Introduction

Hello everyone my name is Tyshonna Crudup. I am a wife and mother of two boys 13 and 8 years old. I am a Head start preschool teacher. I really have a passion for working with young children. I have been working with young children 7 years now. Each year seem to be a little more challenging than the year prior. I plan to teach public school after completing my masters in Early Childhood. I am now off for the summer and I'm researching new ideas and activities for my preschoolers. I really would like for the next year to be much greater. I look forward to reading and responding to all of your post fellow classmates!

My Professional Interview

The early childhood field is a great learning and also very engaging. I believe that it takes passion to work with young children. My philosophy of education is that early educational environments is an essential part of overall educational experience for young children. I believed that teachers should be well qualified and understand that children learn differently and each student is unique. 

The ideas of a successful a classroom management plan helps teachers and children to function properly throughout the day. Organization and structure is a very important factor of classroom management. Teachers' rules and expectations set the tone in the classroom. 

I believe that school should model the 21st century skills. Every student should be able to apply many skills learned to situation inside and outside of the classroom. The 21st century skills is a combination of different skills in which students will need to succeed in the competitive workplace. 

Students are active participants in the learning process. Children are responsible for listening and grasping the information that the teacher is presenting in the classroom. They must also be able to apply skills from one lesson onto the next unit. 

Building an inclusive professional learning community means that a group of educators work together to form a plan to improve children learning experience. Educators should also reflect on common goals as a team to promote children growth. 

In my classroom we have a daily routine and schedule in which we follow. Children are engaging in learning, interacting, and role playing in learning centers. I often interact and role play in the learning centers with the children. Children are learning how to share and interact properly with their peers daily. 

Sharing Web Resources Week 6

The Global funding for children

 

The organization had many success stories.  The disability stories were very interesting. In Ethiopia many developmental disorders and disabilities are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Children with disorders are believed to be cursed or devil possessed.

Zemi Yemus son had autism and she could not find a place for him to learn and socialize with other children. She then nicknamed her son Joy. Zemi decided to create The Joy Center for Children with Autism and Related Disorders.  Since the severity of autism varies, the center focusses on helping each child see his or her unique potential. The center also developed a curriculum to enhance communication and language skills.

The center has made a difference in children’s lives in Ethiopia and now children with disabilities and disorders have a place to learn, succeed, and grow developmentally.

I have gained new insight on how many people in Ethiopia is aware about many disabilities disorders. Many people need to become educated about different types of disabilities and how to care for these children. They are not many resources in the community which are available to assist them. I also learned that many children with disabilities are neglected because parents are not aware about the disorder or disabilities. Every child deserves to learn and be educated even children with special needs.

 

Reference

http://www.globalfundingforchildren.org

Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 2

I read an article on how stress affects the brain. In the absence of a supportive relationship with an adult, children can experience chronic and unrelenting stress which can be toxic to brain development. The article briefly discusses three types of stress.

Positive stress is an important factor pertaining to healthy development. The environment is stable and supportive which helps to restore the response system to baseline.

Tolerable stress is a psychological state that disrupts the brain but is buffered by supportive relationship that stimulate adaptive coping. An example could be death, serious illnesses, divorce, and other circumstances.

Lastly Toxic stress is the most harmful especially in the absence of stable adult support. Some common risks are family violence, physical and emotional violence, severe and maternal depression and other situations.

I have gain detailed insight on how stress can extremely affect children during the early years.  Stress affects the body in many ways which can become deadly. It is so important for adults to provide a safe, nuturing, healthy, environment for children during their childhood. Adults lives affects children future.

 

Reference

Jack P. Shankoff, M.D. (2011) How Stress Affects the Brain retrieved from

http://www.stanford.edu/group/scspi/_media/pdf/pathways/winter_2011/PathwaysWinter11.pdf

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),

Sharing Web Resources

The following articles are the three that I thought were most interesting and important concerning the needs of children and families.

U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). Early learning initiative. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/early-learning

Cauthen N. K., & Fass, S. (2009). 10 important questions about child poverty and family economic hardship. Retrieved from National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) website: http://www.nccp.org/pages/pdf/page_131.pdf

 Children’s Defense Fund. (2010). Ending childhood poverty. Retrieved from http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/ending-child-poverty/

I was informed about many other programs offered under U.S Department of Education. Early learning is extremely important for our children future growth, development, and education. It seems as if many organizations’ are taking children early learning more seriously now than ever. Even many preschool programs are leaning more toward children academics.

Poverty among children is very controversial. Poverty has been an issue for many years. I have reviewed many articles on organization doing research on how to end poverty. I believe that some of the organizations are reaching out to children and families in need.

Economists, politicians, and neuroscientists are investing more in early childhood education. People are always looking for more ways to invest. The early childhood field is a great demand and there are always ways to improve young children education.

 

International Contacts

Children and Poverty Research and Policy Centre (Chip) research was very interesting.  Chip research poverty issues around the Eastern Magnolia area. The organization also plan different objectives to reduce poverty.   The Chip’s team had a conversation with some children from Kalkhgol, Sourn in Eastern Magnolia between the ages of 11 and 15 years of age. This particular group of children was not in school. Apparently their house work is more important than an education.

The children also talked about their daily activities such as collecting aluminum, unloading fire word, fetching water, milking cows, and other things. It seems as if the children are like some others years ago.

Poverty has stricken these children of their education.  Some children cannot afford books. Some of the children may start school in the first grade at 11 or 12 years of age.  I learned that education is not affordable everywhere although there are public schools around the world. Poverty affects children and families in so many ways.  Chip’s case study provided a lot of insight of children lives from another country.

 

Reference

http://www.childpoverty.org/index.php?action=casestudy&,d=201

Establishing Professional Contacts

I chose to use one of the links provided in the course for Part 1. I am still trying to make some contacts and hopefully everything will go well with that process. I reviewed UNCIEF Organization which seems to be a great organization. The organization works toward helping children to over diseases, poverty, viloence, and discrimination. I am looking forward to talking with an professional from a different country.

My Supports

My daily environment consist of a support system which include my husband, kids, and my mother. These people have supported me for years in many of my decision making. In fact my mother is the reason for me being in the Early Childhood Field. I have recently relocated to Mississippi. I have been in Arkansas my whole life. This city is very new to me and there is no familiar faces.

I am at home while the kids are at school and my husband is working. There are many days in which I feel alone and sad. My husband tries to cheer me up and our youngest son gives me many compliments. My mother and I have also had a close relationship. She is also very supportive.


Support is a very important factor toward becoming successful in life. I believe that life would not be as fulfilling without support from my immediate family. It makes a big difference just to hear encouraging words sometimes. I truly thank God for placing them in my life. Now more than ever I  must believe that this city will begin to feel more like home. The support has turned into determination. It is left up to me create an inviting environment and to find a job of my interest.

I have recently gone on two interviews and both jobs weren't up to my expectations. I did not feel like this is it. One day I just know it will happen for me!

"My Connection to Play"

“For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play. ~ Penelope Leach (psychologist and author)

“It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.” ~ D.W. Winnicott (British pediatrician)

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” ~ O. Fred Donaldson (martial arts master)

http://www.childsplaymagazine.com/Quotes/index.htm

 

 

 

These items allow children to use their social skills, cognitive development, gross and fine motor skills. Children are also use real life materials which are used in their homes.  The sand and toys allows the boy use his thinking skills to build by recalling his memory about the material.

During my childhood my mother brought toys pertaining to my interest. I mostly recall having a play kitchen, doll houses, and many dolls. I loved to play dress up. I believe back then many people did not associate play with learning. I played with many materials which helped be to use my social skills such as the kitchen and doll house. The different material allowed learning communication among my peers.

Play is very similar today as it was yesterday. Yet there are much more learning materials available to children in terms of learning. There are so many puzzles and games today that require children to think and be creative.

I see play as a learning experience for children no matter what age. There are so many thing children can learn through play that they will acquire in their adult lives. Everybody needs to know how to communicate and be social.  In life many of us have to use our thinking skills on our jobs. Different materials are used in our homes.

 

                                                

 

 

 

 

Relationship Reflection

I believe that positive relationships are important whether it involves children, family, co-workers, or friends. My relationships with my own children and family is ongoing. I have always had a close relationship with my mother.The relationship with my children is most  important especially at home.


                                                              My two boys

 

                                                               My Mother

Positive Family Partnership is becoming more and more demanding in early childhood programs.  A child's relationship in their environment determines their outcome in life. Often I try to make my have feels warm and welcoming for my children as possible. We have family time every week whether its reading, watching TV, playing games, eating out, or talking. A mother's relationship is unlike any other. Parenting involves positive relationships in which challenges can develop. Listening and understanding are important factors concerning relationships.

I have experienced that challenges occur during miscommunication and not being understanding. As educators we must get involved with our students learning, home-life, and their families. I have learned a lot from hands on experience in the classroom. My own recent challenge was making sure that my children are comfortable in all environments. I recently relocated and I was so worried about my children being in an environment with no fomular faces. I imagined how they were feeling constantly. Now I go and eat lunch with them read, books to their class, and try to stay involved.



My work experiences has help me to gain insight on different types of relationships. I have also learned how to build positive and effective relationships with parents. The interaction between a teacher and child is very important in that it encourages the child to talk, develop social skills, and creates a warm and friendly environment. There so many learned experiences throughout my time in the classroom environment. It is a everyday learning experience involving teacher, director, children, and families.

Children Quotes

I really like this kid poem because I am sure all of our children have said they were sick to stay home from school.

                                          

I cannot go to school today" Said little Peggy Ann McKay.                                            
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox.

And there's one more - that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?                 
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue,
It might be the instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke.
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in.

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My toes are cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There's a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is ...
What? What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is .............. Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!”
― Shel Silverstein

David Vitter, U.S. senator
"I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond  their wildest dreams!

Testing Children Intelligence

Children are learning academically every day in a classroom environment. Our society main focus is on our children academic capacities which are very important. It is also important for children to learn about themselves. I believe that it is important for children to learn about relationships with others outside of their environment. Relationships involve social development which prepares our children to communicate in the world as adults.

Reference

Holistic Education Inc. Retrieved from http://holisticeducation.net/vistors3.htm

I think that Head start assessment is developed appropriate according to their age. The assessment is called ASQ3. It breaks each section down according each developmental domain. The domains include language, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The assessments are assessed according to the age of the child. The teachers assess can assess the children in the classroom and on the classroom.

Assessment in Scotland

Children in Scotland are assessed with a computerized PIPS on-entry baseline assessment when they first start school at age six. It measures cognitive development including early predictors of reading, phonological awareness, math, and vocabulary. The PIPS Project collects a large amount of data from children in England, New Zealand, and Western Australia as well as from Scotland.

Seeds Sponsored Research: Children Starting School in Scotland Retrieved from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2005/02/20634/5/60/

Child Abuse in Germay

There was a 3 year in my classroom that experienced a very tradegic child abuse. During this time I was a new to the classroom and was not educated on the signs of physical child abuse.  According to Berger (2009) child abuse is a deliberate action that is harmful to a child physical, emotional, or sexual well-being. The child would come in with different injuries in which the signs were there.  She would cry whenever the bus comes to take her home. Sadly the little girl died from a blow to the stomach. I believe that the child’s death could have been prevented.  As teachers it is our responsibility to have called the child abuse hotline. I feel that the doctor should report the mother’s several trips to the emergency room because of the child’s injuries.  It has been about three years since the child’s death and I still feel like someone could have helped. The mother’s boyfriend was found not guilty and the mother is waiting to go back to court.

I read an article about Germany’s legalized child abuse. Sex education begins as early as preschool in Germany. Adults often tell little girls how the penis feels good to the vagina. Fathers give their daughters’ vagina pet names. They have a non-optional curriculum which includes helpful songs to teach preschoolers not to be afraid to masturbate. As Americans all of this sounds very sick and weird. I cannot discuss this any longer.

References

Dr. Judith Reisman (2010) Legalized Child Abuse in Germany: Sex and the Preschool Child retrieved from http://www.drjudithreisman.com

Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

 

Children Public Health

 Nutritional Problems

Nutrition is a very an important aspect in children developmental growth. The US has a major problem with obesity because of poor diets. Manila (2008) one out of 4 children are considered to be underweight in the Philippines.  

In response to the anticipated food shortages, the Department of Education will expand its school-feeding program and the government has repeatedly assured Filipinos of stable rice supplies from both foreign and local sources. But with poverty rates also on the rise, these initiatives may not be enough.

Government figures show that the income poverty rate increased to 33 percent in 2006, up from 30 percent in 2003, with the number of “food poor” Filipinos rising from 10.8 million to 12.2 million over the same period.

Anemia - a form of micronutrient malnutrition caused by iron deficiency - is another chronic nutritional problem for infants and young children. At least six out of every 10 babies aged between six months and one year are anemic, which is hardly surprising since more than 40 percent of pregnant and lactating women suffer from anemia too, according to FNRI statistics.

I learned that Pilipino is anticipated to have shortage food supply like certain cities in Africa. I never considered the nutrition problems which occur in the Philippines. In my classroom, the other teacher and I plan a nutrition activity for the children each month. The nutrition activity introduces a new and healthy snack which contains different textures and colors.

 Reference

Philippines: Nutrition Gains at Risk IRIN (2012) Retrieved from

http://www.irinnews.org/Report/77822/PHILIPPINES-Nutrition-ga

My Child Birth Experience

My first child birth was both exciting and difficult. The labor was very life threatening. Child birth is a very painful experience and yet something that I will never forget. My son was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. I took all the precautions of prenatal care. My heart rate drop drastically and all the medicine affected my baby and he was not breathing. My life flash before my eyes. I thank God that he spared my life and for a strong praying family. Yet I was very excited to see my baby.  My husband and other members of my family was very supporting.

I believe that prenatal care is very important but also keep in mind sometimes things happen unexpectedly. In precaution it regarding a healthy growth of the fetus inside of the womb.

Traditionally, women in Kenya have given birth at home. In this predominately rural culture, birth is a meaning-laden event not only for a woman and her extended family but also for the entire community. Children are viewed as a blessing, a gift from God. A pregnant woman is supported by older women in the community and cared for by what is now called a traditional birth attendant (TBA). While the value of TBAs has sometimes been debated, they continue to play a vital role in the birth experience for most women in rural African communities. In a country with 40% unemployment, a depressed economy, and widespread poverty, medical care is often unaffordable or simply unavailable—another reason why many women in rural, African communities turn to TBAs for assistance in labor and birth at home.

I have found that the women in Kenya child birth is very similar to American woman. The big difference is poverty and not being to afford the proper medical care. In Kenya their are more deaths during birth .

Reference

J Perinat Educ. (2004) Birth and a Vision: Lamaze Childbirth Education in Kenya, East Africa

 Summer; 13(3): 27–30. A Lamaze International Publication  Doi:  10.1624/10581240X1743

Course Resources

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

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Familieshttp://www.zerotothree.org/

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

Other Sources

http//www.childrenyoungpeopleandfamilies.com


http://www.empoweringparents.com/


http://child-abuses.com/child-abuse-articles/child-abuse.com


This child abuse article give a very good desciption and actual pictures of children that have been abused.

 

 Some Supporters of Children Literature

Natasha Tarpley Author of I Love My Hair!


Eric Carle Author of The Very Hungry Catepillar


Cynthia Rylant is also a supporter of children literature she has written over 60 books.

Sorry that I am so late but there was a death in the family. Everyone knows that death is always something difficult to handle.

There are some motivational quotes that stood out in a video of professionals. Teachers have the opportunity to help shape a child's life. One of the professional's said that he look forward to working with children each day and being committed to the services he provide the children.

The professionals in the video all demonstrated passion. They explain their love for the Early Childhood field with compassion and inspiration.

The words and inspirational quotes from Bronfenbrenner says that "A child needs the enduring, irrational involvement of one or more adults in care of and joint activity with the child. I believe that Bronfenbrenner was saying adults should be actively involve in the children school and other activities to grow and feel loved.

He also say that the action is in the interaction! Our action is shown in the way that we interact with our children.

Children hand prints are common especially in preschool. I like the hand prints because it is actually something of their own . I use hand prints in my classroom each year to introduce color, and texture to the toddlers.