Quotes and Excerpts in Early Childhood Education

"Five and six-year old children are inheritors of poverty's curse and not its creators. Unless we act these children will pass it on to the next generation, like a family birthmark."
-Lyndon Johnson

"Respect for a diverse community begins with teachers willing to build upon the uniqueness of each and every one of their children."
-Ann Turnbull, Behavior Concerns within an Inclusive Classroom

"We, as professionals in the early childhood field, have the opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."
-Sandy Escobido, Los Angeles preschool advocacy initiative


"When getting bogged down with paperwork, take 20 minutes to go see the children so you don't forget what
you are doing all this for."
-Raymond Hernandez, Executive Director School of ECE

My personal childhood web



My grandmom



My dad

These are the people that have been in my life as a child, and still are a huge part to not only me, but my family as well.  My memories of my dad as a child include playing tea parties, playing card games, and helping me to learn how to drive a three wheeler, I know, old school right, which he still has today and is teaching my sons how to drive it?!  He did not show emotions or affection often, but I could just feel the love in his heart.  Now that he has three grandchildren, he is forced to SHOW his love.  They don’t let him forget to give hugs, play basketball, drive the three- wheeler or say I LOVE YOU! 



Pop & Gram



My mom was always there for me as a child.  She was there to make sure my needs were met, help me with homework, listen to me, encourage me, and help me through tough times.  Today, she continues to do all of that and so much more.  She was there for the birth of all three of my children, and is able to care for the youngest one while I am at work and helps to be sure my other two are off to school.  She is always there to listen and never judges my decisions. 

My grandparents are another part of my web that I consider amazing.  My gram was the care taker.  She would babysit me when I was little and I would often spend many sleepovers at her and my pop’s house.  As an only child, I was yearning for someone to always play with.  When I would come over she would also arrange for cousins to stay as well.  My pop was a man of few words, and still is.  His actions showed it all.  He would be the one to take me fishing, allow me to help him in his workshop, and take me to flea markets to sell his woodwork, and even give me a few dollars to spend.  He taught me about the simple things in life. 

Last, but not least by any means, my grandmother.  She was always energetic, loved to play games and go places.  She would often pick me up on the weekends and take me to amusement parks.  Or we would go to the store and buy lots of snacks and stay up to the wee hours of the morning playing games.  No worries with grandmom, just fun.  She was always so relaxed and anything that I would do would seem ok with her.  As you can see in the picture, she still enjoys being active and being with her great grandchildren.

All of these family members still play a part in my life.  I grew up with a family that worked for everything they have and appreciate everything they were given.  It was a simple life, and I am thankful for that.  I want the same for my family and for them to know their grandparents and have the simple life as I did, with little worries growing up.

 

My mom



busy times, but keeping up

Where did the week go?  I hope the weekend doesn't go as fast!  I am feeling that the more that I have on my plate, the more organized I become and the more productive.  Managed to meet with most of my new protege's this year that I will be mentoring and the relationships seem to be buiding nicely.  They are motivated to learn and gain new skills and you can see the passion in their teaching as well.  I thought, how appropriate for this week and our application paper about passion, motivation, and wisdom. 

I managed to complete my assignments in a timely manner for the first week, and am keeping up with that schedule for the second week.  I realize that there is much more to come, as I look at  next week's assignments, but these first two weeks were great to get accustomed with all of the requirements and technology.

Even with work and school, I am finding time to spend with the family.  Last night was a great night at the ball field where my 7year old son had a baseball game.  And tomorrow is a day to visit with my grandparents.  So, off I go to finish my application paper...  busy times ahead.

Childrens' Quote

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.  ~Stacia Tauscher

I found this quote and thought about how well it corresponds to my childrens' book, Leo the Late Bloomer. 

A Childrens' Book from the Heart

 

This is a story that I read a few years ago, for the first time, to a group of children in my head start classroom.  After reading it through alone first, it really touched my heart.  Often times parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, and even with ourselves, we want to compare one another and even “rush” children or ourselves to learn a new skill, so we can be like others.  And as Leo’s mother explains, it will happen when we least expect it and in its own time.  I want to be that parent and teacher that can accept our children for where they are in their development and give them that time that they so desperately need in our fast paced world. 

This is the beginning...

Well, as my title states, this is the beginning of educating myself about Blogs.  I have already reviewed other's blogs to help with starting my own, so that means others have already educated me!  Not only is blogging new to me, online courses are also new.  Together, it is my hope that we can collaborate to increase our knowledge in the early childhood education field so we are best prepared to educate our future...the children.