"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
Thursday, September 27, 2012
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.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Way back when....
This is a picture of me when I was 4 and my senior portrait. My mom put them in a scrapbook for me a few years ago along with many more photos from my childhood. It was one of the best gifts that I have ever received.
My Favorite Children's Book
It is very hard to pick a favorite book! There are so many wonderful books out there. One of my favorites would have to be The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf. This is a delightful book that tells the story of crayons and their differences and similarities. It is a simple read that is easy and enjoyable for all ages and yet it manages to deal with the serious topic of acceptance and love for others. I have had the privilege of reading it to my grandchildren, my Sunday school class, and the children at my center. I also used it as an icebreaker at our first in-service training this year. I love the message of love and hope that it conveys. I also love the colorful illustrations. I hope you will check it out!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
A favorite quote
One of my favorite quotes comes from the book, For the Love of Children, by Jean Steiner and Mary Steiner Whelan. I had the good fortune to meet Mary and she autographed my book for me! If you haven't read this book, please look it up. It is a collection of affirmations for those who work with children.
"Childhood is terribly perishable. It is always under siege." Jim Greenman
I think this quote speaks to me because it reminds me that the early years are so fleeting. I tend to get on my soapbox when some educators want to push down the curriculum and make pre-k mimic kindergarten. At my center we believe that play is a child's work and many times I have had to defend this position. I believe that children should be allowed to play and learn and just be children. I wish everyone understood this.
"Childhood is terribly perishable. It is always under siege." Jim Greenman
I think this quote speaks to me because it reminds me that the early years are so fleeting. I tend to get on my soapbox when some educators want to push down the curriculum and make pre-k mimic kindergarten. At my center we believe that play is a child's work and many times I have had to defend this position. I believe that children should be allowed to play and learn and just be children. I wish everyone understood this.
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