Early Childhood Education: WEEK 8 BLOG

Blog WEEK8 6163

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

 

I have learned a lot through this course. I now have a better understanding of how to read a research study. I also know what all needs to be presented in a research paper. I have learned about the different methods that could be used for a research paper.

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

 

Before this course when I looked at a research I would be intimated. Now since I have a better grasp of what to look for and how to right a research paper I am more confident.

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

 

Planning and designing a research paper takes a lot of dedication. I have also learned ways that I need to address ethics and other challenges that may come about during a research. I have also learned there are many different designs that can be used throughout your research.

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

 

The biggest challenge for me was being able to understand the terminology in research.  Each week we had to read and discuss 3 words and present our definition for them. This really helped me because I have a hard time understanding what the terms mean. I also had a challenge narrowing my topic down for my research paper.

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

My perception of early childhood has not been modified. I still feel that early childhood is the best profession and being able to help children is rewarding.

 I want to thank all my classmates for all your support! It has been a pleasure to interact with each and everyone on you! I look forward to our journey together J

 

 

WEEK 5 BLOG

Week 5 BLOG 6163

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

What are some of the current international research topics?

·         Childcare service committed to meeting Quality Standards

·         Quality early childhood services must remain the priority as sector examines accessibility

·         Learning and Teaching through play

It seems as the research in Australia is similar to the research here in the United States.

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

·         I found new insight when clicking on the about everyday learning. On the website once you click on the link it provides suggestions and ways to create positive learning environments. There is also a media kit that you are able to download.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

·         This website consist of many of the things that our website offers. I like that you can click on a link and find books that are offered for the public. It is all to help benefit the children. There are also magazines that are offered and learning material provided for the public.

Early Childhood Education: Week 3 BLOG 6163

Blog Week 3: RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES-UPLIFITING STORIES

 

Share a positive example of the effects research on children and or families. Provide a real-life example

During my internship I had to conduct a research on children with Type 2 diabetes and look at their diet history. I looked at children that had been on the WIC program as a child. I then took the documents that had their diet and weight history. I wanted to compare what the children ate as a child and their eating habits at that time. I found that many of the children with Type 2 diabetes had poor diets even at a young age and their BMI were high.  The research that I conducted showed that even a young age it is important to eat healthy and exercise. It will carry over later in life.

Week 2 BLOG 6163

I choose to do my research on ways to foster healthy food choices and healthy habits.  I think it is important for children to develop healthy eating habits and life style at an early age. It is not only important for their health but also children need to be healthy to learn. If we can teach our children ways to stay healthy, then we can help reduce the obesity in U.S.  This week’s application assignment has helped give me ideas on how I can implement and educate our children on healthier eating. I have also learned that many private chains are also trying to enforce healthier eating habits. There are many words that I am not familiar with in research, so making this organizational chart has helped me greatly.

 

I could use any help with research ideas or information that would guide me in my research journey. I will try to give as much feedback and help you as well

Week 8 BLOG

Blog 8: Final Blog Assignment: 6162

 

I have learned many issues that are an increasing problem in our society today.  I have enjoyed engaging in discussions with my classmates.

From the international website that I we were asked to review over the course has helped me have a better understanding of the standards in other countries. The educator’s passion for children are much like ours in the United States. I was unsuccessful in contacting another professional but one of my classmates was able to do so. I loved reading what she had to post and what the teacher she was communicating with had to say. I also learned that there is a struggle for education in all countries.  There is an issue of salary and time to prepare lessons for their children. In most countries there are standards like United States that are needed to be met.

 What I have learned is that we need to continue working on the awareness of opportunities for immigrant families and our international education programs.  Studying the issues has inspired me to continue my journey in early childhood!

WEEK 7: Getting to Know Your International Contacts- Part 3

Some new insight that I gained from the website Early Childhood Care and Education:

·         Central governments must ensure an equitable distribution of resources among different populations and especially those who live in the most disadvantaged regions. This approach aims to expand access without creating serious regional inequities. However, where there is universal provision for a certain age group while the overall enrolment in other age groups is low, this policy can create inequity.

·         Childcare and preschools in Singapore. I clicked on a link to read more about education in Singapore and this is what I read:

-Childcare centres cater to children from 2 months to 6 years and operate from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The childcare programme also includes preschool classes for 4- to 6-year-olds. Such classes do not come under the MOE’s jurisdiction; they remain within the purview of the MCDS. Preschools under the MOE are for children ages 4 to 6, with daily programmes ranging from two to four hours. Childcare fees are state-subsidised, and poor children are eligible for further financial assistance from NGOs. Preschool fees are much lower and are not state-subsidised, although financial assistance is available for poor children.

-Other countries that have separate ministries for preschool education and childcare services may also benefit from inter-ministerial collaboration

·         Africa is a priority for UNESCO and education is key to the region’s development. UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Education in Dakar and 15 field offices serving sub-Saharan Africa work to keep education high on the agenda of governments and development partners.

WEEK 6: Sharing Web Resources

 

Some outside links that I explored was the health link. It lead me to I am moving I am learning project! I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IMIL) is a proactive approach for addressing childhood obesity in Head Start children. IMIL seeks to increase daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), improve the quality of movement activities intentionally planned and facilitated by adults, and promote healthy food choices every day. It presents the goals and the objectives  of the IMIL.

 

I really like that there is a specific site that you can go to and it is birth to five funding opportunity. It is a pilot program. The pilot FOA will allow applicants to craft a proposal in one application that adopts a comprehensive birth-to-five programmatic approach. This pilot also will provide the opportunity for applicants to propose to reallocate funding between Head Start and Early Head Start based on the needs in the community.

There is a link to click on for on the road for school readiness.  They want to implement actions to take, choosing a curriculum, cultural and linguistic responsiveness, and ways to improve the program. The head start program is working with schools to promote school readiness for children.  I think that it is awesome that this program is on board to helping children from lower income be prepared for kindergarten! This is one way to eliminate these children from being on the same level as other children.

 

Some information that I found on the website is there are professional development trainings that is offered  by Headstart. They have trainings such as leadership, family engagements, and many other trainings. They also have conferences that help in the areas of communication, connectivity, parent engagement, and policy issues.

 

When exploring on the website I found that October is Head Start Awareness month.  I think it is awesome that they have awareness month. In this week’s discussion we read about a barrier being awareness of these programs that are available. This is one tool to help prevent families not being aware of their resources around them.

WEEK 5 Blog: Getting to know your International Contacts

WEEK 5 Blog: Getting to know your International Contacts

 

 

The Global Children’s Initiative has begun to build a portfolio of activities in three domains:

 •early childhood development;

•child mental health; and

 •children in crisis and conflict situations.

Global Children’s Initiative : 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

As part of its Global Children’s Initiative, the Center is launching Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância, its first major programmatic effort outside the United States. In collaboration with local experts, this project aims to use the science of child health and development to guide stronger policies and larger investments to benefit young children and their families in Brazi

 

Zambian Early Childhood Development Project

While a large number of studies have investigated the impact of early childhood experiences on children’s developmental, health, and educational outcomes in developed countries, relatively little evidence is available on early childhood development in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this knowledge gap, the Zambian Ministry of Education, the Examination Council of Zambia, UNICEF, the University of Zambia, and the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University launched the Zambian Early Childhood Development Project (ZECDP) in 2009, a collaborative effort to measure the effects of an ongoing anti-malaria initiative on children’s development in Zambia.

 

 

Sharing Web Resources: Week 4

Blog: Sharing Web Resources 6162

 ·         The section that seemed particular relevant to my current professional development would be how the HeadStart Association website provides links for ways one could help others from hunger. Examples of the Summer Feeding Program, lunch and breakfast program, snack program and many other programs that could give me better ideas of how I can provided for these children. Children must be healthy to learn and learn to be healthy!

·         Headstart is at risk of losing funding which could affect the program. As we have talked about in our class it is important for children to have a quality education during the early years of life. The Headstart program is a wonderful program for low income families to help these children become successful later in life

·         Politicians support early childhood and with this program could help many children stay on a successful path. Politicians say they want to improve early childhood programs. Also economist think that it does the economy good if you invest in early childhood education.

·         I did not realize the amount of resources and programs that are available through one program alone. We need to take advantage of the resources we have and grant money that is offered and really use it. Some people do want to spend the time to be able to receive these grants. We just got a grant through our school system for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables at snack time for our students. It takes time but there are so many resources out there to help our children with education!

Getting to Know Your International Contacts- Part I

Blog 3: Getting to Know Your International Contacts

I choose to read about China’s Poverty since I have still had no response on my connections from another country.

Some insight that I gained from the website:

·         1.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantaged conditions.  China has made major strides in reducing their poverty.

·         Rural poverty is estimated to have fallen from 250 million in 1978 to 35 million in 2000 and from 30.7 per cent of the population to 3.7 per cent according to official statistics.

·         China's transition from a centrally planned to a globalized market economy has helped reduce chronic poverty and disadvantage, but also created new forms of vulnerability and poverty.

·          The national poverty line is low by international standards, meaning that many more people live close to poverty.

·         98 per cent of children from poor urban families are accessing education, and the majority of poor families said they would not let poverty prevent their children from attending school or entering higher education.

·         I liked how China wants to provide good quality education for all children. It does not matter if the children are in poverty or not.  Much like the US we want our children to have the best education that they can. It should not matter where you come from!

You can find more information at http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/

BLOG 2: 6162

Blog2 6162

The organization I choose was National Head Start Association. The website is link

http://www.nhsa.org/

 Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in the following domains:

·             language and literacy;

·             cognition and general knowledge;

·             physical development and health;

·             social and emotional development; and

·             approaches to learning.

Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social, and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services. Head Start services are designed to be responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage

 

Issues:

 Cuts resulting from sequestration are scheduled to occur evenly across defense and non-defense programs, such as Head Start and Early Head Start. There are ongoing efforts to convince Congress to exempt defense spending from the cuts. If they are successful, all $1.2 trillion in cuts will be borne by non-defense spending. This would mean that the Head Start/Early Head Start cuts would be absolutely catastrophic—over 200,000 children lost from the program.

BLOG 6162: Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Blog 1: 6162: Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

It has been a struggle trying to contact other early childhood professionals from around the country. I sent out multiple e-mails in which some were wrong addresses and other people were not responding.  I still have yet to hear from one of the e-mails I have sent. I have a friend that teaches English over in Africa. I contacted her and asked her if she could give me 2 of her friends e-mail and let me contact them. I have sent them an e-mail and waiting to hear back from them. I really want to speak with educators from another country because I think it would be interesting to see what differences there are between our cultures and there’s.

 

 

Blog Assignment 2:

I choose to join National Head Start Association (http://nhsa.org/) because Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from age three to five and their families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children, in particular those of lower-income families. Social competence is defined as a child's everyday effectiveness in dealing with both the present environment and later responsibilities. I feel very strongly about the importance of education in children at an early age.

MY SUPPORTS

MY SUPPORTS

I have a wonderful support system around me. I work in an environment where the goal for everyone is the same…. They want what is best for the kids! We all work every day to help benefit the kids around us. My husband is also my support. When I come home and had a bad day he is always there for me and reminds me why I do what I do! Having the support I do helps create a warm, caring environment for the children. It would be extremely difficult to get through the day without the support that I have. If you don’t work as a team then it will be much harder to create a warming environment. If my support system was not in my life it would be hard for me to stay on my feet. As I have said before my husband is my number one support and if he was not there I would have a very hard time. My children are my support system because I go to work for them. I can’t wait to get home from work to see them.

I have recently moved 3 hours away from my family. I have a new job with a new support system. They have been wonderful and very supportive of me.  My husband and children are now my only support system around me.  As far as my work I have many people that have helped me make this adjustment. It is so important to have your co- workers be supportive and to help have the same goals (to advocate for our children). If I would have started a new job and not had the support that I had it would be more difficult to be positive and create an environment that  would benefit our children the most! I am very new in my job so I have needed a great deal of direction and if I did not have the support from my co workers that I have had I would have a difficult time adjusting!

Childhood Connections to Play

Childhood Connections to Play

Growing up all I did was play, play, and play some more. I remember my parents would have to make me come inside. I wanted to stay outside and play with my friends in the neighborhood all night long. It seems like when I was growing up that is all we knew to do. I hardly ever watched T.V. We were forced to use our imaginations (what children do not have to do anymore). I had the freedom to do whatever as long as I was playing! My parents loved the fact they my sister and I played outside. They encourage us to go outside and play.

Play today seems to be much different. It seems like children can not go outside and play until dark, because fear that someone may take your child. Kids want to watch T.V or play video games, that is their idea of play. It takes the freedom to explore and create games of their own.

            My vision of play for my children, I want them to really enjoy playing and be able to express themselves. I want play to be fun for them. I don’t want my children to sit on the couch all day and play video games. I want them to have an imagination and create their own games.

            Play has always been important in my life and I hope it will always continue to be. Play needs to be for children and adults!

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato

“Almost all creativity involves purposeful play.” ~ Abraham Maslow (psychologist)

Reflecting On Building Relationships EDU 6161

I choose my husband and my dad.

It is important to build relationships with other because you know that you always have someone there when you need them. To get through life you need others to help you. Rather it be adivse or someone to cry with, or laugh with. You know that person is always there for you and they know you are always there for them. My parents were always there for me. They made me who I am today. My dad always told me if I am going to do something I better give it 100% and I have always followed that.

Other people that I have positive realtionships with are my mom, sister, and my best friend Barkley.

My husband is one of the most important relationships to me. He has become my best friend. We recently moved about 3 hours from my family, so we have to depend on each other. We have two boys a 2 year old and a 5 week old. The way we maintain positive relationship is we respect each other.

My dad is another relationship that means the world to me. He is the best dad in the world. I know that I can always depend on him. We talk on the phone everyday. If I ever need advice I go to him. I think respecting each other is the key to maintaing healthy/postive relationships.

Some challenges to keeping a positive relationsip is we get busy and tend to forget to call or keep in touch. Another challenge could be difference of opinions.

In both my husband and my dad they are caring, brave and understanding.

I have taken what each of these people have given me in my life and I want to pass it to my two boys. I have a two year old and a 5 week old. I also carry it over in early childhood. I want what is best for the children and I show them compassion and that I am always there for them

Week 8 Blog

Blog Week 8: When I think of Child Development

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate”

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

-          Dr, Seuss

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

Early Childhood Education: Blog Week 6: Testing for Intelligence

Blog assignment Week 6: Testing for Intelligence

This topic has always been an issue for me. When I was in school I made really good grades and was top of my class. But if I heard the word standardized test I would panic and I never did well on this type of test. So my opinion about testing may be way different than others. I had the grades but as for a big test that determined what college I could get in or getting into grad school… I would freak out. My sister was the same way. We always joke around about our family and big standardize test. I feel that kind of testing does not define the academic level of a student. They need to look at the whole picture! From my own experience it can really affect your self esteem and put a real stress on your academic work. I understand the concept of why they use the test, but it does not need to be the only focus. They need to account many other factors besides these standardized test. As the assignment for this week states the early childhood profession needs to recognize that understanding the whole child requires a wider perspective!

When looking at Hungary it seems that they too use standardized testing as an approach to determine the academic level of a child. There school seem much similar to the US and hold teachers accountable for their children’s academic level and use a similar method. I feel that the US holds the teachers more accountable than the governemnt in Hungary. Schools do have to meet requirements that are set for them.

http://www.childresearch.net/PROJECT/ECEC/europe/hungary/report10_01.html

Blog Week 4: Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

We have learned how we can observe children and we are learning how to better understand a child’s development and ways we can encourage healthy development. Until now we have not really looked at how stressors could affect a child’s development. The assignment asked to pick a "stressor" that either you or someone you know has experienced and ho w they coped with it.

The "stressor" I choose was abandonment. There is a girl I work with that has talked to me about her father and how he abandoned her as a young child. She said until about the age of 30 she never really thought about it or realized he may have something to do with her commitment issues.  She said she has always blocked it out and until she was trying to figure out why she was so afraid of committing to a man she realized it was her father. She remembers as a little girl packing her bags and standing by the door waiting on her father to pick her up. She said she would wait for hours looking out the door. Her father never showed up. He always told her that he was coming to see her, but he never showed. She said that she remembers feeling disappointed and sad. After about a year, she said that she realized he was not coming to see her. As the years went by she soon forgot about her father although she said some days she would think about him. Her father affected her biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial domains because she felt abandonment.  As an adult she blacked out anything to do with her father and that is why she has a commitment issue. She felt that all men would leave her.  At the age of 30 she began seeing a psychiatrist and wanted to seek help. That is when it all came out and she had a better understanding of why she was the way she was. She is now married and has a little boy. I think everyday children have a father or even a mother walk out on them. They may not realize at the time how hurtful this is for the child.

Hunger in Latin America is what I choose that I wanted to learn more about. 62 million people live in extreme poverty and suffer the consequences of hunger according to the World Food Program. More than 200,000 children in Latin America under the age of five years old die from malnutrition and water-borne diseases. When you are hungry the last thing on your mind is learning.  Chronic hunger and malnutrition can cause significant health problems.  Children that are malnourished do not get enough nutrients such as iron, vitamin A and zinc in their diets.  Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness, iodine deficiency can cause mental retardation and delayed development. Iron deficiency in infancy can delay development and make older kids less active and less able to concentrate. All three domains are affected in a child’s development with hunger and malnutrition. Poverty, hunger, disease are not the only stressors in this country. Environmental pollution is another stressor. They have to worry if their water is clean that they are drinking out of and even in the houses they live in. Dirt, bugs and other pollutions are other problems that we in America may not have to worry about.  As a child worrying about theses stressors could affect their brain development as well as their social skills. They walk around in panic mode and are unable to play and live happy like a child should do!

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/hunger.html#

Child Development and Public Health: Blog assignment 2

Child Development and Public Health: Blog assignment 2

I choose Nutrition/Malnutrition because I am the school nutrition specialist. I feel that a child’s nutrition can impact their development greatly. Studies have shown the correlation of proper nutrition and a child’s academic success. This summer we are providing students with free breakfast and lunch in low income areas so that they will not be hungry. There would be so many kids that would not eat in the summer time if it was not for this program. During a child’s developing years it is so important that they  receive the proper vitamins and minerals for their brain development and their growth.  My job is to ensure that these children are receiving healthy meals while at school.

Hunger and malnutrition in Africa have been on the increase since 1960's reaching a climax in the 1980's when over 150 million people were affected by one form or another. Over 15 million are suffering from malnutrition compared to 20 years ago.  In an article I was reading about malnutrition in Africa it states that a child can have an IQ up to 15 points less than a child properly nourished.  Here is a website to check out about the malnutrition in Africa www.worldhunger.org/.../world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm .

It is so sad that so many of children are going to bed hungry. It is a growing concern for Africa, but America as well. We as America need to come together and make a difference!!

Blog 1: Birthing Experience

May 12, 2010 will be a date I will never forget. That was the birth of my first precious little boy. One of the best days of my life! It was a hard birthing experience. I had to be induced because he was getting so big. I went into the hospital on that Monday and did not have the little man until Wednesday. It was a very long process. If I did not have the support from my husband and other family members I would not have made it. I went into labor around midnight and I had my little boy at 11 am the next day. He weighed 8lbs 14oz. It was such a wonderful experience to see this precious baby come into the world that I had been caring for 9 long months. The doctors and nurses were great. I had someone there monitoring me the whole time and coaching me through every move. It was my first baby and I had no clue what I was doing!

I choose Australia to look into more about the birth.  I was surprised to see that they do not make appointments with their doctor until after 12 weeks pregnant. In the U.S it is encouraged to make an appointment as soon as you find out you are pregnant.  They have no doctors just midwives at their birth centers. They will not give epidurals. They want you to have as natural birth as possible.  If you give birth at the birth center you are to return home 24 hours after, if hospital you will be there 3 days (that is about the same length of stay as here in the US).

There is few similiarties of birth experience as far as the length of hospital stay. I had an epidural and in Australia they do not give epidurals. That in itself is very much different than my experience.

Week 8

I can not believe this class is almost over. I have learned so much from all of my classmates. I love the resource ideas that everyone has posted. I also love listening to the ideas and hear about experiences that others have had. This course has really helped and inspired me to be the best advocate I can be for these children and their families. Thank you!!

WEEK 7 CODE OF ETHICS

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/81238/CRS-CW-6488739/educ6005_readings/dec_codeofethics.pdf

NAEYC. Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment.  http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

Three ideas that were meaningful to me:

1. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestions of others.

·         In my professional life following this code of ethics will help me keep on open mind and help push me to be the best that I can be. In the end will help benefit the children the most.

2. We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal assessments to determine children’s learning styles, strengths, and challenges.

·         I have learned especially in this course that every child learns in a different way. It is so important to pay attention to how a child learns and then act on that way of learning. It will be more effective and will benefit the child the most.

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

·         I have dealt with a few issues within the school system, that teachers are not referring these high risk children (obese) to me.  They try and take the issue on themselves. They are not certified or trained to help this situation, therefore the child may not get the best help and information that he/she can.

Principals from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

P-1.1- Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children.

·         I choose this code of ethics because you see some educators use intimidation as a method of teaching. I feel it is important to love the child and show how much you care about them.

Ideals from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

I-2.1- To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.

·         It is important to include family in any learning style. If family members  are involved than the outcome will be more successful.

I-3C.1- To promote safety and healthy working conditions and policies that foster mutual respect, cooperation, collaboration, competence, well-being, confidentiality, and self-esteem in staff members.

·         This code is beneficial for me when I become School Nutrition Director. As a leader you need to serve your staff as well and praise the staff, so that they can better serve the students.

Growing Your Collection of Resources

Week 5: Reference List

Kids Learning  Activities:

www.pbskids.org

www.nickjr.com

www.abcmouse.com

www.brighthorizons.com/

www.learningplanet.com/

www.playkidsgames.com/

www.e-learningforkids.org/

Additional Resources:

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/featured.aspx  

Janet Gonzalez- Mena-Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education (5th Edition)

Encouraging Physical Development   By Carolyn Tomlin

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://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. 

Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

World Forum Foundation

http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us

World Organization for Early Childhood Education

http://www.omep-usnc.org/

Association for Childhood Education International

http://acei.org/about/

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/main/about.cfm

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//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Institute for Women’s Policy Research

http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm

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.preknow.org/

Voices for America’s Children

http://www.voices.org/

The Erikson Institute

http://www.erikson.edu/

  

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Week 4

“[P]art of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness.”

― Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care Education

We (those in  early childhood) have a unique opportunity working with children. Being in early childhood allows the opportunity to shape a child.

-Sandy Escobido, Depty Field Director

My passion comes from wanting to make a difference

-Raymond Hernandez MS Ed, Executive Director

Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.

-Marian Wright Edelman

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.

-Marian Wright Edelman

WEEK 3: PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

Dad and me

 Me, Mom, Tripp, Grandmother, Aunt

Me, Aunt, Sister

1.       Mom-  My mom was very nurturing. My mom was a teacher, so she had that nurturing characteristic about her.  I always knew that my mom was there for me. My mom would hug and kiss me everyday. She would constantly tell me how proud she was of me. I saw that my mom was hard working and she was such a wonderful mom.  I hope that I can be half the person she is. I talk to my parents everyday on the phone. I live 3 hours away from them and I miss them greatly. My mom still has a huge impact on my life. Because I look up to her, I will call her for advice about my little boy. He is going through the terrible two’s already J I too want to be the best mom.

2.       Dad- What can I say, I am a daddy’s girl!!  My dad means the world to me. He is so brave, caring, and hardworking. My dad always said to put 100% in whatever I do, and I will succeed in life. I try to continue living my life by that standard. I remember when I was little he would pray over my head when he thought I was asleep and give me a kiss on my forehead.  I have the best Dad in the world!! 

3.       Sister- I have an older sister that I have always looked up to. I wanted to be just like her. She would let me tag along with her….even when she probably did not want me around. She was a lot like Mahaley in the video presentation. She was a leader and had a positive influence in my life.  Still today we talk everyday on the phone and I ask her for advice. I try to follow my life in her footsteps because she is such a wonderful person and role model for me!

4.       Grandmother-  Grandmother’s are so loving. When I was a child I would look forward to spending the night with my grandmother. She would make me the best breakfast J My grandmother was a teacher also. She loved children. I remember her dressing up in different outfits and read books to my sister and I. She would come to my school and do the same for my class. My grandmother is a strong individual. Every Christmas she would take just me shopping and go out to eat. She called it “Karen’s” day. It made me feel so special. To this day I still look up to her because she is such a brave and strong lady.

5.       Aunt- My aunt did not have children, so my sister and I are like her own. She would go to the mall, cook, go swimming, and play outside with us. My sister and I are very close to her. She is like our second mother. She too is a teacher. I always knew my Aunt was there for me. I can remember even in high school if I needed something, she was right there for me. My aunt was at every sports game that I played and I can still hear her now cheering for me. My aunt is very special to me. She always told me that there is nothing I could not tell her. She would love me no matter what!  Because the strength and love she showed me as a child, I am a stronger person. I know I will always have her there for me!