Useful Resources

As I have taken different programs here at Walden I have come across several different useful resources.

Some of those include from EDUC 6005

• 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://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

• 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 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.
• 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/

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

Resources from other courses I have taken include
Kottler, J., Zehm, S., & Kottler, E. (2005). On Being a Teacher The Human Dimension
Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that
works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement.

Nieto, Sonia. (2003). What Keeps Teachers Going? New York, NY: Teachers College.

People in the Early Childhood Field

As I reviewed the resources from this week, one piece of the article I read on an interview conducted with Dr. Marilyn Friend stuck out to me. She said "In this day and age there is simply too much for any one educator to know in order to effectively meet the needs of all his or her students. If in schools we would act in the understanding that some professionals should be experts in instructional strategies, some in the use of cooperative learning approaches, some in responding to troubling student behavior, some in assessment practices, and some in building students' self-esteem and social skills, we could draw on each others' knowledge and skills and collectively create more effective schools for our students." I can not help but read this over and over again and reflect on how true it is!! If we all contributed within a role we were confident in how much more successfully could we utilize our time and teach our students?

Brownell, M. T., & Walther-Thomas, C. (2002). Dr. Marilyn Friend. Intervention In School & Clinic, 37(4), 223.
While not specifically quoted, the article I read about Marcy Whitebook's work on wages for child care workers was quite interesting. She discussed the average wage based on the area where the study conducted took place, the reasons for such high turnover in child care, and where those that left went when they left. I could not believe it! I knew long ago that my rewards in education would not be monetary, however if those of us in the child care setting are also teaching should there not be more of a push to compensate us more equally?

Again, please do not misunderstand me, my rewards are often and priceless. The look on a child's face when they understand is what I am in this profession for.

Schumann, R. (2011). Employee Retention in the Day Care Industry. Monthly Labor Review, 134(2), 50-51.
A couple of weeks ago, I listened to Louise Derman

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Foundations: Early childhood.
learning. Baltimore: Author.

Personal Childhood Web

The first two people I would say fit in this description are my mom and dad. They always gave me love, cared for me, and nurtured me throughout life. My dad works in the transportation area of education, with the school buses, and my mom is a special education teacher. While I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, part of the reason I became a teacher is because of my parents. No matter the choices I have made in life my parents have always been there to support and guide me and give me love unconditionally.

My sister who is 2 1/2 years younger than me would be the third person I would say is a part of my web. She is the first one who I remember sharing and playing with, although my mom remembers others. She would probably be the first person I taught since every time I did something she wanted to do it too. I remember my sister getting discouraged one day because she did not feel successful in school because she did not make the same grades I did, but I told her that if she had done her best and given it her all that was all that mattered. I reminded her often that her and I were different and therefore that would be reflected in school, but I always made sure to tell her it was okay. Although we have our moments, my sister and I are close today and often talk about times when we were little. She also honestly gives her opinion of the choices I make.

All of my grandparents, collectively as one, influenced my life. Each always wanting me to be happy, do the best I could, and have fun. My mom's dad who has passed away always used to take pride in how well I did in school. One time I told him, I was doing pretty good and he asked me how good is pretty? I said I don't know so then he asked why I said pretty good. I always remember this and often stop myself as I speak to make sure I am speaking correctly. I did not know this until after he was gone, but he was like my hero and I never told him. So I take his passing as a lesson and tell everyone I know to express how you feel about those that matter to you while you have the opportunity because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

I could go on with others that made a difference in my life, but the list would be longer.

Thoughts and Questions

 I do not have pictures to post, but I have a question to pose. How many of you use "cookie cutter" art and how many of you let children use free expression? There are times when I will admit I use "cookie cutter" art but recently I have supplied similar materials (ex: green paper, black circles for a tractor) and told my students to make it using the materials given. The results they come up with are as individual as they are and so much more fun to hang on the wall for all to see than the "cookie cutter" art. Let me know what you think.

Literacy and Early Childhood

I love to use books that tell a story, but not just books for the story but books that I can also use to integrate curriculum. If I can make an art project to go along with the book, incorporate math with counting or shapes along with the book or simply connecting a book to a color and theme for the month. There are several different books that fit this criteria that I love to read and share but one such book that I enjoy is The Very Hungry Catepillar. It includes food, colors, shapes, counting, and even the life cycle of a butterfly The lessons that could be incorporated along with this book are endless and throughly engaging for my preschool children.        

Educational Quotes

A quote I heard while still in my Bachelor's degree program that I use to guide me in this profession is:

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the size of the house I lived in, or the type of car I drove but the world may be different because I made a difference in the life of a child.

This is not quoted exactly but the quote is my constant reminder that I am teaching to make a difference and have an influence on the lives of children I come in contact with every day. It also gives me that additional boost to remind me that in teaching my rewards are not always monetary, the "light bulb" look is quite exciting.

Welcome All

Hello and welcome to my blog. I hope that as you read through my posts you will find the information insightful. As you visit my hope is that you take away something you can use. Please feel free to leave any comments you like or information you think I may find useful as well.

Thanks so much and have a great day.