Early Step Programs

This week I looked more into the U.S based groups that the Save The children organization sponsored. This program looks into Early Childhood development and the children who are from low income families and affected by poverty. This really resonates with me as a professional due to the fact that I work in an Early Childhood Program and have seen only a few families come trough that have been impacted by poverty while enrolled in my class. I could see myself getting involved with a program like this or this program. I would like to learn more about this program as more information comes to the website each week. I have signed up for the news letter and weekly emails from this organization. One of the pieces of information that really struck my interest is that 34 million people are affected by poverty in which 10% of that (3.4 million) are children. That is extremely high. This organization deal s with policies in Early Childhood and the poverty issues when it comes to money and getting back on track, and the health of the children are issues that are dealt with by politicians, economists , and neuroscientist. I understand that no matter the issue or trend being discussed can be taken from any of these point of views and can be influenced by these point of views.

Getting to know your internationally contacts.

So this week was rough in getting in contact with the few people I had emailed, facebooked, and set letters to. Due to some family circumstances, I have not been able to be by a computer. I received an email that was more of a generic letter from a school in Ireland, stating that they are glad to hear from me and would like to hear more. I am waiting on them to send more information. I probably wont hear from anyone directly. I have also recently got in contact with an old friend from high school who was teaching in a international school. I hope to spend more time talking to him about his experiences. He said he was out of town for a few days but when he gets back he will contact me.

This week I went to SAVE the CHILDREN website. I found a blog that really interested me. The blog post title was called "Why Primary Education Matters" by Martine De Luna. She stated that 57 million children globally don't go to school. She says that the children at her school are grateful for the fact that they get to go to school even though they have to walk through mud and swim the river to go to school. She makes the connection between literacy and poverty. I found that most interesting. I am looking into finding research to see what other professionals are saying and learning.

Sharing Web Resources

The organization that I chose to explore more is Zero to Three. The reason why that I chose this website is because  I work with children ages 1 to 3. I feel that I will benefit from this website in my own professional development. The website for this organization is: http://www.zerotothree.org/. I also used this link: http://zttcfn.pub30.convio.net/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/. This link is to the news letter that the organization puts out each month. Of course I just subscribed in the middle of the month so I have to wait till the beginning of October to receive my first news letter. I cannot wait to receive the news letter. I feel that I don't get enough news/reading on information that is and can be directly connected to me and my job.  This is going to be a great way to start collecting more professional resources for me to keep up to date on Early Childhood news and information on development, care, and more

The President’s Budget Proposal: A Groundbreaking Moment for Our Nation’s Babies is the article that really caught my attention. THis article states that the federal budget is increasing money allocated to Early  Childhood. President Obama is stressing the importance of Early childhood development. Even though this article is from April I feel that to see this news now, it creates a great feeling compared to what has been in the news lately.    One of the things that was really cool about this site is people can write and professionals answer back. The website allows people to ask questions and talk about their experiences. One lady asked if using two languages in a home would benefit the child. THe professional wrote back explaining the benefits of dual language and how to promote it.  http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-language-literacy/qa/dual-language-delay.html. The part that I really thought was great was it was a lengthy response. THe professional went into depth about the information and really could benefit not only the women that wrote in but others as well.

My Supports

I look at my daily life and see the support I have around from all different parts of my life. Some of my support comes from people, spiritual beliefs, and some come from daily practices. In my professional life I have an amazing director. She is a great person to go to for advice on teaching, health of children, activities, concerns and so much more. She is a great mentor and has taught me a lot about being a professional. She gives me resources or leads me to an idea that would work in my class. Without her, there would be days that wouldn’t go so well. I would not get that five minute mental health break. A few more supports within my professional life are my assistant, parents and floaters. They have helped me create a warm and inviting classroom. They deserve a lot of the credit for how the classroom is ran, looks, and feels! Without those people, I feel that the children would not have the environment they have now.

I am a spiritual person. I do not want to get into heavy detail, however, God is a huge supporter in my life. I look to him during good times and bad. I talk to him when I need a good talking to. I also am all about nature. Thanks to the peace and serenity of the woods or the pond in my back yard. After a crazy day with one year olds, its great to have someone to sit with and the quietness of the woods.

I am an avid runner and reader. These two activities give me a whole new place to go to for a little while. I can escape reality for a little bit! Allows me to learn and grow more

One type of support that I wish I had and would be beneficial would be a experienced teacher that has had years at the job I am at now to help guide me and mentor me. I feel that it would def help in my first few years of teaching. I would want someone to go to and talk about what is working and what is not, the children, and professional work. My director is a great person to do this with, however, she has never worked in a class like mine or has the education behind it.  

My Connections of Play

"Always jump in puddles! Always skip along side flowers. The Only fights worth fighting are the pillow and food varieties!!" Terri Guilemets

"I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things...I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind." Leo F. Buscaglia



 
 


One of my favorite play items growing up was the Little Pet shop! I had so many animals and so many sets to play with. Also I loved play dough. My parents hated the mess but always encouraged it.

I was an active child. I was always questioning. I had a wild imagination. My parents always pushed me to be outgoing, active, and have my own mind. To this day, I use my imagination with my students. I am creative and bring different ideas to the table. I was taught to stand up with my ideas. As I got older, I was still encouraged to be active. I was a high honor student but was pushed to keep a little child in me. My parents did encourage to have time to my self where I did what I wanted. That was hiking, running, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, playing sports, reading, doing whatever I wanted. when I could.

with the push for excellence in academics, play starts to be forced out the door, especially with older children. I hope that even at middle and high school levels, play will still be enforced. I guess just that free time to do as they wish is important.

Relationship reflection

      Each person in my life that I have a relationship or partnership with is individualized and is important to me in their own way. Depending on the relationship, I am provided support, love, knowledge, connections, laughter, respect, and so much more. In return I give the same back. My parents are my biggest relationship. They provide me love and support in anything I do. We talk to each other. Support each other with encouragement, love and sometimes material things. My director and I have a good partnership at work. I have someone I can look to for advice and support when needed. She can rely on me to do my job the way it needs to be done with other reinforcement. My dog and I have a great relationship. The bond that we have is unspeakable. I know I have the warm of his fur and the love of  his slobber everyday. I never have to explain my actions. We are there for each other at all times.  My spiritual relationship with god is another relationship is important. These are four relationships that mean a lot to me everyday.

I guess being completely honest and knowing that they are honest with me really makes these relationships work. I feel that with the relationships I have had or do have that is the key. I know that I can give and take because they will do the same. I know that each relationship has expectations and their own life line. Not all relationships are the same.

I believe that how I conduct my relationships out of the school with people in the personal life is conducted the same within my job. I am always happy and loving to all people. I am honest, trustworthy, and believe  in reciprocal, two way communication.

quotes that inspire my class

"You are never to old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read to a child" Dr. Seuss
     --This quote is above my children's books
"If a child cannot learn in the way we teach, we must teachin a way the child can learn"

The best teachers teach from the heart, not from a book!