Thankful Post!

I personally want to say thank you. First, I want to thank God for giving me the strength to complete this class. At times, it was hard but I can say I MADE IT!!! Next, I want to say thank you to my professor Joyce Myers. Thanks for being a great professor and giving me assignments that will help me to be a better teacher. Your feedback on assignments will only help me to grow. Last but not least, I want to thank my classmates for all the information you shared on our blogs and discussions. I have gained so much from you all that is going to benefit me. I pray each one of you the best of journey as we complete these classes. I also pray that we are in the same classes together because I feel we are a family growing together. Again, I say thanks for all your insights in this course!!!!

Testing Intelligence

I feel children should be assessed on what they know at the beginning of the year, in the middle of the year, and at the end of the year. You need to know where your students are and where they need to go. I know that all children do not learn at the same pace but it is important to still assessed them to know their next steps. I teach Pre-K so 3 times a year I assessed my students to see what letters, numbers, colors, shapes they know, and if they can write their names. I also assessed to see if they know their full name, address, birthdate, and phone number. I also assessed them everyday to the state standards by using a checklist and notes. When I talk with their parents I love to have proof to back up what I am telling them and it also gives them ideas of what they need to work on at home.

Japan only requires 9 years of school. Education gets oppressive in middle school. Teachers organize students into groups with group leaders. Children in kindergarten learn to communicate, play, and interact with others. Teachers motivate them to learn with language, vocabulary and reading, mathematics, and science.

Consequences of Stress on Child Development

The stressor I chose is poverty. When I was growing up their were a family of children that were in poverty. They did not have running water in their house. They did not have a toilet inside their house, they used the some type of potty outside. They wore the same clothes over and over and at times their clothes would be dirty. Some of the children on the bus would pick at them and I know it made them feel bad and lower their self esteem. As they got older and children would pick at them, they would put up a defend by arguing or fighting the other children. They started to get into a lot of trouble at school and would get days out for their actions. It also got to the point that they were so embarrassed that they did not want to get off the bus at home.

Africa has some of the poorest countries in the world. 43% of children do not have clean drinking water. One third of the children are under weight. Despite the challenges, their are signs of progress. The poverty rate Mozambique has reduced by 70%. Improvement is being made by partnering with other countries.

Child Development and Public Health

Immunization is a way of creating immunity to certain diseases by using small amounts of medicine to kill or weaken diseases. It is important that children get their shots at the appropriate time. This is the way to keeping your child healthy. There are many diseases out there and you do not want your child to go through life being sick. Some parents do not or wait to get their children vaccinated because they are scared their children will have a reaction to the vaccine. The risk of them having a reaction is smaller than then the risk of them getting a disease because they did not get the vaccination.

I looked up India's shot record and I notice that their children get their shots 2 weeks after USA children are scheduled to get their shots. I also notice that immunization is important to them as it is to us.

Childbirth

I can remember the birth of both of my children clearly. The one that was most memorable was my second and last one. I remember talking my mom to see my grandma in the hospital in Summerville and coming back home in a lot of pain. Well I went through all day and night Sunday. I was beating on walls, on my knees praying, and getting in and out of the bathtub. Finally, I said I will go to the hospital in the morning (Monday). I was in pain all night and could not sleep so I got up Monday morning bathe and pack my things to go to the hospital and the pain was hitting my husband could not drive fast enough. I remember one time squeezing the nurse arm so hard because of the contractions. They got me in the room and I was 8 centimeters and a hour later I had a healthy baby boy. The doctor was doing a surgery and I was ready to push and the nurse told me to wait and I said, "no, I am pushing. The doctor had to run upstairs to me. I taught up until I had him so he was read to everyday in class and at home. I took prenatal vitamins everyday and went to all my doctor's appointments. I was also put on a low sugar diet with him so the last few months I did not gain much wait because I could not drink sodas, had to count basically everything I ate.

In Japan and in the USA you have a choice to where you want to have your baby. Japan provides two free prenatal check-ups. They imposed a lot on a pregnant woman after her 8th month: not to drive, keep feet warm, and keep tummy wrapped to stay warm. Most hospitals want you to stay for about a week.

A Note of Thanks

I want to personally thank my colleagues for all the words of support. Thanks for all the information you have shared with me during this course. I am speaking that we all have great experiences in our other classes like we had in this one!!!!!!!

Codes of Ethics

NAEYC Codes:

I-2.2: To develop relationships of mutual turst and create partnerships with the families we serve.

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

I-3A.1: To establish and maintain relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation with co-workers.

DHEC
Enhancement of Childrens' and Families Quality of Lives
2. We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.

1. We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, and customs, languages, and culture.

4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and families to enhance their quality of lives.

I chose these codes because they stood out to me. Families are important to the educational field. We must build relationships with our parents. The children need to see that we are working together for their benefit. We as teachers must make the parents feel that we are not better than them but we are here to assist them not preach to them.

Resources

NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood program 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 school readiness. Retrieved may 26, 2010. From http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/postions/Readiness.pdf

NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved may 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/positions/ChildAbuseStand.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 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_pib_infanttoddller

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://www.fpg.unc.edu/-snapshots/snap33.pdf

Websites:
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
http://acei.org/about/
http://www.naeyc.org/
http://www.dec-sped.org/
http://www.serotothree.org/
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/pr
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
http://www.highscope.org/
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
http://www.ccw.org/
http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
http://iwpr.org/index.cfm
http://ncrece.org/wordpress/
http://nieer.org/
http://www.preknow.org/
http://www.voices.org/
http://www.erikson.edu/

Professional Journals
YC Young Children
Childhood
Journal of Child & Family Studies
Child Study Journal
Multicultural Education
Early Childhood Education Journal
Journal for Early Childhood Research
International Journal of Early Childhood
Early Childhood Research Quarterly
Developmental Psychology
Social Studies
Maternal and Child Health Journal
International Journal of Early Years Education

Additional Resources:
http://www.earlychildhood.com
http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com
http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/tips

Motivation and Inspiration

"As you consider whether to move a child into formal academic training, remember that we want our children to do more than just learn how to read and write; we want them to learn in such a way that they become lifelong readers and writers. If we push our children to start learning these skills too far ahead of their own spontaneous interest and their capacity, we may sacrifice the long-range goal of having them enjoy such pursuits." (Lillian G. Katz)

"Part of being who you are has to do with felling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness." (Janet Gonzalez-Mena)

"I had a built in passion that is important to make a contribution to the world." (Louise Derman-Sparks)

"I owe the families my best." (Renatta M. Cooper)

Personal Childhood Web

My mother/Viletta Buckner- My mom has taught me a lot as a child from going to church and to always do my best. She is a wonderful woman of God. She has always been there for me through the ups and downs. Not one time has she turned her back on me. She was always there praying and encouraging me. I love her so much for all that she has done and I could never repay her for that. I can remember every Christmas she made sure my brother and I had everything we wanted and I appreciate that. There is nobody in the world that could replace her. God bless we with one of the world's greatest mom!

My father/Paul Stephens- My dad did a lot for me as a child. I did not see him much during the week because he was working second shift. He taught me that in order to have you must work hard and have a vision. Without a vision, you do not know where you are going in life. I can remember him taking me fishing as a child and I was afraid of the fish and the bait but he would still take me. He would bait the line and take the fish off the line for me. I remember him taking me to band camp over the summer and that was out daddy daughter time. We would talk all the way there and back. He was very protective of me. When we had dances after the game he would always sit in the parking lot and wait for me. My dad is the best!

My brother/Christopher Stephens- As children, we would fight all the time. He would lock me out the house and I would have to call my mom from my aunt's house next door for her to call him to let me back in the house. As we grew older, the closer we got. He as always been there for me no matter what. I always looked up to him because he graduated number 1 from middle and high school. I always tell him thank you for asking God for me as his sister. He is one of the best brothers a sister could ask for. We were taught to stick together. My big brother is number 1!

My grandmother/Nadine Lawson- She is a loving woman who is always praying for her children. grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I love this woman so much for all that she has done for me. I can remember when she had a dress shop downtown and when my mom went to work I would have to go sit with her at the dress shop all day. She was always read the bible to me and we would pray together. She taught me to pray everyday. Love you!

My uncle/Pastor Ja-Don Buckner- My mom's baby brother. He was always encouraging me to do my best. From his life, I have learned that you can come from a small town and still make an major impact. He taught me to say that I am a winner and never a loser. He also taught me that no matter how much people put you down or do not want you to see good. God is always with you and if God before you it is more than the world against you. To this day, his motivation still burns in me. Thanks, Uncle Pastor for being there for me!

Getting To Know Me!

My favorite book title is Love You, Forever by Robert Munsch. This book title became my favorite after my mom went home to be with the Lord the day after Thanksgiving in '09. This title is dear to my heart because I will always love my mom who she is, for taking care of me, and encouraging me daily. Yes, it is hard but I know she is my children and I guardian angel. We carry her with us everywhere we go.

A quote that I came to love is, when you teach your child, you teach your child's child. To me, that means how I raise my children my children are going to imitate what I did. I am a great parent and teacher to my children at home and in my classroom. I want them to take the positive that I instill in them and do the same with their children. The change reaction must continue so that this world can be filled with great people.

WELCOME!!!!

Welcome to my blog site! I am very excited to get started with this class and to learn new information. This is going to be a great day, year, and class!!!!