My Support

 

 Family is the main  foundation of my support, next are my co-workers and friends, they  are the lens of my vision. Collaborating with other educational facilities provides me with the tools I need to enhance my skills in my field of study. My spiritual belief of an higher power gives me the strength to go forth and overcome any obstacle; that might hinder me from completing any  task that I might set out to accomplish. Quotes like, THE HEIGHTS OF GREAT MEN REACHED AND KEPT, written  by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The ROAD NOT TAKEN by Robert Frost, my island's NATIONAL PLEDGE (Jamaica), and the former  GIRLS GUIDE OATH; I took embrace  as a constant reminder of where I'm coming from and the journey set ahead.

Our Cultures and Parent Involvement

Networking with parents and other professionals help me to create a community of learning, either it entails learning about a family's culture or  one's achievement. Other factors are policies and mandated guidelines created by law markers to provide a diverse community for children and their families.Ongoing  professional training and higher education supports my professional development and growth.The ability to abide by the documented policies and procedures on a daily basis help me to construct and design my classroom accordingly to  the need of my students and support their development in all domains. Without professional development I would not be able to cope with the demographic changes in the population of children and families served. Laws and policies help to  protects the rights of children and families where as all children are given an equally education despite their sex, color, race, ethnicity, and physical or mental ability. I cannot imagine where I would be today in my professional field had I not involved in professional staff development.

My Connections to Play

In play a child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behavior. In play it is as though he were a head taller than himself.

Lev Vygotsky
Russian psychologist
1896–1934

The playing adult steps sideward into another reality; the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery.  ~Erik H. Erikson

My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is.  ~Ron Olson

How I view Play

Play is the 'Pursuit of Happiness ' in a child's world and the 'Blue Print' to future adult roles. Play holds no grudges or prejudices as it enfolds in the roles or choices of the child; it creates a lens that only the child can visually dissect the world around him while  it's conjoined with the  symbolic existence of life. 

Younger Self Play Items

                                                
 
  ( Early mechanical thoughts)      (Architect discovering)       (Aviation / Physics  discovering)

              
 (Early Physics discovery)    (Early Science discovery)                   (Early math skills explored & fine motor)

The above were some of the childhood toys that I've built and played with my peers. Dolls were sometimes mad out of already eaten East Indian mango seeds.Sometimes adult would join in a play with me. Usually the males would push and steer the Go Cart or they'll sit and have the children push them up and down the street. The men help to strip the bamboo for the kite and they help the younger children to build their kites while the older children are on their own. There were several ways of making kites, paper airplanes were only shared by children. Jacks game is one of my favorite toy, neighborhood women usually join. They often show us how to control and balance the  metal or plastic spokes on top of our hand. The soil was a toy for me, I use to dig for a bug called  'Back Back Nanny'. My mother was not fond of me playing in the dirt, my grand-daddy didn't mind, he always say,"Come her child see a Nanny hole there, go find Nanny". My grandpa use to beat me in a game of marbles, he flicks his marble so hard that it sometimes breaks the other marbles.

Compare & Contrast Play then and now
Some play items remain the same just a bit advance, for example, the soil is now inside the classroom and it's labeled 'Sand table'. The only difference is the limitation of how many people are allowed to play in the sand table, while I had no limitation. Most kites today are already made which takes away from the creativity  I  had as a child, marbles are seen as  chokable toy or placed in a fish tank for decoration. Go Carts are very much advance in comparison to the recycled materials from an old  tire, woods nailed together, as  the patent of a car is created. The paper made airplanes and boats are replaced with plastic models; both items does not require rebuilding because of the material being used. These items are place in specific areas of the classroom, for example, airplanes are often found in the Block Area and the boats in the Water table. My childhood paper boat sailed on the rushing water from the rain on the roads. Play had helped me to discover many skills in life, such as taking turns, being creative, enhance social skills, fine and large motor development, and problem solving. During my early adolescence years play was part of my everyday life engaging in  more advanced activities such as dodge ball, know to me as Dandy Shandy, and baseball (these balls were  made out of an empty pint milk cartons stuffed with newspaper, and our hands were the bat). Today I must say play for me was the best opportunity I had to enjoy the outdoors and learn from the people that I've shared those playful moments with.

Ingredients of my healthy relationship

My daughters 

They give me unconditional love, my eldest(Ma'laylay, on the left) is the technology genius who supports me in all areas of cyber world. Whenever I get frustrated with connection to my classes, in her soothing and comforting voice  she'll say,"Mom, mom just walk away and tell me what you need to get done. Mommy maybe you're tired and you've got to much on your plate. Take a break and I'll help you, TayTay(she call her sister) please get mommy something to drink"

Taytay (center) my youngest, always have a smile to share and randomly throw kisses and hugs and refuses to leave me alone if I'm in distress, or overwhelmed with my workload.

My sisters,cousins, and close friends who are always there for me through thick or thin. These woman are my cheer leaders, my pillars, my campaigners when all hopes are loss.

My parents

Arthur(left) my step-dad who treated me with respect and never let me felt like I was not a part of his world. Edgar(my dad) and Mae(my step-mom) surrounds me with love and the true value of family. These three individuals call everyday or they'll just pop up if they don't hear my voice 'or haven't seen me in a day or two. My parents still give me hugs and kisses and tell me how much they love and appreciates me regardless of my flaws.

My sisters, Heidi and Stacey who are always there to catch me when I fall, they keep me mentally, spiritually, and physically recharged.

The Dynamic System

Ms. Rosita (co- teacher, center) help me to bring balance to the classroom and my home. We have built a relationship beyond the classroom.This woman is like my sister,when I'm hurt,she's hurt, if I cry , she cries. We have establish a relationship that other teachers ,like Ms. Guzman( left),often say,"I envy you guys, you two work so good together, I wish I was on your team".



The interconnection of family , friends and other co-workers throughout the years had helped to shape the individual that I am today. As human we are born with the gift to socialize,nurture, and build relationships. The relationship that I have with my immediate family taught me how to build a positive relationship with others. The constant nurture that receive from my grandmother, sisters,dad,step-dad,and step mom I'm able to reciprocate the same to my students and everyone that intercept my path.

Children quotes with a word of "Thanks"

Children need models more than they need critics.

JOSEPH JOUBERT, Pensées

If a child is given love, he becomes loving ... If he's helped when he needs help, he becomes helpful. And if he has been truly valued at home ... he grows up secure enough to look beyond himself to the welfare of others.

DR. JOYCE BROTHERS, Good Housekeeping, Aug. 2010

Children are the boldest philosophers. They enter life naked, not covered by the smallest fig leaf of dogma, absolutes, creeds. This is why every question they ask is so absurdly naïve and so frighteningly complex.

YEVGENY ZAMYATIN, On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters
Emma Goldman
No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.

As we continue our professional growth I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all my colleges. You have shared some insightful articles on Child Development  from  Europe,  the USA, to the seas of the Caribbean. Through each other's lens we were able to value and embrace this wonderful field of studies. I hope that we could continue  to support each other as our unremitting passion guide us  on the roads least traveled, with the acceptance that we are the foundation that shapes the  future.

Standardize Testing

Do you think standardize testing gives every child a fair score? I don't think so. Children are all unique, some are fast learners others are slow to warm learners. There's one standardize testing that use to bother me during my childhood years in Jamaica. It was the infamous Common Entrance Examination presently known as the Grade Six Achievement Test(GSAT). Children with hidden special needs/learning disabilities suffer the effect of these testing. Physical disabled children escape the wrath of rigorous study habits and constant rote learning. The agonizing preparation was a stressful experience for children whose coping mechanism lack the positive and nurturing support of the dynamic system. Children are force to prove to their parents, teachers, and their entire community that they are smart and not dunce(name given to children who didn't pass these test). These tests have cause controversy among educators and other private sectors. In addition to controversy, children suffer the wraths of their parents verbal and physical abuse  for not being successful. The Common Entrance examination were originally designed for preparatory school it was not until the later years after Jamaica Independence(1962) that poor and wealthy children could compete to attend a prestigious high school. Two articles from the daily gleaner shared a horrify tales  about a disappointed father, a stress out mother and a child:
THE WHOLE country must be scandalised at the report of a father mercilessly beating his daughter because she did not get a place at a traditional high school in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test. His frustration is understandable: the life chances of thousands of Jamaicans are often determined by the type of secondary school they attend. But why take it out on the child? Frustrated parents and children must learn to direct their frustration in the appropriate direction.At Independence in 1962, we had 41 traditional high schools and 8 senior schools. Only at high school could one take the Cambridge GCE Examinations, which would allow entrance into higher education, but space in those 41 schools was limited. At the same time, we had the Grade 6 students of the 672 All-Age Schools and 21 Junior Schools competing to enter the traditional high schools.The first problem was addressed by the introduction of a competitive examination called the Common Entrance Examination (CEE), where selection would be on the basis of performance, and not wealth. Here for the first time, rich and poor would compete in the same examination for entrance into the same schools, and cracks began to appear in Jamaica's rigid class- and colour-conscious social structure. In 1959, 24,819 students sat the CEE and 1,916 students were placed in the 41 high schools. Those who failed to get a place in a high school went to the senior schools or remained in all-age schools until Grade 9 when their school careers would come to an end.
Parent Experience:

"Last night, he told me he wanted to bang his head on the wall. He can't take it anymore," she says.

The boy, one of the estimated hundreds of GSAT candidates who react in this way to the exam pressure, recently started having migraine headaches and suffers every night from complications, such as swollen temples and neck glands brought on by bronchitis, according to his mother. Emotional problems started surfacing several weeks ago, and this prompted her to consult a child psychiatrist.

"Nobody must fail in that school," the mother remarks angrily. "They put them (to sit) in different averages, like 90s sit here, 80s sit here, 70s sit there and then the 90s criticise the 70s and the 60s which my son is in. They (classmates) tell them they are dunce and they are going to gunman school.

This is just a tip of the iceberg displaying the ramification of standardize testing, who is  the true  beneficiary, parents, educators, students, or examination councils? These tests unfairly assess academic performances on one level when all children does not learn at the same pace. Improvement is necessary in preparation of these tests so that children are assessed  not only on their academic performance but on the overall development of the child.


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/56730_Ghost-of-Common-Entrance-haunts-GSAT#ixzz2WLW0Mv8N
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Jamaica

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20020703/cleisure/cleisure2.html
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070221/letters/letters1.html
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/56730_Ghost-of-Common-Entrance-haunts-GSAT

Divorce

Divorce is an emotional stressor that affect young children. Some children may have a high resilience to cope with the change while others shows signs of trauma. In most divorce cases, children are caught in the middle of a custody battle in which they feel as if their life is left in the toss of a coin. Young children often feel guilty if they choose a parent of preference to live with or the court often make the decision in the so call best interest of the child/children. In places like Jamaica where marriages are not quiet common as a   common law relationship. Separations do take the same effect on the child/children as in the nature of a divorce. Children who are caught in the midst of these broken union are force to readjust their life, that is, changes in their financial support and the dual parenting network. From my personal experience of a broken union, losing one parent to another relationship was a very difficult experience. It was  the unexplained reasons behind the broken union, my parents never include the children in their decision to separate. Even though both of my parents lived in separate homes, visitation was a daily routine, so I guess there was no need for a judge's decision as who was right for the children. There was no cultural guilt or shame as it was a norm in my culture. However in China before the early 1970s children of divorced parents suffers societal shame. A recent  research show that children from divorced families suffers anxiety and depression.  Fathers are often given custody of their children but if the mother gain custody, the children suffer financially and lives in  poverty, sometimes their education get affected. Divorced or common law bond when children are in the midst of these broken relationships, they need to be inclusive of the decision making. Parents need to realize that their children emotion is just as valid as theirs. Parents ought to be civil about building a healthy relationship so that their children could inherit a healthy life.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060918/flair/flair9.html


http://mfr.haworthpress.com © 2007 by The Haworth Press. Used by permission

Health/Anemia (prenatal care)

Health  is a  broad statement , however  it can be narrowed down to a specific topic or concern.  Health care is  essential for pregnant woman and their babies. Access to adequate health care  services provides educational information that encourages healthy eating habits, immunization, and parenting skills, which leads to healthy babies ,who might later manifest into healthy adults. In the USA  most families are insured privately or enrolled in  a State Health Care Plan. Similarly no one is denied healthcare services despite  their socieconomic status. For example in the city of Bridgeport, Ct. Americare operates a free clinic where residents receive immediate health care free of charge. The clinic partnership with hospitals and other health facilities that meet the need of the residents.  In countries like Jamaica healthcare is accessible with limitation. The Jamaican residents who rely on the government for healthcare services aren't lucky to receive adequate care as those who can afford private insurances. The cost for prescription drugs and the lack of availability put  a continuous  financial  strain on the residents. Hence I read an article  about anemia and the effect it has on pregnant women and their babies. There was a  study done on pregnant women in Westmoreland, Jamaica. The result detected a high rate of pregnant women that were anemic. My concern is, what happens to the percentage of mothers who are not  able to pay for the prescribe iron pills? Do they eat products that contain iron or do they stick to their own cultural belief ? I firmly believe all neonatal health facilities in the island should have trial iron supplement at hand to offer these women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995917/
http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primearticles/health-care-in-jamaica.shtml
http://www.americaresfreeclinics.org/newsroom/news/weisman-clinic-opens-in.html
http://www.who.int/maternal_,child_adolescent/topics/newborn/en/index.html

Birthing Experience

On November 1,1996 I welcome the arrival of my first child into this world, I recall  her dad holding my  hand and trying to comfort me the best way that he could. My aunt help me to switch positions as if it would eliminate the pain. I had labor pains for four days, I had no idea of what to expect even though others shared their child bearing experiences. I was not until the fourth day that I realized that I was in labor. I didn't see that infamous plug/membrane, my water didn't break as I was told.It was the unbearable lower back pains I was not mentally prepared for. The hospital team, my family and obstetrician  were very nurturing and supportive during the delivery.The first journey of motherhood was one of the  worst pains that I've ever experienced but holding my daughter and hearing her take her first breath was worth all the pains I had endured. Before leaving the hospital vital records were prepared and my child's photo was taken, the first initial keepsake  for me. Before leaving the hospital the medical teal made sure I had a car seat for the infant and if I didn't the hospital would have had one donated  to me. The medical expenses was covered 100% by my Health Insurance. My experience might sound like a fairytale to Margaret Wanjiru a  mother from Nairobi Kenya, who shared her child birth experience in one of the country's health facilities. Women were  being disrespected as they're giving birth, nurses yell at them saying,  "Open your legs like you did for your husbands". They had to pay before they enter the facility to give birth, they had  poor record keeping, therefore documentation of births and deaths are often missed or undocumented. These were health facilities operating under the government. Expected mothers had to pay 30,000 shillings(US$448) before they are allowed to give birth in the government operated facility. Thus there are private practices in Nairobi that does treat the mothers with respect . Hence others who aren't able to afford the clinics or private practices , has no choice but a home birth  with the help of neighbors. No immediate medical intervention for the cutting of the  umbilical cord and the mother had to render her own care to herself and the newborn. It is very shocking to know how one's Social Economic Status in Nairaobi Kenya can affect the quality of care a woman giving birth and the danger that hangs for the newborn. Luckily in the USA quality care is given despite your SES.

Resource: Kenya Environmental and Political News Weblog( Agony of giving birth in public clinic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XKrIeMRNAA

A Note of Thanks

As we embark upon another chapter of our professional development, I would like to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" to all my colleagues. The eight weeks journey with you was a splendid experience. Thank you for commenting on my blogs and sharing your childhood reflection with me. As we go on our separate path, our commonality was a unique interconnection that allowed us to look through numerous lens of  early childhood studies.

NAEYC and DEC Codes of Ethics

 Here are the three NAEYC and DEC Codes of Ethic that are most meaningful to me as I continue to pursue my passion in the field of Early Childhood Education.

  Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I-1.1

 

—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early

childhood care and education and to stay informed

through continuing education and training.
 

This code simply indicates that inorder for me as an Early Childhood educator to perform my job as expected, I must have some basic knowledge of early childhood education or any related field of child development; including documented proof of continuing education through site base trainings , and additional workshops.

Ethical Responsibilities to Families

P-2.15

—We shall be familiar with and appropriately

refer families to community resources and professional

support services. After a referral has been

 

made, we shall follow up to ensure that services have

been appropriately provided.

 

I have an obligation to the  children and families that I serve, therefore any referral that I have written on the behalf of a child or family, it is my humane duty to ensure that the service met the need of the family by following up with the family and the service provider. All follow ups are documented and place in the child's personal file under the right edited category.

Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

P-4.6

 

—We shall be familiar with laws and regulations

that serve to protect the children in our programs and

be vigilant in ensuring that these laws and regulations

are followed.

 It's very important that I'm familiar with the Performances Standards and other laws protecting the rights of children and families. It is my duty to adhere to all the child protective  laws and policies and respectfully report anyone who violates these laws.

Articles, Books, and Journals

Resources and more….

WEBSITES

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

Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

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

National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/

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

Voices for America's Children
http://www.voices.org/

Workshop

HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/

Journals

Child Study Journal

Early Childhood Education Journal

Multicultural Education

International Journal of Early Childhood

 

Books
 

0130940631,0439714478,013707347X,0876590873,0135019699,1929610327,1595583505,0137151632,0807742740,0807733121,1884834329,013208094X,080775109X,1111832617,0132595133,0205627560,0130278041,0325001278,1565846079,013222416X,0807745049,0137154097,0132930382,1557668825,0137035101,0674045807,0872074692,0325007314,1412995728,0801117038,159857194X,0205593038,0325002746,0935989870,155766871X,0132316366,1462503756,1572307943,0205571069,0935989900,1887744487,0132159120,0807751537,1572309849,0137057628,1593854943,0132481227,013045432X,1593852576,1575423677,0325005737,013248482X,0872075966,0205487009,0827380151,0132487500,0807751111,0943657865,1847691684,1928896642,0194422240,0073525863,1609138716,1598570935,156750177X,1598570579,1416600302,0520271424,1889609110,0452289084,0325003866,0205406033,0137035098,0226805042,1847693555,1111833397,0325000514,1557667993,157128690X,0073378542,1429243287,0807749745,0205408435,0131707485,1928896685,013888496X,1929610971,0553382519,0205358799,0325004110,0137085230,0791444686,0325002274,0325002738,0132596849,0137035535,0325003475,0325002703,1571100873,1435481178 Language Development From Theory to Practice (2nd … Khara L. Pence Turnbull 3.4 out of 5 stars (7) Paperback $101.49 Add to Cart In Stock. Ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Many Languages, One Classroom: Teaching Dual … › Karen Nemeth 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) Paperback $7.97 Add to Cart In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

 

Note the quotes

“... People with great passions, people who accomplish great deeds, people who possess strong feelings, even people with great minds and a strong personality, rarely come out of good little boys and girls.”
― Lev S. Vygotsky

 

Through others, we become ourselves.”
― Lev S. Vygotsky

“The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods.”

Lyndon B. Johnson quote “The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist."” Maria Montessori quote We cannot know the consequences of suppressing a child's spontaneity when he is just beginning to be active. We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in all its intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” Maria Montessori quote       " My Passion for Early Childhood Education is my personal experiences of  my parents who are from two different spanish country" Sandy Escobido( Walden University,multimediaWk2)

Personal Childhood Web

                                             Personal Childhood Web

Vinnette Morgan is my paternal grandparent, she always nurtured me with biblical quotes, give hugs when I need it and always have the time to listen . Grandma gives encouraging words whenever there’s a disappointment in my life. She’s my cheer leader in all my accomplishment. Her famous word of encouragement is “Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning” and “You can’t go to heaven without going through hell”

Edgar Morgan , my dad, taught me all about quality time.Though he’s a very firm disciplinarian, Daddy always give hugs and kisses and set the foundation about education. He always buy me books on my birthdays, read the to me, and made sure my educational needs are always met.

Neeri Morgan,my granddad, sings silly piggy back songs and share African folklore. His stories allowed me to use my imagination.Like grandma, papa, use parables as form of  encouragements. His favorite parables are, “Think before you act, look before you leap,consider the end before you begin” and “ Give with a willing heart”

My 7^th grade food and nutrition educator was the only professional who didn't turn her nose up at her students despite their demographic strata. She  shared stories of her childhood, most of her students made a connection. Ms Mckenzie was never absent, she always tell her students not to be ashamed of who they are, and where they live.

My aunt Demora Morgan took my sister and I under her wings when my dad migrated to the USA. With six children of her own and being the caregiver of my great grandmother, she had comforting words whenever I’m sad about my dad  leaving, there’s always room for one more in her arms, or on her lap.

The positive emotional support that I had experienced from my family and teacher had help to shape my decision of working in the professional field of education. They were inspirational teachers who believed in me and help to  nurtured my growth. Even though there were some stimuli that interfered , the support I had made it less irrelevant to my success. I have not seen or spoken to my 7^th grade teacher since that school year ended.  Papa departed the earth since 1995, however  my dad ,aunt and grandmother  continue  deliver their  words of encouragement.They tell me everyday how proudly I had made them feel. They remind me about my pass and encourages me to use all my failures and misfortunes as a stepping stone to the next level of success.Grandma current words of encouragement and nurturing, “ You have  beaten the odds and broke the cycle,thank you I love”. My aunt Demora gives me random phone calls, she greets with these words, “Hello my baby pie sweet doll, Just checking up on you”. My dad calls, or often drop by my home just to remind me of how much he cares of my well being.I remember one of his miss call voice message, “Miss Natalie give me a call,remember too much work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.The  envision of my success had its' own interpretation of  the old African  proverb, “It takes  village to raise a child” 

Evening out to see Gladys Knight

Meaningful Quote About Children

"It is infinitely more useful for a child to hear a story told by a person than by computer. Because the greatest part of the learning experience lies not in the particular words of the story but in the involvement with the individual reading it".
- Frank Smith

Favorite Early Childhood Rhyming Book,"Is Your Mama a Llama"

The title of this book gives me a sense of questioning ones identity. However as I explore the book on a whole,I found nuture, pride, and peace.

Cultural Diversity and Education

The melting pot of our society  have created an array of  cultures that continues to bring new experiences to  our classrooms. Each culture contributes a segment of learning for  students and teachers with its music, art, language, dishes, belief, and ideas.