Website resource

http://www.zerotothree.org/

           This week, the newsletter that I received from the ZERO to THREE website gave tips and advice on children aged 14 months. There is a list of things that your child "can" do (walk while holding your hand, copies actions) and a list of things you can do to connect with our child during these times (read books that interest your child, involve your child self help tasks). I know many parents that have gained more knowledge while using the website in dealing with these milestones. Social-emotional, language, physical, and thinking skills are discussed in detail. 
          The latest research on these topics and age is also discussed; very useful information for parents and teachers. Here is an article on the subject discussed, how imitation predicts well-developed conscience: American Psychological Society (2004, October 28).  Toddlers’ imitation predicts well-developed conscience. ScienceDaily.  Retrieved March 3, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041027113855.htm
What I like most about this article is how it explains how imitation is a great way for your child to learn new skills and to discover, at the same time, how good it feels to be helpful.
           There is also a helpful section on how to help children deal with change. These include severe changes to minor changes. To a child, the severity of a change is up to them. It is up to us to help find the source of their unhappiness as it has to do with the change and then address the problem from there in a child-centered way. 

Poverty and Early Childhood

This week, I learned about how poverty affects children living and going to school in Georgia. One  thing I find very interesting about my conversations with my connection overseas is her mention of the similarities between rich and poor children. I believe it is a common misconception that poor children have very different problems than children who come from rich parents. Here is my conversation about the similarities poor and rich children can go through.

I am currently teaching on the other end of the spectrum - extremely high income children in a private school.

Before moving to Morocco, I taught Title 1 in GA and we saw a lot of issues from poverty including malnutrition, gangs and missing parents.  Kids came to school with little to no background knowledge and without basic skills.  (Kindergarteners who didn't know their colors, shapes, how to count to 3 etc.)  This set them in a pattern of being behind for their entire school career.

The biggest issue I knew as a teacher was that I had no idea of whether anyone talked to my kids after they left me.  Often students went home to empty houses and were not talked to, monitored or cared for.  When I first arrived in Morocco, I taught at a different private school with EXTREMELY wealthy children and found that they often had the same problems.  They were being raised by a maid or a nanny, so there was someone there, but no one to talk to them or "care" for them.

For both of these communities, I found that the biggest thing that the kids needed was attention.  They crave your attention and the knowing that someone truly cares for them.

Sometimes this is the case and sometimes it is the opposite case. To add, in some cases, poor children have it better. My stepfather grew up very poor. He always ate the same foods like, casseroles that were easy for mom to stretch and use as leftovers. He remembers wearing the same clothes all the time and being hungry often. His experiences of being poor as a child motivated him to work very hard, go to college and make a 6 figure salary.  He and my mom love in a very nice neighborhood and have no worries of getting the bills payed. In contrast, I know some adults who have had things handed to them their entire life with no lack of food or clothes. They however have grown to be lazy and have no desire to make something of themselves. This, in my opinion, is a failure on the parents part for not installing these types of values in their children. They were not home enough and spent more time working than giving their children what they really needed.

A website I use often

I would like to share a website that has come in very, very handy for me over the years. 

http://www.zerotothree.org/

They are a non-profit organization that was started over 35 years ago. Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.

This week the newsletter had information on how to help children potty train. Included are parents and professionals inputs on the subject. Some describe their approaches to it so that a parent or teacher can find the best approach for the child. This was one specific issue discussed this week. There are always a variety of issues in each newsletter. I really enjoy reading the new scientific studies that come out. There is a section on the website that directly discusses the issue of diversity and how young children can benefit from this integration.  It is under the policy section which I find very helpful in how to help my local community and communities from across the country. 

My connections to other teachers

This week, I connected with a teacher working in Morocco. I found her by searching for "teachers who travel for work" in the google search engine. Her blog showed up and I found it very interesting. She shares resources for teachers all over the world. I found it very useful if you would like to see also: http://www.rakisradresources.com/

She travels for work teaching at various schools from around the world. Her home base is in Georgia. She teaches 3 rd grade. One thing I found most interesting about conversations is the main goal the country has for their children. She says learning multiple langues is a main focus for teachers in Morocco. The language "of the streets" is Darija, a distinct dialect of Arabic mixed with French, Spanish and Berber.  Schools are differentiated by the main language of instruction.  Public schools teach in Classical Arabic (which is quite different from Darija), but must offer at least a little bit of French.  Most private schools are bilingual - half French and half Arabic.  Her sons attend a school like this. There are also private schools where the main language of instruction is French, but at least a little bit of Arabic must be offered.  At the most expensive and exclusive end of the spectrum, are the International and Spanish schools, where the main language of instruction is English or Spanish with at least a little bit of French and a little bit of Arabic offered.  She teaches at the International School of Morocco where the main language of instruction is English, but French and Arabic are offered daily.

As a teacher, she uses differentiated instruction, project based learning and the flipped classroom model.  She is very constructionist in nature and encourages her students to connect their learning to their own personal experiences to build their own understanding.

She is referring me to another teacher that she knows that works in Australia so I am excited to learn more about teaching there. In the following weeks I will be able to share more of that. 

A website I love using is zerotothree.org

I signed up to receive newsletters for Baby to Kid and Baby's Steps. I like this organization because I love working with very young children and I want to make sure I know of any new research that comes out. This website is easy to use and understand. 

My Supports

The support one receives can mean everything to that person or child. Even if it just one thing, it can mean the world to someone on any particular day.  On a daily basis, I am very fortunate to have support from many people.

First, my husband, Chris, is my rock. Where do I start? He supports me in so many ways. He financially provides for me so I don’t have to stress about working crazy hours to pay the bills. He gives me what I need to concentrate and do my best while I am doing school work. He does simple things that show his support for me. Every day he asks me how my day was and then he listens to me when I tell him (a large majority of the time LOL) and gives me any advice I might need. This is the tip of the iceberg in how his support helps me. If he was not in my life and giving me the support that he does, I would probably not be back in school and would be living with a roommate or my parents to help pay the bills.

My parents also give me a great deal of support. They are always there when I need to talk to them. It is a good feeling knowing I can count on them for anything. They give a good deal of emotional and practical support. They have come to my house a couple times a year to help with the spring cleaning. When I need them to watch my dogs while I am of town, they are there. This type of support goes for the rest of my immediate family as well. If they were not in my life, I would not be able to have down time that need at times and the emotional support that I have come to rely on over the years.

When I think about challenges other people face that I do not, I think about how lucky I am to have my health and happiness in all areas of my life. One challenge that comes to mind is a physical disability. My grandmother suffered from chronic bronchitis and emphysema during the later years n her life. She could not exercise like she wanted to or do simple tasks like getting groceries. She relied on her oxygen tank, inhaler, and help from family. I lived with her in her last years and saw firsthand how debilitating this disease can be without support. Life would be very difficult not being able to do most of the things you want or need to do. I would need car rides to many places including doctor visits. Many types of support would be needed if I had this disease.

Each one of these people serves a unique purpose when they support me. I am grateful for the peace of mind they give me and the love that comes with it.  In childcare, children rely on their caregivers to support them in all areas of their growth and development. After reflecting on the support I have and continue to receive on a daily basis I understand how important it truly is to young children.

My Connections to Play

“The child amidst his baubles is learning the action of light, motion, gravity, muscular force….” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I like this quote because it eloquently explains how play IS learning. As a child, I played outside often. I saw many different types of trees, leaves, and animals. I also learned skills, like, climbing and picking fruit when it’s ready. When children play, they are unconsciously testing, observing, theorizing, experimenting, and finding solutions.

“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein 

Other than my love for Einstein, I love this quote because it simply states how easily children learn. I think sometimes adults forget about children’s natural ability to learn. We learn best when we are not “trying” to learn to all.  We are born with an innate drive to investigate and figure things out. Play is the highest form of research because you get all the benefits from doing the research without any of the “work”.

“In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.” ~Ovid (Roman poet)

            This quote has two meanings to me. Play allows children to express their inner selves in the most natural of ways; it is freedom of expression. As a teacher and a parent, it is a wonderful way to understand a child and their behavior. This quote also explains to me how the experiences and play children have during the early years sets the foundation for who we are as adults. During play, children learn what they like and don’t like. They gain a sense of who they are over a period of time.

One essential play item of mine was my big wheel. I remember riding on it for hours up and down the street; I loved it! Something as simple as riding this toy and feeling the wind in my hair was a release for me. Sometimes when I’m having fun driving in my car I get that same feeling I did as a child on my big wheel. Now, if only I could use the same type of petal power with the same speed of my car, my wallet and I would be very happy!

I also adored my Krystal Princess dolls. I liked them so much because they were pretty, had colored hair, were sparkly, and had their own separate carriage to stroll them around. They were also a brand that had pieces you could add to the collection. I got joy from buying new princesses and adding them to my Krystal City. I loved my collection!

"Simon Says" is a game I loved playing. I also played the group version in preschool and with my cousins. This light game would light one light on the first turn that the player has to copy. On the second turn, two light would light up in sequence, again, that you had to copy. This would continue with three, four and so on.  There was something exciting and thrilling about trying to see how many times you could copy Simon as it got harder and harder. Its a great memory skills game and the best part you are having fun! 

My parents played a lot with me growing up. I remember playing video games with my parents. I still do to this day. It was and still is a good reason to get together and have down time. My mom and I would play with my dolls and cook together. I loved helping her in the kitchen and always saw this time as play time. Watching how my mom turned a bag of groceries into a delicious meal really interested me. There is a lot to cooking and I loved it. I still get that same joy when I cook as an adult. I had a lot of fun working puzzles with my dad. One activity we did that we both really enjoyed was listening and singing to music. As I played as a child, I was learning what I was interested in and what I enjoyed. It is funny; nearly all of the things that I recall having a genuine interest and good time doing as a child, I still enjoy doing today. As a child, it is awesome when you discover something that makes you happy while playing. As an adult, it is a good feeling when you are successful at something you like because of the fun practice you were able to have as a child. 

I feel that play these days involves a little bit less outdoor activities. I think this is because technology has had great improvements in the past twenty years. It has been like a drug for children and teenagers. With these improvements, you can get information faster and easier. Who wouldn't want that? Well, like everything, technology use should be used in moderation. The problem comes when you don't even out physical play with video or internet play.  Video games and internet usage can be educational and offers many wonderful benefits when done in the right way.  Also I think kids are playing less and less board games. This too is because they can be played on the computer or phone. This takes away that valuable face-to-face time that you get with board games. The more we can socialize in person and communicate in our physical form the more we learn how to communicate and make friends; things I feel that have a limited means to achieve.  

Relationship Reflection

            This week is about the importance of supportive relationships and partnerships. I have learned a lot about the worth of creating these strong partnerships with families and parents of the children I teach. Everyone has something to gain when the parents, teachers and caregivers involved in a child’s life come together for the whole child. It involves working towards the same goals and seeing eye-to-eye. In this blog post, I will share some of the most important relationships currently in my life.

            The relationship I will start with is the one with my husband, Chris. We just celebrated our one year anniversary on October 11^th. He is the only person I have ever imagined spending my whole life with. We challenge each other all the time and grow as a couple with each day and with each spat. It hasn’t been a piece of cake developing a good working partnership but we have a good one and we are still learning. We have known each other for five years. He has taught me how to be more giving, thoughtful and a better person in general.  We get each other and more importantly, we respect each other. We try our best to listen to each other and understand the gray area of give and take. One of the hardest challenges for us throughout our five years of knowing each other is communicating effectively. We have learned a lot and made many strides towards this skill but we will always be improving. A marriage takes patience, understanding, and openness. I love my partnership with him and I look forward to learning much more with him!

            Secondly, the relationship I have with my Mom, Susan, is a very special one. She is my best friend and understands me to a “T”. I can go to her about anything and I know she will help me through it and teach me something about life in the process. She has given me unconditional love and support which I am truly grateful for. I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with the only woman whom I call Mom. Because of her, I am a confident, secure and responsible woman. She has been a great example for me by practicing what she preaches and giving me wonderful advice; habits and traits that I will carry on to my children. I can’t thank her enough for all she has done and continues to do. We have a strong bond and partnership that works well.

            My dad is also my best friend and I am his only child. I know I can count on him to be there when I need him or when I need an ear to talk to. We have a strong, stable relationship because of his commitment to my happiness and growth. When I think back to my childhood with him, the first thing I think of is how often we played games together. That was one our favorite activities to do together whether it was playing outside or playing chess and doing puzzles. He taught me how to have fun, laugh and stay young for as long as I can. That is something that has always stuck with me and stays in the back of my mind as I "grow". At the same time, he also never let me get out of line. He made sure I knew how to follow rules and stay in check. He set appropriate boundaries for me and showed me that actions have consequences. He has been a great example of how a great man is suppose to be and continues to do so. Not to mention he his hilarious and makes me laugh all the time. I am forever thankful for my dad's continued guidance, love, sense of humor and support.

            I am also very grateful for the relationship with my stepmother, Laura pictured above. She has treated and loved me like a daughter from the beginning. She and my Dad married 14 years ago. I was her maid of honor. There have been times where I did not know what I was going to do without her. She knows that when she needs me, I will be there for her and vice versa. We understand each other and truly care about each others concerns and well-being. We relate to each other in our love for animals. We have a string relationship built on trust and honesty. I’m very grateful for her.

            Last but not least is my pitbull/boxer mix, Baby. I rescued her 6 years ago when she was 4 months old. She had a couple of problems from a spider bite she got as a puppy. I took care of her bite and made her fat, healthy, and happy. She is very loyal and smart! She stays close to me and loves to cuddle. She has a sharp mind and loves to learn tricks. I feel safe with her around. I’m very grateful for her friendship and protection. She is my sweet Baby.

           

             I definitely take what I learn in my personal life into my work life and vice versa. When I learn a new way to be a better partner and contributor, I carry that new knowledge with me everywhere. This week, I have learned more in depth about the importance and value of developing positive and supportive partnerships. I look forward to seeing this mew knowledge in action as I interact with children and their families. Although it can be hard at times, I will try harder at planning classroom activities where parents can be involved in the classroom. The topic of introspect, partnerships, and relationships is good knowledge for early childhood and in life.