"My Connections to Play"

adventurouschild.... "The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind." - Maria Montessori 

“Children are people, and they should have to reach to learn about things, to understand things, just as adults have to reach if they want to grow in mental stature. Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. Most things are good, and they are the strongest things; but there are evil things too, and you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality. The important thing is to teach a child that good can always triumph over evil.”
― Walt Disney Company 

When we were children our mother played with us all the time. I recall her racing with us, playing baseball, football, tennis, and volley ball. I enjoyed my childhood because my mother was young in heart and loved to do wonderful things with us. I also remembered the tea parties as a little girl my mother and I had together. Also we cooked cookies, potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, candy, garlic bread, and  taught us how to play with old maid cards and Candy Land, Sorry along with Monopoly.

My father was a good dad and adored him with all my love. My daddy use to teach us how to be true friends to each other and other people, how to fight and protect ourselves from others, shake hands, cook, mop, sweep, drive lawn mowers, and play cards. I reflect on the time my daddy taught me how to real cards because my oldest sister loved to cheat therefore he showed me spade card was worth the highest point and how to win, which I started winning all the time.

Play time has changed tremedously from yesterday when I was child. Children yesterday played games as following jacks, marbles, hop scotch, lemon twist, hula hoop, hide and go see, Simon said, jump rope, footie, twister, uno, and teacher. In addition, we played with Barbie and Ken dolls especially, baby dolls, easy maker, bikes, and tricycles. And children today play with bikes, computers, ipads, phones, texts, tag, football, Xbox, play station 3 and 4, nba 2k  14, and nba 2k 12 and other electronic games.

Relationship Reflection

November 9, 2011

As I reflect back on my childhood I realize now had it not been for the positive relationships and partnerships all of my siblings and I had we would not be as successful as we are today. These relationships and partnerships in my family allowed all of us to rear our own children in the similar ways: love, nurture, gentle, and affection. It is the most essential tool children need to get that edge needed to compete, strive, and accomplish their goals.I always remember my daddy telling me that you can be whatever you want to come. All of my siblings believed that and still do. Also all other relationships depend on family positive relationship.Children will grow healthy and maintain a positive relationship with spouse, friends, children, and friends. Even my uncles, aunts, and teachers had healthy relationships with us to succeed. 

The first person that contributes to my constant positive development is my oldest sister Cathy. Cathy, is not only my blood sibling but more than that by being my sister in Christ. Therefore she knows when I am feeling low and need to be encouraged. She knows just what to say at the right time. I also believe this could be because she was always strong, take charge, smart, and left in charge when our oldest brother was not around. Therefore she has taken the role on since my father is dead, older brother, and mother is bed ridden. We have to have someone to lend on and depend on therefore she is that person. She has kept our family together by possessing these characteristics and as the cook for family functions.

The second person that contributes to my ongoing positive relationship is my sister Constance who is three years younger than I. She is one of those sisters who believes you can accomplish anything in life you set your heart and mind to do. When I feel as though I want to give up in school she constantly encourages me that we all are smart just like our mother and you can do this. She believes no matter how long it takes, it is worth it, and her favor words if you don't die, you will need  this education. 

The third person I believe has a positive influence in my life is my baby sister Jackie. Jackie some how knows when I am feeling bad or someone has mistreated me and yes, the baby sister steps in and see is there anything she can do to resolve the problem. Furthermore she will text or call me with a uplifting word and even may say let us go shopping or even the fair. This means a lot to me.

The fourth person in my life is my pastor Elder Malcom Johnson. He reminds me of my father and just don't care about my spiritual soul but my nature soul. He was the person that told me to go back to school and close that chapter in my life and once I finish my undergraduate degree go right on and get my master. He always instilling in me things that will help me to succeed in my life at this age. Also I once taught the youth in church and this allowed me that my personal life can help motivated them to succeed in their life.

The fifth persons in my life help to maintain my goals is my nephew and daughter Michelle and Justin. Justin and Michelle, always remind me when I am having a tough time in school to pray and read my word. This allows me to know that God is with me and will lead me in all the positive ways. Also this reminds me of my two favor scriptures  Philipans 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" and Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

These relationships have taught me how to love children and be caring for each one in their on special way. I realized that all children can learn one thing regardless of their special need. It has taught me also that children are the most precious jewel one can invest their dividends. My mother was an educator and believe children were what you "called them". Even though they came from low-socioecomonic status my mother believed you should invested more in that child because you did not want him turned out like his enviornment.

In conclusion I have learned from all of my relationships children need someone that cares and show that child to believe in themselves. Children loves their teachers and want to be just like them. Therefore I realize how I treat that child will have a positive or negative effect on him the rest of his natural life. Teachers can break or make a child therefore before we say or do anything to that child we should think about the consequences. I recall a teacher asked my son what did he have in his head "Bricks inside your head for Brains"? Now what is that to say to an eight year old child, but had not I known this was not a positive thing to say, I would have not handled that in a positive manner. I reinforced in him that's not true and you are a very smart little boy and become whatever you want in life. My parents had taught all of us to know without a shadow of doubt you can be whatever you want in life. Therefore as a preschool teacher I must make sure my children know they can do all things regardless what obstacles come in their way.

QUOTES ABOUT CHILDREN

October 26, 2013

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.  – Haim Ginott

“If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn.”

- Unknow

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.”

- Stacia Tauscher

 

“Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.”

- George Evan

 

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

“You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

- Dr. Seuss

 

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.”

- Lady Bird Johnson

 

“Teachers, you don't teach a subject, you teach a child.”

- Deepa Bhushan

 

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

- Fred Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

Testing for Intelligence?

October 12, 2013
First I am going to define assessment. NAEYC and NAECS/SDE define it as the gathering of useful information for the purpose of constructing understandings about children that guide educational decisions.

The most appropriate use of assessment is in the service of instruction; assessment information should be used to make school experiences and life better for children.

Assessment is one of the best ways of discovering your students present knowledge of skills. I find informal assessment the greatest tool of all because it allows me to observe the child on a daily base or at least three times a week without their knowledge. Also it gives me the opportunity to observe them when they are not been assessed formally.

I believe the whole child should be assessed. This means the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual because teachers will have an understanding of the child's educational needs.

The country I have chosen: South Africa because they use the assessment tools such as:
Developing Tests & Questionnaires for a National Assessment of Educational Achievement
Subnational Assessment
Binet Assessment Tool (IQ test)

For example:
Emotional: In my classroom there is one little girl who cries every morning and the other students call her baby and always trying to pick her up and hug her, also nurturing her by patting her. This is showing empathy.

Social: Children in my class always play well with each other.

Physical: I noticed that the children need more practice on the skills as hopping and skipping.

Intellectual: Needs more practice on problem solving as fitting puzzle pieces together.

As a Head Start teacher we use Brigance Assessment Tool, Observation, and Anecdotal records.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Growing up children lives should be filled with fun and laughter and should be free of stress.  Unfortunately that is not always the case.  As a child growing up I can truly say that my upbringing was free of stress and worry I was not affected by any of the stressors listed.  I consider myself blessed because my parents made sure that they provide me with a home that was safe and free of stressors that are to vast for any child to try and manage.  However I came up during a time in which if any of these stressors did existed it was shield from my siblings and I.  I do not know anyone personally that has been affected by any of the stressors listed.  However children of today are being brought up in a very different world in which they have to some time tackle enormous obstacle such as the stressors listed.  As an educator I can attest that these stressors are very real sad but so true.  Even though I have not personally experience any of these stressors as a child growing up or know of anyone who have it does concern me that children have to deal with such.

 

 

In during my research I discovered that some of the stressors children in South Africa are faced with are poverty and scarcity of water. Because of this more than 200 million children under five years old fail to reach their full cognitive and social potential.  When I read this it made me appreciate all the neccessaties of life that I have been blessed with and sometime may take for granted.  Just imagine not being able to bath, brush your teeth, wash your face or eat a meal three times a day.

Child Development and Public Health

 

 

The public health measure that I chose to address is nutrition.   I feel that nutrition is a vital part of children healthy development.  I chose this particular public health measure because nutrition is definitely important to the development and well being of the whole child.  Additionally it is near and dear to my heart coming from one of the fattest state in America Mississippi.  This topic is significant to me because as an early childhood educator it is imperative that I recognize the adversatives that children are faced with that may impact or hinder their learning or healthy development in a negative way.  It is also fundamental to be aware of issues that impact their learning and development unconstructively so that I will be able to assist them or direct them to the proper resources that they may require so that they will be able to develop healthily. 

 

In my exploration of other countries I discovered that Japan is one of the healthiest country.  It is said that people live full health lives.  Unlike children in America in which the nutritionist plan their meal and they are given a choice each day on what they would like to consume.  Children in Japan don’t have that liberty to pick; they don’t get a choice of what they wanted to eat, like most American children.  It is decided for them. Additionally parents have to pay full price for each day’s lunch. Their system seems to work for them. They make healthy eating choices and respect and appreciate their food. The information learned would indeed be valuable to my success as an early childhood educator because it will allow me to be able to assist my children on a path to healthy development by being able to provide them with what is needed to develop the well-being of the whole child.

Childbirth in Your Life and Around the World

My Personal Birthing Experience:

Experiencing my first birth was frighten and uncertain what to expect. I was a single parent, that was sad and along. I recall when I was in labor I was at home along and contraction started coming fast and heavy. I truly thought I was constipated and needed to use the bathroom. I kept going to the restroom but no relief. I finally called one of my cousins and she told me I was in labor, therefore I called the cab and went to the hospital. Once arrived at the hospital they took me straight to the labor room but the baby would not come for nothing. I was in much pain but no one there to help me through the process therefore my doctor was in the labor room with me and I asked him could I hold his hand and he held out his hand and later said yes, with a smile which signified it will be okay. I forgot one of the most important parts of the event, my doctor thought my son was still born but he came out screaming even before they slapped him. It was one of the most precious moments in my life even though I was along but my doctor treatment me very special and as though he had known me for a life time. My son Michquel was the handsome baby I had ever seen and precious to me. I could not believe this beautiful child had come from me.


South Africa:

Imagine going to a hospital while in labor, only to be told you are lying and then to be sent outside in the street, or being pinched, slapped and rough-handled by medical staff while in labor - in South Africa these awful incidents, and many others are an everyday reality, according to a new report issued byHuman Rights Watch. It is total shocking and applaud how the medical staff treats human beings or special mothers who are in labor, that's humane and unthinkable treatment for any one to experience. Compare to the United States we are blessed and treated with royalty. Also I read other episodes were mothers were treated with respect and dignity; however these parents had money and I guess from the experience from above they must come from the other side of the track.