Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!
-- Dr. Seuss
This quote reminds me of children because their imaginations are so amazing! WE as adults seem to only focus on what is in front of us and around us. We don't tend to be creative unless we are around or with children. Children bring out the child in us!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Holistic Child
Working with children allows me to observe their interactions with one another, their families, their teachers, and how they learn and what they learn. Children learn at different paces and learn things faster than other things. Children are excited to learn and often times do not know that they are learning when they are learning.
Children's physical development and cognitive development should be assessed at different times throughout their childhood development. How a child perceives something, how they talk, form sentences, comprehend directions, learn new concepts, take directions, and other similar activities that allow an educator to assess their development. A child should be assessed on how they play with others, if they are able to take things apart and put them together, if they are able to jump, run, skip, climb, their balance, their timing, the way they use a ball whether it is to bouncing it, dribbling it, throwing it, and all types of outside play. Children should be able to show their fine motor and their large motor skills through these activities. All should be assessed so that caregivers and educators know that they are developing the successful way that they should be.
China does not consider academics until the child is age five. However, the children are provided with many different opportunities in the school day. They use their playground more during the day for physical and large motor skill activities. There are classrooms at schools as well as rooms with beds for naps in the afternoon. Their school day may start at 8am and end at 5pm. The children are provided with many subjects during the day including math, writing, reading, history, art, music and other subjects that the teacher sees fit. Children use manipulatives to show how they learn to count and pattern blocks. The Chinese offer quite the school day for children. America does not provide many if any schools like that.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/earlyed/read_vaughan.html
Children's physical development and cognitive development should be assessed at different times throughout their childhood development. How a child perceives something, how they talk, form sentences, comprehend directions, learn new concepts, take directions, and other similar activities that allow an educator to assess their development. A child should be assessed on how they play with others, if they are able to take things apart and put them together, if they are able to jump, run, skip, climb, their balance, their timing, the way they use a ball whether it is to bouncing it, dribbling it, throwing it, and all types of outside play. Children should be able to show their fine motor and their large motor skills through these activities. All should be assessed so that caregivers and educators know that they are developing the successful way that they should be.
China does not consider academics until the child is age five. However, the children are provided with many different opportunities in the school day. They use their playground more during the day for physical and large motor skill activities. There are classrooms at schools as well as rooms with beds for naps in the afternoon. Their school day may start at 8am and end at 5pm. The children are provided with many subjects during the day including math, writing, reading, history, art, music and other subjects that the teacher sees fit. Children use manipulatives to show how they learn to count and pattern blocks. The Chinese offer quite the school day for children. America does not provide many if any schools like that.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/earlyed/read_vaughan.html
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Hunger
When I was younger, I had a friend that grew up in a home where if they were fed dinner one night a week, they were lucky. Their only meal daily was truly their school lunch which was paid for at a reduced price. There were times when she rarely ate her lunch because she was embarrassed to eat everything on her tray. I always tried to share some of my lunch with her but she wouldn't always take it. I also knew that she didn't try a lot of foods because she rarely ate. It was very sad. However, the good news is that today she manages a makeup counter and has a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. She does whatever she has to in order to ensure that her family is fed every meal everyday. :-)
The Gonzalez family in Honduras depend on seasonal work in order to provide food for their seven children. They are only able to eat twice a day and it is the same meal every time; beans and tortillas. Clearly tortillas do not provide the necessary nutrients that the children need to grow up healthy. They need better food and nutrition but unfortunately, they don't have the option right now. If only there were enough crops and animals to provide food for every part of every nation. I know that hunger exists but I do my best not to think about it because all it does is make me sad.
http://www.worldvision.org/news.nsf/news/honduras-hunger-200904-enews
When I was younger, I had a friend that grew up in a home where if they were fed dinner one night a week, they were lucky. Their only meal daily was truly their school lunch which was paid for at a reduced price. There were times when she rarely ate her lunch because she was embarrassed to eat everything on her tray. I always tried to share some of my lunch with her but she wouldn't always take it. I also knew that she didn't try a lot of foods because she rarely ate. It was very sad. However, the good news is that today she manages a makeup counter and has a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. She does whatever she has to in order to ensure that her family is fed every meal everyday. :-)
The Gonzalez family in Honduras depend on seasonal work in order to provide food for their seven children. They are only able to eat twice a day and it is the same meal every time; beans and tortillas. Clearly tortillas do not provide the necessary nutrients that the children need to grow up healthy. They need better food and nutrition but unfortunately, they don't have the option right now. If only there were enough crops and animals to provide food for every part of every nation. I know that hunger exists but I do my best not to think about it because all it does is make me sad.
http://www.worldvision.org/news.nsf/news/honduras-hunger-200904-enews
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Nutrition in kids hits home with me every day. I may work with older children in an after school setting, but I have been around children my entire life. I have seen children that are underweight and I have seen children that are overweight. It hurts my heart when I see these children because I am positive that they are either not being fed enough or fed too much. However, I do also realize that some children just choose not to eat because they are either picky eaters or they are to interested in playing so they don't eat as much as they would normally.
I also hate when I see some of the food items that parents pack in their children's lunches. I am sorry but Oreos, Doritos, fruit snacks and a leftover piece of pizza do not constitute a great lunch for children. I am not the master at packing lunches, but what happened to a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, an apple or banana, carrots or celery and a yogurt. I understand that no child wants all healthy stuff so I would throw in a small bag of chips or 2 cookies. That at least helps children as they grow to make better choices when eating out and while snacking at home.
Another aspect of nutrition among children that bothers me are the school lunches. A chocolate chip waffle with syrup does not cover all of the food groups. We, as a country, complain about child obesity, yet we do not provide nutritional lunches or enough physical activity because reading and writing are more important than the health of our children. You can't tell me that 20 mins a day of physical activity is that hard to incorporate into curriculum.
Nutrition around the world is always a debate because there are so many countries that are poor and do not have the resources that the United States does. However, many of the countries that are poorer economically, do have a very large amount of land that they can use to provide fruits and veggies throughout the country. However, the price of these crops doesn't always allow for families to afford the food that they need. Then where there seems to be enough money, people still eat poorly by eating junk, too little or too much.
Nutrition is always a hot topic for me because I do work with children everyday and I always cringe at what I see my children eating. I wish that I could pack their lunch or provide the school lunch for them because I am appalled at what constitutes a lunch these days. Nutrition isn't a part of the curriculum anymore either which doesn't help teach the children at least an iota of education regarding nutrition.
www.economist.com
I also hate when I see some of the food items that parents pack in their children's lunches. I am sorry but Oreos, Doritos, fruit snacks and a leftover piece of pizza do not constitute a great lunch for children. I am not the master at packing lunches, but what happened to a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, an apple or banana, carrots or celery and a yogurt. I understand that no child wants all healthy stuff so I would throw in a small bag of chips or 2 cookies. That at least helps children as they grow to make better choices when eating out and while snacking at home.
Another aspect of nutrition among children that bothers me are the school lunches. A chocolate chip waffle with syrup does not cover all of the food groups. We, as a country, complain about child obesity, yet we do not provide nutritional lunches or enough physical activity because reading and writing are more important than the health of our children. You can't tell me that 20 mins a day of physical activity is that hard to incorporate into curriculum.
Nutrition around the world is always a debate because there are so many countries that are poor and do not have the resources that the United States does. However, many of the countries that are poorer economically, do have a very large amount of land that they can use to provide fruits and veggies throughout the country. However, the price of these crops doesn't always allow for families to afford the food that they need. Then where there seems to be enough money, people still eat poorly by eating junk, too little or too much.
Nutrition is always a hot topic for me because I do work with children everyday and I always cringe at what I see my children eating. I wish that I could pack their lunch or provide the school lunch for them because I am appalled at what constitutes a lunch these days. Nutrition isn't a part of the curriculum anymore either which doesn't help teach the children at least an iota of education regarding nutrition.
www.economist.com
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Birthing Around the World
I myself have never given birth. I have also never experienced the birth of a family member or someone close to me. However, I am pregnant and will be experiencing birth in February. We are so excited and cannot wait to meet our son!
In high school, I did do a career shadowing project with a labor and delivery nurse. I was able to experience the birth of a little boy. There was a woman in excruciating pain and she was throwing up and everything but once her son was out and she was holding him you could tell that the pain and the sickness were a distant memory for her. It was amazing to watch and I will never forget it.
In South Africa, women are horribly afraid of giving birth. They are expected to watch another woman give birth in order to face their fears. After birth, the mother is to be secluded to her hut until the bleeding stops and the placenta and cord is buried. It is said that the mother bites the cord and placenta is buried so that it is returned to mother earth. After that the mother waits for her child to urinate and pass a stool before the child is introduced to the village outside of the hut.
I learned that birthing in South Africa is something that I would not be interested in doing. However, I believe that if I was born and raised in South Africa, I wouldn't know any differently and would very easily participate in the birthing rituals performed there. I can't wait to give birth in a hospital with doctors to take care of me and the baby and be my support system if something goes wrong.
In high school, I did do a career shadowing project with a labor and delivery nurse. I was able to experience the birth of a little boy. There was a woman in excruciating pain and she was throwing up and everything but once her son was out and she was holding him you could tell that the pain and the sickness were a distant memory for her. It was amazing to watch and I will never forget it.
In South Africa, women are horribly afraid of giving birth. They are expected to watch another woman give birth in order to face their fears. After birth, the mother is to be secluded to her hut until the bleeding stops and the placenta and cord is buried. It is said that the mother bites the cord and placenta is buried so that it is returned to mother earth. After that the mother waits for her child to urinate and pass a stool before the child is introduced to the village outside of the hut.
I learned that birthing in South Africa is something that I would not be interested in doing. However, I believe that if I was born and raised in South Africa, I wouldn't know any differently and would very easily participate in the birthing rituals performed there. I can't wait to give birth in a hospital with doctors to take care of me and the baby and be my support system if something goes wrong.
Littlejohn, M. (2010-2013, November 2). Spiritual
Birth. Retrieved from Spiritual Birth: The Spiritual Art of Birth:
www.spiritualbirth.net
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Course Resource Page:
- 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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.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.
- Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
- Websites:
- World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. - 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/ - 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
- Extra Resources:
- www.calsac.org
- www.helpkidzlearn.com
- www.smartkidswithld.com
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Personal Childhood Web
My mom definitely cared for me when I was younger. She awent to school and worked full time but was always there for me to help with homework. She paid for me to attend dance classes and made it possible for me to go to birthday parties and friends houses. She also threw me the best birthday parties.
My dad was amazing while I was growing up. He coached my soccer team for years. He was always there for advice and bonding time. He and I would watch football together and spend quality time while my mom was attending school.
My grandma is still in my life today. She used to pick me up from school and take me to her house to do fun activities. I would go swimming in her pool. She would allow me to have friends over. She always had crafts and games for me to play with her.
My grandma was an amazing woman. She always took me school shopping and allowed me to have friends over to swim. She always wanted to go out to eat and buy me whatever I wanted. She supported me going to community college and was willing to help with anything she could.
My grandpa worked for many years but always found the time to come to my dance events. He was so proud of my tap dancing. He loved every minute and never thought twice about not having a grandson.
Their love and support today has been the push to go back to school. Without a support system, I may have never considered going to back to school because I have never been much of a school person. I have learned how to be supportive of others. I have learned how to care for others more than myself at times. My family has always put me first and I want to put my children first as well.
I am still creating memories with my dad every time I am with him. One of my favorite memories with him was actually last year. We went to Pittsburgh and went to a Steelers game. Best day ever! My mom and like to go shopping and spend time going to lunch. My grandma and I like to watch movies together and do puzzles together. My grandparents that have passed away gave me memories all the time. We would go miniature golfing, bowling, fishing, to the movies. They would always take me to do stuff rather than sitting in front of a television.
My dad was amazing while I was growing up. He coached my soccer team for years. He was always there for advice and bonding time. He and I would watch football together and spend quality time while my mom was attending school.
My grandma is still in my life today. She used to pick me up from school and take me to her house to do fun activities. I would go swimming in her pool. She would allow me to have friends over. She always had crafts and games for me to play with her.
My grandma was an amazing woman. She always took me school shopping and allowed me to have friends over to swim. She always wanted to go out to eat and buy me whatever I wanted. She supported me going to community college and was willing to help with anything she could.
My grandpa worked for many years but always found the time to come to my dance events. He was so proud of my tap dancing. He loved every minute and never thought twice about not having a grandson.
Their love and support today has been the push to go back to school. Without a support system, I may have never considered going to back to school because I have never been much of a school person. I have learned how to be supportive of others. I have learned how to care for others more than myself at times. My family has always put me first and I want to put my children first as well.
I am still creating memories with my dad every time I am with him. One of my favorite memories with him was actually last year. We went to Pittsburgh and went to a Steelers game. Best day ever! My mom and like to go shopping and spend time going to lunch. My grandma and I like to watch movies together and do puzzles together. My grandparents that have passed away gave me memories all the time. We would go miniature golfing, bowling, fishing, to the movies. They would always take me to do stuff rather than sitting in front of a television.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Working with Children
Working with children has allowed me so many opportunities to learn things about myself. I have learned patience, love, how to be caring, and appreciation. Over the years, I have heard many stories from the children that I work with as well. They tell me stories about their weekend adventures, what they did for their birthday parties, stories about their families and many others. However, just recently, a girl started in my program that really touched my heart. She was sexually abused by her biological father until she was 6 years old and removed from her home. She has no self esteem because she thinks she looks like her father. She suffers from PTSD and cusses and talks explicitly about sex. I have to remember what she has been through while remembering as well that she needs time to adjust and make new friends. I cannot believe that she wasn't removed from her home until 6 years of age. It makes me sick to think about it. Thank goodness she has parents now that have adopted her and love her and want to give her a good life. My heart just goes out to her because I will never understand what she went through and how she is feeling.
I love the book, Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman. It shows children that everyone has a mother but that it doesn't always have to be the normal mommy that you think it is. Sometimes kids have grandparents that take care of them. Sometimes children are adopted. Sometimes children are living with other relatives. It shows that children have friends and others that care about them.
I love the book, Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman. It shows children that everyone has a mother but that it doesn't always have to be the normal mommy that you think it is. Sometimes kids have grandparents that take care of them. Sometimes children are adopted. Sometimes children are living with other relatives. It shows that children have friends and others that care about them.
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