Words of Inspiration and Motivation wk 4

• Blog Assignment: Words of Inspiration and Motivation wk 4
  
  
  
  
  
  “What we’re trying to do—instead of people getting something for nothing, we’re going to try to fit them where they can take care of themselves. . . . That’s our program. We don’t want them to get something for nothing. We want to get them where they can carry their own weight”
   Lyndon B. Johnson to Treasury Secretary Robert Anderson retrieved from 
  http://presidentialrecordings.rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/essays?series=WarOnPoverty
  
  
  
  
  
  President Johnson announcing his “War on Poverty”
  http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=1589660&m=1589785
  
  
  "Children growing up in deprived households do less well in terms of life chances, in educational attainment, wages, employment rates and other social outcomes in adulthood. Child poverty is also being shown to be crucially linked to the inter-generational transmission of poverty, and its perpetuation. Any long term efforts to tackle poverty and inequality need effective action to break child poverty"

  http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/media_3372.html

  
  
  
  
  "The six most important words: I admit I made a mistake.
  The five most important words: You did a good job.
  The four most important words: What is YOUR opinion?
  The three most important words: If you please.
  The two most important words: Thank You. The one most important word: We.
  The least important word: I."
  Anonymous

Growing Your Collection of Resources

• 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, fromhttp://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.
• 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
• Websites:
• • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP's mission.
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week's Application assignment.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• 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/

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to "How Do I...?", select "Tips for Specific Formats and Resources," and then "e-journals" to find this search interface.)

• 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

• Driscoll, Amy & Nagel, Nancy. (2005). Early Childhood Education Birth-8:The World of Children, Families, and Educators. Boston. Pearson
• 
  
• Morrow, Mandel Lesley. (2009). Literacy Development in the Early Years: Helping Children read and Write. Boston. Pearson
• www.preschoolfirst.com
• 
  

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc

Personal Childhood Web

There are very few people in my life that I feel nurtured and cared for me as a child. For this assignment I do not have five. I have one. This is a picture of my grandmother. She was 19 years old in this picture. She was a huge part of my life. She was my life line. She was always there when I needed some one to put me in my place and tell me how it really is.I did not live with her but knew that she was just a phone call away. I remember walking into Sears with her holding my hand. She made me feel safe, secure and beyond loved. She has been gone or 3 years and they have been 3 very hard years. I grandmother taught me how to treat people. She taught me how to stand up for myself. And with her teaching me that, I had taught my own children how to stand up for themselves. I also carry this over into the children I teach.

I remember the first time I ever heard my grandma say a bad word. I was shocked but laughed so hard. In her living room, there is  picture of a lake in Rome, New York where we are originally from. Anyways, this picture had a light on it. Every time I stayed the night there I knew that if the light was on that she was in her room and if it was off that she was laying on the couch. When I cleaned my grandma and grandpas house this past Saturday I stood there staring at that picture. I asked my grandpa if I could turn it on. I needed it on so I could feel her there. I was given her engagement ring when she passed away. It will be given to one of my children. I have so many memories I could write a book. 

As I have gotten older I can say that I can add more to the list that make me feel nurtured. 

God shows me every day that I am loved and special. Though he does not always give me what I want, he gives me what I need.

These are two of the most important people in my world. They are my two bestestest friends. They help me and my children in ways that can never be appreciated enough. They are always there when I need any thing. They remind me that I am a great mom and a wonderful person when I forget. 

My last is my small group and church. My church family has been so special to me. They helped me through the passing of my grandma. They provided meals for my family after I had to have surgery. They are just there for me. I may not have a close blood family, but I have a close church family.
 

My Blog

This is my favorite children's book. I cry every time I read it. I love getting the same reaction form reading to children. It lets me know that they get it. I remember one year I had a little girl start crying and give me the biggest hug. When her mom picked her up that day she ran up to her, cried and told her "I'll love you forever" I am sitting here tearing up just looking at the picture. I had to explain to the mom what it was about and she too started to cry. 

These are my brothers, sister and myself taken two years age. I am the runt. I even think I was standing on my toes to make me taller. I am not a picture person so they are really rare.

It has never failed that every  year there is a child in your classroom that touches your heart like no other. This year I had a little boy that just loved me to death and the feeling was mutual. My Big D as I called him would do anything to make me happy. On our last day together, he tried to drag me to his car when his mom came to pick him up. He cried all the way home. It made me one of the happiest people to get a promotion to the school he was going to. I was able to call him and tell him that he was still going to see me when he goes back to school. His mom says that she had to mark off days on a calendar for school to start because he knows that he will see me again. Mom said that when we got off the phone he was running around the house screaming "I get Ms. Stacey!" Things like this make my whole year worth it.


What fuels my passion for early childhood are those light bulb moments. you know the ones when a child just gets it. They pedal on the tricycle, they build a structure with different size blocks, they go pee in the potty for the first time. Those moments when you give a mom a card and a hug for getting her GED, when you let a mom cry one your shoulder after losing her parent. Those times when a child who has not been in your classroom for 3 years still calls you and sings Happy Birthday. That is why I do what I do!!!

Research around the world- Australia

I wanted to look into the similarities and/or differences between the Code of Ethics towards colleagues. This is what I found.
Australia

III. In relation to colleagues, I will:

Encourage my colleagues to adopt and act in accordance with this Code, and take action in the presence of unethical behaviours.

Build collaborative relationships based on trust, respect and honesty.

Acknowledge and support the personal strengths, professional experience and diversity which my colleagues bring to their work.

Make every effort to use constructive methods to manage differences of opinion in the spirit of collegiality.

Share and build knowledge, experiences and resources with my colleagues.

Collaborate with my colleagues to generate a culture of continual reflection and renewal of high quality practices in early childhood.

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/code_of_ethics/early_childhood_australias_code_of_ethics.html#part_i

United States

PRINCIPLE III: Ethical Conduct toward Professional Colleagues

The professional educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, accords just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession.

1. The professional educator does not reveal confidential information concerning colleagues unless required by law.

2. The professional educator does not willfully make false statements about a colleague or the school system.

3. The professional educator does not interfere with a colleague's freedom of choice, and works to eliminate coercion that forces educators to support actions and ideologies that violate individual professional integrity.

http://aaeteachers.org/index.php/about-us/aae-code-of-ethics

None of them are the same. 

Research that benefits children and families

If I had the funds to complete a full research project I would do it over ADD/ADHD in children and their families. My son has ADD/ADHD and ODD and even at 17 his is more severe. There are so many medications that claim to fix the problem but add other problems such as severe mood swings like depression and anger. Because of this i have taken him off all medications and we just deal with the disability itself on a minute to minute basis. I think this would help the children and the families better advocate for their child. This type of disability does not just effect the child, it effects everyone in the family and school. I also believe that it is hereditary because I have it and other family members have it down the blood line.
 

My Personal Research Journey

I have not totally decided on a topic for research. I have however narrowed it down to two topics.

• Technology in the classroom-Pros and Cons
• Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for early Childhood- Which one is best

I have chosen these two because i am no longer allowed to use technology in my classroom but I feel that my children learned so much while we did use it. As for curriculum, I do not feel that the curriculum that I am using is best and would like to find one that better suits the needs of early childhood children.

I will have to choose only one topic. Let me ask you which one you think I should do?

            

My Supports

Support! I am a very self reliant person and do not expect support and rarely ask for it. That does not mean that I do not get it. Support is being there when needed even when it is not asked of. Support can be financial, confidence and emotional.  I get emotional support from my small group at church. We tend to be a support system for each other. I know that IF and WHEN I do need help they will be there.  I also get emotional and confidence support for my two closest friends. I am there for them also. It is not a matter of  "I am here for you" but an " I will be there in 5 minutes" kind of support. Financial support is well my job, that supports me and my children. . Everyone needs support, no matter what kind it is. There is no one person who can be totally alone. I also receive support form family and friends when I was finishing my second degree. I was working full time, home schooling my 16 year old  with learning disabilities and going to school full time. I became my biggest support telling myself " I can do it". This may sound weird and not many people consider their doctor part of their support system, but recently I have. I have ADHD and in the past year, it has been really bad. I mean no focus while driving, oh butterfly, oh driving, I am here already kind of bad. My doctor has helped me get situated on a medication that has helped me tremendously. So I guess my doctor and medication are part of my support.  If I did not have these supports in my confusing life I would be in pretty bad shape. 

My connections to Play

Barbies, Who didn't play with them. I have a collection of them. I still get one every year for Christmas.  This barbie is the only one that I was not able to get. I remember my mom and her friend driving all over San Antonio and Austin looking for her. 

When I was little I had a play house like this that my daddy built for me. I would spend every moment in the house. I would even sleep in there. It had a kitchen sink, table and chair. It was my escape from the real world. About 6 years ago I went to visit my daddy and he told me that he was going to have to tear it down because of flooding and it was just old. I cried because a piece of my childhood was being taken away.

I also had a duck pond when we moved down her from New York. We had three ducks, Larry, Curly and Mo. (We loved the three Stooges) My brothers, sister and I played in the pond with the duck all the time. 

When I was a kid my grandfather used to ALWAYS tell us "Does that spell toy on it?" (Elmer V. Trull) That is how we knew we were not to touch it. Unfortunately that was said a lot when I was around which meant I could not touch anything. Another quote my mom would say is " be home as soon as the light is on" (Linda L. Springer)

Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. ~Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928


When I was younger, Play was simple. My siblings and friends ran the neighborhood with no cares or concerns. We would play hide and seek, ride bikes and just run. My parents never asked where we were, who we were with or what we did. Play was safe. When my kids were little, they were not allowed out of my sight. they could not run the neighborhood because of the people that live in it. My son, when he was 4 years old, was kidnapped by a neighbor. He was returned after a couple hours. the police were searching, the dogs came, everyone in the neighborhood was searching for him. They had just deployed a small boat by a low water crossing when Lane just strolls around the corner.  He left with the neighbor and his stepson. The man took my son without asking my permission. So that makes me even more overcautious. 

Relationship Reflection

Family is very important to me. This picture was taken in 1978. I am the one in standing in front of my Gram Gram


These friends are two of the most important people in my life besides God and my family. These two wonderful women hold me together and have been there every time I have fallen. I am the icing in the middle of the Oreo.



And of course these two crazy kids were determined to use the kayaks because I told them they could not go in the water.


Last but not least my other babies Maddi and Mudd