My supports

     I have many supportive factors that get me through the day.  My biggest supportive factors is my husband.  He supports me emotionally, and physically. Whenever I have a problem I can always go and talk to him.  He helps me work through my problems and always check to see if they are resolve.  My husband helps me around the house with housework as well as look after the kids.

     Another supportive factor that I have everyday is my kids. They are my motivation.  Emotionally they keep me strong. I know that whatever I'm doing now is for their future.

     My job is another supportive factors.  I love my job, because I enjoy working with children.  My job supports me because this is my income. It is my main source of living, and if I do not go to work, my family will not eat.

     Time is another supportive factor in my everyday life.  I constantly monitor time and make sure that I use it wisely.  Time is supportive because there is a time for everything. A time to work, a time to rest, a time to spend with family, and a time just to enjoy life.

     All of my supportive factors keeps me going throughout the day.  The factors  together make up my life and keep my balance.

     Without my husband, I think that I would be lost.  I have heard stories of single mothers and how they barely have times for themselves.  I'm sure that without my husband I will need support emotionally. It can be draining dealing with kids on my own without help.  Another type of suppose that I will need is monetary and physical support.  Children are expensive and a household with one income may not be able to sustain.

My Connections To Play

"Play is so integral to childhood that a child who does not have the opportunity to play is cut off from a major portion of childhood"
              Musselwhite

"Play is our Brain favorite way if learning"

         Diane Ackerman

There are some toys that enhances children.  These three items wooden blocks, art supplies, and a dramatic play set are essential play items because it allows children to explore, use their imagination and be free in their creativity.

I remember as a child play involved jump rope, tag,  Hide and seek, Mother may I and other games of that type.  Play different in my childhood and now because most children have never been introduced to a jump rope.  Children today still play hide and seek and Tag, but games like Mother may I, and Mr Fox is not around as much anymore.  Now today children tend to stand around more and talk in groups vs running around playing. 

Throughtout my life play had always been there.  I find myself teaching my kids some of the same games  that I played as a child.  Play has always been important to me.  I enjoyed being by myself sometimes to play or playing with others.  Play today is important because it's help children deal with life as well as help them learn through trail and error and learn through experimenting.

Relationship Reflection

One person that I have a positive relationship with is my husband Ronnie.  We have been together for 17 years and married for 9 years.  It is a positive relationship because we motivate one another.  We share most of the same dreams and goals, and help one another achieve them.  Trust and respect are two factors that contribute to this relationship.  We made a pact to treat one another like we want to be treated.  We both try not to talk bad about the other.  When we become upset with one another the challenge is to maintain that respect.  As hard as it is to control myself during a dispute, I do it out of respect.  I leaned that some things done and said out of anger can not be undone.

I also share a positive relationship with my kids.  In my eyes my kids are little people.  This relationship is positive because it gives me motivation to keep going. My oldest son is 4 years old, I have 3 year old twin girls, and a 5 month old son.  I respect them just as I would anyone else.  I take the authoritative approach with them, but I always treat them with respect.  They trust me to take care of them, and I trust them to trust me.  One challenge to this relationship is keeping up with them as they grow.  When they hit the teenage years, my wish is that they maintain that level of respect that we established.

My experiences with relationships impact my work as an effective early childhood professional, because I'm learning that relationships and partnership takes more than one person to thrive.  Each party must give and take. As an effective early childhood professional, I will encounter many different people.  The relationships that I build will help myself and any other party involved in the long run.

Farewell post

"Children need models rather than critics"
                                          Joseph Joubert



This quote mean a lot to me because, so many time we as adult forgets that children are watching us. Instead of judging and criticising them , why not model what we would like for them to do.

Thank you all for reading and commenting on my blogs.  It has been fun sharing information, and learning new information as well.  The best part about sharing is that different people can give you a different insight or take on a subject.  Good luck to all in this class and all of your future endeavors.

Assessing Young Children

The best way to monitor children learning is to assess them.  When a child is assessed or measured, their development and progress should be looked at.  Children learns at different rates but along the same guidelines.  If their development is being tracked, early intervention can take place if the child is behind.  If no action is needed at the time, then a child should still be assessed but later, to see is their development is still on track.

In Asia children are assessed by using portfolios, test, quizzes, and by self and peer assessment. Multiple measurements taken across time provide a more comprehensive picture is students ability to use Chinese for meaniful purpose than would an assessment scheme that focuses on students ability as measured by test and quizzes alone. ( China Learning Initiatives)

Reference:
Www.Asia society.org

Natural Diaster and its effects

Hurricane Katrina happened August 23, 2005.  This event was horrible, because so millions of families lost their homes, and some lost their lives.  Hurricane Katrina was classified as one of the deadliest hurricanes.  Among the ones affected children suffered a great deal. Their cognitive development suffered because it was a dramatic and sudden event. Children did  not know how to act and their lively hood was threatened.  Due to the sudden disaster parents did not have time to prepare and therefore children were going without food, or proper nutrition.  Their biosocial development took a hit because their bodies was not receiving the proper vitamins, food, and nutrients for their brain and body development.  Children had to be placed in foster homes, and group homes. This placement in other homes affected children psychosocial development.  They probably felt terrified and unsafe, because they were separated from their families.
     This type of disaster could be prevented by checking flood walls, and using proper equipment on the flood walls.  According to www.reference.com Philippines get hit with 20 or more tropical storms during hurricane season.(www.reference.com). Hurricanes themselves can not be prevented, but proper procedures can be taken to ensure the safety of lives. Especially those of children,  their dependency is on adults.

 References:
HTTP//www.reference.com

SIDS

SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. Is when a baby suddenly dies in their sleep.  Babies typically die due to their breathing, and usually is healthy before death.  Even tho SIDS rates has decreased in the United States , thousands of babies are still dying in the US.  I chose this topic because I have a premature son.  My biggest fear is SIDS.  Premature babies has a higher risk for SIDS, because of their low weight.  I take all the precautions to lower his risk for SIDS.  Precautions such as putting him to sleep on his back, keeping him away from smoke, and keeping a clutter free crib.  Japan has a lower rate of sudden infant death syndrome.  This decrease is believe to be due to having fewer sheets on the bed, low room temperature, and mothers not smoking or drinking during pregnancy.

On Dec 1, 2011 I gave birth to my first child.  Ronald Jackson Jr.  I remember being excited and nervous at the same time.  I encountered many losses before my son.  So this was special to me. Never had I once  imagine that I would be giving birth.  The doctors told me that I couldn't have kids.  To be able to give birth was a blessing for me.  I chose to share this story because another woman may have been experiencing the same situation that I was experiencing.  I want them to know that there is hope for them .

In Japan giving birth has its similarities and differences.  The differences are that in Japan women it is  unacceptable to make loud noises while giving birth, where as in America women can scream as they please.   Men are not around during the birth in Japan, typically a woman mother and sisters aid in labor. In Illinois men are welcome  and encouraged to be at a woman beside.  In both countries birth takes place at the hospital and both the mother and child stays in the hospital for a little.

Educational Resources

• Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The resources for early childhood. Baltimore: Author.
  
  Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 18 minutes.
  
  Five early childhood professionals discuss their preferred and trusted resources.
   --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload Audio

Note: Read the documents listed in Parts 1 and 2 in preparation for this week's Discussion.

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness.Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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
• 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.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

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, fromhttp://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/

Book

 How Children Develop 4th 14Edition

The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

Motivation Quotes

"Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children".
                                          Lilian Katz




"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."

                                   Marian Wright Edelman

Personal Childhood Web

My mother influenced my life tremendously. She was very warm hearted and kind. Her smile will light up the room. She was a strong women who knew what she wanted in life.  I always looked up to her and thought she was the greatest person on earth.  As I got older, I realized she was the greatest person on earth.  She always told me how great I am, and how much she loved me. She made me feel special because even tho I had six other sisters she always knew what I liked and disliked. Every morning I received and good morning kiss and at night the same.  My mother passed twelve years ago, but her words and wisdom still lives with me.



My auntie also played an role in my life.  She was always the fun and funny aunt. When I was with her I felt so free and content. She gave me whatever I ask for, which in terms made me feel special.  My aunt influence continues to impact my present life because, I can call her any time of the day or night just to talk, and she always there to listen.

A third person that have an influence in my life is my dad.  We had a special type of bond.  I was always daddy Little girl and can run to him when mom said no.  The best childhood  memory I have of my dad is when my school did a stop smoking campaign. I made a display and took it home to show my dad why smoking is bad for him.  My dad quit smoking that day just for me.   He passed 10 years ago, but the memories we shared will always be in my heart.

My Grandmother name is Clara.  She is one of the sweetest person I know. I remember going to her house on Sunday's as a child.  She always had Sunday dinner prepared with lots of cakes and pies.  Grandmother made me feels as if life is free of worries. I never heard her complain about anything. She always had a smile on her face and welcomed anyone with open arms.  She still influence my life because when I stress I think about her favorite saying and that's "Life is what you make it"

My mom best friend Jackie also played a big part in my childhood. She was around almost everyday, and moved whenever my mom moved.  She was much like my mom warm and sweet. I felt safe and special when I was around her because she use to put me on a pedestal.  She use to always tell my mom how much of a wonderful child I am. She has a daughter that's a year older than I am, till this day we are the best of friends.  Jackie still have an impact in my life, because whenever she see me,  she always tell me how proud she is of me.

Pete The Cat by Eric Litwin, is a really good children book that I enjoy reading.  This book is interactive and capture the attention of kids.  I love how the author included math in this book in a fun but effective way. Children loves the part where they can sing and and yell out phrases from the book.