Establishing Professional Contact

This assignment is proving to be a challenge. I sent emails to the International Step by Step Association in the Netherlands, Macedonia and Santo Domingo. I still have not received a response

 I did send email to the Canadian Child Care Federation and received a response today. I have to share that truly put a smile on my face.  I am keeping my fingers crossed  that I receive a notice on the others. I received the NIEER newsletter today. I was surprised to skim through some of the articles, and one of the articles was about the Governor's and  Pre-K Budget.  That topic is a big concern for us here in New Jersey due to the fact the our Governor doesn't seem to favor early childhood education that well.  That was a topic of discussion today when the Master Teachers came to our school.  When they go to meetings in Trenton, the share a lot with us informally.

My Supports

 If looking forward scares you and looking back hurts you, then look beside you. I will always be there, holding your hand the whole way.
                                                                                                                                 ~ Ash Sweeny

Everyone goes through many challenges in life. I have shared in my blog the wonderful support my mother had given me all through my life. She is definitely my life line. The long running joke within the family is the umbilical cord is still attached. Joking aside, I don't think I would be were I am if it wasn't for her. My mother always believed in me and was always on my side in all  decisions I made. All through elementary school she always made sure to go to meetings, christmas shows, book fairs. When I said I wanted to be a pianist, she went and got me a piano. When that phase ended, I said I wanted to be a doctor, I got every doctor kit imaginable, then I wanted to be a teacher, I got a chalkboard and a small desk placed in my room.  My mother was there with me when I divorced my first husband and helped me with my daughters. They were 8 and 5. Once I made the decision to go back to school my mother jumped at the chance and helped me financially. One night I went to bed and woke up the next day in an ambulance. My life took another turn when the doctor diagnosed me with epilepsy. I suffer gran mal siezures in my sleep and wake up from then not recognizing anyone or where I am. The last one I suffered a heart attack. I gave up. I became afraid and made the decision to quit. After my tantrum, my mother took out the photo album pointing to the pictures of my 8th grade, high school, and college graduation. "After you feel better, look back with a sensible mind and then make a decision." After taking some time off to get adjusted to the medication I went back to school.

Being back in school, I do have moments when I feel defeated and overwhelmed, and yes I have had epileptic episodes, but I know I can turn to my mother when I need help. I know many have beautiful stories about their parents and the support system that they built together,  My mother is mine.  What would I do if I didn't have her support? Well, I know that I wouldn't be in school. I know that having epilepsy would take its toll on me and I don't think I could be the mother I am to my daughters without having my mother as an example.

My Connections to Play

I have many wonderful memories playing. My mother always made sure that my brother and myself enjoyed being little kids. My favorite dolls were Baby Alive and Baby Crissy and Baby Thataway. I can remember playing for hours and hours on end with them. I loved playing "Mommy".  One of my fondest memories was when I went to purchased  the Baby Crissy doll how my mother was more excited than I was. She opened the box and cradled the doll and kept saying how the doll reminded her of me when I was a little baby (fat cheeks and all).

Being sick with chicken pox my mother came home with the spirograph and I enjoyed making so many geometrical designs that I taped all over the house. When I was seven, my mother and aunts taught me how to play jacks. My mother said how much she loved playing with her sisters when they were little in Puerto Rico. After a couple of tries I became an expert!

 Play was supported and encouraged while I growing up.I enjoyed spending time with my toys and playing with my mother and aunts at times. Having the opportunity to enjoy my childhood is one of many things that I am grateful to my family for. Even as an adult I do enjoy playing a game with my own children and now as a preschool teacher.

                                               
                                    Quotes about Play                                      

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.

                -Fred Rogers

Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein












        

Relationship Reflection

 Looking back, I can say that my family is one of the most important relationship I have. My up bringing defines me, and my family became a part of my identity. Values that were taught and instilled in me has prepared me for many obstacles that I have encountered.  I remember many times growing up just enjoying being a little girl and I have to thank my mother for that. I remember the routine to this day. Breakfast and Saturday morning cartoons, fix my bed and play outside in the backyard all morning., lunch, more play, a bath and dinner. Saturday night was the best because we would always sit together to watch the Carol Burnett Show. 

Once I had a family of my very own, the bond of family and its importance became stronger.  My children has been the most important and the most valued relationship I have. The responsibility that NOW I was creating my own family unit, was exciting and scary. I did the same as my mother, I made sure my daughters enjoyed being little girls. The only difference I played with them a lot. Rainy days, I do remember giving them crayons and paper and their drawings covered the whole house. 

Bonds can be created withing the outside of family relationships. Friendships blossom and continue to flourish for years where they in part become family members. Marilinda and I have been friends for 27 years. At this point we say we are sisters. Since our late teens we have shared so many ups and downs but somehow worked it through. She moved to Florida 7 years ago, but our friendship continues. We share frequent flyer miles and talk and text every chance we can.


December 21,2007 I had the second chance in working on a personal relationship when I married my husband Joe. Being single and a single mother for a long time made  this type of relationship  one I wanted and didn't at the same time. Love on a personal level is a relationship and partnership that is a continuous working process. Two people with two different personalities, opinions, and beliefs can make living under the same roof at times difficult.But sharing love for  someone can overcome many obstacles that come around.
 
In view of relationships is it human nature to feel the need to belong, accepted, love, etc, etc, etc. In the early childhood profession one brings all those qualities to all those you meet. With the children I go back in time when I had little ones at home, and the desire for them to continue to enjoy being little is an instinct. Working with parents one works with them sharing ideas, opinions, hopes and celebrate accomplishments at a distance but always as a team. Working with colleague's relationships are like a marriage. Sharing opinions, thoughts, ideas and fussiness can make for very long day, but sharing a love for the profession the end result is seen every end of the school year.

I would like to extend a thank you to Lynette P, Melanie and Magretta Nelson. Your personal stories were empowering, informative and took much courage to share. I look forward to continue to work with you in our continued journey in early childhood field. Here's wishing a safe and restful holiday and a successful new year!

Thoughts about Child Development

 Play increases an awareness of oneself and others in their environment.  Playing stimulates the brain and stimulates the skills that they take through the stages in their life. As and adult when you are watching children playing you see all the skills that they will as they grow. As a preschool teacher I try to explain to parents that their is a method to their madness. Parents just see the children just passing time as they play. Once skills are explained and tied to play, many of them are surprised and respect the preschool environment even more.

Assessing Children

  When assessing children, the assessment first of all should be tailored to a specific purpose and fair for that purpose. The assessment should also include a plan of action to continue working also focusing towards a child's progress. Observing children and having conversations with children during play is a way to assess the children's problem solving skills  and cognitive skills.  Children can share methods and ideas while they are at play.  Also this form of assessment one can see the children "in action" instead of a standardized test where it is teacher structured not child oriented.

  Three and four year old children in Japan attend preschool and learn the importance of respect, language skills. Preschoolers are not taught math and literacy because it is expected that their mothers teach these skills at home.  T he kindergarten entrance exams tests children on their knowledge of shapes, the color of fruit, number sequences and polite behavior. Many parent stay on  lines to enroll their children to help prepare them for these tests. Some children begin studying for these exams when they are 6 months old, learning activities like how to open and close their hands. 

Japan is a very group oriented society, where interdependence is more important than individual independence. Preschool classrooms are equipped with large very heavy wooden blocks to encourage children to work together and play together and cooperate as a group.

More information:

 

 https://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/dcec/jtobin-komatsudanithennow.pdf

 http://www.eltnews.com/news/archives/2010/06/a_comparative_s.html