A Round of Applause

          Congrats we successfully completed the first course on our professional journey to achieving our Masters in Early Childhood Studies!!!!!! Thank you all for all of your support, insight and varied perspectives and I have truly learned a lot from this course and each of you all. I wish you all the best in your future success.           -Tia

Code of Ethics

 

While reading the Code of Ethics from both NAECY and DEC, it was a bit of a challenge to narrow it to only three. The three that were the most meaningful to me were,

* I-2.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base related to working effectively with families and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

It is important to continue to develop professionally and since the ECE field is constantly changing and evolving, it is very important that we stay aware of what is going on. It is important that we expand our knowledge so we can continue to provide optimal care for the children we serve.

* P-1.7—We shall strive to build individual relationships with each child; make individualized adaptations in teaching strategies, learning environments, and curricula; and consult with the family so that each child benefits from the program.

             It is also important that we reach children where they are and meet their individual needs. All children learn at different paces and in different ways and we should be able to tailor or curriculum and teaching style to meet that child’s needs. It is important to build trusting relationships with children and families so we can work together as a team to provide the best care possible and set that child up for future success.

* I-2.3—To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.

            As ECE professionals we know that it is essential for a child’s healthy growth and development to have family participation. In my practice, I encourage families to participate in the program. We think of ways for families to get involved and include them in activities to help support their children’s learning. We build partnerships with families by having open communication and parent-teacher conferences where we discuss goals we have for the children to achieve.

Additional Early Childhood Resources

　

* Article:   Naeyc 2014. The Common Core State Standards: Caution and Opportunity for Early Childhood

Education Retrived from: http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/11_CommonCore1_2A_rv2.pdf

*Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc

* U.S Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/early-learning/resources

Early Childhood Resources

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
• 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.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
• Websites:
• • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP's mission.
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Part 3: Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org/
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Part 4: Professional Journals

• 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

Inspirational Quotes from Edward Zigler & Susan Bredekamp

 

“So I have a built-in empathy for poor children, as well as a deep belief, based on my own life, that just because you're poor that doesn't mean you're inadequate.”

-Edward Zigler PhD

"Learning is not a purely cognitive exercise; to learn, children need to have good physical and mental health and have families whose needs are met."
-Edward Zigler PhD

"The fact that not only do you have to consider children as individuals, but you also have to consider children as members of groups with their own cultural identities." –Susan Bredekamp

"Effective teachers are intentional in everything they do–they are purposeful, they’re planful, they know why they’re doing what they’re doing and they can explain it to other people.”

-Susan Bredekamp

My Childhood Web

My Mother, Anthena Stanley

            Loving, nurturing and inspiring are three words that only begin to describe my mother. My mother is truly my inspiration for all things that I do, both past and present. My mom was my best friend, my confidant, my role model and my personal cheerleader. It is difficult to express in words how my mother and our relationship have impacted my life. She too was an Early Childhood Educator and the impact that she had on so many children’s lives has inspired me to pursue ECE as a career. My mother always encouraged me to follow my heart and believe that I have the ability to do anything that I choose. She always wanted me to succeed in whatever I put my mind to. I was my mother’s only child and I was her world.  She always nurtured and supported me. I remember when I was a child, she would attend every performance I had. It did not matter whether or not I was making a speech in front of the school or saying one line in a play, she was always there to support me. Her support and time spent with me meant more to me than any monetary or materialistic thing she could provide. Although she is no longer with me on earth, I know that she is always with me in spirit and in knowing that it motivates me to continue to strive to reach my goals and never give up.  I know she is watching over me with a smile on her face because I am making her proud.

My Grandmother, Thomesina Stanley

            Understanding, caring and full of wisdom is three words that describe my grandmother. My grandmother is the rock and the matriarch of the family. She is full of knowledge and wisdom and she always shared her life experiences with me. We would sit and talk for hours and we still do til this day. She always encouraged me to live to my fullest potential and not to settle for mediocracy.  I think I was secretly her favorite because we have this unbreakable bond and I carry many of her character traits. I remember when I was a little girl at her dry cleaners; I would take the scrap fabric leftover from her alterations and make dresses for my dolls with them.  She saw that I took an interest in fashion and sewing and she taught me how to sew. She taught me how to sew by hand at the age of 8 and on the sewing machine by age 11. My grandmother was always my go to person whenever I needed advice on a major issue. She always knew what to say and just the right advice to give. She was and still is my support system. After my mom passed in 2004 my grandmother stepped in and became that mother figure I needed. She comforted me in my darkest hour and she reassured me that she was there to support me although my mom was no longer there. This grew our bond ever stronger and now we are connected at the hip more now than ever.  

My Uncles, Delton and James Stanley
             My uncles played an important role in my life. They were the strong male role models in my life, since I did not have a close relationship with my father. They taught me many life lessons on relationships, finances, leadership and entrepreneurship. I could always go to them for advice and they would always give me good honest advice. Although they had daughters of their own, they always treated me as if I were their daughter. I always held a special place in their heart and for that I would always be grateful.
               

One of My Favorite Quotes

This quote resonate with me for various reasons that its too many to explain. Thoughout my professional journey I will reference to this quote several times which will explain why it means so much to me.

In that Moment

         I remembered the first time when I had to teach Pre-Kindergarten for my student-teacher internship, I was petrified. Before I got to the classroom I was a ball full of nerves and my stomach was doing all sorts of back flips. When I arrived and stood before the class, I felt all 22 set of little brown eyes staring at me and my anxiety really started to set in. I felt my knees buckling, my hands shaking and my palms sweating. So many thoughts raced through my mind. “Am I doing this right? Are the students going to listen to me? Is this lesson age-appropriate? Am I cut out to be a teacher?” I was really second guessing everything I’ve learned in my teaching certification courses. It did not ease my anxiety that I was being video tapped since it was a requirement for my internship.  Once I got started with the lesson, I reached for the book for the read aloud off of the desk and it slipped right out of my sweaty palms onto to the floor (along with a stack of papers). The students began to chuckle and others try to run and grab the papers off the floor. I was thinking to myself, “Oh no I am starting off on the wrong foot. Can I please stop the camera and start over?” I knew I had to think fast and decide to push through or give up and fold under pressure. When I picked up the book and saw those set of 22 little brown eyes staring at me again, I knew that I could not give up and that I had to push through. I knew that I needed to set an example for these little ones and show them that no matter what happens or what obstacles you are faced with “just do not give up” and I did just that. I successfully made it through my lesson, minus a few stumbled words and missing points, but nonetheless I finished. I was glad that it was over but I still felt a bit down on myself because I knew that I could have done a whole lot better and that I let my nerves get the best of me. It was not until I was sitting at the desk reviewing the video footage that was taped, that a little boy ran up behind me and gave me a big hug and said, “You are the best teacher ever and I am so proud of you.” I turned around to see the little boy’s face and tears began to well in my eyes. In that moment that was all the validation I needed that I was in the right profession. That little boy’s words of encouragement touched my heart and reassured me that no matter what may come my way “Do not give up” because it is always a set of eyes watching you and that you have to lead by example and that your actions can inspire others. I will forever remember him.

 

Welcome

Hi Everyone,
    Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog! I want to be very open and honest and share my journey from being a Fashion Designer to an Early Childhood Educator. I am sure my journey will be filled with laughs, tears, obstacles and more. I am more than happy to share my highs and my lows with you all. Stay Tuned and Thanks for viewing.