Author Archives: reid20k

Important Ideals

by

4

The ideals that are found in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Division for Early Childhood (DEC) codes of ethic are all significant.  However the following stood out to me:

“To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed

through continuing education and training” (NAEYC, 2005).

“To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child” (NAEYC, 2005).

“To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program” (NAEYC).

“We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all

our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families

and of those with whom we work” (DEC, 2009).

“We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and

using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to

the suggestions of others” (DEC, 2009).

“We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of

information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal

assessments to determine children’s learning styles, strengths, and challenges” (DEC, 2009).

As a professional it is important to keep abreast of the changes that are taking place within your field.  One of the best way to do this is through education and training (NAEYC, 2005).  Each child is different and has different abilities.  It is important to recognize a child’s ability and to know when it is ok to push them or when something is too difficult for them.  We need to realize that not every child is the same and they won’t all respond to situations in the same way.  It is also important to recognize a child’s culture and language because it is an integral part of him or her (NAEYC, 2005).

If the children and their families trust us it will much easier to work together for the benefit of the child. Trust is something that needs to be earned.  One way to earn the trust of children and their families is to be honest and truthful with them and to be a person of integrity (DEC, 2009).   If we truly want to do things for the benefit of our students, we should be open to suggestions and ways to improve our current strategies and practices. We need to remember that a child is multi-faceted, we cannot just use one approach to assess him or her but we have to take several factors into account (DEC, 2009).

 

References

NAEYC. (2005). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved October 18, 2013,                    fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201420_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_60                05/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/naeyc_codeofethicspdf.pdfThe Division for

Early Childhood. (2009). Code of ethics. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from                                             https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201420_02/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/                Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/dec_codeofethics.pdf

 

Additional resources

by

5

Anansesem

“Anansesem is a biannual (formerly triannual), “online-only” children’s magazine. It was established in 2010 to encourage the writing and illustration of Caribbean literature for and by children” (http://www.anansesem.com/p/about-anansesem.html).

EARLYCHILDHOOD.COM

“Information, products and ideas for parents and teachers” (http://www.earlychildhood.com/).

HELPGUIDE.ORG

“Helpguide helps you help yourself and others” (http://www.helpguide.org/index.htm).

 

                                                                                         

Resources- Early Childhood

by

0

Below are some useful resources for the early childhood field

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

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

Quotes from professionals in the Early Childhood field

by

2

     To respect, accept, and treat with dignity a child or colleague or parent we like, enjoy, and agree with, is easy. We all can          do that without much trouble.  But it takes a true professional to be  respectful and accepting of a child or a student you        might wish was absent from the classes or meetings more often! To be a professional also means treating with dignity            and acceptance students or parents we might dislike or with whom we disagree. After all, parents – and students — are          just like 31 people! Some are easier to develop relationships with than others (Katz, 2008).

“Willingness to protect children is a characteristic of any decent and compassionate society and of any intelligent nation seeking to preserve itself” (Edelman, 1989)

Louise Derman-Sparks seems to be passionate about teaching young children, she commentated that “It was like the most joyful experience where I felt that everything in me was called on to teach and also it was very rewarding.  It just made me feel whole.  It made me feel whole and it made me feel creative” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).

Sandy Escobido was motivated to join the early childhood field by “Seeing how involved my [her] parents were.  It made me [her] want to be involved in education in general” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).

Edelman, M. (1989). Defending America’s Children. Educational Leadership, 46(8), 77.

Katz, L. (2008, November).  Challenges and Dilemmas of Educating Teachers of Young Children. Speech presented at the National        Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Conference, Dallas, Texas.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2013). The Passion for Early Childhood [Video webcast]. Retrieved from                                https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3468507_1%26url%3D

Personal Childhood Web

by

5

During my life, there have been people who have supported and nurtured me.  Five of them are: 

My Mother

Ever since I can remember my mother has always been very encouraging and supportive.  Since I grew up in a single-parent household she did not want me to become too dependent on her so she pushed me towards being more independent.  Throughout my life I have never doubted her love for me and she has always been my role model.  Though she was what some considered a strict parent I was never afraid to approach her with any topic. I knew that everything she did was out of love for me.  She made sacrifices to ensure that I had what I needed to succeed.  My mother’s influence can be seen in so many areas of my life such as: my approach to situations that arise, the way I treat others, some of my characteristics and my attitude towards work.  

 Aunty Avril 

I have always known her as Aunty Avril.  When I was younger she shared an apartment with my mother and me.  Her schedule was such that it allowed her to drop me at school every morning.  I soon became like a daughter to Aunty Avril.  We often had our own inside jokes and nick names for each other.  Aunty Avril still kept in touch even after we had all left that apartment.  When I went to college I got weekly emails from her and I continue to do so now.  Whenever I return home I always visit her and her co-workers.  She went to my college graduation, which made us both extremely happy. Aunty Avril influenced me to keep in touch with my friends. I really appreciated the fact that she kept in touch me even though we were miles apart

 Aunty Marcia

My whole life I have called her Aunty Marcia.  She is my mother’s hairdresser.  When I was younger I used to stay at her house after school.  My mother would pick me up from there on her way home from work.  At the time, Aunty Marcia had two sons, one was one year older than me and the other was two years younger than me.  She always involved me in anything that her family was doing, I never felt like an outsider but instead I felt like a part of her family.  When it was time for my high school prom she did my hair and nails for free.  She has always been involved in my life and has playfully teased me about boys and about growing up. Since leaving Jamaica we do not keep in touch like I would like to but my mother relays messages between the both of us.  Whenever I return home she is always one of the first persons that I visit. Her influence can be seen in the way I try to include other people in much the same way that she always included me.

Uncle McKayle 

I have known him for the majority of my life.  He used to work next door to my mother; he dropped her at work for years until she got her own vehicle.  Uncle McKayle was always interested in how I was doing at school.  He was also interested in my nutrition. Uncle Mac would sometimes buy groceries for us on the weekend, mostly fruits.  When he became a Christian, he would often tell me that he is praying for me.  He always visits me when I return home.  Nowadays I don’t talk to him very often but I often think of his kindness and this makes me want to be kind to someone else. 

 Aunty Pearline

Aunty Pearline ,as she was known to me, was my mother’s co-worker.  She would often invite me to her house where I would have sleepovers with her children.  I became very close to her daughter who was one year younger than me.  Aunty Pearline was always very encouraging to me, especially in regards to school.  One year she invited me to join her family on their family vacation at a hotel.  It was one of the my best vacations. When I started college in America she told me that I could contact her if I needed any help, financial or otherwise.  Nowadays I mostly stay in contact with her through her daughter. Her influence can be seen in the close relationship I now have with her daughter.

Special Day

by

1

My student drew this picture after we had a Special Day. I like it because it shows how happy she was. I also like the vibrant colors she used and the fact that everyone has the same nose.

Ohana means fam…

by

2

Ohana means family – no one gets left behind, and no one is ever forgotten. ~Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, Lilo & Stitch

A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer. ~Author Unknown

There’s nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child.
-Frank A. Clark

Quotes that mean a lot to me, something to consider.