"I see early childhood education, all education really as a civil rights issue because the right to think about in relationship to childhood. A childhood that leaves you ready for optimal life experiences. A childhood and an educational context experience throughout your life cycle that opens up the world around you that gives you the tools you need to ask questions and investigate things."....Renetta M. Cooper Program Specialist, Office of Children, LA County Chief Administrative Office.

Stanley Greenspan MD

"Parents are led to believe that they must be consistent, that is, always respond to the same issue the same way. Consistency is good up to a point but your child also needs to understand context and subtlety . . . much of adult life is governed by context: what is appropriate in one setting is not appropriate in another; the way something is said may be more important than what is said. . . ."

Personal Childhood Web

Growing up in a very overprotective very very strict  Hispanic household, my interactions with others were extremely limited. Our lives was going to school, and coming home, homework. It was a loving, old school upbringing was definitely what made me who I am today.



My mother: She was the key to any decisions I made in my life. My mother never stopped dedicating her skills, dreams and wishes. The best part of growing up was when my mother would sit and help me with my homework. What makes these moments so special was the simple fact that she did not know how to speak English very well. My mother always participated in any school functions or activities with me and I got to be the interpreter and I felt like a million bucks, because I helped her. Till this day my mother participates in any school activities I have. For example,  I had a fashion show with my students and she took a couple of hours from work to see my students perform!







My Father: My father had a great love of music. He would sit in the living room with his guitar and sing. He took time to teach me the songs and tried to teach me how to play the guitar. I couldn't get the hang of it. One christmas I got an organ. I practiced and practiced with him. He taught me the old Christmas Carols that were sung during the holiday when we had "parandas" a form of caroling. And of course The Puerto Rican Anthem' En mi viejo San Juan


My brother: Though he is younger than I am, he was definitely the leader a tough cookie. He is until this day. He was my only playmate. He taught me how to ride a bike, and try skateboarding. Our favorite time was the summer and getting wet with the hose. He always knew how to make me laugh. Even til this day he still runs his stand up sarcastic comedy that we grew to enjoy and even now expect.

My Aunt Lucy (Titi Cookie) My aunt was and still is like my second mother. My aunt would watch over my brother and myself when we got home from school. She always made sure we had snacks and sometimes if the weather was right, she would play with us in the backyard singing songs she learned while growing up. Titi Cookie as we all affectionately call her is always there sharing stories and sings with us. I enjoy this very much as I share these songs with my own children.

My grandmother. My grandmother has always and still is a major part of the family. She is the glue that holds us together. Even though she was very proud of all my successes in school, she would always say that our home was our school and what we learn at home completes us a people. Her main contribution in my childhood was making sure that I learned how to cook, but the way she did when she was little.  At the age of 5 I would stand on a stool and helped her making pasteles I even learned how to make coffee from coffee grounds! Keeping our family traditions and our customs were very important to her.

My kindergarten teacher Ms. Alferi:  I remember walking though the door holding my mothers hand crying my eyes out. I begged my mother and was inconsolable. I remember being confused because my mother never let me out of her sight.  My kindergarten teacher asked my mother what was my favorite thing to do at home. My mother told her I loved to color and loved brand new crayons. Ms. Alferi showed my a box of crayons and pointed out my name on the box. Once I walked in the room Ms. Alferi made sure I was comfortable in the classroom. Even though I was very very shy, she always managed to bring the artist in me and would praise all my work. Many years later at an inservice I was asked to discuss my kindergarten experience and would you believe that it was Ms. Alferi giving the workshop! When I said my name she instantly remembered the shy quite long haired girl in her classroom. We both stood in front of the training and began to sing the school song and got the crowd to join. Ms. Alferi is still around and continues to praise my work now as a teacher. She proudly tells everyone that I was her student many years ago. And was also there when my students had the fashion show with a big smile next to my mother. I was five years old again.

After an argument, one of the boys drew a picture expressing how happy that he had his friend again. When I asked him tell me about his picture, he said they had a party with many balloons.

On

Children are like wet cement

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.”
by Dr. Hiam Ginott
When I first heard this quote, it also left an impression on me.  Everything we say,or do will foverever be embedded in childrens  memory. We don't realize the lasting impressions we have on children. We are who we are because someone in our lifetime has left an impression whether it's positive or negative. I agree that children are like wet cement, and its only a matter of time before it dries up.

My Favorite Book

My favorite story is called The Kissing Hand.  It's about a little racoon name Chester who has anxieties going to school for the first time and how his mother helps him. This story has always been a hit for me to help with first day of school jitters. Both the parents and the children. The story helps the children comfortable about their feelings as they relate to Chester. To place a smile on both parents and children they each receive a Hershey's kiss to ease them into this transition. The story has sentimental value for me also. When my twins went to kindergarten I read the story and at the end of the book where heart shaped stickers I placed on their little hands their first day of school. It still brings tears to my eyes remembering how they ran towards me and showed me that they held on to their stickers even though it got wet.

Hello!

I am new to blogging. Please bear with me.


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