During the school week, I was allowed to play with my barbies after my homework was completed. That was an incentive to do my homework and it worked.

Play is different today than when I was growing up because children don't tend to go outside anymore. Besides the fact that it is a lot less safer, they are too hooked to television and video games. That is there play time and they miss out on so many benefits of interactive play (physical, social, cognitive). Play is also different because there are more organized sports and parents and coaches are focused more on winning and the fun of it gets lost. 

My hope for young people in this generation is to get up from the television and video games, and get outside and be social (with parental supervision). My hope is that parents will come to the realization that they are doing their children a dis-service by allowing them to watch hours and hours of television and that their children are missing out on a vital component of their childhood- play.

Play was a mental and emotional outlet for me from the tyrannical household I grew up in. During my play time with my barbies, I would imagine and pretend play about getting out of my household, going to college, getting married, and having children. My Barbie collection became my escape or saving grace. I got lost in imaginary pretend play with my Barbie dolls. It took me away from a troubled household where I could be free to pretend I was rich, had nice clothing, and went to fancy dinners. This is the life I wanted for myself and eventually my pretend play became reality (not the rich part yet...lol). Now as an adult, I work hard so I can play hard. Play is still important to me. I go to the movies, out to dinner, parties, and vacation. I still have my Barbie doll collection, so in a couple of years I will pass it on to my daughter and I cant wait to see her get lost in a world of imagination. The only difference is she wont have to do it as an escape from anything! And that makes me happy because I am raising her differently.

 

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

Relationships are important to me because no man is an Island. I need people. It is human nature to yearn for the companionship and love of another. To find one person in this lifetime who you can love, trust, and make yourself vulnerable to is a wonderful gift.  I could not imagine going through life without the relationships I have with family and friends. Making someone else happy makes me happy. One of the most important relationships I have is with my grandmother. I can call her for prayer, advice, encouragement, and words of wisdom. She gives all that and more without judgment. Another important relationship is with my sister. She understands me more than anyone else. When I've has a terrible, terrible day, I can call her and cry on the phone. She understands me. I have a two year old daughter and that relationship is forming and means more to me than anything in this world. I look forward to building a meaningful relationship with her throughout the years as she gets older.

Relationships can be challenging, especially those of a romantic nature. There are a lot of expectations and a lot of compromise along with give and take. Issues arise when one person is doing all the giving and the other all the taking. I have learned over time that selfishness will destroy a relationship faster than anything else, but selflessness will preserve it. If each person in a relationship is constantly looking out for and meeting the needs of the other, each persons needs is always met. That is a partnership- two people working together who care for one another and share the same common goal. But if you're in a relationship where you are meeting the needs of your partner and meeting your own needs and they are not giving anything, that leaves them very full and you very empty. Relationships are about give and take, not give and give or take and take.

In my profession as an early childhood teacher, I will take some of the lessons I have learned in forming relationships with people and apply it in my interactions with parents and colleagues. I will rely on trustworthy colleagues for advice and direction and I will offer my support to parents to help their child achieve success.

REFLECTIONS- What I leave with at the end of my first online class

This is my first time taking online classes and without the support of my colleagues, my journey would have been a lot harder. All of the resources that Walden U provided simplified the process for me so I had limited research do to. I really appreciated that.  There was an opportunity to share a little or a lot of myself in every blog or discussion. I also learned a lot about my colleagues and that a lot of us share the same personal and professional goals and dreams. Reading blog and discussion posts was most heart warming. I made me feel like I wasn’t on this journey alone.  For instance, many of my colleagues share my same dream of opening an early childcare learning center.

I really enjoyed learning about the depth and breadth of the early childhood field. WOW! At some points it became overwhelming. As I advanced through the course, I began to realize how expansive the early childhood field is. I also realized the seriousness of the profession and all the research that goes into developing early childhood polices based on evidence based practice. Early childhood involves everything from grant writing for funding to meal planning. I have developed a deeper appreciation and respect for the field and early childhood professionals.

Realizing the full scope of the profession and all it entails will help me professionally because there are a myriad of resources and multi-disciplinary professionals that I can utilize that will benefit the children I serve. On a personally level, learning the depth and breadth of early childhood has helped me realize that I am doing something wonderful and worthwhile in the world—making a difference where it counts!

I wish all my cyber classmates and colleagues all the best on their personal and professional journey! Always remember that the children are our future! What imprint will you leave? God bless!

Examining Codes of Ethics: NAEYC and DEC

DEC Code of Ethics

·         We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.

This code of ethics is meaningful to me because I plan to open up a childcare center in a low socio-economic area to give children who may not otherwise have the opportunity, access to high quality education. Many of these children will come from minority families. They will speak different languages and their customs and beliefs will vary. It is important for me and my staff to be aware of and sensitive to issues of diversity.

·         We shall use every resource, including referral when appropriate, to ensure high quality services are accessible and are provided to children and families.

Resources are invaluable. It is how early childhood professionals are able to make appropriate referrals for services and how we stay abreast of the latest research and services available for children and families. In my present job I keep an electronic database of resources for my clients that I can easily access.

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Ideal (Individual)

·         1-4.1—To provide the community with high-quality early childhood care and education programs and services.

High quality early childhood care requires highly qualified teachers with competitive salaries, access to services, like food and nutrition, health care, and high quality education. These services I plan to provide when I open up my childcare center.

        

        

        

        

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS

 Lee y serás

This early literacy program helps Latino children build their early reading potential. Through curriculum and resource materials, along with local events that involve parents and the community, Lee y serás raises awareness of the importance of early literacy development.

http://www.leeyseras.net/site/main.html

 

New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of our children, families and communities. We will achieve results by setting and enforcing policies, building partnerships, and funding and providing quality services.

OCFS is dedicated to improving the integration of services for New York’s children, youth, families and vulnerable populations to promoting their development; and to protecting them from violence, neglect, abuse and abandonment. The agency provides a system of family support, juvenile justice, child care and child welfare services that promote the safety and well-being of children and adults. Among the operating principles across all program areas are that services should be developmentally appropriate, family-centered and family-driven, community-based, locally responsive, and evidence and outcome based.

http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/default.asp

Early Childhood at Scholastic Teacher Store

Offers early childhood products for both teachers and young children to meet all your teaching and classroom needs. You'll find picture books, curriculum guides, literacy programs, classroom materials and more!

http://shop.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/teacherstore/nav/shops/Fluency%20Professional%20Resources/4294620159

EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCES

There are a multitude of resources available to support early childhood Education professionals and parents alike. Below is only a selection of the most influential resources. I know you will find this information very useful.

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
  
• Websites:
• • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP's mission.
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org/
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

QUOTES FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD PIONEERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

MARIA MONTESSORI

“It is not true,” says Dr. Montessori, “that I invented what is called the Montessori Method. I have studied the child, I have taken what the child has given me and expressed it, and that is what is called the Montessori Method.”

"A child in his earliest years, when he is only two or a little more, is capable of tremendous achievements simply through his unconscious power of absorption, though he is himself still immobile. After the age of three he is able to acquire a great number of concepts through his own efforts in exploring his surroundings. In this period he lays hold of things through his own activity and assimilates them into his mind."

"And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It is not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experiences in which the child acts on his environment. The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frederick Froebel

"Because learning begins when consciousness erupts, education must also."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Louise Derman-Sparks

"The pre-school period is a critical time for identity formation and attitude formation. Children are bombarded with positive and negative issues."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renatta M. Cooper, MA

, "It is not all about you. Take your ego out of it and focus on helping the children."

Personal Childhood Web

Grandmother: My grandmother is the best thing that ever happened to me. She is my spiritual guardian and prayer warrior. She is so patient, humble, and kind. She is truly the sweetest person I know. I can go to her whenever I have an issue an expect to receive sound wisdom and guidance. From an child, she always taught me to put God first and all other things will fall into place. She took me to church every week, which I why I have a love for the church 'til this day. If I have an issue with my husband or another family member, I expect her to take my side, but she doesn't. She is usually neutral and non-judgemental. She raised me since I was 8 years old and the example she has set for me has led me to where I am today. She is the true epitome of Christianity.

Sister: I can always count on my sister. I think she understands me the most. Yes, we had a healthy and not so healthy sibling rivalry for most of our lives because we are exactly one year and one month a part. Our relationship has gotten better as we get older and if nothing else, I know she has my back. She was my closet relationship growing up as a child so a lot of the ways I deal with people, I learned from my relationship with my sister. Because we grew ups side by side in the same bedroom for many years, I learned about compromise, sharing, selflessness and selfishness, support, and love. I suffered with a bit of postpartum depression after giving birth and I just remember her taking me in her arms and hugging me during a very serious meltdown. She didn't say anything. She just hugged me--and in that moment, my healing began. I cam crying right now as I type this, That was so powerful for me. From that moment on, I got better and within 6 weeks or so, my depression was gone. I love her for that, and I will never forget it.

WHAT FUELS MY PASSION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

• OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE VERSE

A quote that I love is from Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Early Childhood education is the very essence of this verse. Early childhood educators and parents alike leave a lasting imprint on a child's life. Your very influence on a child can make them or break them. IF your train/teach/rasie a child "in the way he should go," your influence will never leave him/her. Early childhood educators have an awesome responsiblity.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+22%3A6&version=KJV

FIRST TIME TAKING ONLINE CLASSES

This is my first time doing online classes and I was sooooo confused at the beginning. I am getting the hang of it after hours of finagling. I'm sure it will get better. There is a strong online support between professors and colleagues,