My Support

My family is my biggest support. They help me get through tough situations as the holiday season is a very hard time for me. They are a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. They also help to motivate me when I am ready to give up. My family is more than just a listening ear, they are also a helping hand. They are helping me even more right now by providing shelter. I don’t know where I would eb without them.

If my family wasn’t here to help me, I would be depressed. As something’s you just cannot go through alone. There are days when I have a hard time completing daily task, but they are there for me. Despite being in a car accident I still have transportation to get to and from work. Supportive relationships have a positive outcome on mental health because it allows for emotional support (Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center).

I also have close friends that are my support system and will be there just like family whenever I need them. Going through my car accident, loss of love ones, sickness, heartbreak you name it and they have been there. This is the type of support I try to have form the children and families I work with because no one should ever have to go through things alone.

References

Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. (2019). How Does Family Life Affect Mental Health?. Retrieved from  http://www.mentalhealthcenter.org/how-does-family-life-affect-mental-health/

My Connection to Play

  

A day at the beach was the best thing ever. Hours of playing in the sand and salty beach water. Trying to catch seashells but waves knock you down and you have to get up and try again. My sister and I pretending to be mermaids because we grew up on all things Disney. Some of the best days of my life were playing as a child.

My sister and I had the best imaginations ever, even though we had a good number of toys we were just creative. We played with the big boxes our toys came in instead of the toys. We would go outside with old aluminum pans and make mud pies for our mom. We would bang on the washing machine as if it were drums and sing creating our own band. We used sheets and pillows and built forts with our dad. Sometimes toys weren’t needed to play just creativity. 

I try to implement the same kind of creativity with the children I work with by providing less at times to see what children will do. Sometimes I feel this takes away from the overwhelming choices of which toy should I play with. I encourage children to be creative like my parents did with my sister and me. Five essentials to play are allow children to make their own choices, children are intrinsically motivated, children become immersed in the moment, play is spontaneous not scripted, and play is enjoyable (NAEYC, 2009).

References

Nell, M. & Drew, W. (2009). Five Essentials to Meaningful Play. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/five-essentials-meaningful-play

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because we cannot do life alone. We come across people everyday and life becomes more enjoyable sharing experiences with others. I have developed a great relationship with one of my coteachers. I think she is amazing. She shares so much wisdom with me and she pushes me to keep going when I’m going through a hard time. She feels like one of my family members. My family always has my back even when going through differences because the love we have for one another is what helps us agree to disagree even if it takes some time. Two of my closest friends who keep me grounded and I have known them for 14 plus years. I value people that come into my life.

Challenges in maintaining or developing relationships is change. Change is inevitable but change can be good we just have to keep the lines of communication open and give people time to understand. Fear can also be a challenge. Through past experiences with certain relationships it often takes me a while to open up and express myself to others. The fear of being judge or even feeling inadequate has caused some of my relationships to fail. I have learned to reflect on my personal experiences to understand my actions.

 

Thank You!

This is Rita Pierson and she is such an inspiration. This TedTalk has helped me to understand my passion and why I stay in this field. Relationships are important to success. I value the relationships that I build with young children and hope to be an inspiration to them to help the next person.

Thank you all for your support in building my blog. The feedback has helped me grow and expand my knowledge. I wish everyone much success on continuing their journey.

                  

Testing for Intelligence

I believe the whole child should be viewed. I start to feel that when we focus so much on academic’s children begin to lack in other areas. I also feel this is why bullying may be more profound now than years before. Social-emotional is a skill that has to be learned but when are things such as sharing and taking turns still being taught pass kindergarten? I worked for a public charter school once and even from prek-3 students the focus seemed to be academics and I always said to myself these children are three and still need more time for play. I have learned working with two-year-old that we have to often teach children how to play and help with creative play. Children learn by seeing and if they are never shown how blocks can be used, they may not take an interest in them. Yes math, language is important but what about compassion? Everyone wants to feel loved and wanted at every age.

In Canada children are assessed similar to how children in the U.S are assessed. Math and language are skills that you are tested on to see where you will be placed.

Looking at a child as a whole there are many factors that may have affected a child’s math and language skills/ development. Family background is also a factor are they homeless or military, single parent or two parents in the home. How many languages do they speak are all things to consider.

References

Allen. C, (2003). Mental Health Around the World. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200305/mental-health-around-the-world

Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. (2019). How Does Family Life Affect Mental Health?. Retrieved from  http://www.mentalhealthcenter.org/how-does-family-life-affect-mental-health/

Web Video: Center on the Developing Child–Harvard University. (n.d.). InBrief: The foundations of lifelong health. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/multimedia/videos/inbrief_series/inbrief__the_foundations_of_lifelong_health

Website

https://settlement.org/ontario/education/elementary-and-secondary-school/enrol-your-child-in-school/how-is-my-child-assessed-to-start-school-in-ontario/ 

Consequences of Stress

Domestic violence is something that a close friend of mine has encountered as a child. This friend’s parents would get into physical altercations. As a result of this my friend would often suffer from the anger of their parents. My friend L would often be verbally abused, hearing their parent say they wouldn’t amount to anything or even cursed at often. The home environment was very unhealthy, but I didn’t know this until years later. To this day my friend L seeks help to overcome their past. This is why mental health is important to me. To heal old wounds and to enjoy life.

I have also had students going through similar situations. One of the hardest parts of my job is sometimes seeing a child being taken away from their parents due to maltreatment. Although we want the best for the children, I also hoped that in these situations a parent would do what is best for their child. For children living in poverty in Washington D.C they often encounter many stressors whether its violence, child maltreatment, hunger, or even racism. I have noticed some of the families I work with do not realize they are facing child neglect but sometimes I don’t believe its intentional I think it comes from the parents own stressors of things that they are struggling with or are unaware of that causes this. Child neglect is a failure to meet a child’s basic physical, educational, or emotional needs (Berger, 2016). I think Early Head Start and Head Start programs help these children and their families receive help that may be needed and provides high quality education for young children.

References

 Berger, K. S. (2016). The developing person through childhood (7th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Child Development and Public Health

    

Mental health affects families depending upon if it is a positive or negative experience. Supportive relationships have a positive outcome on mental health because it allows for emotional support (Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center). Negative experiences such as trauma and abuse cause for negative mental health. When the world around you brings hardships and you don’t have emotional support your mental health will take a toll on you emotionally and physically. Mental health affects the whole family. For a parent with many stressors such as finances, this can cause a mother or father  to take their anger and frustration out on others. For children constant yelling can make them feel shameful or the busy life of a parent may mean lack of time to spend with their children.

Mental health is important to me because I have had anxiety attack and it’s scary. The stress I was going through at the time caused me to become overwhelmed and break down. A few of the symptoms I was having were chest pains, shortness of breath, headaches, fear, and dizziness. I did not realize how the things that were causing me stress in my life were overcoming me. I had to finally get help and talk to someone about all that was going on in my life. Being a care provider, it is important for me to take care on my own mental health in order to help others.

The United States has a high rate of mental illness compared with other industrialized nations, but it also has the lowest rate of treatment, according to a survey in Canada, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States (Allen, 2003). I think the United states needs to look at the health care system and change many things especially mental health.  This information has helped me to do a check in with friends and family and even the parents I work with. This will help me to ensure the children I work with are getting what they need to encourage their social emotional development.

Resources

Allen. C, (2003). Mental Health Around the World. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200305/mental-health-around-the-world

Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center. (2019). How Does Family Life Affect Mental Health?. Retrieved from  http://www.mentalhealthcenter.org/how-does-family-life-affect-mental-health/

Childbirth in My Life and Around the World

Since I do not have any children, nor I have taken part in any births my mom shared with me my birth story. My parents were in the military stationed in Germany. My mom worked at Army health clinic when her water broke, and she was then transported to a hospital an hour away. Once she was admitted, I didn’t arrive until the next day at 11:36 am.  The nurses jokingly said if the baby doesn’t come soon, we are going to lunch. As the doctor told my mom to relax, I decided to enter the world and the doctor just caught me in the nick of time by the leg. I weighed 6lbs and 6oz. and my mom called me her pretty little baby doll.

I decided to compare Germany to the U.S even though I was born on a military base.

In Germany, they use midwives with doctors stepping in as needed whereas in the U.S most babies are born in hospitals using doctors.

Prenatal health care is for pregnant women to receive regular check-ups that allow obstetricians-gynecologists or midwives to detect, treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of pregnancy while promoting healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child. Patients are encouraged to attend monthly checkups (Wikipedia, 2019).

For Prenatal care in Germany you will be handed a little booklet called Mutterpass (literally: mother’s passport). It serves as a medical confirmation of your pregnancy, a record of your medical history (both general and pregnancy-related), and an official document for administrative purposes. You need to bring it along to every visit, so that your ob/gyn or midwife can record the latest exam results (InterNations, 2019).

In Germany and the U.S the it seems that woman are being taking care of through prenatal healthcare but our health care systems are different. I hope to go to Germany one day to see where I was born. 

Resources

InterNations. Having Baby in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.internations.org/germany-expats/guide/29459-health-insurance/having-a-baby-in-germany-15996

Wikipedia. Prenatal Care in the U.S. retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenatal_care_in_the_United_States

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

These ideals are an aspiration for me because they are things that I already do and things I plan on doing more of. An example is building relationships whether with child and families or colleagues building relationships are very important in this field and in life. Also continuing education in an ever changing field to have a wealth of knowledge to share with others. 

NAEYC

1.       To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

2.       To support the right of each child to play and learn in an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities.

3.       To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful.

DEC

1.       We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.

2.       We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children’s development and learning.

3.       We shall support professionals new to the field by mentoring them in the practice of evidence and ethically based services.

References

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved June 4, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

Additional Resources

Here are some of my additional resources and some publications to go along with my wealth of resources column on the right side of my blog…

• Maryland State Department of Education 

https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/

• Early ED Talks with Dr. Charlene Wrighton ED. D.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/early-ed-talks-with-dr-char/id1439379333

•  National Black Child Development Institute

https://www.nbcdi.org/

• ·        U.S Department of Education

https://www.ed.gov/early-learning/resources/

• ·         Darragh, J. C. (2010). Introduction to early childhood education: Equity and inclusion. New York, NY: Pearson.

• ·         Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Diversity in early care and education: Honoring differences (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Publications (journals, magazines, etc)

---

         YC Young Children                                               Developmental Psychology

         Journal of Child & Family Studies                     Maternal & Child Health Journal

         Multicultural Education                                       Child Care Exchange

         Early Childhood Education Journal                    Early Childhood Today

         Journal of Early Childhood Research                  Parents

         Early Childhood Research Quarterly                   babytalk

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Marian Wright Edelman- represents the sector of  health and well-being and is founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund 

Janet Gonzalez-Mena M.A.- represents the sector of childcare and is an author of several early childhood books.  

Louise Derman-Sparks- Professor Emeritus Pacific Oak College, CA

"I had a passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and fix all the  injustices that existed in the world and I wanted to do this through teaching."

Renatta M. Cooper- Program Specialist, Office of Child Care, LA County Chief Administration Office 

"I see early childhood education, all education really,as a civil rights issue. Because the right to what we think about in relationship to childhood. A childhood that leaves you ready for optimum life experiences. A childhood and an educational context experienced throughout your life cycle that opens up the door to you, that gives you the tools to ask questions and investigate things. Those are the things I want for all children."

Personal Childhood Web

The People Who Helped Make Me Who I am Today!

- My mom has been one of my greatest supporters. My mom always made sure my needs were meet and pushed me to new heights. I remember being so nervous I cried for my dance audition and my mom was right there telling me everything would be okay and that she believed in me. Sure, enough those words gave me the confidence to do great in my audition and I gained a spot at a performing arts school.  I felt loved because my mom sacrificed a lot for my sister and I and she always put us first. She made sure we were able to have meaningful and memorable positive experience. My mom always says how proud she is of me to this day.

- My dad, in my opinion is the greatest dad in the world. Not only does he take care of me and my siblings, but he helps take care of others. My dad has shown me how to be selfless and how to give back. My dad has cared for me by helping me with paying my bills when I was making next to nothing and he never fussed or made a big deal out of me paying him back. He would always say give me what you can or don’t worry about it. This has taught me to give from the heart. My dad is always impressed at how I handle myself in tough situations and I tell him I learned it from you. 

 – My younger sister, my first best friend, and someone who I love to pieces. My sister and I have been through a lot over the years and we always manage to lift each other up. My sister graduated with her degree before me because I let life’s distraction get to me and I chose to work instead of finishing my degree at the time. My sister helped with my decision to go back to school and one Christmas, she even bought me a laptop so I could finish my courses. My sister always has a listening ear for my venting and always gives an encouraging word when her big sis is going through hard times.

 - Both of my sweet grandmothers are praying women. They encouraged me to always go after your dreams and never give up. My grandmothers would take care of me and my sister during the summer. My father's mother living in NC and my mother's mother living in NY and then VA. We would spend  1-2 weeks with each grandmother and they would teach us life skills. To this day my grandmothers are very hopeful for me to be successful and I know their prayers have gotten me this far. 

- My best friend is like a sister to me with almost 20 years of friendship we have been through a lot together. My best friend played a big part in me getting help when I started showing signs of depression. She reassured me that things will get better and that talking about my problems will help me to understand why I feel the way I did. My best friend helps give me that balance of work life and living life. She always says stop burning both ends of the candle. I love my best friend and I am blessed to have a friend like her in my life. My best friend is truly a selfless person putting everyone before herself. Always lending a helping hand and I hope to follow in her footsteps and be able to pour into her as she has poured into me. 

A Child's Work of Art

This is a picture of one of my students demonstrating a positive approach to learning. I chose this picture because myself and co-teachers have been working really hard to help this child attend and engage in an activity. She often jumps from one activity to the next but she stayed with her picture of a snowman and then attempted to write her name when she was finished. I am so proud of her progress! My passion is giving back and sharing experiences. After she said she drew a snowman we expand on her experiences by finding books about snowman and asking questions such as "how does a snowman feel and can we make a snowman now that it is hot outside?".

References
 Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The Passion for Early Childhood. Baltimore: Author.

Just Me!

Same charismatic personality no matter what age I am! I think it is what helps me relate to the children I work with. We have to enjoy life while we can and share experiences with others (such as my best friend, whose arm is in the background).

Someone I Admire

Marian Wright Edelman is founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She created the Children's Defense Fund in her advocacy of disadvantage Americans. The Children's Defense Fund mission "is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities"(Children's Defense Fund, 2019). I admire her work and the mission of her organization which led me to inquiry a teaching position at an early head start program. My work impacts the lives of many and I'm grateful for such an opportunity. I hope to ensure a fair start for all children.


References
Children's Defense Fund. (2019). Leave No Child Left Behind. Retrieved from https://www.childrensdefense.org/about/who-we-are/our-mission/

My Purpose

We all can learn, we just need to be met where we are.