"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.
Wow, Stacy! Out of all the quotes out there about children and families, we picked the same one! I love Ghandi's teachings and I especially love what he says here about children. I strongly agree that what we pass on to children when they are young is what will stick with them. I also believe, as someone else said - actually may have also been Ghandi, I don't remember - that it is by our actions that children learn, not our words. I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist. Anyway, we've got to be the change that we want to see in the world (I heard Marianne Williamson say that, Michael Jackson said it too actually, probably lots of people have:) and if we become that change, then we will pass it on to the children that we influence. In other words, I cannot teach children to be peaceful and loving if I am not acting that way in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying Korea. I've shared with you some of my Japan experience already. I'm sure we'll have more to share as we go through this class together.
Hi Stacy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your comment about Ashton. I too have realized a lot about humans through the interactions of children. We all have issues. We should not be so eager to judge or lash out at others due to their inaccuracies, because believe it or not we have some of our own that we dont even know about yet. And until we interact with others we wont know about them. This is why I pay so much to the way I'm criticized. Not saying that I believe all that's being said or that I'm trying to please everyone. Because deep down I know which ones are legitimate. I would really like to know the status of Ashton throughout the remainder of this class and thereafter. So please keep me posted. Thanks in advance.
Stacy, I too love quotes from Ghandi. My school email has the quote "Be the change you want to see in the world." I want to some day teach overseas. Are you currently teaching? How long will you be in Korea? I hope you post pictures of life over there. I love to learn and see other places/cultures.
ReplyDeletei was touched by the way you handle the little boy with so many problems you gave him hope and i can see you becoming a wonderful teacher
ReplyDeleteMy children and I really enjoy the book Brown Bear. Even though they can't read, they do recognize the animals and colors. We read a book a week. The first two days, I will read it and we will discuss what is in the book. By Thursday and Friday the children can read the book to you and know it by hard.
ReplyDeleteDear Stacy:
ReplyDeleteThank you for always being on target with all assignments I was very impressed with your extensive knowledge and intelligence.
I believe that my education, skills and experiences has been influenced by your thoughts and ideals, and I am confident that you are going to make an excellent educator.
If there is a time that you need my advice or my thoughts about educator issues, I will be here via my Masters blog.
Thank you for bringing so much to our class.
Sincerely,
LaWanda Polk