My Collection of Education Quotes

“In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.”  Harry K. Wong

The important thing is not to stop questioning.  Albert Einstein

“We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs.”  Bill Clinton

Testing for Intelligence?

Looking at children holistically, I believe there are two areas that should be assessed.  The first area is the child’s well being.  This includes yearly health exams.  Children should be checked to see if they need glasses, need speech help, or have some kind of disability.  These are just to name a few.   Learning cannot happen if the child cannot see, or hear the teacher.  I often think of the kid who comes to school hungry and cannot focus.  His hierarchy of needs has not been met, so learning cannot take place just yet.  The second area is of course assessing their learning through testing.  I think testing shouldn’t just be pencil and paper.  I believe it should vary from group projects, oral presentations, book reports, and verbal testing with the teacher.  Today, we have all kinds of learning styles, and it is important to reach all our students.  Incorporating social learning into our assessment is an important tool I believe. 

 I decided to look into China because I taught 2^nd grade there one summer.  Education is very important. I read an article entitled, “China’s Children too busy for playtime.”  The children go to school Monday through Friday for nine hours a day.  Their parents only work eight hours.  Most children spend their weekends studying and doing extracurricular activities.  They lack in play, and are missing out in socialization.  The children are assessed through testing like here in the states, but these children strive for perfection.  In one study mentioned in this article, only four out of ten children said they had friends to play with when they were allowed to play.  This could contribute to why the children are so unhappy.  A 16 year old even committed suicide because she failed an entrance exam to high school.  I think this says it all.  Children in China are simply assessed in one area only and that is their grades.  These children are missing out on childhood and playtime which allows them to develop in other areas. 

All around the world, we are assessing our children.  In some countries, success means nothing less than perfect.  In other countries, as long as you try, you have succeeded.  Every child is unique and has something to offer.  It is our job as early childhood professions to help our students be the best they can be.  If it really is a calling for us, we will bend over backwards to make sure everyone is learning.  In some classrooms today, you will find teachers just using worksheets after worksheets.  This shouldn’t be us.  I do believe if we give our children more opportunities to collaborate with their peers and have time to just be kids that we will see assessment scores rise.  I feel that if school is all work and no play then students will be no longer interested in school by second grade.  Assessment should comes in many forms. 

Reference:

“China’s Children too busy for playtime.”  China Daily.  Retrieved from: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/13/content_871182.htm

The Cost of War

I chose to look into how war affects children.  My son Daniel is my subject for this week.  He is pictured above with his daddy.  His dad deployed to Iraq for the second time when he was four weeks old.  He saw him for R&R for two weeks when Daniel was four months old.  Then the day Daniel turned nine months old, I got a knock at my door letting me know that my husband was killed in action.  I was suddenly a 21 year old widow with a 9 month old baby.  I am still dealing with the effects of this through my son.  He is still too young to understand today, but he has so many discipline issues.  He is very angry, and has become violent with me to the point he has left bruises on me.  We are still being passed around from psychiatrist to psychologist and nobody can really help him.  The doctors only see that he is ADHD and say he is a typical four year old.  It breaks my heart because he will be five next year, and I know his personality is starting to become permanent.  I’m not giving up on him living a somewhat normal life.  My parents have compensated for this loss by spoiling him and spending as much time with him as they can.  He also has a step-dad now whom Daniel calls Father. 

I chose to look into our own country the USA for this week.  We have spent almost the last decade fighting the Iraq War and now Afghanistan.  There are so many military children today that have either one or both parents serving abroad for up to 15 months at a time.  We are just now beginning to see the effects on the children.  I read two articles by Lawrence Hardy.  The first one was entitled, “Children of the Wars.”  Hardy talked about one Elementary School in particular that had more than half its students with deployed parents.  The children constantly asked the adults when daddy was coming home or if he was. (Hardy 2008). Teachers also saw signs of behavior problems, lack of attention, and grades slip.  Hardy says the best thing you can do is talk about it with your children. I also read, “When Kids Lose Parents in Our War in Iraq.”  It took me a few days to read this for obvious reasons.  Hardy talked about a school counselor who had to go speak to the classroom full of little children and somehow share that one of their classmates lost a daddy today.  The children responded, “Will my dad be ok?”  (Hardy 2006).  Hardy also mentioned that today is not like back in the day.  We have parents doing five or more deployments.  There is one school that counselors decided to take action and form a Kit Kat group.  The acronyms stand for Keeping in Touch, Kids and Troops.  This group gets together sends pictures, and writes letters to the deployed parents.  I have decided when we get back to the states and I have my own classroom again, I plan to do this as well.  There is no greater joy than helping someone else.

References:

Hardy, L. (2006). When Kids Lose Parents in Our War in Iraq. Education Digest, 72(4), 10-12. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

Hardy, L. (2008). Children of the Wars. American School Board Journal, 195(5), 24-27. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

The Mental State of China

·         http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid42806360001?bctid=85442809001

I chose to study the mental health of adults in China and how it is affecting children.  This topic is close to my heart because I was in a different state of mind when my son was an infant.  He spent four weeks with his dad and then he deployed to Iraq for a second tour.  His dad was killed in Iraq when he was 9 months old.  I of course was a mess, and my mental state was indescribable.  I decided to do some research on this topic.   I chose China because I once taught ESL for a summer there.

A few months ago, China was in the headlines because of a man who attacked some Kindergarteners.  He walked into the school and killed two adults and seven children.  This brought the world’s attention to the mental health state that China is in.  Doctors discovered that the men involved had prior mental health history, but it was ignored.  He was very depressed, and felt suicidal.  This man said he did this because he believed that this would be the greatest impact. He killed these children because the school would not pay more rent.  My heart goes out to these families of the children.

Nearly 20% of the people of China are suffering from mental illness.  China use to be a very introverted society, so people are just now confiding with others including their doctor about their mental state.  It use to be that people would think less of you if you said you are suffering mentally.  There are resources available, but some areas are still poverty stricken.  Change in China is happening one person at a time.

This example of the man who killed the Kindergarteners was an extreme example, but not too far from home.  I remember the Oklahoma City Bomber and the UNT Campus Shooter.  We are fortunate to live in the United States of America because of all the resources available.  It breaks my heart that little children do die everyday at the hands of some heartless and insane adults.    They were to young to defend themselves.  Stories like this make me value my role in the early childhood field.  I really take to heart standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves or are afraid to.

References:

“Mental Disorders Major Health Issue in China.”  Thaindian News.   Retrieved November 11, 2010 from

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/mental-disorders-major-health-issue-in-  china_100356394.html.

Tran, Tini.  (May 2010).  School Attacks Highlight Mental Health Issues.  USA Today.  Retrieved

November 11. 2010 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-14-china-mental-  schools_N.htm.

Childbirth- My Life and The World Around Me

I gave birth to my son Daniel a little over four years ago.  He was nearly two months early, but he came out 6lbs 6oz.  I had him at a hospital and did receive an epidural and Episiotomy.  I remember how happy I was going into labor, but I soon changed my mind a few hours later when the contractions began unbearable!  I remember how many friends and family were there for me, and I remember how excited my parents were in becoming grandparents.  Ten hours later, I gave birth to my son.  I cried as soon as they put him in my arms.  I didn’t realize it until my husband told me later.  My overall birthing experience was amazing and one I will never forgot. 

     I chose to learn more about the birthing experiences of South Koreans because we are stationed here.   The women are encouraged to push as much as they can to avoid an episiotomy.   Birthing pools are also common in every hospital if the mother chooses to use one.  Surprisingly C-sections are very high here.  Nurses keep the babies for 24 hours.  I assume this is so the parents can re-coop from the delivery.  I wish I had this opportunity.  I was handed my son as soon as they cleaned him up.  I was so exhausted from not sleeping two days.    There is also little communication between the doctor and patient here.  There is no privacy here which I have personally experienced.  Women have no shame walking around without clothes.  They have maternity hotels here for women to go to after they give birth so they can rest.  I love this idea!  The women eat a lot of seaweed soup after delivery.  I think that when a mother gives birth the joy is the same all across the world!

Examining Codes of Ethics

Listed below are some three Ideals from the NAEYC

I-2.4—To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon

their strengths and competencies, and learn from

families as we support them in their task of nurturing

children.  I think it important to listen to what parents have to say.  I think we should first listen to what the parents have to say and then build on it with our experience.  We only see the child half of the time, so it is crucial to listen to the parents.  For example, little Billy may be acting up in daycare, biting, and hitting.  I talk to Mom and find out Dad is no longer in the picture.  It doesn’t make the situation ok, but now I have something to work with. 

I-2.7—To share information about each child’s education

and development with families and to help them

understand and appreciate the current knowledge

base of the early childhood profession.  There is no handbook on how to be a parent.  All educators must have training before they have children in their care.  It is our job to share our wealth of knowledge with the parents.  Teachers should often share different learning styles and teaching strategies that may work with that child.  In early childhood, most kids are not yet diagnosed with learning disabilities or any other issue.  It is our job to keep watch closely and share with the parents ways we can help.    

I-2.9—To participate in building support networks for

families by providing them with opportunities to

interact with program staff, other families, community

resources, and professional services.  I think closing the gap between parent and teacher is important.  PTA is a great example of this.  Some daycares also offer classes parents can attend about raising children in general.  The resources are plentiful, but not everyone knows where to start.

My Collection of Early Childhood Resources

It Takes A Village:  And Other Lessons Children Teach Us by Hillary R. Clinton.

Giving:  How Each Of Us Can Change The World by Bill Clinton.

How To Be An Effective Teacher:  The First Days of School by Harry K Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.

EDCU 6005 Course Resources

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, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/53029/CRS-CW-4465393/educ6005_readings/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf
  
• 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://www.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/~images/pdfs/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. 

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, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
   
• Websites:
  • World Forum Foundation
    http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage 
    
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep.org.gu.se/English/about_OMEP/
    Read about OMEP’s mission. 
    
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/about/
    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/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/index.cfm
  
• 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/pages/page.asp?page_id=22807
  
• 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

Quotes about Education

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."
                                                                                                          Sandy Escobido-Walden Student

"Children are still trying to figure out their identity.  They are still being bombarded with positive and negative messages."                                                                                      Louise Derman-Sparks-Walden Student

"The single greatest effect on student achievement is not race, it is not poverty — it is the effectiveness of the teacher.”                                                          Harry Wong- Author, Speaker, Former HS Science Teacher

“In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.”                                                        Harry Wong- Author, Speaker, Former HS Science Teacher

Personal Childhood Web

I have chosen five people that nurtured me when I was a child and have continued to influence me today.

My Mom was always there for me.  She worked full time, but she always took her lunch break when school let out just so she could pick me up.  She always spent her bonus checks on buying me new clothes and made sure I had everything a little girl could ask for.  To this day, my mom still drops everything if I need help with my kids or anything else.  She has inspired me to be a better Mom.

My Dad was always a workaholic when I was a child.  He always encouraged me to do better than him.  He wanted me to go to college one day and be the first person in our family to graduate, and I did.  I remember spending a lot of Father/Daughter days.  I really enjoyed that, and I am glad that I was able to have a Father figure in my life.  I have picked up his workaholic habit, but I have been able to balance family and work out.  He has inspired me to follow my heart and reach for the sky.

Elaine was my babysitter growing up.  I remember looking forward to spending every summer with her while my parents worked.  We did something every day including feeding the ducks, swimming, or going to the movies.  She had about 10 kids that she regularly babysat.  When I look back at everything we did, I think about how much planning she did.  She loved being around children.  She has since retired, but her legacy still continues with all the children she worked with. 

Vanessa was my best friend growing up.  We spent every day together.  We went to school together, and then we played together in the afternoon.  She was my friend who knew me inside and out.  We use to play “school” and “house.”  We are still friends today and both teachers. 

Mrs. Crum was my first grade teacher.  I had a horrible Kindergarten experience.  It was probably because I got in trouble often in Kindergarten.  Mrs. Crum helped me change my mind about education.  When I was in her class, I began to love Math, Reading, and Writing.  She was a very patient teacher who loved teaching.  She inspired me to become a teacher.

A Little Bit About My Passion For Early Childhood Education

My Favorite Quote: 

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." Ghandi

Children are our future.  Some research suggests that a child's personality is fully developed by first grade.  We as Early Childhood Professionals have the opportunity to mold  future leaders everyday!  Ghandi is right in that everything does begin with them. 

My Favorite Children's Book: 

Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See By Eric Carle is my favorite children’s book.  My son can’t read yet, but he sits down and acts like it when he has this book in his hands.  I have seen the same thing happen with other children while student teaching with the same book.  This book is an awesome book for literally everyone!  It is my favorite book because it is so simple, yet it reaches the heart of nearly all children.

My Favorite Artwork:

My favorite piece of artwork is my son's finger-painting and water coloring.  I have no idea what they are suppose to be and was unable to upload it.  I always hang these pictures up on my refrigerator.  He loves to go back and look at them during the day.  It makes him feel very special that everyone in the house gets to see his magnificent work even if he is the only one who knows what it is!  My mentor teacher told me that she believes that we need to incorporate Art everyday in the classroom because we may never know who will be the next Picasso.  Also, we do not know how many hands on learners we really have at this age!

The Story of One Student:

While I was student teaching Pre-K last year, I met a student named Ashton.  He has severe Autism and ADHD.  He also had speech problems and I’m sure more will be discovered later.  He absolutely loved school and this is what drew me to him in the first place.  He had a hard time staying focused in class, but he tried real hard.  I also tried real hard to meet his needs on a daily basis because that is how often they changed.  He has problems at home, and school was his safe haven.  I loved spending seven hours a day with him because I knew I was making a difference somehow.  I can’t wait to have my own classroom because I know over the years I will encounter more “Ashton’s.”  My heart is eager to share my passion for education especially with students like Ashton.  This little child opened up my eyes a little more and helped me become a better teacher.