Week 5

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://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
  
  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://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//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
  
• 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/

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

 

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Week 4

Dr. Sylvia Chard, Ph.D.

One of the most exciting parts of the project for me as the teacher was the day the children decided to build the lift. I had put out some yarn and string, thinking that they would come up with an idea of using these materials to make the lift go up and down. José had a different idea and began experimenting with the pipe cleaners. Justin joined him, and together they made the lift cable longer and began to pull on it to make sure it was sturdy. I felt like I was watching building engineers. When the cable was attached and José could see that his idea had worked, he beamed with pride. I said, "José, you are such a problem solver." He went over to Noemi and announced, "Noemi, I am an expert. I am a problem solver!" I realized how powerful children's thinking really is if we just provide the opportunities.

As the children arrived at school after Hurricane Katrina, parents and children commented on some of the events that had taken place during the previous week. Several parents talked about how they had worked with their children to gather food, toys, and clothes to take to local shelters. One mother mentioned that she and her 4-year-old daughter were collecting pennies to donate to a local fundraiser for hurricane victims. Other parents talked about the many relatives who were staying with them because they had to evacuate their homes. It was obvious that many of the children were aware of the countless changes that were taking place around them.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.

"[P]art of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness.”

"The moment I decided to follow instead of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world."

“We must be the compassion we wish to see in others!"

Week 3 Assignment

Here are pictures of my Class Mates and some of my closest friends

 

 

                                 Here are some of my closest family members that inspired, cared and loved me through the good and bad times. Unfortunately, my great-grandmother, uncle and nanny are deceased. May their souls Rest In Peace.

What can I say about this little boy here? He was like my brother but he was only my cousin. If you saw him you had to believe I wasn't far behind him. He taught me how to ride my bike and play basketball. I would always enjoy our time together because I was his little and only cousin on this side of the family. I remember when I was five, he got into trouble because he took my Pac-Man game. From that moment on he was best friend. As an adult now, he encourages me to do my very best and not to give up. He is always there to listen and give advice if I am having a hard time.

 My great-grandmother was the best story teller. She would always tell us stories and gives us her Almond Joys if we just laid there and listened. I would say it was a treat for the both us. It was her quality time with us and we would get candy at bedtime. If you caught her on a good day she would let you play in her beautiful silky gray hair.

These two little girls has grown up to be the most inspiring women I know. We may have not gotten along when we were children. We would go skating, riding our bikes to the parks or even go to school functions together. We were always around each other. As a child I thought we were more like sisters than cousins. They always found away to make me feel special as a kid. I was so blessed to be able to call them my older cousins. As adults they continue to give their words of wisdom and encouragement. Yes, we have had our share of difference but I can truly admit these are my role models.

 My mother has an always and will be the apple of my eyes. I never understood growing up why she worked so hard for one child. It cost us alot of time. she did her very best as a single mother. I appreciate all that she has done for me. She has a warm and calming spirit. Her smile brightens up any cloudy day.
She always would tell me, "I prayed for a daughter and how much she loves me." She is the strongest woman in the world. Even though she wasn't around much because she worked and provided for us.

This brave and loyal man was called UNCLE. Even though, he was really my great uncle but the title uncle was just fine for him. He was a soldier in World War 2 and he retired from the United States Postal Service after 35 years due to an illness. For him family, being a well round indivial and well educated was his main focus for us. My world stopped in 2006 when he died. Just two months before I graduated from college.
I can still remember clearly living with him during my early childhood and teenage years. Because education was so important to him, I remember waking up to the smell of home made pancakes in the morning before school. Everything was already prepared for me for school. He was yell, "Geraldine get up and get ready for school so you can be on time." Everything was done at his house in a timely and orderly fashion.
Since family was so important he encouraged my cousins and I to get along. We would also have to play together. If one couldn't do, no of us could. And it made as better. He used to say "cousins were your first friends so you had to learn how to play and get along with them before you became friends with other people." I don't think my cousins agreed but they wasn't never going to tell him no different. It wasn't until I was old enough to understand why he used to say "A family that prays together stays together."

It has been almost seven years since he died and I miss him so very much. The times that we shared together are special to me because no matter what he made sure that I was happy. He would go without to make sure I was happy. As you can see I was smiling on this picture because I was always with him. I was his shadow. I remember that cold Tuesday when he died. He smiled and said,  "Geraldine if you try your very best at whatever your heart desires and you fail try again. Don't be a failure and don't lose to the game of life!" And that day was the last day I saw the most beautiful smile in the world take a deep and long breathe and died.


Nanny
This woman was truly an amazing person. The love she had for her Creator was pure and it never changed. I remember sleeping over there on the weekend and attending Church on Sunday was mandatory. After church we would visit the sick and shut in that were mentioned in service that day. She would prepare their meals and tidy their homes. As a teenager I felt that was cruel and unusal punishment. But at 31 years old I realize she was passing down wisdom. It has opened my eyes over the last five years and now I appreciate it. Some of my daily prayers are ones that she taught me to pray. She would always say, "Prayer changes things so continue to be thankful through the storms. Her worlds of encouragement has helped me face the battles in my everyday life with victory. Some nights before I go to sleep I can still hear singing Victory is yours.

Week 2 Blog Assignment

Innocent without no problems of the world

Still have the same smile
















                                                    A Dedication


A close friend of mind was in an abusive relationship for nearly ten years. However, it ended tragically. She had several opportunities to leave but she said, "She loved him and was scared to be alone." Six years into this relationship she found out she was pregnant and things just got worse. The beatings continued and she knew he would eventually kill them. At seven months pregnant she found out she was having twins a boy and a girl. And at this point is when she decided that it was finally time to pack and leave early in the morning while he was still asleep. However, that plan didn't work. The noise that we made woke him up. He grabbed the car keys and left. To cause more problems to the situation he drove her car into the nearby river. Still determined to without a car some mutual friends of ours helped her pack and move while he was gone. She had her twins, but unfortunately her son died and her daughter has severe health issues including seizures. Doctors said, "it has a lot to do with her father abusing her mother while she was in the womb."

This little girl is my inspiration. She keeps a smile on her face no matter what. I can remember after a seizure she told me, "Nanny stop crying! I went to go play with Jo-Jo (her brother) for awhile." At the age of 5 her seizures have slowed down, she's the smartest in her class, she sings in the children's choir and is very fluent in Spanish. In closing, if you could meet her you would fall in love with her brown eyes, with chubby cheeks and a beautiful smile. Her determination to make other's smile at such a young age is an inspiration. I remember at career day at school she said, "I want to be a teacher, so that I can teach them its a bad to let your daddy hit your mommy. My mommy died when I was four, my daddy used to hit her all the time."






A coloring sheets that I received from my godchild (The child above)

I was having a real bad day. She came home and said,  "Nanny I made something for you." And little did she know it brighten up my day!

Black & Gold Monday

Greeting from New Orleans, La

It's WHO DAT DAY! The New Orleans Saints are playing in the dome tonight. However, I will only be listening to the game because I am trying to get this online school together! I really thought I understood it but it looks like I haven't gotten the hang of it yet! Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday! Before I go I want to send a special greeting to all of colleagues at Walden University.

2 things to know

This is my first time creating a blog and attending school online!