A Quote about Children

Emma Goldman, author -
     
"No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure."


I want to say thank you to all of the my colleagues and to my professor for all of your help and advice.  I have learned so much by working with you all.  I want to especially thank Katelyn Rasmussen and Robin Miller.  Your blogs', comments, and advice have been helpful and meaningful.  I look forward to having you guys in classes in the future. 

Testing for Intelligence

          In grade school, as I was growing up, I can remember all of the standardized tests we had to take.  I specifically remember the pressure that I felt to do well on the tests.  In our classes we would spend the majority of our time, preparing for the test.  I do not agree with this kind of assessment of education.  Forcing children to take a test and giving them a certain score they have to surpass in order to advance to the next level is not the proper way to encourage learning.  There are people that do not take tests well.  My husband is one of these people, while he was in college he struggled with this issue.  He did well on his homework and knew all of the class material; he could answer any question that someone asked him.  When it came time for him to take a test, he would freeze and he could not remember anything that he had learned for the test, and as a result he would do poorly on the test.  When I knew him during high school he was the same way with the standardized tests that we had to take every year.  There are many children like my husband that does not take tests well, but they do very well in class.  Because they do not do well on test, those children fail the standardized tests and are remediated and begin to feel like that there is something wrong with them.  Standardized tests does not evaluate children in a holistic manner, it does not look at the whole child.  It looks at the specific subjects such as English, math, or science and tests the children in those areas.  However, it does not look at all of the developmental aspects of a child.  I think that an educational assessment should look at all these developmental aspects such as biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial. 
          In Japan, school is a competitive sport and is highly stressful.  Children have to take entrance exams (and pass) in order to enter middle school, and then for some private junior high and all high schools and universities they have to sit entrance exams and attend interviews.  To ensure that they pass these rigorous tasks most children attend private afterschool study sessions (after regular school) and  for one to two years before high school some even attend special private institutions (Education in Japan, n.d.).  I am definitely appreciative that the U. S. is not as strict and forceful about their testing as Japan is.  I do not agree with either country's ways of assessing their children's intelligence.  There are better ways such as individual evaluations and more one on one teacher/student time.  Assessing a child to understand their level of development is a necessary task, but to do so in a way that might hinder is education is unnecessary.  As educators it is our job to find better ways to help our children learn.

References

Education in Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.education-in-japan.info/sub1.html

War and it's impact on children

            I remember when the United States entered into war with Iraq; shortly after the world trade centers were attacked.  I remember watching the news broadcast of President George W. Bush announcing the declaration of war with Iraq. I was around eleven years old.  I specifically remember the feeling of fear that I had.  Up to that point in my childhood, I had never been aware of war and its effects.  I did not know what was going to happen, or how it was going to affect our family.  I remember my mom and dad, watching the broadcast with both an expression of concern and fear.  The days that followed I found myself watching everything from a child riding down the street to an airplane in the sky because I did not understand what was meant by "war."  I just knew that it was bad and I was afraid of it.  I watched as the things around me changed, such as the prices of everything.  People began to be cautious about their money. Everyone started talking about how bad things were then, but more so about how bad things continue to become.  My uncle, who is in the army, had to leave us for 18 months to go fight in the war in Iraq.  I was even more frightened when I learned that we may not ever see my uncle again, I was told that we were sure he would come home alive.  We prayed for him every day and night, and anxiety became a feeling that I knew too well.  I found myself worrying all of the time, about my uncle, about prices, about our safety.  My parents noticed this change in me, and they sat me and my sister down and talked with us about all of the events happening around us. They assured us that they were going to keep us safe, and that we should not worry about prices.  They told us that God would protect us, and that we need to just keep praying for our uncle.  This calmed my worries, there were times when I would let all the feelings of worry and anxiety come back, but for the most part I felt safe, secure and protected.  Without my parents I do not know what I would have done.  Thankfully, my uncle returned to all of us safe and sound at the end of his deployment.  Unfortunately, we are all still seeing the effects of war beating on my uncle.  He still struggles with PTSD, but he is now receiving help for these problems. 
            Because I described how life was for me during the war in Iraq as a child, I also decided to research how life for a child in Iraq is.  During the war, I heard countless news reports of children being killed, or used as war weapons.  My uncle told us that there were times that children would have bombs strapped to them and they would be made to run towards American soldiers to kill them.  These children would die, and thousands of others would be injured and scarred physically, mentally, and emotionally for the rest of their lives.  According to the save the children organization, children continue to suffer from the psychological trauma of war and conflict, and access to education and development opportunities has been severely constrained (Save the Children, 2012).   Right now, in the northern part of Iraq, there are only 15 schools hosting 43 different institutions.  Each institutions provides services for three to four hours a day.  The schools are overcrowded, does not have a clean water supply and lacks garbage disposal systems. 

There are efforts being made to help the children in Iraq.  The Save the Children organization are continuing to work with 15 schools, and are focusing on psychosocial activities for the children, both in and out of school.  Child protection and awareness are being focused on, poster and booklets in Arabic are being given out to the surrounding communities.  Everyone is being informed on the importance of protecting the children.  In September of 2009, the main focus was to have safe water and a sanitation project in the works.  Efforts are being made to help the children in Iraq become the successful adults that they deserve to be.  I am praying for these children and I hope that the work continues. 

Save the children. (2012, July). Iraq. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6153129/k.C257/Iraq.htm

Breastfeeding

For this blog, I chose the topic of Breastfeeding.  I do not have children of my own yet so I have never experienced breastfeeding personally, but I am aware of the views of breastfeeding in the United States.  I believe that breastfeeding is important for both mother and baby.  Breastfeeding connects the mother and baby and helps the bond between them grow stronger.  It is beneficial for the baby physically, emotionally, and mentally.    I researched breastfeeding in Japan.  After World War II, Japanese women were forced to give birth in hospitals, and their newborns were kept in a nursery and given formula.  The concept of breastfeeding began to fade.  Today, most Japanese women give birth in hospitals and are discharged to go home within a week.  Instead of going to their own homes the woman goes to her parent's home and the woman's mother helps her with the baby.  Because of the previous history of breastfeeding in Japan, the grandmother's do not know how to breastfeed and therefore cannot help her daughter learn to breastfeed.  In the last 35 years, Japan has begun to support breastfeeding, and has Baby-Friendly hospitals and board certified lactation consultants.  Learning about how a different culture views breastfeeding has been interesting.  In the future, in the daycare that I plan to open I am going to offer breastfeeding resources and make it an environment that welcomes breastfeeding. 

Payne, Cynthia D.,(2003). Japenese Culture and Breastfeeding. New Beginnings, 20,5.  Retrieved from http://www.lalecheleague.org/nb/nbsepoct03p181.html

Birthing Experiences

The birthing experience that I chose to write about is the birth of my sister's daughter, Lexi.  When my sister found out she was pregnant everyone was nervous but very excited!! When the time came for my sister's labor and delivery my family was there to support her.  My sister had a very hard time during labor, she had some complications and the labor lasted more than 24 hours.  While my sister was in labor, she had very good medical care, the doctors and nurses were so nice and caring.  They helped keep my sister calm and assured her everything was going to be ok.  Finally after a hard and long labor process my sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Lexi.  After the birth, the nurses and doctors helped my sister in every way the best way and made sure that both baby and mom were doing well.  I do not have any children of my own, so this is the only birthing experience that I have ever been a part of.  It is an event that I will always remember, it was stressful and worrysome, but it was also exciting and wonderful.  This Thursday my niece will be 2 years old.  She is healthy and happy and mom is as well.

However, in South Africa the birthing experience most of the time is nothing like the experience that I just described.  The pregnant women who come to the hospitals because they are in labor, sometimes are abused physically and verbally.  Some women are even turned away and reprimanded because they are accused of lying.  The women that are commited to the hospitals are pinched, slapped, and handled roughly during labor and at times the nurses ignore calls for help.  After the birth, women and their babies are ignored for long periods of time.  Many times, the mothers are sent home with no pain medication and no care products. I am so glad that  my sister did not have this kind of birthing experience.  There are organizations working to change the way births happen in South Africa.  I hope one day all women will be able to experience the birth of their children in a way that will allow them to cherish this special time. 

Nordqvist, Christian. (2011, August 8). The Shocking Truth About Giving Birth in South Africa. Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232413.php

Examining Codes of Ethics

"We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to

provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children." - DEC Code of Ethics

"We shall empower families with information and resources so that they are informed consumers

of services for their children." - DEC Code of Ethics
"Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically
damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children."

- NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment

 

The three statements above are ideals that are of the utmost importance to me and my professional life.  When I am

able to accomplish my goal of owning my own childcare program, these ideals will be at the forefront of the programs

creation.  The first two states are from the DEC Code of Ethics.  They both are focused on children and their families.

I believe that family is the most important system in a child's life and that childcare programs should respect this fact.

Childcare professionals should strive to be an effective teacher to all of their children  and they should also strive to

help each of the children's families in the best way possible.  The third statement that is mentioned above is from 

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.  This particular statement is one that should and 

will be an overarching goal in my endeavor to open a childcare center.   

 

 

Early Childhood Resources

Part of being a great Early Childhood Professional is knowing about and having available resources.  Here are some of the resources that I have explored this week in order to become more knowledgeable about the field of Early Childhood Education:

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

 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 
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
 
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
 
http://acei.org/
 

National Association for the Education of Young Childrenhttp://www.naeyc.org/
 

The Division for Early Childhoodhttp://www.dec-sped.org/
 

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Familieshttp://www.zerotothree.org/
 

WESTEDhttp://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
 

Harvard Education Letterhttp://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
 

FPG Child Development Institutehttp://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
 

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

HighScopehttp://www.highscope.org/
 

Children's Defense Fundhttp://www.childrensdefense.org/
 

Center for Child Care Workforcehttp://www.ccw.org/
 

Council for Exceptional Childrenhttp://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
 

Institute for Women's Policy Researchhttp://www.iwpr.org/
 

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

National Child Care Associationhttp://www.nccanet.org/
 

National Institute for Early Education Researchhttp://nieer.org/
 

Pre[K]Nowhttp://www.preknow.org/
 

Voices for America's Childrenhttp://www.voices.org/
 

The Erikson Institutehttp://www.erikson.edu/
 

Leman, Kevin. (2000). Making Children mind without Losing Yours. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group.

www.earlychildhoodnews.com/page2.aspx

http://esciencenews.com/


 

 

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"The best economic development strategy is investment in early childhood."
 - Art Rolnick, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

"Every early learning program should be staffed by teachers and providers who can and do establish warm and caring relationships with children, tend the fires of children's curiosity and love of learning, and foster their development and readiness for school."
-Marcy Whitebook, Center for the Study of Childcare Employment, University of California at Berkeley

"I see early childhood education as a civil rights issue."
-Renatta M. Cooper, Office of Childcare, LA County Chief Administrative Office

"When I think of the word passion, and the meaning to it, what comes to mind are, what are my values, what are my beliefs, what are the ideas that lead me to action, what do I do so naturally that perhaps seems natural to me but may be challenging to others?  What’s in my heart?"
-Leticia Lara, LCSW, Regional Manager, ZERO TO THREE

Personal Childhood Web

There are many people in my life through the years that have influenced my life tremendously.  The following five people are the ones that I feel has influenced me the most and are still to this day:
My father, Bobby Brooks, has always been one of the greatest influences in my life.  Throughout my childhood, he was always a great example of what a Christian should be.  He always took time out of his day to talk to me and ask me how I was and he always made sure that I knew that he loved me.
My mother, Regina Brooks, has always been a nurturer for me.  She has always showed me what a Godly woman should be.  She always made sure that I was taken care, met all of my needs, and loved me.  When I was a young child, she would always help me on my homework, talk to me about my problems and show how to solve them.
My sister, Andrea Pankey, has always been there for me.  She is older than me, and has always been a great listener.  As a little child, she always stood up for me, and always took care of me.  On multiple occasions, she made sure I knew that she loved me. 
My grandpa, Floyd Hudgens, has always been the wise person I look to.  He always seemed to have a happy outlook on life, which then made me have one as well.  I could always go to him with a problem and he would help me and guide me. 
My grandma, Pauline Hudgens, has been exactly what a grandmother should be.  She spoiled me, loved me, and always made me feel special (even though she had five other grandchildren).  She made me feel important and valued.
All five of these wonderful people are still in my life today, and still making positive influences in my life.  They all are praying for me and guiding me as I get my master's in early childhood education.  

The children's book, "llama llama misses mama" by Anna Dewdney is a wonderful children's book for early childhood.  Before my niece was born, I would read this book to her while in the womb.  Every time I did, she became very active and awake.  This book would also be helpful for my little ones at daycare because they really miss their mama's during the day.  The story would help keep their minds off of the absence of their mama's for a while.

When I was a teenager, I went on a mission trip to Amsterdam, New York. While in New York, we did a Day camp for the children at a church in the community that lasted four days. I met a young girl, about the age of 6, named Avery. For four days, Avery stayed with me every minute she could. I played with her, and talked with her. I had a wonderful time. When it came time for us to leave, and go back home to Arkansas, I realized how much of an impact on Avery's life I had made, and on how much she had made on mine as well. Leaving her was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. She was crying and begging me not to go, and hugging so tight I could hardly get her to let go. Finally when I was able to calm her down and ensure her that I would be back the next year to see her, I got on our bus and headed home. Most of my trip home, I cried and thought constantly of Avery. Thinking back on this experience now, if I can make such a huge impression on a young child's life after only four days, how much bigger would the impression be if I was a child's teacher everyday for months and months? Coming to this realization has encouraged me to work harder at my job, and to find ways to make each day a great learning experience for my babies in my class!

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." - Maria Montessori

My name is Rachel Walters, and this is my first time to blog!  I am a early childhood teacher, and I work at a daycare.  I teach 13 mo. to 18 mo., and I enjoy my job everyday. I never dread a day of work and I find it more of a privileage than work.  I am in the process of earning my Master's in Early Childhood Studies.  My goal is to one day open my own childcare center!  I feel that by earning my degree, I will be better equipped to run a successful, educational, christian/family oriented childcare center.  I am excited as I begin this journey!