Saturday, June 30, 2012

Personal childbirthing experience

The childbirthing experience I chose to discuss is that of my oldest son.  I chose this example because it was my first experience and the most frightening one as well.  I went to the hospital for a routine visit the same day my son was due.  My doctor informed me that I had only dialated 1cm and it was not time for me to deliver him.  Well I informed the doctor that I was tired of being pregnant and I wasn't leaving the hospitall without my baby in my arms.  I was told that I would more than likely have to have a c-section.  I was in agreement with that because I was ready for my son to be born.  I was admitted into the hospital and my labor was induced.  Because of my low blood cell count I was not able to have any pain medication.  Actually, the contractions were discomforting but certainly not unbearable.  I was extremely proud of myself. I survived 12 hours of pain, but gave birth to a healthy 7lb 11oz most handsome child you ever wanna see.  The funny part was that I had only dialated 1cm when admitted and told I would have to have a c-section because I probably wouldn't dialate 10cm; my son popped out while I was only 8cm.  Yep, 8 stitches!!!!My thoughts regarding birth are that it isn't as hard or painful as people told me.....obviously, I have had two more and considering a fourth. My husband (no ex) was present during the birth of my son.  I learned that in Canada and many European countries that giving birth is considered a "female event" and husbands are not allowed to participate.  The insight I gained from the comparison is that women in Canada and many European countries should in a sense feel belittled.  Its ok for "both" male and female to engage in sexual activities to create the baby, but the woman has to endure the pain and experience the event alone? Wow!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Ideals significant to me


To appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults:  This is meaningful to me because early childhood is a very critical time for young children.  Early childhood professionals have the opportunity to mold the children into life-long learners because they are so eager to gain information.  They are like little sponges absorbing all they can from adults.  I educate teachers to nurture and appreciate their vulnerability, to be a positive role model at all times, and to fill them with as much knowledge as they possibly can.

To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and respect their dignity and contributions:  This is significant to my professional life because this is exactly what I teach other early childhood professionals.  During my mentoring process I supply the teacher with the necessary materials required to foster the children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.  I provide furniture and rearrange the classroom for a better flow,  more functionality, and promote independence of the children.  All commercial materials such as posters and calendars are removed from the classroom and replaced with work done by the children.  All work displayed on cabinets, backs of shelves, and walls is created by the children.  Allowing the children to do this gives them a sense of accomplishment to see what they have constructed being showcased throughout the classroom. 

To become familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training:  This is meaningful to me because I believe in “each one teach one”.  It’s true that the more you know the further you will go.  Increasing your knowledge is very important because individuals are always conducting research and new developments are constantly being made in the field of early childhood education.  Attending trainings is also beneficial for networking purposes.  Teachers can collaborate and share new ideas among themselves.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Course 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, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.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.
  • Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
     

     
     World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    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

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
    http://www.naeyc.org/
     
  • The Division for Early Childhood
    http://www.dec-sped.org/
     
  • Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
    http://www.zerotothree.org/
  •  WESTED
    http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
     

  • Harvard Education Letter
    http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
  •  FPG Child Development Institute
    http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm

     Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
    http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
     

  • HighScope
    http://www.highscope.org/
  •  Children's Defense Fund
    http://www.childrensdefense.org/

     Center for Child Care Workforce
    http://www.ccw.org/
     

  • Council for Exceptional Children
    http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
  •  Institute for Women's Policy Research
    http://www.iwpr.org/

     National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
    http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
     

  • National Child Care Association
    http://www.nccanet.org/
  •  National Institute for Early Education Research
    http://nieer.org/

     Pre[K]Now
    http://www.preknow.org/

     Voices for America's Children
    http://www.voices.org/
     

  • The Erikson Institute
    http://www.erikson.edu/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

  • 1. Published: Ludwig, Jens and Deborah A. Phillips (2007) “The Benefits and Costs of Head Start.” Society for Research on Child Development, Social Policy Report. Volume XXI, Number 3. Retrieved from http://www.nber.org/papers/w12973

    2.  Whitebook, Marcy (1989). Who Cares? Child Care Teachers and the Quality of Care in America. Final Report, National Child Care Staffing Study. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED323031&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED323031

     3.  Neuman, Susan B.; Copple, Carol; Bredekamp, Sue (2000). Learning To Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children. National Association for the Education of Young Children. 139. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED463904&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED463904amp,

    Friday, May 25, 2012

    WK4Assign2TWilliams (quotes)

    "The best way to influence others is to do the best we can! It may very well be that what we do speaks more loudly than what we say".....Lilian Katz.

    "It's in early childhood education that I was able to really see what a unique opportunity we have in working with children; we as professionals int the early education field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better and so that's what makes me passionate about this field".......Sandy Escobido

    "I'm not here to save the world I'm here just to make a difference in the community that I'm working and to me making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child be able to be successful in the classroom".......Raymond Hernandez.

    "Recognition of the importance of early childhood staff is increasing despite intolerably high turnover rates, a growing shortage of qualified personnel to fill vacancies, and persistent low morale among these underpaid, undervalued workers".....Marcy Whitebook.

    Wednesday, May 9, 2012

    WK2Assign1

    "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it".
     (Proverbs 22:6)  This is especially meaningful to me because I am raising three boys whom I want to be successful, productive, and God fearing men.  I believe the outcome of the behavior of a child depends tremendously on the way he/she was raised.  If children grow up in a loving and caring environment with people who provide quality care and a positive foundation for learning, they are much more likely to experience a brighter future.  They are much more likely to continue to thirst for knowledge, strive for excellence, and succeed in their life's endeavors.  The children who are not so fortunate..........well, you know the possible outcomes!!!!!!



    I Love You, Stinky Face is probably my favorite book at the moment.  First, because my middle son requires me to read it to him daily.  Second, because I enjoy the message in the story.  The mother in the story tells the little boy, she loves him.  The little boy in return asks his mother if she would love him if he were a scary ape, smelly skunk, alligator, etc.; and each time, the mother tells him yes.  Well, that is exactly how I feel about my children.  No matter what they do, regardless of their strong (at times stubborn) personalities, and despite their sometimes misguided behavior.....I LOVE THEM JUST THE SAME :)