PASSION, WISDOM, and MOTIVATION

"It was like the most joyful experience where I felt everything in me was being called upon to teach."

"The passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and develop to their fullest ability."

Louise Derman-Sparks

Professor Emeritas

Pacific Oak College, CA

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, that's what makes me passionate about this field."

Sandy Escobido

Deputy Field Director

Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative

California Community Foundation

Multimedia Program: "Sectors of the Early Childhood Field" 

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6005/04/mm/Sectors/Main.html

EXPERTS in EARLY CHILDHOOD

"While children with language delays or emotional disorders have been long thought to benefit from play interventions, typically developing children are usually expected to develop play skills on their own. This approach, while valid in the past, may no longer be sufficient because of dramatic changes in the culture of childhood have resulted in a situation where an early childhood classroom may be the only place where many children have the opportunity to learn how to play."

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. (2010). Curriculum and Play in Early Child Development. 

Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development. retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

"Our research shows that an emphasis on play does not detract from academic learning but actually enables children to learn.  In classrooms where children spent 50-60 minutes of a two-and-a-half-hour program in play supported by teachers' use of Vygotskian strategies to enhance play, children scored higher in literacy skills than in control classrooms (Bodrova & Leong 2001).

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. J. (2003). Chopsticks and Counting Chips. Young Children.

retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

 

"Parents can't afford to pay,

Teachers and providers can't afford to stay,

Help us find a better way."

Worthy Wage Campaign Jingle, 1992

Whitebook, M., & Eichberg, A. (2002). Finding a better way: Defining and assessing public policies to

improve child care workforce compensation.

 retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

Pics of my Family System

3 generations-2001

Mom and me 

Uncle Tony and me

Grandma Vee and Rhonda

Family Picture 1976

Rhonda and Me 1976

Grandma Vee, me and Aunt Patty 1998

Aunt Patty, Me, Rhonda, Mom at my wedding reception 1998

Rhonda, Aunt Patty, and me 2011

PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

MOM:  My mom was a single, working, parent raising two daughters at a time when it was not widely accepted to do so.  She was my strongest role model growing up.  I always felt extremely loved and supported in everything that I wanted to pursue.  She made me feel whole when outside sources tried to tell me I wasn’t because I did not have a relationship with my dad.  She was an amazing role model being such a strong and independent woman. 

SISTER:  My sister is 6 years older than me and she was a huge influence in my life.  Because my mom was a working mom, my sister had the responsibility of taking care of me a lot of the time.  She made me feel like I was included and “cool” when she would take me with her to hang out with her friends while my mom was at work.  Because of this bond she was the first person that I turned to when I was an adolescent and needed help or guidance.  She is still my best friend to this day.

GRANDMA:  My grandma never needed to do much to make me feel special.  Her every action told you she loved you and supported you.  Her love language was food.  She always had my favorite treats at her house, she made my favorite foods at family meals, and we always went for ice cream when I would stay the night.  I miss her very much and still remember the way she smelled when I hugged her!

AUNT and UNCLE:  My Aunt and Uncle were special because they were my role model for a relationship.  My Aunt was very fun and active and we did a lot of fun things when we were together that I didn’t do with my mom.  My uncle was my positive male role model.  He gave me the fatherly relationship that I didn’t get from having a dad in the home.  

PLAY!

One of my favorites!

Hug, written by Jez Alborough, is one of my favorite children's books.  I like this book because it grows with children as they grow. Infants like it because of the beautiful illustrations and simple text.  Toddlers begin to understand the emotions behind the monkey's different expressions even though he is saying the same word, hug.  My preschoolers like this book because the simple text allows them to memorize the words and read the text independently.  Reading this book to children gives room for a lot of open ended questions.  This is a must have in your early childhood library!

Welcome to the Blogger world!

This is the first of many new experiences I am sure I will have starting my new classes for my Graduate studies in Early Childhood.  I am excited to see where this new path will lead me. I am sure that it will provide many funny stories to reflect on and share as I figure all of this out!