I have enjoyed the information I have learned and dicussions I have had with all of my classmates. I wish everyone the best of luck in their future courses and careers. I hope to have future discussions with all of you in my future early childhood studies courses.
To All My Classmates: Remember to stay positive, motivated, and dedicated in all aspects of your life!!! :)
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Codes of Ethics
Meaningful Code of Ethics
(1) Appreciate vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults- NAEYC
(2) To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development that respect their dignity and contributions-DEC
(3) We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and families to enhance their quality of life-DEC
These three codes are significant to my professional life as they reinforce my true reason and passion for children, families, and the early childhood. I believe children are 100% dependable on adults to provide them protection, education, and guidance. Adults who have direct contact with children should behave in the up most respectful manner as they provide the first example for children. As a professional working with families and children I attempt to advocate to the best of my ability to ensure that families have the necessary education and resources to provide their children with a safe and healthy home. With useful education and resources parents will enhance their children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Course Resources
Position Statments and Influential Practices
- NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/72033/CRS-CW-5691431/educ6005_readings/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf
- 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://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf
Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42–53.
Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title.
Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being
- 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 video 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/about/
Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statement
Selected Early Childhood Organizations
http://www.naeyc.org/
http://www.dec-sped.org/
http://www.zerotothree.org/
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
http://www.highscope.org/
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
http://www.ccw.org/
http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
http://www.nccanet.org/
http://nieer.org/
http://www.preknow.org/
http://www.voices.org/
http://www.erikson.edu/
Professional Journals located in Walden University Library
- YC Young Children
- Childhood
- Journal of Child & Family Studies
- Child Study Journal
- Multicultural Education
- Early Childhood Education Journal
- Journal of Early Childhood Research
- International Journal of Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Research Quarterly
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Studies
- Maternal & Child Health Journal
- International Journal of Early Years Education
Additional Resources
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
Child Development Institute Parenting Today
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Inspirational Quotes
Major Contributors of Head Start and Child Care
"Only when professionals understand culturally sensitive care and are in close communication with families, can they understand how to work towards positive outcomes for children's identity, sense of belonging, and cultured competence"
-Janet Gonzales-Mena M.A.-
"Once we considered education a public expense; we know now that it is a public investment"
- Lyndon B. Johnson-
The Passion for Early Childhood: Five Professionals
"I have a passion to create a just and safe world for children"
- Lousie Derman-Sparks-
"We as professionals in the Early Childhood field have the opportunity to shape a child's life"
- Sandy Escobida-
"There is more to life than whats in a child's neighborhood"
- Raymond Hernandez MS. ED-
"It's not all about you; you have to let your ego go and think what is best for the child"
- Renatta M. Cooper-
"My passion is to bring ideas and passion into policy and influence research"
- Leticia Lara LCSW-
Additional Quotes
"All human beings are born with unique gifts; the healthy functioning of our community depends on its capacity to develop each gift"
-Peter Senge-
"Its not who you attend school with but who controls the school you attend"
-Nick Gioranne-
"Learning is a matter of intensity not elapsed time"
-Tom Peters-
"What we want to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child"
-G B Shaw-
Monday, September 26, 2011
Personal Childhood Web
Five individuals who nurtured and cared for me as a child:
1. ED (my father)
2. CAROLYN (my mother)
3. I'DA (my older sister)
4. MARY (my paternal grandmother)
5. JAMES (my paternal grandfather)
Description of each individual:
1. My father Ed is hardworking and family orientated. He influenced my life as child by instilling his values of education upon me. My father did everything in his power to provide me with the best elementary, high school, and college education. My father nurtured me by allowing me to have open communication with him whenever I needed to seek advice and guidance. My father referred to his advice as "food for thought", as the "food" was the wisdom that my father gave for my"thoughts" which was my concerns. My father's influence continues to impact my present life through the values I have for myself and the values I plan to instill upon my son. I highly value education and will instill this upon my son throughout his life.
2. My mother Carolyn is caring and giving. She influenced my life as a child by teaching me the importance of self maintenance and the duties of motherhood. My mother made sure I well groomed, had clean clothes and shoes, and received 3 meals per day. My mother nurtured me by providing me with structured home and family. She consistently made sure that the house was well kept everyone within the home ate dinner together. My mother's influence continues to impact my present life through my personal standards and parenting skills. I take great pride in maintaining my personal appearance in addition to ensuring my son has a structured family and home.
3. My older sister I'da is extroverted, determined, and motivating. She influenced my life as a child by taking on the role of my "second mother". My sister providing an open relationship between she and myself which provided me the opportunity to seek advice in her with concerns I had that I was unable to discuss with my parents. My sister nurtured me by providing me with guidance and support regardless of the circumstance. My sister's influence continues to impact my present life through my relationships with family and friends. I often try to have open unbiased communication with family and friends should they seek advice in me.
4. My maternal grandmother Mary is spiritual, nurturing, and caring. She influenced my life as a child by introducing me into Christianity and the church. As a child I would spend the weekend at my grandmother's house which typically consisted of shopping on Saturday and church service on Sunday. My grandmother would often speak to me about the importance of having God within your life and being involved in a Church community. My grandmother nurtured me by providing me with a warm and nurturing home during my weekend visits. My grandmother's influence continues to impact my present life through my spirituality. I value the importance of God and the manner in which he works within my life.
5. My paternal grandfather James is quiet, hardworking, and protective. He influenced my life as a child by teaching me to listen more and speak less. Although my grandfather typically maintained a quite demeanor he often observed his surroundings. My grandfather nurtured me by making sure I got anything I requested during my weekend visits. I remember my grandfather going to the supermarket just to buy the vanilla ice cream I requested. My grandfather's influence continues to impact my present life through my personality. I am usually referred to as the "quite sister" when comparing the personalities between my sister and I. Like my grandfather I speak less and observe more.
1. ED (my father)
2. CAROLYN (my mother)
3. I'DA (my older sister)
4. MARY (my paternal grandmother)
5. JAMES (my paternal grandfather)
Description of each individual:
1. My father Ed is hardworking and family orientated. He influenced my life as child by instilling his values of education upon me. My father did everything in his power to provide me with the best elementary, high school, and college education. My father nurtured me by allowing me to have open communication with him whenever I needed to seek advice and guidance. My father referred to his advice as "food for thought", as the "food" was the wisdom that my father gave for my"thoughts" which was my concerns. My father's influence continues to impact my present life through the values I have for myself and the values I plan to instill upon my son. I highly value education and will instill this upon my son throughout his life.
2. My mother Carolyn is caring and giving. She influenced my life as a child by teaching me the importance of self maintenance and the duties of motherhood. My mother made sure I well groomed, had clean clothes and shoes, and received 3 meals per day. My mother nurtured me by providing me with structured home and family. She consistently made sure that the house was well kept everyone within the home ate dinner together. My mother's influence continues to impact my present life through my personal standards and parenting skills. I take great pride in maintaining my personal appearance in addition to ensuring my son has a structured family and home.
3. My older sister I'da is extroverted, determined, and motivating. She influenced my life as a child by taking on the role of my "second mother". My sister providing an open relationship between she and myself which provided me the opportunity to seek advice in her with concerns I had that I was unable to discuss with my parents. My sister nurtured me by providing me with guidance and support regardless of the circumstance. My sister's influence continues to impact my present life through my relationships with family and friends. I often try to have open unbiased communication with family and friends should they seek advice in me.
4. My maternal grandmother Mary is spiritual, nurturing, and caring. She influenced my life as a child by introducing me into Christianity and the church. As a child I would spend the weekend at my grandmother's house which typically consisted of shopping on Saturday and church service on Sunday. My grandmother would often speak to me about the importance of having God within your life and being involved in a Church community. My grandmother nurtured me by providing me with a warm and nurturing home during my weekend visits. My grandmother's influence continues to impact my present life through my spirituality. I value the importance of God and the manner in which he works within my life.
5. My paternal grandfather James is quiet, hardworking, and protective. He influenced my life as a child by teaching me to listen more and speak less. Although my grandfather typically maintained a quite demeanor he often observed his surroundings. My grandfather nurtured me by making sure I got anything I requested during my weekend visits. I remember my grandfather going to the supermarket just to buy the vanilla ice cream I requested. My grandfather's influence continues to impact my present life through my personality. I am usually referred to as the "quite sister" when comparing the personalities between my sister and I. Like my grandfather I speak less and observe more.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
"The Fuel of Elijah"
My passion for the Early Childhood Field is fueled 100% by my 8th month old son Elijah. Once I held my son for the first time in my arms, I instantly knew that he would change my life forever. Prior to the announcement of my pregnancy in April of 2010 and the birth of my son in December of 2010 I was taking classes online to obtain my Master's Degree in Child Psychology. As many first time online classes I struggled with developing a routine to juggle my career and school. Once I became pregnant with my son I continued to take online classes in pursuit of my degree but began to experience new challenges due to my pregnancy such as extreme fatigue and stress. As a result I made the decision to withdrawal from the online university with the intentions to devote the next 9 months to my pregnancy, and return to online courses once my son was born. The first 6 months after having my son was a challenge with lack of sleep, higher levels of stress, and increase in demands. Returning to school was consistently placed on the "back burn" with my various excuses such as "how will i manage school and a infant?", "where will i find the time to complete school work?", and "will i still have quality time to spend with my son?". Once I stop making excuses and came up with a plan I decided to return to school and pursue my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Studies. I chose Early Childhood Studies because I enjoy watching my son develop from month to month his personality, motor skills, communication skills, and emotional skills. I wanted to pursue my degree in a field which will enable me to use the course information and skills learned to apply to my career, my son, and future children.
"A Girl Name Rose"
When I was employed as a counselor I developed a particular bond with a young teenage girl named Rose. Rose was a thirteen year old middle school student, who had unique qualities and a unique presence. I meant with Rose for our weekly scheduled counseling appoints at the public library in the town in which she lived. Rose enjoyed and anticipated our appointments as this was one of her few opportunities to express her emotional feelings, friendships, school work, extracurricular activities, and family due to the fact that she had little communication about these topics with her mother and step-father. During one of our counseling meetings in Early December of 2009, Rose asked me if I could come to her mentor breakfast that was to take place at her school. After receiving the approval from my supervisor and director, I told Rose I would be honored to attend. On the morning of the mentor breakfast I arrived at Rose's middle school, entered the cafeteria where the breakfast was to be held, and was immediately surprised by what I saw. The entire cafeteria was filled with middle school children and their mentors, most of which were the children's parents. I began to realized that the offered extended to me by Rose to attend her mentor breakfast was significantly important to her. Her follow classmates considered their mentor to be an important family member in their life such as their mother, father, older brother, or older sister. The fact that Rose chose me to attend her mentor breakfast and viewed me as mentor and important figure in her life was extremely touching to my heart.
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