Thursday, February 24, 2011
Next...
Well I've almost made it through my first graduate level course, we are in the last week...and I must say what a journey it has been. I can honestly say that I didn't do this alone...sure I read the articles, completed my discussions, blogs and papers on my own but without the unwavering support of my family, friends, instructor and colleagues I would not be continuing this wonderful journey. And so I say NEXT...bring on the next class, the next instructor, the next group of classmates that I can learn so much from. It has been an amazing journey so far and I can't wait to see what I learn about myself and the early childhood field as I continue on... ... ...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Examing Codes of Ethics
This week I have had the opportunity to review the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Division for Early Childhood's Code of Ethics. The agencies both value children and families, want continued education and training for teachers and sense the importance of advocating for children, families and educators. There were many ideals that I found to be of importance but will summarize three of them now.
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children:
I1.1- To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
3. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestions of others.
This is important to me because I believe in it. Many people come into the early childhood field with minimal (if any) education and training in child development, the importance of play and developmentally appropriate practices. They enter the field believing it is "easy" work and they will get to just "play" with children all day. What they do not understand is how children learn, the developmental milestones that children pass through, how vital early care is because of the brain development that takes place by age 8 and how important it is to care, nurture, accept and love all the children in their care. Providing the basics of child development through education courses and training opportunities is vital. Continuing the training and keeping up-to-date on what is the best practice for early care and education is important as well. We expect our doctors, mechanics and hair stylist to know all the recent medical breakthroughs, recalls on our cars and the newest hair styles...wouldn't it make sense to want our teachers to know the best ways of teaching and caring for our children.
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children
I1.5-To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
6. We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children's development and learning.
What sticks out for me here is safe and healthy settings. Unfortunately an early childhood classroom may be the only safe place that some children have, it may be the only time they receive meals regularly and the only time they can be without stress. I try to emphasize to teachers the importance of setting a positive tone in their classrooms so that the children know they are loved, can feel safe and secure while they are there because that is when they will learn the best. These statements also point out the importance of teaching to the whole child, looking at all domains of their development. These two statements also represent individualizing for each child. So many times teacher focus on what they want to teach and what they want the children to learn instead of focusing on what the children are interested in. When teacher's know their children well enough individualizing is an easy task. All it takes is spending time with the children and their families, talking to them and getting to know them.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Responsibilities to Community and Society
14.4 To work through education, research, and advocacy toward a society in which all young children have access to high-quality early care and education programs.
DEC Code of Ethics
Enhancement of Children's and Famililes' Quality of Lives
4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children an families to enhance their quality of lives.
All children, regardless of race, culture, economic status, or disabilities, should have access to high quality care and education. It is our job as the professionals in the field to advocate for that. Advocacy does not require a degree in politics or a deep understanding of the political system. Advocating simply means using your voice for those who are unable to use theirs. Children can't speak up for themselves and sometimes parents don't feel they can speak up. As early childhood professionals we know how important early care is, how early the brain develops and how vital it is for children to have proper nutrition to learn and grow. It is our responsibility to inform those that do not understand these concepts and get them to a point of understanding so they fund our programs. We must use medical research, educational research and all other means available to support our work and get the funding needed to continue the quest to care for and educate ALL children.
Resources:
National Association for the Education of Young Children: Code of Ethical Conduct (April 2005)
Division for Early Childhood: Code of Ethics (August 2009)
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children:
I1.1- To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
3. We shall strive for the highest level of personal and professional competence by seeking and using new evidence based information to improve our practices while also responding openly to the suggestions of others.
This is important to me because I believe in it. Many people come into the early childhood field with minimal (if any) education and training in child development, the importance of play and developmentally appropriate practices. They enter the field believing it is "easy" work and they will get to just "play" with children all day. What they do not understand is how children learn, the developmental milestones that children pass through, how vital early care is because of the brain development that takes place by age 8 and how important it is to care, nurture, accept and love all the children in their care. Providing the basics of child development through education courses and training opportunities is vital. Continuing the training and keeping up-to-date on what is the best practice for early care and education is important as well. We expect our doctors, mechanics and hair stylist to know all the recent medical breakthroughs, recalls on our cars and the newest hair styles...wouldn't it make sense to want our teachers to know the best ways of teaching and caring for our children.
NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children
I1.5-To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.
DEC Code of Ethics
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
6. We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children's development and learning.
What sticks out for me here is safe and healthy settings. Unfortunately an early childhood classroom may be the only safe place that some children have, it may be the only time they receive meals regularly and the only time they can be without stress. I try to emphasize to teachers the importance of setting a positive tone in their classrooms so that the children know they are loved, can feel safe and secure while they are there because that is when they will learn the best. These statements also point out the importance of teaching to the whole child, looking at all domains of their development. These two statements also represent individualizing for each child. So many times teacher focus on what they want to teach and what they want the children to learn instead of focusing on what the children are interested in. When teacher's know their children well enough individualizing is an easy task. All it takes is spending time with the children and their families, talking to them and getting to know them.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Responsibilities to Community and Society
14.4 To work through education, research, and advocacy toward a society in which all young children have access to high-quality early care and education programs.
DEC Code of Ethics
Enhancement of Children's and Famililes' Quality of Lives
4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children an families to enhance their quality of lives.
All children, regardless of race, culture, economic status, or disabilities, should have access to high quality care and education. It is our job as the professionals in the field to advocate for that. Advocacy does not require a degree in politics or a deep understanding of the political system. Advocating simply means using your voice for those who are unable to use theirs. Children can't speak up for themselves and sometimes parents don't feel they can speak up. As early childhood professionals we know how important early care is, how early the brain develops and how vital it is for children to have proper nutrition to learn and grow. It is our responsibility to inform those that do not understand these concepts and get them to a point of understanding so they fund our programs. We must use medical research, educational research and all other means available to support our work and get the funding needed to continue the quest to care for and educate ALL children.
Resources:
National Association for the Education of Young Children: Code of Ethical Conduct (April 2005)
Division for Early Childhood: Code of Ethics (August 2009)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Resources for Early Childhood
Additional Resources
The Brazelton Institute
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
Touchpoints
http://www.touchpoints.org/
The Program for Infant/Toddler Care
http://www.pitc.org/
Special Quest-regarding inclusion
www.specialquest.org/about.htm
http://www.teachingstrategies.com/ This website you can find curriculum aligned to state standards.
http://www.stepuptoquality.org/ This website is Ohio's star rating system.
http://www.ohio4kids.org/ This website was designed for parents to get information when looking for child care, child development information or fun activities to do at home with their children.
- NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/56607/CRS-CW-4744591/educ6005_readings/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf
- 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://www.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://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.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.
Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title.
- 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://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php
This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video 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/about/
Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statements.
- World Forum Foundation
Part 3: Selected 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/main/about.cfm - 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//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home - Institute for Women’s Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm - 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.preknow.org/ - Voices for America’s Children
http://www.voices.org/ - The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/
- 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
The Brazelton Institute
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
Touchpoints
http://www.touchpoints.org/
The Program for Infant/Toddler Care
http://www.pitc.org/
Special Quest-regarding inclusion
www.specialquest.org/about.htm
http://www.teachingstrategies.com/ This website you can find curriculum aligned to state standards.
http://www.stepuptoquality.org/ This website is Ohio's star rating system.
http://www.ohio4kids.org/ This website was designed for parents to get information when looking for child care, child development information or fun activities to do at home with their children.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Words of Inspiration and Motivation
This section of my blog is dedicated to inspirational and motivating quotes. I will be adding to this section of my blog as I come across new inspirational sayings. I feel these speak for themselves!
"When we strengthen families, we ultimately strengthen the community. Our goal is that parents everywhere work with supportive providers, feel confident in their parenting role, and form strong, resilient attachments with their children. To help achieve this, providers must be responsive to parents, knowledgeable about child development, and eager to see every parent succeed."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
"We hope that we are moving way beyond an "either-or" debate about child care. The question is not whether children should be in child care, the issue is about how infants, children and families can best be supported and how each family can have the best available information and options to pursue what is best for them. The challenge is to support families and child care providers so that the quality of care improves in all settings where infants and children are cared for, and that quality is reflected by nurture of parents as well as their children."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
"I think what I've learned over time [as a pediatrician] is not to ask questions, but to listen."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
"I always appreciate when early childhood staff and administrators can suspend judgment long enough to try to understand a perspective that may not be theirs. That's an important first step to getting in tune with families."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"The first experience of compassion infants can get is gentle, caring touch, which gives a strong message, especially when accompanied by eye contact and a soft tone of voice. The baby knows that she is cared about as she is being cared for."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"The angry adult who tries to stop aggression with aggression gives a confusing lesson."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"My passion is to make sure all children are taught in an environment and in ways that truly nurtured their abilities to grow and develop to their fullest potential."
Louise Derman-Sparks
video clip from The Passion for Early Childhood, 2010
"I am not here to save the world but to make a difference in the community that I'm working in."
Raymond Hernandez
video clip from The Passion for Early Childhood, 2010
"If your life is missing joy, you are missing the moment."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
"Brain research indicates that although nature provides the raw materials for brain development, nurture is the architect. How we interact with our children profoundly shapes their brains. We literally custom design our children's brains. Many of the behaviors we see can be traced to the original bonding experiences between children and their caregivers."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
"The healing of ourselves, of each other, and of our children, and of society begins one bond at a time."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
"When we strengthen families, we ultimately strengthen the community. Our goal is that parents everywhere work with supportive providers, feel confident in their parenting role, and form strong, resilient attachments with their children. To help achieve this, providers must be responsive to parents, knowledgeable about child development, and eager to see every parent succeed."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
"We hope that we are moving way beyond an "either-or" debate about child care. The question is not whether children should be in child care, the issue is about how infants, children and families can best be supported and how each family can have the best available information and options to pursue what is best for them. The challenge is to support families and child care providers so that the quality of care improves in all settings where infants and children are cared for, and that quality is reflected by nurture of parents as well as their children."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
http://www.brazelton-institute.com/
"I think what I've learned over time [as a pediatrician] is not to ask questions, but to listen."
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
"I always appreciate when early childhood staff and administrators can suspend judgment long enough to try to understand a perspective that may not be theirs. That's an important first step to getting in tune with families."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"The first experience of compassion infants can get is gentle, caring touch, which gives a strong message, especially when accompanied by eye contact and a soft tone of voice. The baby knows that she is cared about as she is being cared for."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"The angry adult who tries to stop aggression with aggression gives a confusing lesson."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena, M.A.
"My passion is to make sure all children are taught in an environment and in ways that truly nurtured their abilities to grow and develop to their fullest potential."
Louise Derman-Sparks
video clip from The Passion for Early Childhood, 2010
"I am not here to save the world but to make a difference in the community that I'm working in."
Raymond Hernandez
video clip from The Passion for Early Childhood, 2010
"If your life is missing joy, you are missing the moment."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
"Brain research indicates that although nature provides the raw materials for brain development, nurture is the architect. How we interact with our children profoundly shapes their brains. We literally custom design our children's brains. Many of the behaviors we see can be traced to the original bonding experiences between children and their caregivers."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
"The healing of ourselves, of each other, and of our children, and of society begins one bond at a time."
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. from her book "I Love You Rituals"
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Personal Childhood Web
When I try to analyze the people who've had an impact on my life and then narrow that down to five people, it is impossible...but I will do my best. I am the oldest of 3 children. Here is a picture of my mom, dad and I before the other rugrats (and I say that will the love I have in my heart for my siblings) joined us.
My family has always been a very close family. I have many memories growing up of family get togethers, sleep overs at my grandparents' houses and even at my aunt's house in Columbus, which for a young girl was a long way to travel to spend a week away from home. My Grandma Joy always had pudding pops in her freezer and she pretty much let us do anything we wanted when we were at her house. We'd play outside all day long, exploring her yard, trees and the woods behind her house. We would put the little wading pool under the slide, put the hose down the slide and create our very own water slide. I can remember her rubbing my back before I would fall asleep and no matter how many times I would say rub more, she would. She had rope swings, toys for us to dig with and ENDLESS patience for all of us. At times she would have up to 6 of her grandchildren visiting at one time and she loved every minute of it and had a way of making each of us feel special.
Grandma Gean always made homemade waffles for us when we stayed over at her house and to this day I have never had a waffle that tasted as good as hers. I have her exact recipe and my waffles still aren't as good as hers...just proving that when you add love to your cooking it tastes better. We spent many hours in Grandma Gean's garden and for a few summers when I was young we canned our own tomato juice. One of my chidlhood friends, Melinda, remembers that as well and we still talk about it to this day.
My Aunt Nancy, who has always made it a point to remind my siblings and I that she is our ONLY "blood aunt" would meet my parents halfway to Columbus each summer so that I could spend a week with her and my cousins. I always had so much fun going to the pool, playing with my older cousins, shopping and just spending time with them. Looking back on the memories I have with my grandparents and aunt, it was the time we spent together that made all the difference. It made me feel special and loved.
This is Grandma Joy, Grandma Gean and Aunt Nancy at my son's birthday party last year. It means so much to me that they could come and celebrate with us. It was the last time my Grandma Gean came to my house as she is now in a nursing home and unable to travel.
Melinda was a very important friend to me growing up. She was 2 years older than me but we did so much together when we were young. We played doll houses, rode bikes, took care of our younger siblings and made dozens and dozens and dozens of cookies as children. We would end up eating so much of the cookie dough we'd get sick and not be able to eat any of the cookies. Melinda and I were very close friends for many years when we were in elementary school but grew apart some as we got older. Then her parents went through a divorce, she moved out of our neighborhood and we kind of lost track of each other. We kept in touch through our parents over the years and always knew what was happening in each other's lives but we lived so far apart (I was in Florida, California, England and Wisconsin and she was in Ohio). When I moved back to Ohio Melinda and I reconnected. I bowl with her every Tuesday night and we have a group of women that get together once a month (our girls night girls). It was like we were never apart. She is like family to me. She'd always called my parents her second parents and I've always thought of her mom as my second mom.
Here are some pictures...Melinda and our group of neighborhood kids on my first day of kindergarten (my brother is in the picture as well)...Melinda, my sister Jenn and myself now.
Now on to my family, the greatest people in the world....my parents, brother and sister. We've always been a very close family. I have so many memories that I am not even sure where to begin. One thing my parents instilled in all of us is how important family is. My children were both born in California and I was so sad when I would think of all the "family" things they would miss out on living so far from their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In 2007, after a life changing event, we were able to move back to Ohio. The saying goes that "everything happens for a reason" and although I still question why some things had to happen I am very grateful to be in Ohio and close to my family again. As a child I can remember my grandparents attending every Grandparent's Day I had at school. We moved back the summer before Aaron began kindergarten and my parents have not missed his or Alex's Grandparent's Day. I question why things happen less and less as time goes on because I see how the past has created a family connection for my children that is vital to their childhood and something I would never want to change.
Here is a picture of my parents with Aaron and Alex at Grandparent's Day this year.
One of the family rituals my parents had growing up was making it a point to have us sit down to eat dinner together (NO TV) and talk about our day. I do that with my children now and find it to be so valuable in learning about their day and it being a "nonrushed" time when we can just enjoy each other. Growing up we each had jobs to do after dinner, the rule was if you didn't help cook you had to help clean up. I can remember doing dishes at a young age and then learning how to cook because I would much rather cook than clean. Funny how that has changed...I'd rather do the dishes now! Something that hasn't changed however are the family dinners...they aren't every evening at my parent's house but every Sunday at 5:00 my sister and her family, brother and his family and my family desend upon my parents house in a whirlwind of children, talking, laughing, eating and cleaning up. My dad cooks for all of us, we eat together and then we clean up. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to have this time with family and to show my children how important connectedness with your family is. My family is so close we even take our vacations together. This summer will be the 4th year that we have rented a beach house on the Outerbanks of NC and spent a week together relaxing. playing and just being a family. We all look forward to that time together. We start planning the vacation in December or January and then have all winter to dream about our summer get-a-way. My children get wonderful time to connect with their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents and I get time to spend with my nieces and nephews. We always leave exhausted and need a vacation from our vacation but every person in our family is creating lasting memories together.
Here is my family at the beach a couple of years ago. The children have changed over the past couple of years and I we've added my fiancee to the mix but you get the idea of how close we are to each other.
My family's love and encouragement got me through the darkest time in my life. Without my sister's love, humor and encouragment I wouldn't be the person I am today. As children we fought as most siblings do. I was 5 years older than her and she was mostly a "pest". Now that we are adults, I couldn't imagine my life without her. She is now one of my best friends. I tell my boys all the time when they are fighting "that is the only brother you are ever going to have, family takes care of each other, loves each other and stands by you like no one else ever will". I know at this age they are bound to fight but I hope as they grow up they grow closer and can support each other through life's hardest times. Family is there to celebrate each success and support you through each failure.
Here are some pictures...my brother, sister and I this year at the Cleveland Browns game and my boys at the beach.
Growing up I had many people in my life that made me feel special. They took the time to play with me, talk to me, make cookies with me, teach me things and they have helped to create the person that I am today. I know how important it is to connect with children and make them feel special. It doesn't take a lot of time, but the quality of time is what is important. One week each summer with my only "blood aunt" and years later I still remember the love she gave me. Being a close family that nurtured each other, stuck by each other, taught each other things...you can't replace that with anything. As an adult I want to be that person for my children, nieces, nephews and my students.
My youngest niece and nephew with me when they were babies, they are 2 now.
One of my favorite quotes:
Other things may change us but we start and end with family- Anthony Brandt
My family has always been a very close family. I have many memories growing up of family get togethers, sleep overs at my grandparents' houses and even at my aunt's house in Columbus, which for a young girl was a long way to travel to spend a week away from home. My Grandma Joy always had pudding pops in her freezer and she pretty much let us do anything we wanted when we were at her house. We'd play outside all day long, exploring her yard, trees and the woods behind her house. We would put the little wading pool under the slide, put the hose down the slide and create our very own water slide. I can remember her rubbing my back before I would fall asleep and no matter how many times I would say rub more, she would. She had rope swings, toys for us to dig with and ENDLESS patience for all of us. At times she would have up to 6 of her grandchildren visiting at one time and she loved every minute of it and had a way of making each of us feel special.
Grandma Gean always made homemade waffles for us when we stayed over at her house and to this day I have never had a waffle that tasted as good as hers. I have her exact recipe and my waffles still aren't as good as hers...just proving that when you add love to your cooking it tastes better. We spent many hours in Grandma Gean's garden and for a few summers when I was young we canned our own tomato juice. One of my chidlhood friends, Melinda, remembers that as well and we still talk about it to this day.
My Aunt Nancy, who has always made it a point to remind my siblings and I that she is our ONLY "blood aunt" would meet my parents halfway to Columbus each summer so that I could spend a week with her and my cousins. I always had so much fun going to the pool, playing with my older cousins, shopping and just spending time with them. Looking back on the memories I have with my grandparents and aunt, it was the time we spent together that made all the difference. It made me feel special and loved.
This is Grandma Joy, Grandma Gean and Aunt Nancy at my son's birthday party last year. It means so much to me that they could come and celebrate with us. It was the last time my Grandma Gean came to my house as she is now in a nursing home and unable to travel.
Melinda was a very important friend to me growing up. She was 2 years older than me but we did so much together when we were young. We played doll houses, rode bikes, took care of our younger siblings and made dozens and dozens and dozens of cookies as children. We would end up eating so much of the cookie dough we'd get sick and not be able to eat any of the cookies. Melinda and I were very close friends for many years when we were in elementary school but grew apart some as we got older. Then her parents went through a divorce, she moved out of our neighborhood and we kind of lost track of each other. We kept in touch through our parents over the years and always knew what was happening in each other's lives but we lived so far apart (I was in Florida, California, England and Wisconsin and she was in Ohio). When I moved back to Ohio Melinda and I reconnected. I bowl with her every Tuesday night and we have a group of women that get together once a month (our girls night girls). It was like we were never apart. She is like family to me. She'd always called my parents her second parents and I've always thought of her mom as my second mom.
Here are some pictures...Melinda and our group of neighborhood kids on my first day of kindergarten (my brother is in the picture as well)...Melinda, my sister Jenn and myself now.
Now on to my family, the greatest people in the world....my parents, brother and sister. We've always been a very close family. I have so many memories that I am not even sure where to begin. One thing my parents instilled in all of us is how important family is. My children were both born in California and I was so sad when I would think of all the "family" things they would miss out on living so far from their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In 2007, after a life changing event, we were able to move back to Ohio. The saying goes that "everything happens for a reason" and although I still question why some things had to happen I am very grateful to be in Ohio and close to my family again. As a child I can remember my grandparents attending every Grandparent's Day I had at school. We moved back the summer before Aaron began kindergarten and my parents have not missed his or Alex's Grandparent's Day. I question why things happen less and less as time goes on because I see how the past has created a family connection for my children that is vital to their childhood and something I would never want to change.
Here is a picture of my parents with Aaron and Alex at Grandparent's Day this year.
Here is my family at the beach a couple of years ago. The children have changed over the past couple of years and I we've added my fiancee to the mix but you get the idea of how close we are to each other.
Here are some pictures...my brother, sister and I this year at the Cleveland Browns game and my boys at the beach.
My youngest niece and nephew with me when they were babies, they are 2 now.
Other things may change us but we start and end with family- Anthony Brandt
Not only did I have a very active close family growing up with amazing friends to help mold me into the person I am today, I had some phenominal teachers. Two teachers that stand out for me are my 1st and 6th grade teachers. Mrs. Lahr (1st grade) taught me to read. She had such patience and I can't thank her enough for encouraging me to read. To this day reading is one of my favorite past times. I never seem to have "bored" moments because I can always grab a book to read. Ms. Yockey (6th grade)...boy was she tough. In fact the summer before 6th grade when I found out I was going to be in her class I was so nervous. She expected greatness out of every one of her students and although I wasn't a lazy student or a below average student I felt there was no way I could be successful in her class. She proved me wrong. She was tough and she said her job was getting us ready for middle school and she got me ready. Not only did I succeed in her class, she became one of my all time favorite teachers. She pushed without criticizing, she made us think and she made me realize the potential I had to be a really great student. I will never be able to thank her enough because not only did she instill in me a continued love of learning, she created in me the "you can do it" spirit. I realized that after succeeding in her class I could handle middle school and any other academic trials that came my way.
I hope the children who had me as a preschool or 1st grade teacher remember me as a nurturing, caring, thoughtful yet tough teacher. A teacher that challenged them but did not lead them to frustration, a teacher that showed them how to do something so they could continue to grow as individuals and realize their true potential in life.
My childhood was shaped by many...family, friends, teachers and my adulthood continues to be shaped by them as well as my own children.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
For the love of teaching and reading
I feel it takes a special dedicated person to be a teacher. You must have patience, compassion, acceptance, a sense of humor and a love of learning and sharing your knowledge. When I am working with teachers in the classroom one of main things I want them to realize is that they set the tone for the classroom. The have the power to foster self esteem and self worth in every child they come in contact with. Haim Ginott says it best in his "Between Teacher and Child"
"I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climates.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis
will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized."
The Chinese Proverb says "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. That should be the early childhood education motto. Children need to be given the chance to try, experiment, manipulate materials and play so that they can learn to understand how things work.
My favorite thing to do is read. I read for knowledge and I read for enjoyment. I have many favorite authors and a 5 shelf bookshelf with my "to be read" books on it. My sister jokes that my biggest fear is finishing a book and not having another one to start. As funny as that is, it is also very true. I enjoy a wide variety of books and therefor I like to have many books at my fingertips because I just never know what kind of book I will want to dive into next. My goal is for my children to love to read as much as I do. Even though they are both able to read to themselves, I still read to them every night because that is our most precious time of the day together. When it comes to reading there is a quote by Mem Fox (an author) that summarizes how truly important it is to read aloud to our children. "If parents understood the huge educational benefit and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent-and every adult caring for a child-read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation." Knowing how much I enjoy reading, I ache for the people who are unable to read. I am going to attach a video clip of Alex "reading" when he was 2 years old. I read him the same book over and over again to the point where he was able to read it himself and he is so proud that he can read! Every child should have the opportunity to feel that pride in themselves!
I have been asked to pick one children's book that I love and explain why I love it. I can't possibly pick one. I have 5 huge rubbermaid containers of young children's books in our closet because I had to clear off our bookshelves to make room for our chapter books. I would say one of the many I like is "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsh and Sheila McGraw. I read this book to my students when I was teaching and I really felt a connection to the book. When I had my first son the very first book I read to him the day I brought him home from the hospital was "Love You Forever" and I cried the entire way through the book. I have read it to both of my sons on numerous occassions and tear up every time. I would like to talk about one other book to leave you on a funny note. "Cha- Cha Chimps" by Julie Durango and Eleanor Taylor is one of the funniest books I have ever read. My children and I laugh our way through this book. As a mom and a teacher I know there is nothing better than the sound of children's laughter.
Below is a picture of my family. Aaron is 8 and Alex is 6 (well 7 on Sunday and he would rather you thought of him as a 7 year old).
"I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climates.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis
will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized."
The Chinese Proverb says "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. That should be the early childhood education motto. Children need to be given the chance to try, experiment, manipulate materials and play so that they can learn to understand how things work.
My favorite thing to do is read. I read for knowledge and I read for enjoyment. I have many favorite authors and a 5 shelf bookshelf with my "to be read" books on it. My sister jokes that my biggest fear is finishing a book and not having another one to start. As funny as that is, it is also very true. I enjoy a wide variety of books and therefor I like to have many books at my fingertips because I just never know what kind of book I will want to dive into next. My goal is for my children to love to read as much as I do. Even though they are both able to read to themselves, I still read to them every night because that is our most precious time of the day together. When it comes to reading there is a quote by Mem Fox (an author) that summarizes how truly important it is to read aloud to our children. "If parents understood the huge educational benefit and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent-and every adult caring for a child-read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation." Knowing how much I enjoy reading, I ache for the people who are unable to read. I am going to attach a video clip of Alex "reading" when he was 2 years old. I read him the same book over and over again to the point where he was able to read it himself and he is so proud that he can read! Every child should have the opportunity to feel that pride in themselves!
I have been asked to pick one children's book that I love and explain why I love it. I can't possibly pick one. I have 5 huge rubbermaid containers of young children's books in our closet because I had to clear off our bookshelves to make room for our chapter books. I would say one of the many I like is "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsh and Sheila McGraw. I read this book to my students when I was teaching and I really felt a connection to the book. When I had my first son the very first book I read to him the day I brought him home from the hospital was "Love You Forever" and I cried the entire way through the book. I have read it to both of my sons on numerous occassions and tear up every time. I would like to talk about one other book to leave you on a funny note. "Cha- Cha Chimps" by Julie Durango and Eleanor Taylor is one of the funniest books I have ever read. My children and I laugh our way through this book. As a mom and a teacher I know there is nothing better than the sound of children's laughter.
Below is a picture of my family. Aaron is 8 and Alex is 6 (well 7 on Sunday and he would rather you thought of him as a 7 year old).
Friday, January 7, 2011
Name Change
Dear Classmates,
You may notice that my name on my blog is not Hoffman, that is because my name will be changing to Owens in late May. If you are looking for Amy Hoffman from Walden University you have the correct blogspot.
Amy
You may notice that my name on my blog is not Hoffman, that is because my name will be changing to Owens in late May. If you are looking for Amy Hoffman from Walden University you have the correct blogspot.
Amy
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