Adjourning Your Team

I have learned that it is hard leaving something that you have been a part of whether your experience was good  or bad because it seems that you are leaving a piece of yourself alone with it. I have learned that when you participate in things you take ownership of it. In group activities, you apply ideas, labor and time; you get to see it grow and develop like you would if it was your child. You become concerned that it will not be the same without you or that you will feel lost and have an emptiness without it.

The feeling that I had leaving a group that I enjoyed was both in sadness and joy at the same time. I was sad that it was over and that it would no longer be a part of my norm that kept me secure, empowered, and a part of something. I would miss the interaction with people that I once dread but learned to depend on and trust knowing that they depend and trusted me too; however, I was grateful and happy that I had the opportunity to grow and learn from the experience. I could proudly stand back and gloat over our accomplishments. I made a difference when others were involved. This means we succeeded and conquered our goal.  

It is ironic that when I left a group that I did not enjoy I felt both sadness and joy but in a different manner.  I was sad because I felt a sense of failure, frustration and exiled. It made me wonder and doubt that I would be successful in being accepted among a group of my peers again; on the contrary, I felt relief from all the stress and aggravation. I was no longer going to be submitted to disorder or lack of communication. I was excited that I did not have to convince myself not to throw in the towel and give up in hopes that it would be over soon. And even when the task was completed, I did not fill a sense of accomplishment; only relieved that it was over.  I could walk away with no strings attached with hopes of almost never engaging with any of them again. 

When the group that I had been singing in for 8 years ended because a few of us was going off to college, going to serve our country and moving, I dealt with it by focusing on all the good times we had. I cried and laughed at the same time. We hugged, kissed and promised to say in touch. We had built a union that allowed all of us to experience that harmony is possible even when you’re not singing. Leaving was hard but friendship, collaboration and support will always exist. And I feel that it will be the same in regard to school.

I feel that I have built a good rapport with many of my colleagues. We have shared both knowledge and experiences that will change the way we interact and engage with our children and families.  My departure will be one of sweet bitterness knowing that I have tackled my desire to obtain more knowledge along with achieving my Master’s degree.  While having the assurance that so many families and peers will be enhanced from our collaboration of effective education, we will as a group continue our efforts to advocate productive education.   

Disagreements and Conflicts Situations

What some pie? Is all I could think after that encounter.

I am an assistant director for Head Start at two sites and I haven’t been there very long. My director is out frequently, but we have a great communication relationship. So, I am the supervisor that my staff sees everyday and report too. He had informed me of a situation between himself, a teacher and his supervisor. The teacher felt that he had favorites and that she was not being supported. And the months that I had been there before the accusation, I had not noticed it; however, I did notice the tension between her and the other staff.  I was very new and still trying to observe everyone so that I would know what method of interaction would be productive and effective with them.

 In one of my interactions with this particular teacher, she approached me to tell me of her years of experiences and Bachelors qualification. I commended her on her accomplishments. She shared with me the recent changes that the agency had experienced from one company to another and how she was making a certain amount but lost a few dollars when the change occurred. She continued to inform me how all the new hired staff that was being hired through the agency was being paid much lower than her. Then she slightly offended me by asking me how much were they paying me in that position followed by “I hope that I’m not offending you” and to be honest I was offended. I replied; “I didn’t take this position for the pay. I took this position because I have always wanted to extend my ability to provide the best possibilities for the families and children that we serve in both educator and in their lives.” Quickly my sarcasm kicked in and I replied; “To be honest my husband is a truck driver and his income takes care of the household; Mine is extra” with a smile. I removed myself from the conversation after that.

What just happen?

I know that I responded to quickly and in a negative way. It just caught me off guard. I felt like I was being interrogated and belittled at the same time. She seemed to have wanted me to know that even though I was her supervisor she had more experience and pay than I did. So many things were going on in my head. Did she apply for the position? Why did she need to know how much they were paying me? How could she tell me that she probably had more experience in teaching than she did? At the time, I needed to get her off me.

 One positive thing I know I did was not to engage in the comparing of experience, education and pay scale. I am fully confident in my years of effective teaching strategies, am reaching for the Master degree and am financially stable. And to be honest, I am very supportive and professional of her needs as a teacher but I do limit my conversation with her to work only.

I ask you; “How would you have handled it? What would you have said?     

I

Who Am I as a Communicator?

Self evaluations are not an easy task even with something as simple as taking a test. I found myself questioning what I thought of myself during these questions. The test showed that in Communication Anxiety I scored 35 which put me in the mild level. The mild level states that sometimes I feel a little uncomfortable in some circumstances and confident in others and that I am not worried about my ability to communicate well.  My husband scored me at 30 and a co-worker scored me at 22 which placed me in the low level. Theses scores states that they feel that I display comfortable communication and confidents in most encounters. It felt good to see that they thought that I had good effective communication skills.

My score for Verbal Aggressiveness was 59 which place me in the moderate level. This level state that I show a good balance of respect for other’s perspectives and that I stick close to the issue when arguing instead of the person. My husband and co-worker both agreed with scores of 62 and 59 which ranged me in moderate level.

My results for my listening styles conveyed that all of us thought that I should be in the category of Group 1 which is considered people-oriented. But I am not sure if I totally agree. Yes, I am concerned about other’s emotions and yes, I do have great relationships with my families; however, I do not agree that it affects my ability to make good judgment because I believe in my families. I am fully aware when my families are hiding things from me. So I use other techniques to convey what they need to hear and know because at the end of the day it is their choice. I also see myself an Action-oriented person. I am very direct with my families while I show concern. I believe it is important to be both professional and compassionate with our children and families.

This experience has helped me realize that there are areas that I would like to work harder on; however, it is good to see that others see the efforts that I am making. My husband may show biases but my co-worker is strictly just someone that I engage with professionally. Now I have an idea of what direction I need to go to meet greater expectations.

Communicating Through Diversity

I have learned so much during this transition of moving from Tennessee to San Antonio within these last two years. I had never been exposed to such a large Hispanic culture before. I have had to learn and adjust to various aspects of my tradition and their tradition. At first it was very difficult but I was determined to not allow myself to be defended by diversity. And I realized that it was affecting my ability to communicate with my children and families; so, I put myself in the position to challenge myself. I decided to look at this experience through the eyes of a young child trying to see how I fit in it. It has been enlightening.

I have learned that communication is not just speaking words. It is understanding the culture, beliefs and perceptions of the person you are speaking too. There are things that I have said in Tennessee that was ok but they are offensive in Texas. I have learned that the Hispanic culture talk and express with their hands which involves touching to ward off their belief of curses; on the contrary, in Tennessee to much touching is a violation of personal space and respect unless you have been given permission to touch. I am still learning so much and I enjoy it.

I think of myself as a dual learner of language, culture, traditions and beliefs which in turns makes me a dual communicator. Now it is hard to switch from one culture to the other. I don’t know much but what I do know I use it as often as I can. I share with my husband things that I learn. My husband laughs when I tell him to come here in Spanish or I ask him how he is doing. He just smiles and responds. Most of the time, I don’t realize I said it in Spanish. Soon he will be speaking it too.

My three goals would be to learn more Spanish so that I can communicate with them in their language and promote their ability to learn English, ensure that I am other oriented so that I will be supportive of their needs and effectively practice the Platinum Rule so that there will be a sense of respect between my relationships with my families.

Communication skills and styles

For this assignment I decided to watch one of my got to watch shows “Tamar & Vince”. There was one problem. How could I watch t without hearing what they were saying? I just could must that. My husband doesn’t even talk to me when that comes on because I don’t want to miss one word. So I decided to record it so that I can review it in its entirety after the assignment. Thank God for DVR’s. LOL.

My observation was very intense for me. I noticed a lot of hand gestures, rolling of the hand, expressive facial movements and total body communication. I noticed that they used just as much nonverbal communication as they actually used words; especially Tamar. I even found myself calling out her possible mood at that time. All I can say drama queen!!!! And Vince communication was totally the opposite. He did not use his body and facial gesture when he was calm and talking. He keep that same look most of the time unless he go annoyed or upset.  Vince has not distinct look that he display’s when he is listening to something that he feels is untruth or over extreme. Just from the interaction I could predict the next responds.

 

When I reviewed the show with the sound, it was still exciting but not as dramatic as I thought. I realized that Tamar is a lot of mouth; however, I learned that she is more animated with movements and gestures than words. The excited moments I anticipated were not as dramatic as I assumed. For every word she made there were at least 5 moments. I noticed that her tone was always high and it was high.  Vince also surprised me. There were times that I thought from his blank look and calmness that he was being passive and allowing her to lead; on the contrary, That look meant “I don’t want to hear no more. That’s it!”.

This was a great assignment. It helped me realized that gestures, body movements and facial expression does not always convey the situation. Sometimes it takes a little more interaction to determine the state of the circumstances before you. When have to experience that whole package to get a clearer understanding.

My Favorite Communicators

I grew up during a time in my culture that it was a tradition to think that “children were better off seen and not heard”; however, my grandmother did not believe in instilling that tradition with her family. She taught our family that communication, support and togetherness would help our families succeed in majority of our endeavors. My home was a family home where my grandparents, parents, siblings, uncle, aunts, cousins and extended family members lived together and it took a lot of teamwork to learn to respect each other;  communication was the key.  

I loved the way our family took on efforts to complete tasks as a group. It provided ample times for use to talk with each other or interact with each other without using words; however, messages between us were commuted. Something as simple as cleaning the house was fascinating and engaging. We got up early on Saturday mornings to loud playing music to motivate us to accomplish our tasks. We sang and danced while one group cooked breakfast and the others cleaned every room in the house. It was so much fun. I still remember most of those songs and I continue that tradition with my family today. Then we would sit and eat together. All the children eat in the den and the adult at the dining room table.

My family believed in expressing themselves and showing emotions. I grew up in a home where it was ok to ask question and talk when adults were talking. There were several times in the day that they would sit in the dining area or den and talk about what was going on at school, in the community and with their personal life and they would include all of us regardless of the age. There was never a dumb question but occasionally we would get laughed at or teased; however, our question never went unanswered. My family believed in giving hugs, kisses and words of that expressed love.  It was a challenge to leave for school without giving hugs, kisses, or high fives to start our day. There were times that I wanted it and needed the encouragement and times that I didn’t but I gave it because it may be a day that they needed it to have a great day.

 All of this happened because my grandmother understands the value of communication and she wanted to help us learn how to exchange thoughts and ideals to enhance our lives and the lives of others. I continued that tradition with my family and it helps me and them understand each other’s feelings and understanding. It also helps me as an Educator when I listen to the children and their families. I come to them with an open mind; ready to collaborate with them to complete a goal.

Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope that I can make such a positive and beneficial effect on the lives of the children and families from diverse backgrounds that they will embrace who they are and have the confidence and knowledge to be proud of their diversity.

My goal is to be a successful advocate that help others understand that it is imperative that we educate our early childhood children about whom they are and how diversity is a part of them. I will reveal the inequities that exist and provide alternative solutions that will promote equity to all the children and families. And I will encourage children to learn how to interact with other with the intention of giving them respect and interacting with them to build on social justice.

I would like to thank everyone for sharing their culture with me. I have a better understanding that in our differences that we all have the desire to be more united. I feel that unity by the statements and shared desires of my colleagues and I concur that we can make a change and a difference in the world we live in if we start by intergrading awareness of diversity with our children and families. We have the power to motive, encourage, and implant a desire to work together in the minds of our children especially if they are taught to embrace diversity both their and others.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

 

Mexico

The origin of the family I choose is from Mexico. The five ways that I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards them is keep open communication with the family, support family native language, be aware of family culture and beliefs, provide resources to help family meet their goals, and involve them in make decisions about their child’s education.     

I will ensure that the family and child will be able to communicate with someone in the class from their native language. It is important to help the family and child to be able to continue to use their home language while they learn English in their effort to become dual-learners. I will learn how to greet them in their language to show that communicating with them in vital to providing the child with the best education they can receive. I will schedule home visits and parent conferences to ensure that they are able to share information or concerns with me in a private and nurturing environment.   

I will ask the family about their beliefs and culture. I will learn as much possible to ensure that I am respectful of their beliefs and culture. I will hang pictures of diversity that reflect the people and places from their previous country. I will be aware of any food restrictions or allergic reaction that the child has. I will ask for their advice on how I can implement what is important to the family into the classroom. I will put familiar objects in the class so that it will feel comfortable and I will encourage the child and family to share customs during show and tell.

I will support family by providing contacts with resources within their community that can meet personal needs. There are some many resources that can aid the family in adjusting to the changes that they have endured in the new country. I will build a solid partnership with the family that will encourage them to be active and involve in the direction of their child’s education. I will be inviting and approachable to guarantee that the family, regardless of the type of family it is, will be at ease discussing concerns or make suggestion.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I have been exposed to all types of bias, prejudice and oppression because I am an African American woman. In my move to San Antonio, I have been exposed to a new environment and the Hispanic culture. Even thought there are many mixed cultures here, I stand out more because I am Black and I look Black. When my husband and I go places, we get strange looks because we are both African American. It is common to see blacks coupled with any other race but their own; yet, there are Mexicans couples and White couples and it is ok. It is so obvious that when we see other black couples they tend to make sure we greet each other. I don’t really understand it and why it is not expected that African American’s couples would exist.

 I have also noticed that it is important to the Hispanics community that you to be aware of their culture, types of foods and beliefs; I too believe that it is important. I promote and teach families the need to hold on to your culture and language. Unfortunately, I do not get the same type of respect and have to sometime make people aware of the biases that they are presenting towards me. I am a very strong, out spoken person that respects other and demands the same gratitude or I merely remove myself from the circumstances.

I love who I am; the history of my people, the religion that I believe in and I want others to pronounce their enthusiasm. We have to be careful not to force want we believe on others and respect their choices. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

 

 



My grandma shared a story about an experience that she encountered. Before my grandfather went off the serve our country, He purchased my grandmother a brand new car. He wanted to ensure that she would be able to do what she needed to do for her and their three children on her own. Months after he had been gone my grandmother decided to apply for a few positions while the children were at school. This would give her something to do and it would give her a little extra cash for gas and other things. She managed to land a part time job as a cook. That was fine with her because she could get the kids to school, work and be on time to pick them up.

Only one week into the job one of her Caucasian co –workers saw her getting out of the car. She jokingly replied; “They must really like your cooking”. Soon after rumors was flying about my grandmother’s car.  Finally the owner came to her and asked her about the car and where did she get it from. Then he suggested that it was causing a ruckus among the other employers; he concluded by asking her to park her car a few blocks away from them and walk to work like the other workers that catch the bus. He implied that; “that kind of car (for a woman of color) makes people feel like she is better than them. And we didn’t want that.” This of course was a time when it was known that the White race was the better race and blacks were just beginning to be allowed to gain some “equal rights”.

My grandmother found a safe place she could leave the car and walked blocks to work every day. Even after others began to show their cars at work she continued her routine. She conveyed; “My husband was proud to be able to go off to serve this country. He wanted to be able to provide his children with some of the freedom and equality that he was not able to have as a child. He wanted this car to be a symbol of overcoming the stigmas that they had”. She never shared with my grandfather what had occurred though their letters because she did not what to discourage him. He died serving his country and never knew how she still had to adjust her life to protect their children.

This happened many many years before I was born and now in my adulthood we are still experiencing similar issues of so called equality. My grandmother used her experience to teach her children to not judge people by their possessions or appearance because you do not know the sacrifice that have been made for them to be where they are at that time. I see discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes daily in the interactions of others; however, I have learned to use it for motivation and enlighten. I laugh at their ignorance and model appropriate interaction with the people around me. I will not allow that to consume me or determine how I will live or be.

What we are dealing with is beyond the color of our skin.  It is a heart issue; it is deep within. Until we began to self evaluate ourselves and realize that we all have individual attributes that are greater than another’s in various areas and the ability to combine them, we will never do the great things that can truly accomplished as an people, and a nation, as a Whole.             

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

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I asked four people ages ranging from 9 to 46 what is Diversity and Culture. Here are their responses:

 

From a 9 year old SeQuoira Almond’s perspective, she replied, “Diversity? What’s that? I ain’t never heard of that. We haven’t talked about that at school or at home “.

 

From a 25 year old Antoinette Geter’s perspective, she replied that, “Diversity is a group of people with different beliefs, culture and religions. Culture is your surrounds, your family’s beliefs and traditions”.

 

From a 21 years old Jeremy Dillard’s perspective, he replied that, “Diversity is something that makes you standout or what makes you special in your own way. Culture is your history, background and things you experience growing up”.

 

From a 46 year old Antonio Harris’ perspective, he replied that, “Diversity? I don’t know what it is or how to explain it” What is it? It’s a difference in something. Culture is your up bringing.”

 

After asking this question, I realized that people don’t really address the beauty in diversity. Some may have an Ideal but they don’t apply themselves to try to learn more about it; where some others young and old don’t even know what the word means. It makes me understand why people are so offensive when it come to talking about race, culture and genders because they think they are being judged or they are afraid that they do not know as much as they think that should about themselves as an individual and themselves as a part of a group or culture.

 

It was interesting that the young adults did have an ideal of what they meant. They are actively involved with influential interactions and relationships that are being established between people of various race, cultures, religions and beliefs. They are familiar with some of the aspects of diversity and culture.

 

There is so much we all can learn from each other if we just learn to communicate and share. They world is filled with knowledge of traditions that could help save other cultures that may be facing that same issues. Diversity is boundless and cannot be characterized for any one solitary area. It is wide.

My Family Culture

It is difficult to imagine having to choose only three things to take with me after having to leave a country where my way of living was comfortable. I would have to say that the first thing I would have to take is my family photo album so that I can have something to remind me of the connection that my family and I have. The second item would be my bible so that I will have the foundation of my beliefs with me so that I could continue to read and live by what I have been raised to believe. I would also use the bible to teach my family what have been taught through the bible about our religion in the new country. The last item I would take would be my is my phone, lap top or Ipad so that I will be able to keep up with the technology that I have learned to need in order to keep up with the continual advancements in the technological world.

If I had to choose one from my list, I would definitely keep my family photo album. With great reluctant, I would give up the bible and the phone, laptop or the Ipad. It would be impossible to replace pictures of family and event of the past; however, I live my beliefs every day and can teach it from memory and the technological items are always revolving to something advance and can be replaced. It is uncomplicated to decide what to leave behind when you have to choose against something that you are passionate about.

Again his exercise has confirmed my pervious statement that I am family and family is me. I can move from one side of the world to the other and adjust but being separated from my family would feel like a catastrophe to me. I can build a new home and learn how to exist in my new home. I can learn to understand and respect the ways of my new home while I introduce to them our ways. I know like everything else it will take time and dedication before I truly feel like it is my home but I will get there. But my family is not easily replaced so I will take every means necessary to keep us together and bonded like welded steel.

When I Think of Research...

I have a deeper respect for those who do research. I use to say that they can make suggestion but can they implement it. I have learned through this study of research and my personal simulation that conducting research requires a lot of work. The researcher has to do a lot of preparation before beginning the study. They have to get their hands dirty by getting involved looking at every aspect of the study and present it so that it may help other to have a better understanding of the subject. To me it’s like getting ready to start a new year with a new group of children and families. You have to gather all the tools to accomplish the goals you have set for your children while keeping in mind that you will have to modify you plans and tools to best fit the needs of the children. You have to teach so that the children will comprehend and learn what you have intended and more or you have to revamp your plans and create new ones. In research I have learned that sometimes research has to be combined and modified in order to meet the need to validate the study.

In my difficult and frustrating simulation, I learned that putting my thoughts of how I might conduct my research, the participants that I will have and the assessment tools I will use in writing was harder than I could ever imagine. I needed to be specific and clear enough for others to follow with great details on how I will implement the study. I knew how I wanted do my study but following research guidelines and methods made it complex. One of my problems I faced dealt with ethics. My study addressed children managing fear at home compared to at school. I had to ensure that children would not be put in any harm or risks beyond the norm. So I have to be honest that when we study issues of children dealing with fear, child abuse or any aggressive behavior study it is a possibility and lines may be crossed. So I had to try to find ways to prevent this possibility in the study. I am not sure that I did that and would be afraid to study it for real.

Research Around the World

I explored the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA portal. In my investigation of this portal I found a research lead by a student name Abeba Habtom in Eritrea Africa about the importance of parent involvement. I have a lot of passion for this subject and I see firsthand what a difference parent involvement and enrichment can make in the life and education of children. The study began at the University of in 1974 and is restudied under Habtom in 2004; however, its findings is just as significant today if not more than it was during that time. The study was named; “Improving the Quality of Childcare Through Parenting Enrichment and Training of Trainers: The Eritrean Model”. Abeba Habtom wanted to advocate; “the importance of the Parenting Enrichment initiative to the Eritrea Integrated Early Childhood Development Project and the country at large” (Abeba Habtom, 2004). Research that helps others understand the vitality of interaction between children and adults is so valuable and its effect is even more spectacular with lifelong effects.

I observed from exploring these portals and websites that for year’s researchers through their study have been trying to help make people aware of the need that children have to gain proper support and to improve their ability to learn and integrate into the world. Study gives us guidance and knowledge so that we can improve our present practices. I never viewed research in the manor that I have learn to appreciate it in today; even though, the whole process of research is still not as clear to me as I would like.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

The Highscope Foundation has dedicated years of research towards active learning and how it affects early childhood children and in their learning ability. My child had difficulties at an early age of being able to concentrate, comprehend and show real proof that he was learning in a directive structured environment. The Headstart program that I enrolled him in only followed certain components of the Highscope curriculum and findings from their research. Many educators had doubts and the research was fairly new; however I began to see so much growth in my child that I started practicing it at home alone with Highscope steps to conflict resolution. I never thought my child would be able to learn the things he was learning without the aid of medication.

Today I see evidence of great progress that Highscope research and techniques had made on the children I serve. The children are learning so much because I implement Highscope proven research in my class that through play and active learning children advance more than they did when I taught from my non-interest motivated lesson plans and teacher controlled experiences. I realized now that researching their hypothesis had to include exposing children in both environments in order to validate their beliefs. Research may cause some negative inconvenience to children but the results can cause great influences on children for the rest of their lives.
http://www.highscope.org/

Your Personal Research Journey

“How do young children learn, grow and develop?” Is the topic I chose select. This is a subject during my quest to obtain my masters that has been enlightened to my pervious knowledge of how I thought children learn. It has been electrifying to learn how everything is connected and how children need a balance in their life early so that they will be able to fight the obstacles they will face. Finding subtopics is not had for this subject because it takes so many factors to help children learn, grow and develop but figuring out which method of research to use is going to be my challenge.
Deductive research methodology seems to look easy; however, the hypothesis is not going to easy to write. I am not sure if I will become to truly understand research enough to become a researcher; nevertheless, I will give it my best. Which method of research seems to interest you the most?

Final Blog Assignment

I would have loved to have had the opportunity to interact or conversant with an Educator form another part of the world; unfortunately, I had not response. I was blessed by the acquired great information from the alternate resources made available through the class. There were stories that made me cry from the continual suffering of children in poverty, stories that showed improvement and progress of conditions of health and education provided for children and there were so many stories about programs and advocates that are sponsoring awareness to diminish the suffering and issues children are enduring and proof of the steps that have set in place to improve issues.

We need to make people aware of the issues we are facing so that together in our partnerships we can eliminate most of the issues we face. There is always someone that has been through it before you and can give you so suggestion.  Communication is the key!! My grandmother’s favorite quote is; “You have not because you ask not” and I lived and gained so much because I learned to ask. Sometimes we have to put our pride to the side and do what is best for those around us; especially the children. So when I reflect back to what I knew before the class and what I know now, I am willing to fight more, ask more, and communicate more for the children in my community and work harder to build relationships with other interties to meet the needs of my children. Thanks to my colleges for sharing what you have gained. We have enlightened each other and supported each other in our endeavor to gain knowledge. I pray that you all reach, modify to enhance and expand on your goals and the goals for the families you serve.      

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

On the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage, I found an article called “Quality” that addressed quality and how it refers to our children from the perspective of the ECCE work force. Children desires to have an early opportunity to be exposed to interaction with their peers and teacher as early as possible but these experience should not only repair them for kindergarten but it should provide them with the necessary skills to be able be productive in their new environment. Teaching method guides are not written in stone with step by step instruction.  The article suggest that; “There are no universally agreed criteria for quantifying ECCE quality but useful factors to consider include pedagogy materials, personnel training, service setting and parental education and involvement. Learning materials should be quantitatively, culturally and developmentally adequate and focus on child-centred interaction”. It requires dedication, collaboration and determination to promote the learning environments our children desire and need.

  

Sharing Resources

Let’s Get Children Outside with Nature-Based Education!

Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children was figured on the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education sharing with others all the wonderful things children are learning through their interaction with nature. This program gets children away for those electric devices that are consuming their physical activities and get them down right dirty in the middle of exploring, discovering and learning while physical challenging them to be active. The program has, “27 nature-based activities correlated to the Head Start Domains and NAEYC Standards with easily digestible background information, Growing Up WILD provides educators with the knowledge and skills to comfortably teach nature-based education that includes math, science inquiry, literacy as well as music and movement”.

Even though this subject is not correlated to our class discussions I felt that it is good to know that our children are being exposed to outdoor activities that stimulates both cognitive and physical development. 

View it on the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education website @ http://www.naecte.org/docs/Summer%202012%20eLetter.pdf

The Children of Zambian

Health and Education plays hand in hand. Children must have a balance.

I was intrigued with an article on the Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website. It was titled Zambian Early Childhood Development Project. There has been so many health issues and death for children in their country that there has never been a study or measuring tool for children learning and developmental growth in sub-Saharan African. They got it off its feet in May of 2010. They called it Zambian Child Assessment Test (ZamCat). It would help them to be able to understand and improve child development and to be able to identify important opportunities for intervention. And the Harvard University collaborated with a team to help them control and maintain a stable healthy, developmental appropriate and stimulating environment for children.

 

 

When you think of all the studies for the need for early childhood programs, you think that every country has some type of program in place; however, this country was fighting to save the lives of their children and families. I learned that there are children under that age of five have been dying from Malaria and HIV but with the efforts of the Zambian anti-malaria initiative the number are 30 percent lower on sickness and death and higher of educational growth. I learned that they speak 770 different languages in that region of the country. It makes me wonder if they just created an assessment tool to show the need for early childhood education; how did they previously determining how much funds would go to health and education? I glad they have one in place now.

Sharing Web Resources

I received an email invitation to Highscope end of the school year workshop. I have received invites all the time from them with wonderful subjects and trainings; however, this summer training caught my one because it is very closely related to some of the courses and class study that I have examined during obtaining my Masters with Walden. With all of the recent studies and findings it is good to see that there are research foundations that are assisting educators with the knowledge, tools and resources that gives them the ability to implement proven techniques into their classroom. It was interesting to see all the focus of Infancy, toddlers, early childhood and pre-k; even more, to see a workshop about English language learners. HighScope is an excellent source of resource for educating children; it specializes in the support of education through play experiences and exploration. I have copied a link to the website of the email. Please take a look at what they have to offer. I only listed a few that related to our studies.

This organization has always given me guidance or subject when it comes to providing me with different approaches and techniques of how to stimulate my children curiosity while promoting a balance in their education. It challenges me and continues to help me to become a better educator. Here are the topics of some of their summer workshops:

Introduction to the HighScope Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers June 18–22 or August 20–24, 2012

Promoting Language Development for English Language Learners June 18–21 or July 30–Aug 2, 2012

Promoting Academic Content in Pre-K Classrooms July 16–19 or Aug 6–9, 2012

HighScope and Early Head Start — A Perfect Match June 25–28, 2012

http://e2.ma/message/a7gfb/i54ew

After overlooking the email, I took a tour into their News and Info and under Hot topic I saw an interesting title. It stated
President's Report — Legislative Briefing, 3/21/2011. The president of Highscope, Larry Schwenhart spoke with 40 legislators early childhood educator and business leaders at their Highscope foundation to discuss early childhood in the state. Many areas of the class study were mentioned address. There was specialist that talked about the early development of the brain when exposed to education. But what stood out more to me was a statement made directly from Larry Schwenhart, he reclaimed that; “I spoke of the effects of HighScope’s Perry Preschool program in childhood and adulthood and of the enormous economic return on investment in the program — $16 for every dollar invested, which is a better return than the long-term return on the stock market before the recession” (Schwenhart, 2011)

And is that statement still true today? What can HighScope be doing that is bringing so much revenue? How can they provide guidance for other early childhood programs so that our economy and education for early childhood children can get better at the same time?

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=617

References
Schwenhart, L. (2011, March 21). President Report. Retrieved from HighScope Educational Research Foundation: http://www.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=617
　
　
　

Childhood Poverty in West Africa

I visited Save the Children website and I read and observed some heartbreaking videos and pictures concerning children in Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso Africa that are and have been having starvation issues for years. http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/emergencies/west-africa-appeal It is so sad to see children having to experience their body demonstrating because of lack of nutrition. Their bodies are under weight, deformed and shutting down because their land is experiencing a shortage of crops, clean drinking water and medicine. This is not affecting 1 or 2 million people but 18 million people in only West Africa. What is happening? Why is it so hard to provide food, water and medicine for families that are unable to provide for themselves?

Save the Children is asking for donations to aid them in their quest to reverse this disaster. They convey that, “are already reaching nearly 300,000 of the most vulnerable children and their families in west Africa with food and livelihoods support, helping prevent their situations from becoming too desperate”(Save the Children). This site provides interesting reading and related blogs to follow the crisis West Africa is dealing with. But most important they provide a link that will guide you in becoming a contributor of the Africa Appeal.

These imagines are now a part of me and will never leave my mind. I thought that children during today's times were not still experiencing the affects of poverty in such an extreme manner. I will be getting involved, becoming an advocate for Saving the Children and aiding them in their efforts to find monies and resources to help them with food, water and medicine. I hope you join me.  

The Highscope Foundation is the program that I chose to become a member of and receive newsletters and update about recent information about early childhood. Highscope provides certified trainings for teacher to ensure that they can providing children with the opportunities to make chooses, problem solve, learn from their interest and explore. Highscope developed the measuring tool called the COR that is use in early childhood classrooms around the world.  

One of the issues that are addressed in a news letter is Conflict Resolution. High scope talks about how Preschoolers are not too young to develop the skills to conflict resolution. When children are guided into learning how to express themselves and their feelings into words, they learn how to resolve situations without violence. This is only one of the great issues that Highscope support learning and active environments for teachers and children. Check them out. I believe that you will find this organization very informative.       

Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I can now understand how our families feel when they reach out for help though our educational system and do get quick results. I have email almost every educational professional on those lists and I have not heard anything yet.





But I am determined to reach someone.  I have noticed that there are phone numbers available for some of the sites but to be honesty I can’t afford to make that call. I will continue to reach out until I find someone willing to share by email ;). Having the ability to contact and discuss concerns with educators around the world would be both exciting and informative. I can't wait to get connected.  

The National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators is the site that I chose because I am an Early Childhood Teacher that is always looking for enlightening information about early childhood.  Two of the eight purposes caught my attention and it was:

To advocate for improvements in early childhood teacher education

Provide a communication network for early childhood teacher educators

Both of these purposes allow early childhood teacher around the world to share ideas and obtain vital information to help them reach their goals.

My Supports

It is needless to say that God is my lifelong greatest supporter and second is my Husband. Without either one of them, I would be lost. It has been hard letting my guards down and summiting fully to them. Most people do not express that struggles they have letting it all go for God and I know women have insecurities about trusting everything in a man; so I will be the first to say, “I Have, I Did it and It Feels Great”. Building my relationship and trust with my husband was commanded by God. I thank God I have a husband that believes in Him and fear Him enough to honor the vow we both made to each other and to God. I know that without their support my life would be in tremor. It’s hard for me to imagine living my life any differently. I enjoy knowing that I am loved, that I will be provided for and that they will ever leave my side.   

 

My children, grand parents and I have the greatest support system. We support each other when we are financially limited, in sickness and trials. They are my joy and sun shine. We can go to each other to comfort or merely to joke and laugh anytime of night and day. We provide each other with emotional and spiritual support. I can share my happiness as well as my fears without judgment. I love the fact that my grandparents raised me and built that foundation for me, then I did the same for my children and soon they will do it for their children. It is these characteristic that families need to carry on generation to generation. I am blessed to have a family that sticks together when there are so many pulling each other down.

A challenge that I never wants to face is the absent of God in my life. He is the thread that keeps my relationship with my husband, children and grandparents together. He is the reason that I have the love and passion I carry in me to be able to change the negative outcome with children in my grasp. I remember the time that I did not care for Him as I should and He still breathed life into me every day. I don’t want to go back to just existing; I want to live abundantly in His grace.