Time Well Spent

We as early childhood professionals help teach children how to handle success or failure that will
come in their lives.



   



Play is such an important part of a child's development. Let's not put play on the back burner until all else gets done.






One of my long term goals is to implement my capstone project. I believe it will come to fruition. Also I will keep up with new trends in the early childhood field. That will make me a life long learner.

The journey through this program has been a blessing in my life. Many of the topics in many of my classes addressed things that happen to be impacting my professional life at that point. I always believed I did not have any biases against any group. I have found out that I did have a few. I have learned more about inclusion. My mind was refreshed of topics I was aquainted with in the early childhood field and in this program I gained a deeper understanding.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for all of the encouragement and nudges you gave me while replying to my post. I wish you all the best and much success in all of the things you set out to do. We all came to the program for many different reasons. At the conclusion of this program we have the same goal in mind to give the highest quality of care to all children.

Dr. Darragh Thank you for all of your feedback and support. You truly kept me focused on all the assignments. You let me know you that you expected the best of my ability. I truly appreciated that. I believe you care about us and are getting us ready for our future endeavors. Thank you

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community National/Federal

The first organization that sparked my interest was the National Association for Family Child Care. The reason I choose this organization is I am a family child care provider. NAFCC represents professional providers throughout the United States and in some cases on U.S. military bases. This organization is a non profit membership association. One of the goals of the association is to be a support system for individual family child care providers through strenghting the state and local association.

One job that interest me was an accreditation  specialist. I am qualified for this job because it requires at least a bachelors degree in Early Childhood. They also require experience working in a early childhood setting.

The second organization that I decided to select is the National Dissemination Center for Children with disabilities. The reason I selected this organization is there focus is to provide information on children and youth ages birth -22.that has some type of disability. This website was a wealth of information  for me.

 To become an early intervention specialist I would need to continue my education and become a special education teacher. 
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The third organization I selected was National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8.

The job that interest me was a Reliability Manager. A Reliability Manager support the work of NAEYC accreditation system. The skills that are needed is a minimum of a BA in Early Childhood Education/Child Development is required; a MA degree is preferred. Three (3) years of experience in the field working with young children in an early childhood program and a sound understanding of its ECE practices is required. Three years supervisory experience leading staff, contractors, and/or volunteers is desirable. Experience with high quality programming and NAEYC accreditation and evaluation systems, or other program quality assessment systems used in educational or early care settings is required. Excellent oral and written communication, analytical, MS Office and database skills are also required. Must be able to meet deadlines, work in a team and in a fast-paced environment. Travel is required.

References

National Child Care Association

www.nccanet.org

NICHCY (National Dissemination Center for Children with ...

www.directionservice.org/cadre/nichcy.cfm


 

National Association for the Education of Young Children ...

www.naeyc.org

 

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The first organization that appealed to me was the Child Care organization. This is a local organization in the Rochester New York area. The reason I choose the Child Care Council as one of the organizations is because this agency provides a wealth of information to parents, child care providers and businesses. They have a ton of professional development classes and a library full of community resources. There was only one job opening at this time. This opening is for a legally Exempt Enrollment Specialist. I am qualified for this job. The job requires you have a bachelors in early childhood.

The next organization is Rochester Associates for the education of young children.  RAEYC is a non profit organization and most of  the employees are volunteers. The reason this organization caught  my eye was because it is the Rochester affiliate of NAEYC. This local chapter meets the needs of various communities by developing and designing early childhood programs that meets the needs of the community. They encourage families and professional to be involved in policy discussion. This organization also promotes collaboration and cooperation among various agencies. There were no job posting. I would suppose part of that reason is that most of the organization is run by volunteers.

The last agency is the Office of Children and Family Services. I choose this agency because they promote the safety, permancy and well being of children and families and the community as a whole. They set and enforce policies and they build partnerships. The Office of Children and Family services covers an array of other services that has the well being of children at heart. The employment I would like to pursue with them is becoming a Children and Family Service Specialist. This job consist of visiting child care center and group child care and help them develop better practices and also help them with any problem they may have with NYS child care regulations. The web site does not state what the requirements are because there is no posting for that job title at this time.

Child Care Council
www.superpages.com/bp/Rochester-NY/Child-Care-Council-Inc-L

RAEYC

www.raeyc.com/index.html

 

NYS Office of Children and Family Services

ocfs.ny.gov/main

Fairwell Colleagues of EDU 6165

I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting me through this class. Some have replied to my blogs and discussions which many times gave me a different outlook on the learning objective for the week and a different outlook on the contents of my paper. Those who did not reply to my work I have stilled learned much from you also as you replied to others. I wish all of you the best in all you set out to do. The last few classes will go quickly. I only have my capstone left I will be finish with this part of my education in eight weeks. Hooray!

Adjourning

I can remember monitoring a group of children at our church last summer. My husband and I cooked for our church in the summer and we asked for volunteers. Some of teens volunteered. The children's corner was born. Since we cooking outside we took a corner of the space and gave it too the children. While we were cooking ribs, chicken etc the children's corner were selling hot dogs, hamburgers and different types of drinks. The church started them off and the group took off. This was a high performing group. They had a leader of the group and they had a secretary and a treasure. These children truly had a business and one of them always accompanied us when purchasing the materials they needed. This group will not be this summer many of the children went away to college and others moved away. The ritual that went on at the closing they gave away free hot dogs and drinks to the community and then they had a pizza party and we were invited.

 I think adjourning from my colleagues and the masters program will be bitter sweet. It will be bitter  because I have had a few colleagues in many of my classes. I have learned lots from all of the people I have come in contact with. It seems most of us have come front different walks of life and have had different  experiences in life that comes out in our blogs and discussion. The sweet part is that we all made it and know have a Master Degree in Early Childhood. I believe that adjourning is a essential part because it brings closure. It allows each group member to voice how they feel the project went and what can be done better if they work together again. It also allows them to say goodbyes to each other. They can wish each other the best of luck in their other endeavors.

Confict Resolution Week 5 6165

Last week was spring recess in Rochester N.Y. One of my grand children's mother called asking me if my grandson could come over to spend the night because she had to be to work at 7am the next morning These were extra hours she picked up. I explained to her that I was tired and when my child care children left I was going to sleep. She tried to persuade me by saying that he is no problem and that she would send things for him to do. As if I do not have things for him to do. My grandchild is 7 and when he  comes over he expect me to play games with him and keep him occupied with activities. She went on to say no one ever wants to help her when she ask. This became a conflict within my self because I always try and help anyone in need and this was concerning  my grandson After a while she had him call me crying on the phone  asking if he could come over. I started to give in but I held my ground. I am learning too take care of myself. The way I compromised with her I informed her I would watch him during the day tomorrow and that she could drop him off in the morning. That was not truly the first thing that came to my mind. I thought I should not answer the phone when I see any numbers that she calls from. I realized that would not be fair to my grandchild if he tried to call me. The NVC has taught me to listen empathetically and express myself with honesty without assertiveness.  The 3rs are an asset to all forms of effective communication.

Deborah

Who am I as a communicator

The two people that evaluated me on my communication anxiety, verbal aggression and my listening styles scores ranges were the same as mine. One of the people that took the test was my husband and the other was a colleagues. Nothing actually surprised me because my husband know me better than I know my self in many circumstances and my friend has seen me in action and we have talked about the way I communicate. What I have learned this week is that even though I do not judge a book by its cover I cannot let someone that looks like someone I know determine their characteristic in my mind  and put them in the same box. At the age of sixty I am pretty set in my ways and I feel my communication style gets the job done. I know we can all improve but I do believe that it is hard to teach a older person new tricks.

Communicating with different culture and groups

I do not find my self communicating with people from cultures different than mine any differently except when I meet someone from a different country. Then I find myself listening more attentively when I am communicating with them. Many times I am trying to grasp what they are saying. There are many cultures in my family through many means. I am use to talking with people from different cultures.

Of course I talk to my friends differently than I talk to my children or adults older than myself. I think I speak with them adequately but  not equally. I have friends from all different walks of life. I communicate with them as to where they are at. The conversation with each will probably take different turns but the initial conversations will be the same. I believe I am not here to judge but to try and understand each other through communication.

Verbal and nonverbal communication while watching a television program with and without sound

The show that I watched was Once Upon a Time and I watched the first episode.This program is suppose to be about fairy tail characters coming to life and all are trapped in a town named Story Brook Main.
 Except for snow white the dwarfs and the prince all of the assumptions I made about the relationships between people were all wrong while watching the program with no sound. Henry which happens to be (snow whites daughter) Emma's son that she gave up for adoption was not apparent. She did not seem to know who he was. At the same time she seemed concerned because she put him in her car.  Arriving in the town of story brook Emma stopped her car and got out. A man stopped her she did not seem to know him and I figured he was trying to hit on her.When Emma met Henry's adopted mother she seem friendly towards her. The other times they crossed path she seemed to become more hostile towards her. When snow white and the prince visited someone in prison her husband seemed very apprehensive but upon leaving snow white turned and said something to the man. So I thought what ever the man was saying got her attention. When the witch came to the wedding of snow white the prince seem to know her by the way he reacted to her. Henrys adopted mother seem to have a estranged relationship with her son because upon arriving at home he did not want to go in and he ran passed her.  Except for the very beginning I was totally lost as far as what was going on . When I viewed the program again with the sound a new form of communication emerged.

I figure my assumption would of been  more correct if I was watching a show that I watch often.  One thing that was brought more to my attention is that you cannot judge a book by it's cover. In other words all is not what is seems to be in nonverbal communication. Nine times out of ten the assumptions will probably be wrong. It is almost like reading in between the lines.

Effective Communicator

The person that came to my mind as an effective communicator is my pastor Dr. Sarah McNairy. She is able to talk to people where they are at. She does not talk at you but with you. She makes eye contact with people when need be.  She inspires you when she communicates and makes you feel all things are possible. She speaks with clear tone all of the time. She can hold the attention of a few or a whole congregation even the children. My pastor means what she say and say what she means. The way she carries herself contributes to her communication style.She is an awesome communicator. I would like to take on her communication style because I am a shy person. I need to become more outgoing when I speak and not let anyone  talk me down as to what I am communicating to them.

When I Think of Research

When I Think of Research

Insights:                                                                                                                                  Through this experiential learning process I have acquired the necessary tools and skills needed to proficiently analyze and fully comprehend formal research articles. My understanding of research has deepened from this experience because it has allowed for a triad of significant reflections of my own ‘neophyte researcher’ experience as well as the opportunity to share the critical reflections of my ‘travel guide/professor’ and my colleagues. These interpersonal relationships that were developed as we worked throughout this course have provided me with inspiration, new knowledge and experience, and an active voice in the research processing arena.

Ideologies:                                                                                                                                          Because of my personal and professional interests in enhancing Pre K children’s literacy skills I have become more acutely focus-centered on the necessity for me to become more connected to the formalities and details of ‘quality’ research. I now have the ability to read, understand, evaluate, design and carry out research about young children, families, and the early childhood field in general. I have come to the realization that research is the professional tool that makes the job of finding answers highly probable and most effective.

Lessons Learned:                                                                                                                                          As I proceeded on this journey I was in search of answers to take confident ownership of this experiential learning process. Throughout this process was introduced to the standards and guidelines that eventually led me to becoming a critical consumer of research. I became familiar with ethics in early childhood research. As I learned how to become a designer of research I became more knowledgeable of the available options and considerations. I learned about quantitative research and deductive reasoning in action. I was introduced to the workings of qualitative research and its relationship to documenting rich stories of the early childhood field. I learned the significance of bridging the quantitative-qualitative divide to the value of mixing methods. I learned about the issue of equity in research and the necessity to move beyond equality to justice and fairness. This journey has provided me with a wealth of useful knowledge.  

Challenges:                                                                                                                            Challenges are an inevitable circumstance and will occur throughout our lives. Depending on one’s coping skills, available support networks, and ability to recover and learn from the temporary apprehension, challenges should be welcomed and viewed as being a necessary entity to our experiential growth patterns. Challenges were met through and by our collective collaboration, networking, and being respectful help-mates to one another.

Perceptions:                                                                                                                                       What I knew as an early childhood professional and who I was at the start of this journey is profoundly different from what I now know and who I am at the ending of this course. With honesty and sincerity I am truly ‘thankful’ for having the opportunity of sharing this experience with all of you. Best of luck in all you set out to do.

Research Around the World

Research Topics
One of the topics from the website http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php that truly caught my attention was Utilizing Indigenous stories in the promotion of Early Childhood Develop programs. Qualitative research was used using eight in depth interviews and eight focus group discussion, and a 22 story sample winning stories from western and central Uganda. The outcome of the research states that many of the stories are relevant to early childhood development. Some of those are family life, caring for others and cleverness and intelligence. I have found in my early childhood program children love to listen to stories. I have asked the parents in my program to bring in books they might have from their childhood so I can read them to the children. I believe that all books have a story to tell and a lesson to learn.


Facts/ Insights / new Ideas
I enjoyed viewing the videos of the Early Childhood Development Virtual University at the School of Child & Youth care of Victoria. ECDVU of sub- Suburban Africa is part of the virtual university.  The ECD country committee hand picks students to participate. The nominations are based on many criteria but the most important one is being committed to a child's well being and are willing to broaden social development within the country.

Noteworthy
I learned about a curriculum that is used in the training of early childhood students. The title of the curriculum is named A Generative Approach. The curriculum consist of many courses. Each of the courses are designed to address ECD leadership skills and ECD capacity of development in Africa. The people that develop and deliver the course are International and African leaders in ECD. The regional seminar facility are invited to present at each seminar.


Reference

Utilizing Indigenous stories in the promotion of Early Childhood develop programs  http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports

Research that Benfiteds Children and Families

I have chosen option 2

The research that I would conduct is on Attachment Disorders and ways families can be helped early in life so the child would not carry the stigma their entire life.

These children have difficulties connecting to others and managing their own emotions. They have a lack of trust and self worth. They also have a fear of getting close to anyone, They have anger issues, and a need to be in control. Attachment disorders is the result of early negative experiences between a parent, caregiver and child which results in no early bonding. When a child continually feel that they are uncared for they will learn very quickly that they can not depend on others and that the world is a dangerous place.

The reason I would choose this topic is I have witnessed this happening to a family member when they were a child. This young lady is a woman know and this diagnoses has affected her growing up and still has a great affect on her life today.

I would hope one of the contributions would be is that the children would get the help they need as a child so that the diagnoses would not take over and plague them in adult hood. Another contribution would be to find new and innovative ways to help the parent or caregiver that is not bonding with their child teach them better coping skills.  If this is accomplished it would benefit the entire family know and for years to come.

                                                                Reference

Reactive attachment disorder. Retrieved from www.Mayoclinic .org/diseases-conditions/reactive attachment

My Personal Research Project

When I was a young child I lived in neighborhoods that did not afford children to get  a good start in education. It was not such a big deal then because kindergarten was the time children just played. Formal education started in first grade. Today if children do not know how to read by the time they enter school they are at a disadvantage. So my research topic is teaching pre K children to read. They need to develop fluent reading skills to succeed in school. I feel that if I did not do research on how to teach the children in my child care business to read I would be doing the children a disservice.

When the class first started my first topic was literacy in young children as far as reading was concerned. I could not find much material on the subject. It all lead me to teaching Pre K. children to read. I have found an abundance of  information on teaching pre k children to read.

I am having a few bumps in the road as far as the charts are concerned. The vocabulary is challenging to a certain extent. I have found that many of the words were very familiar once I familiarized my self with them again. I am interested in following all eight steps. I desire to have tried/tested, trued/proven and prior research based information so that I can offer the best high quality education to the children and their family members in my care.

If any of  you reading this blog come across any resources to help in my endeavor I would greatly appreciate it. I will do the same for you.