If children are not taken care of, whatever else we do won't matter much.
- Hillary Rodham Clinton
Many things we need can wait, the child cannot........
To them we cannot say tomorrow, their name is today.
-Gabriella Marella
When we give unconditional love to children, we give the most valuable gift we have.
- Katherine M. Olson
Childhood is terribly perishable. It is always under siege.
- Jim Greenman
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Testing for intelligence?
I do not believe that we should test children for intelligence. I think that rather than measuring one part of their development we should take a whole child approach in order to track their developmental needs and progress in all domains. As an early childhood educator and childcare center administrator I have made the choice to take the portfolio approach with the children that we serve.
At my center we do the DIAL-4 assessment with children as they turn 3 years old. We use this assessment ONLY as a screening tool to determine if further assessment is needed due to developmental concerns. This tool is not meant to be a pre/post assessment as some early childhood educators are wrongly advocating. It is merely a snapshot in time to help determine if the child needs further evaluation.
Our portfolio collection contains many items. We take regular anecdotal records on each child and plan our learning activities based on their interests and developmental levels. We also include works sample of their writing, art, and other creative activities. We take photos of them as then interact socially with their peers and as they work on projects in centers or within small groups. We also collect answers from a small interest survey with them 3 times during the year and make tape recordings of their language activities and interactions with other. It is delightful to watch the progress that each child makes during the year and have the ability to share the information with their parents. Assessing a child in this manner allows us to create a classroom full of meaningful learning and fun for every child.
I chose to research Finland's approach to assessment because I have a friend who recently moved to Finland as part of a 5-year teaching program. I am most impressed with their approach to assessment and to education in general. Please check out the link below. You will not be disappointed!
http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-education-school-2-11-12?op=1#ixzz2E7RcfvyM
At my center we do the DIAL-4 assessment with children as they turn 3 years old. We use this assessment ONLY as a screening tool to determine if further assessment is needed due to developmental concerns. This tool is not meant to be a pre/post assessment as some early childhood educators are wrongly advocating. It is merely a snapshot in time to help determine if the child needs further evaluation.
Our portfolio collection contains many items. We take regular anecdotal records on each child and plan our learning activities based on their interests and developmental levels. We also include works sample of their writing, art, and other creative activities. We take photos of them as then interact socially with their peers and as they work on projects in centers or within small groups. We also collect answers from a small interest survey with them 3 times during the year and make tape recordings of their language activities and interactions with other. It is delightful to watch the progress that each child makes during the year and have the ability to share the information with their parents. Assessing a child in this manner allows us to create a classroom full of meaningful learning and fun for every child.
I chose to research Finland's approach to assessment because I have a friend who recently moved to Finland as part of a 5-year teaching program. I am most impressed with their approach to assessment and to education in general. Please check out the link below. You will not be disappointed!
http://www.businessinsider.com/finland-education-school-2-11-12?op=1#ixzz2E7RcfvyM
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Domestic Violence and Children
I have known several people in my life that have suffered from things such as poverty and violence. Domestic violence is of particular interest to me because of it's affects on some of my own family members and friends. The story that I am about to tell you almost broke my heart beyond repair but I am learning to deal with it on a daily basis.
About 6 months ago my husband and I had to give up 2 little girls that we had been fostering for almost a year. The girls were sisters and were placed with us when they were 5 and 10. They were taken from their mother (my distant cousin) and father due to allegations of sexual abuse against the father. Their mother was ordered to keep the father out of their home and after she violated the order the children were removed from her custody. No one else in the family could take the girls and my husband and I took them to try and keep them out of the foster care system. We were told by DSS, the mother, and the lawyers involved in the case that it was a temporary situation and they would only be with us for a couple of months. Temporary turned in to long term and we had the girls for almost a year. They became a part of our family and we loved them very much.
When they first came to live with us it was very evident that they had some serious issues. The oldest wet the bed, had nightmares, and trusted no one. She was very angry and her anger resulted in tantrums, stealing, and lying. The younger girl was very anxious, cried for long spells, had nightmares and had reverted back to using diapers. We arranged for therapy for the girls and started reading everything we could about abuse and how to help them return to some sense of normalcy. Slowly things started turning around and we forged a bond with the girls, they started be more successful in school, and they started making friends.
After a year, we petitioned the court to get permanent custody. By this time we had learned that both the mother and father abused the children and the girls were also witnesses to repeated domestic violence acts between their parents. We were denied permanent custody because the parents were still involved in legal battles and they decided that they did not want to terminate their rights even though they told us they wanted us to raise the girls. The parents then decided that they did not want the children to be with any family members and the children were taken from us and placed in a therapeutic foster home. We had no rights regarding the children because we were not licensed foster parents but rather deemed as family custodial care.
This situation has been very difficult to deal with. We have not been allowed to talk with the girls or find out how they are doing or where they are living. We are allowed to bring gifts for them to DSS and they take them to their foster home. We have lost faith in the DSS system in NC and we do not understand why the children have to be the ones to suffer for their parents' mistakes. We had been thinking of becoming foster parents but after this situation we have decided that we would not be able to handle the heartbreak of losing kids, especially when we don't agree with the choices that are made on their behalf.
I wanted to know more about domestic violence in my state and the US and how it affects children. I found the following statistics on:
Resources:
About 6 months ago my husband and I had to give up 2 little girls that we had been fostering for almost a year. The girls were sisters and were placed with us when they were 5 and 10. They were taken from their mother (my distant cousin) and father due to allegations of sexual abuse against the father. Their mother was ordered to keep the father out of their home and after she violated the order the children were removed from her custody. No one else in the family could take the girls and my husband and I took them to try and keep them out of the foster care system. We were told by DSS, the mother, and the lawyers involved in the case that it was a temporary situation and they would only be with us for a couple of months. Temporary turned in to long term and we had the girls for almost a year. They became a part of our family and we loved them very much.
When they first came to live with us it was very evident that they had some serious issues. The oldest wet the bed, had nightmares, and trusted no one. She was very angry and her anger resulted in tantrums, stealing, and lying. The younger girl was very anxious, cried for long spells, had nightmares and had reverted back to using diapers. We arranged for therapy for the girls and started reading everything we could about abuse and how to help them return to some sense of normalcy. Slowly things started turning around and we forged a bond with the girls, they started be more successful in school, and they started making friends.
After a year, we petitioned the court to get permanent custody. By this time we had learned that both the mother and father abused the children and the girls were also witnesses to repeated domestic violence acts between their parents. We were denied permanent custody because the parents were still involved in legal battles and they decided that they did not want to terminate their rights even though they told us they wanted us to raise the girls. The parents then decided that they did not want the children to be with any family members and the children were taken from us and placed in a therapeutic foster home. We had no rights regarding the children because we were not licensed foster parents but rather deemed as family custodial care.
This situation has been very difficult to deal with. We have not been allowed to talk with the girls or find out how they are doing or where they are living. We are allowed to bring gifts for them to DSS and they take them to their foster home. We have lost faith in the DSS system in NC and we do not understand why the children have to be the ones to suffer for their parents' mistakes. We had been thinking of becoming foster parents but after this situation we have decided that we would not be able to handle the heartbreak of losing kids, especially when we don't agree with the choices that are made on their behalf.
I wanted to know more about domestic violence in my state and the US and how it affects children. I found the following statistics on:
15.5 million U.S. children live
in families in which partner violence occurred at least
once in the past year, and seven
million children live in families in which severe
partner violence occurred.3
• The majority of
U.S. nonfatal intimate partner victimizations of women (two-thirds)
occur at home.4 Children are
residents of the households experiencing intimate
partner violence in 43 percent of
incidents involving female victims.5
• In a single day
in 2007, 13,485 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or
transitional housing facility.
Another 5,526 sought services at a non-residential
program.6
• The UN
Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children conservatively
estimates that 275 million
children worldwide are exposed to violence in the home.7
Domestic
Violence Affects Children
• A Michigan study
of low-income pre-schoolers finds that children who have been
exposed to family violence suffer
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as
bed-wetting or nightmares, and
are at greater risk than their peers of having allergies,
asthma, gastrointestinal
problems, headaches and flu. 8
• Children of
mothers who experience prenatal physical domestic violence are at an
increased risk of exhibiting
aggressive, anxious, depressed or hyperactive behavior. 9
• Females who are
exposed to their parents’ domestic violence as adolescents are
significantly more likely to
become victims of dating violence than daughters of
nonviolent parents.10
• Children who
experience childhood trauma, including witnessing incidents of
domestic violence, are at a
greater risk of having serious adult health problems
including tobacco use, substance
abuse, obesity, cancer, heart disease, depression and
a higher risk for unintended
pregnancy.11
• Physical abuse
during childhood increases the risk of future victimization among
women and the risk of future
perpetration of abuse by men more than two-fold. 12
What Helps
Children Exposed to Violence
The Facts on
Children and Domestic Violence
• Psychotherapy
designed for mothers and children together can increase the quality of
parenting and increase positive
outcomes for children. 13
• Many abusive men
are concerned about the effect of violence on their children and
the children of their partners.
Some may be motivated to stop using violence if they
understand the devastating
effects on their children. 14
• A safe, stable
and nurturing relationship with a caring adult can help a child
overcome the stress associated
with intimate partner violence. 15
Children
Trafficked and Exploited
• The World Health
Organization reports that 150 million girls experienced forced
sexual intercourse or other forms
of sexual violence in 2002.16
• Each year, more
than two million children are exploited in the global commercial sex
trade, many of them trapped in
prostitution.17
• According to the
International Labour Office, eight million children are trapped in the
worst forms of child labor, which
include slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, forced
recruitment for use in armed conflict, prostitution,
pornography and illicit activities.18
Friday, November 9, 2012
SIDS
Child Development & Public Health
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of infant deaths, ages 1 month - 1 year, in the US. This hit home recently when a close friend of mine lost her child to SIDS at the tender age of 4 months.
SIDS is maddening because there is no specific cause for SIDS. There are, however, risk factors such as: smoking, drinking, or using drugs during pregnancy, poor or no prenatal care, prematurity, low birth weight, babies born to teen mothers, second hand smoke, overheating, and babies who sleep on their stomachs. Sadly, most of these risk factors are known due to facts reported after a child dies from SIDS. My friend’s baby had none of these risk factors. He was a normal weight and seemingly healthy. He died in his sleep for no apparent reason.
In 1994 the Back-to-Sleep campaign was launched to encourage parents to put their children to sleep on their backs to help prevent SIDS. Parents are also educated about the other risk factors. In NC, where I operate my child care center, child care providers are required to have SIDS training every 3 years. We are also required to write a safe-sleep policy, share it with the parents, and post a signed copy by each child’s (1 year and younger) sleeping area. We are also required to do visual checks on sleeping children every 15 minutes and record it on a check list. As a child care provider, one of my biggest fears is losing a child to SIDS and I would require these measure in my center even if NC did not require them.
I find it very disturbing that the US ranks 2nd in the world in SIDS deaths, with only New Zealand having more reported deaths attributed to SIDS. Japan has one of the lowest SIDS rates. I hope that researchers keep looking for the cause of SIDS and find a link to help us prevent death among these precious babies. Death is always hard, but losing a baby seems to be the hardest death to accept, especially when there is not always a clear answer to why the baby died.
2 excellent websites for more information on SIDS are:
Have you been touched by SIDS?
Friday, November 2, 2012
Birthing Experience
My Experience
I was a teen mom with my first child. I got pregnant during my senior year of high school. I was so scared that I did not tell anyone until I was almost 3 months pregnant so I did not receive prenatal care until I was almost 4 months along. Since I was a teen mom, in school, and unmarried, my experience was not optimal. I went to a clinic for the pregnancy test and then went to a local doctor for the duration of my pregnancy. I finished high school and then married the father during the pregnancy and it was comforting to have him by my side during the labor and delivery.
During my 6th month I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This was very hard for me to control. Since we were young and broke I didn't have the best diet and that constantly contributed to my high glucose readings. I was finally able to control the diabetes with diet and medication. My son was born, 3 weeks late, on December 4th, 1983. He weighed 9 pounds and 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. My labor lasted about 7 hours and the nurse actually delivered him because the doctor did not make it to the delivery room in time. He was the loudest and biggest baby in the nursery. Although I was very worried about becoming a mom, it was love at first sight. He was, and still is, one of the biggest miracles to ever occur in my life.
I talked with one of my co-workers about her birth experience and prenatal care. She is from Mexico and has been in our country for 4 years. Her first child was born in Mexico and her last 2 children were born in the US. She told me that she did not receive any prenatal care for her son in Mexico because her family could not afford it. Her mother and her cousin, who is a midwife, delivered her son at her mother's house. She did take him to the doctor when he was 10 days old because he had a fever. She said that the birth of her son was as sanitary as conditions would allow but not as sanitary as she would have liked. She told me that she much preferred the births of her 2 daughters in the US and that she received regular prenatal care with both of them. She worries about her sisters who are still in Mexico and hopes that they will be able to relocate to the US before they have their children. She says that our medical system is much safer and cleaner.
Mexico is pushing for safer births by training midwifes to work in the more rural parts of Mexico. Mexico is ranked 91st in the world in infant mortality. Please see the link below.
I was a teen mom with my first child. I got pregnant during my senior year of high school. I was so scared that I did not tell anyone until I was almost 3 months pregnant so I did not receive prenatal care until I was almost 4 months along. Since I was a teen mom, in school, and unmarried, my experience was not optimal. I went to a clinic for the pregnancy test and then went to a local doctor for the duration of my pregnancy. I finished high school and then married the father during the pregnancy and it was comforting to have him by my side during the labor and delivery.
During my 6th month I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This was very hard for me to control. Since we were young and broke I didn't have the best diet and that constantly contributed to my high glucose readings. I was finally able to control the diabetes with diet and medication. My son was born, 3 weeks late, on December 4th, 1983. He weighed 9 pounds and 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. My labor lasted about 7 hours and the nurse actually delivered him because the doctor did not make it to the delivery room in time. He was the loudest and biggest baby in the nursery. Although I was very worried about becoming a mom, it was love at first sight. He was, and still is, one of the biggest miracles to ever occur in my life.
I talked with one of my co-workers about her birth experience and prenatal care. She is from Mexico and has been in our country for 4 years. Her first child was born in Mexico and her last 2 children were born in the US. She told me that she did not receive any prenatal care for her son in Mexico because her family could not afford it. Her mother and her cousin, who is a midwife, delivered her son at her mother's house. She did take him to the doctor when he was 10 days old because he had a fever. She said that the birth of her son was as sanitary as conditions would allow but not as sanitary as she would have liked. She told me that she much preferred the births of her 2 daughters in the US and that she received regular prenatal care with both of them. She worries about her sisters who are still in Mexico and hopes that they will be able to relocate to the US before they have their children. She says that our medical system is much safer and cleaner.
Mexico is pushing for safer births by training midwifes to work in the more rural parts of Mexico. Mexico is ranked 91st in the world in infant mortality. Please see the link below.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/09/22/mexico-pushes-for-safer-births.html
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
As an early childhood professional I follow the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. Following these core values, ideals, and principles are a large part of my commitment to young children and their families. For this post I have selected the 3 ideals that are the most meaningful to me. I would love to learn about your favorites!
Ethical Responsiblities to Children
I-1.2---To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child.
This ideal is extremely important to me as the owner and director of an early childhood center. I have 112 children at my center that are directly affected by the programs that I offer. They deserve the best early childhood education available and it is my responsibility to learn about and design programs that offer them the most opportunities for success, both now and in the future.
Ethical Responsibilities to Families
I-2.2---To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.
In my center we serve 112 children and 89 families. Each family chooses to entrust us with their precious children. When they say goodbye to their child each morning I want them to leave with a sense of trust and know that their child is getting the best education and care possible. In order for us to forge a bond with the family they must trust that we have their child's best interests at heart and that we will always treat them with love, respect, and dignity. In order to truly serve a child and their family mutual trust and a working partnership is of the utmost importance.
Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
I.3A.3---To support co-workers in meeting their professional needs and in their professional development.
Research has shown that the quality of early childhood programs is directly tied to the education and experience of the classroom teachers. It is my goal, as an early childhood professional and the director and owner of an early childhood center, to encourage all of the teachers at our center to further their education. My center requires that all lead teachers must hold or be working towards their B-K degree and all assistant teachers and support staff must hold or be working towards their associate's degree in early childhood. In addition, we participate in the NC T.E.A.C.H program which helps teachers pay for their education. Our commitment to the T.E.A.C.H program is that we pay 10% of the teachers' tuition and books and also offer a small bonus or raise at the completion of each year of classes. I feel that in order to ensure that we are offering a quality program we must have highly educated teachers and that if we want highly educated teachers we must make supporting their education a top priority.
Ethical Responsiblities to Children
I-1.2---To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child.
This ideal is extremely important to me as the owner and director of an early childhood center. I have 112 children at my center that are directly affected by the programs that I offer. They deserve the best early childhood education available and it is my responsibility to learn about and design programs that offer them the most opportunities for success, both now and in the future.
Ethical Responsibilities to Families
I-2.2---To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.
In my center we serve 112 children and 89 families. Each family chooses to entrust us with their precious children. When they say goodbye to their child each morning I want them to leave with a sense of trust and know that their child is getting the best education and care possible. In order for us to forge a bond with the family they must trust that we have their child's best interests at heart and that we will always treat them with love, respect, and dignity. In order to truly serve a child and their family mutual trust and a working partnership is of the utmost importance.
Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
I.3A.3---To support co-workers in meeting their professional needs and in their professional development.
Research has shown that the quality of early childhood programs is directly tied to the education and experience of the classroom teachers. It is my goal, as an early childhood professional and the director and owner of an early childhood center, to encourage all of the teachers at our center to further their education. My center requires that all lead teachers must hold or be working towards their B-K degree and all assistant teachers and support staff must hold or be working towards their associate's degree in early childhood. In addition, we participate in the NC T.E.A.C.H program which helps teachers pay for their education. Our commitment to the T.E.A.C.H program is that we pay 10% of the teachers' tuition and books and also offer a small bonus or raise at the completion of each year of classes. I feel that in order to ensure that we are offering a quality program we must have highly educated teachers and that if we want highly educated teachers we must make supporting their education a top priority.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Early Childhood Resources
I am sharing an AWESOME list of resources for early childhood professionals. These are wonderful for classroom staff as well as administrators. I am so excited that all of these resources were shared with me as part of my Walden education. The last 3 resources are ones that I use almost daily in my role as a child care center director. Please feel free to share some of your favorite resources!
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.
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.
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/
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/
The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/
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
My Favorite Picks
http://www.southernearlychildood.org/
www.earlychildhoodnews.net/
www.ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/general/home.asp/
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/
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.
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.
Selected Early Childhood
Organizations
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/
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/
The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/
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
My Favorite Picks
http://www.southernearlychildood.org/
www.earlychildhoodnews.net/
www.ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/general/home.asp/
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Some Favorite Quotes!
"The most important intellectual dispositions are inborn and must be strengthened and supported rather than undermined by premature academic pressures." Lilian Katz
"If the first three years of life are deprived in terms of stimualtion and interaction with warm, nurturing human beings, it's going to be real tough for the child to acquire the depth and breadth of verbal language needed to build reading abilities." Sue Bredekamp
"I suggest the best way to ensure good quality environments, where all our children can develop and learn is by focusing our collective and individual energies on the quality of day-to-day interactions we have with children so that those interactions are as rich, interesting, engaging, satisfying, and meaningful as we can make them. For teachers, I suggest: do not drain your energy on blaming conditions, politicians, or officials, or the parents, and anyone or anything else. Save your energy for your relationships with the children." Lilian Katz
"I wanted to be a teacher because I had a built-in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and to fix all the injustices that existed in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching." Louise Derman-Sparks
"It's not all about you, you have to take your ego out of it and figure out what's best for the child."
Renatta M. Cooper
"If the first three years of life are deprived in terms of stimualtion and interaction with warm, nurturing human beings, it's going to be real tough for the child to acquire the depth and breadth of verbal language needed to build reading abilities." Sue Bredekamp
"I suggest the best way to ensure good quality environments, where all our children can develop and learn is by focusing our collective and individual energies on the quality of day-to-day interactions we have with children so that those interactions are as rich, interesting, engaging, satisfying, and meaningful as we can make them. For teachers, I suggest: do not drain your energy on blaming conditions, politicians, or officials, or the parents, and anyone or anything else. Save your energy for your relationships with the children." Lilian Katz
"I wanted to be a teacher because I had a built-in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and to fix all the injustices that existed in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching." Louise Derman-Sparks
"It's not all about you, you have to take your ego out of it and figure out what's best for the child."
Renatta M. Cooper
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Personal Childhood Web
I have been very blessed, in my lifetime, to have many people who have cared for me, loved me, and supported me. The 5 people who were the most important to my childhood are my daddy, my mama, my nanny, my granny, and my grandpa.
My Daddy, Doug Eggleston, was a wonderful father. He and my mom got married when I was 6 years old and by the time I was 8, he had adopted me and given me his last name. I have always marveled at the fact that he loved me and my sister so much that he chose us to be his daughters when our biological father was so willing to give us away. Daddy was a man of little words, but much love. He taught me how to treat others and to always go out of my way to try and understand people. He was very nonjudgmental and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He was a hard worker and taught me the value and satisfaction of always doing your best no matter how menial the job seems. I have so many memories of watching him play softball, going to the beach, working on the farm, family dinners, and just spending time with him. He was always "in my corner" and always took the time to listen to my troubles. Daddy passed away in 1996 of brain cancer and the void he left still aches today.
My Mama, Dianne Eggleston, was a very devoted mother. Mama's mother died when she was 12 and her father died when she was 18, newly married, and pregnant with me. These events in my mama's life made it very difficult for her as she struggled to be a young mother. Mama always did the best that she could for me and my siblings. She loved to cook and made us wonderful southern meals. Her collards and chili are still my favorite today. She worked and raised 4 kids and was always present at any of our school events and other social gatherings. She taught me how to be self-sufficient by teaching me how to cook, clean, take care of children, etc. I think my love for children began when she let me babysit my younger siblings as we were growing up. I have come to realize that my mom and I have so much in common and that the link between us grows deeper as we age. I am very grateful for all the love and support my mom gave me growing up and I am glad that our relationship is still strong today. I love her very much.
My paternal grandmother, who I called Nanny, was one of my very favorite people growing up. I used to spend a lot of time with her. We went for walks, sat on the front porch and drank coffee, she always let me have a sip, and basically just enjoyed each other's company. She was a very strong woman and always believed in me, even when I was at my worst. She used to tell me, "Who's gonna care in 10 years!" and I still think of that now when I am worried over things. She taught me how to cook and also how to play a mean game of poker. She was a fun, loud, and very energetic woman and I treasure all of my memories of her. She passed away a few years ago but the determination and self-love that she taught me is still growing strong in my life.
My Daddy's parents, who I called Granny and Grandpa, were very influential in my life. When Daddy married Mama, he got a ready made family with 2 little girls and my "adopted" grandparents were thrilled. They always included me in everything and treated me as if I was born in to the family. They had a dairy farm and I grew up working on the farm. My grandpa taught me how to ride a horse, prime tobacco, bottle feed a cow, and grow a garden. My granny taught me how to cook, clean, sew, and care for others. Both of them were very pragmatic, no-nonsense people who valued hard work and taking care of your family. From them I learned a lot about how to care for others, not only in my family but my community as well. They were always around to lend an ear, take care of me when I was sick, or just talk over a class of coke and some duplex cookies. My Grandpa passed away 23 years ago and my Granny passed away 7 years ago. When I was little I used to tell them that someday I was going to grow up and run the farm. Recently my husband and I had the opportunity to buy the family farm and we are in the process of bringing it back to it's former glory. Each day as I live in the house I am surrounded by wonderful memories of my grandparents and the love that they always gave unconditionally.
My Daddy, Doug Eggleston, was a wonderful father. He and my mom got married when I was 6 years old and by the time I was 8, he had adopted me and given me his last name. I have always marveled at the fact that he loved me and my sister so much that he chose us to be his daughters when our biological father was so willing to give us away. Daddy was a man of little words, but much love. He taught me how to treat others and to always go out of my way to try and understand people. He was very nonjudgmental and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He was a hard worker and taught me the value and satisfaction of always doing your best no matter how menial the job seems. I have so many memories of watching him play softball, going to the beach, working on the farm, family dinners, and just spending time with him. He was always "in my corner" and always took the time to listen to my troubles. Daddy passed away in 1996 of brain cancer and the void he left still aches today.
My Mama, Dianne Eggleston, was a very devoted mother. Mama's mother died when she was 12 and her father died when she was 18, newly married, and pregnant with me. These events in my mama's life made it very difficult for her as she struggled to be a young mother. Mama always did the best that she could for me and my siblings. She loved to cook and made us wonderful southern meals. Her collards and chili are still my favorite today. She worked and raised 4 kids and was always present at any of our school events and other social gatherings. She taught me how to be self-sufficient by teaching me how to cook, clean, take care of children, etc. I think my love for children began when she let me babysit my younger siblings as we were growing up. I have come to realize that my mom and I have so much in common and that the link between us grows deeper as we age. I am very grateful for all the love and support my mom gave me growing up and I am glad that our relationship is still strong today. I love her very much.
My paternal grandmother, who I called Nanny, was one of my very favorite people growing up. I used to spend a lot of time with her. We went for walks, sat on the front porch and drank coffee, she always let me have a sip, and basically just enjoyed each other's company. She was a very strong woman and always believed in me, even when I was at my worst. She used to tell me, "Who's gonna care in 10 years!" and I still think of that now when I am worried over things. She taught me how to cook and also how to play a mean game of poker. She was a fun, loud, and very energetic woman and I treasure all of my memories of her. She passed away a few years ago but the determination and self-love that she taught me is still growing strong in my life.
My Daddy's parents, who I called Granny and Grandpa, were very influential in my life. When Daddy married Mama, he got a ready made family with 2 little girls and my "adopted" grandparents were thrilled. They always included me in everything and treated me as if I was born in to the family. They had a dairy farm and I grew up working on the farm. My grandpa taught me how to ride a horse, prime tobacco, bottle feed a cow, and grow a garden. My granny taught me how to cook, clean, sew, and care for others. Both of them were very pragmatic, no-nonsense people who valued hard work and taking care of your family. From them I learned a lot about how to care for others, not only in my family but my community as well. They were always around to lend an ear, take care of me when I was sick, or just talk over a class of coke and some duplex cookies. My Grandpa passed away 23 years ago and my Granny passed away 7 years ago. When I was little I used to tell them that someday I was going to grow up and run the farm. Recently my husband and I had the opportunity to buy the family farm and we are in the process of bringing it back to it's former glory. Each day as I live in the house I am surrounded by wonderful memories of my grandparents and the love that they always gave unconditionally.
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