Early Childhood Resources

There are many different resources available to us in the Early Childhood field.  I have added a new section to the right of just a few of the resources that I have found helpful during my work.  Check back often as I will continue to add to the list. 

These are three additional resources that I use in my daily work:

• http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org/ - Has some GREAT resources for families (and teachers too).  Includes early learning guidelines, early learning guideline activities and activities for childrens book (see tab imaginiation library).
• http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc - This is the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center from the Office of Head Start.  It has been tools for early childhood programs.  There are also six National Centers that you can access from their website (see tab Training and Technical Assistance). 
• http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits - Great tool kits for parents on many different topics.  My current program that I work for has used the toolkits to hold parent education nights on different topics.  The materials also are very child friendly. 

If you have more resources that you think I should add to my list please leave a comment with the link and I will check it out. 

Inspiration and Motivation

Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but because they care so deeply.  

T. Berry Brazelton

It is a good rule to face difficulties at the time they arise and not allow them to increase unacknowledged.  

Edward W. Ziegler

We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better.  

Sandy Escobido

"One of the biggest lessons Head Start has taught us is how important it is to involve family members."

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' remarks on opening the 1st National Birth to Five Leadership Institute

(Oct 2011), Washington, DC.

Personal Childhood Web

There are many people that have come into my life over there years.  When I think back to my childhood there are people that come to mind that continue to impact my life today with the impressions they made on me when I was younger. 

My Parents - My Mom and Dad have always been there for me and continue to be there for me today. They always wanted me to have a better life for myself then they did growing up. Not only did they provide for me but they taught me life lessons like setting a goal and being able to obtain that goal. They taught me that nothing comes for free and that if you want something you have to work for it. My parents have also instilled in me how to be the best parent I can be to my own children.

• My Uncle and Aunt - My Uncle Nick and Aunt Dee have always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.  They always were there to support me growing up while attending my activities like my t-ball games and dance recitals.  They were also the ones that would take care of my brother and I if my parents went out of town.  They nurtured and provided for us.  The impact they made on my childhood still impacts me today.  I want my own children to know they have people in their lives that will support them and take care of them. 

 

• My Grandmother - Lola was always there for me growing up.  When my brother or I got sick she would come and take care of us so my parents could go to work.  She loved cooking for us and introducing us to our culture.  She also allowed me to explore the outdoors and develop skills for surviving off of the land.  I love being able to share cooking expriences with my daughter.  I also like teaching my daughter and son different aspects of our culture that my own Lola taught to me. 

Personalizing

This is a picture of myself and my family from May 2013.  

My husband is holding our brand new baby boy (born in March 2013) and our daughter is three years old. 

This drawing was done by my three year old daughter.  She drew this picture while I was working in my office.  She showed it to me told me a story of what she had drawn.  It still amazes me how children can go from drawing scribbles to all of sudden going to drawing objects that now look like something.  She was very proud of herself when she drew the "people". 

 

I have many favorite children's books that I enjoy reading. Right now it is Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. This book brings back memories from my own childhood but it now also one of my daughter's favorite books. We love to read this book together. I love that it is teaching her rhyming and the lesson of trying new things before saying you do not like it. 

 

 

I have been going back to this quote over the past year in both my personal and professional life.  It's just a nice reminder for me that I need to keep looking forward...

 

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.

~Author Unknown

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when I think about the work that I do with children and families in the early childhood field is that each child and family that enters into any ECE program is treated fairly, given an opportunity to share their culture, learn from others cultures and to never experience any biases. 

One goal that I have is to work with my program and centers and ensure that all cultures of the children enrolled into each of our classrooms are represented in the daily lessons, the learning centers and activities.  It is my goal that there will not be a dominate culture represented and that all cultures are created equal. 

Thank you to all of you that were able to share your struggles and personal stories.  By doing that you were able to enrich my life and ensure that we all benefited from this class.  Happy Holidays!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The country that I have chosen is Nigeria. 

I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive by doing the following.

1. Research the country - looking at the country's different newspapers and what I ever else I could find on line.  I would also keep in mind that not everything we read on the internet is true. 
2. I would like to meet with the family to learn more about that.  What their expectations are of our program. 
3. I would look at the child's enrollment paperwork to see if there is a local city listed that the family is from or anyother information that may be helpful. 
4. I would also try and learn a few simple phrases in the local language. 
5. Prepare some classroom materials for different lab areas - music from Nigeria, books that are culturally appropriate from Nigeria and dramatic play toys as well. 

By doing these things I would like to hope we can make the transition a little smoother for the family and child.I want to be able to keep an open line of communication with the family.  I also hope that we can be more culturally sensitive. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

In the public school system that I grew up in I learned about the civil rights movement through history classes.  I remember thinking I am glad there are no longer people that think that way.  When I was in high school I had a friend that was African American that was sneaking around dating his girlfriend that was Caucasian and Asian.  The girl's mother would not allow her daughter to date him because of the color of his skin.   This girl felt torn between abiding by her mother (becuase that is what you are suppose to do) but on the same hand knew her mother was wrong for not getting to know this guy and not just judging him by the color of his skin.  They eventually broke up becuase the guy no longer wanted to be the reason the relationship between mother and daughter was strained.  For me as an outsider being friends with both of them it effected me.  I did not realize that people still had hatered for people because of the color of their skin.  I have many feelings about this - at first I was mad, angry, embarassed and even sad.  The mother needs to start looking at what is on the inside and not what is on the outside.  Why do we still live in a world where people are judged by the color of their skin?  At times I wish that eveyone was blind and we would never have to know what people looked like and we could only judge them based on the words they spoke and what is truly inside of a person.