Early Childhood Resources

The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.
http://www.naeyc.org/

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.
http://zerotothree.org/

Week 4 Quotes

Hillary Clinton:

God bless the America we are trying to create.

We need to be as well prepared to defend ourselves against public health dangers as we should be to defend ourselves against any foreign danger.

 I think it does once again urge us to think hard about what we can do to make sure that we keep guns out of the hands of children and criminals and mentally unbalanced people. I hope we will come together as a nation and do whatever it takes to keep guns away from people who have no business with them.

Aisha Ray:
Children benefit when schools systematically build connections to children's home language, literacy, and culture.

From the video (Escobido): I would say my passion really stems from my personal experience growing up.

Personal Childhood Web

The five people who complete my childhood web are:

Edith - My maternal grandmother. As a child, she was the person who bathed, fed, and talked to me on a daily basis. She took me to church, taught me how to pray, and inspired me to achieve great things. She made me feel special by always believing in me and reminding me of how intelligent I was. Her influence impacts my present life because on the days that are truly dark and I feel like giving up or giving in to evil, I remember how she taught me to go to God and do what is right. Everything I do is for her and to continue to make her proud even though she is no longer with me in the physical.
Charles - My maternal grandfather. As a child he was the father who I could see everyday. My dad lived out of town and my grand daddy always made sure that I knew I was special and loved. He went out everyday and provided for our family, loved his wife and kids, and made a way out of no way. He made me feel special by making me feel like I was his only granddaughter when we were together. He took us to White Castles on Sundays as little girls and when we were teenagers we could find him at White Castles waiting to buy us whatever we wanted. He was a schoolbus driver and he loved the kids. His imfluence continues to impact my life because I developed the same love for the students I work with as he had. I learned to love them as they were my own from him. His love and pride in me makes me want to do better for myself and others whenever I can.
Patricia - This is my eldest aunt. There is not a day of my life from start to current that she has not been there for me. She was the first truly professional woman I knew. She traveled the world, owned several homes, and enjoyed the finer things in life from a humble perspective. She always made sure that I knew those things were possible through hard work. She took me in when my mother wasn't willing to care for me and sometimes just because I wanted to be with her. She is 100% selfless and goes to unbelievable measures to help anyone. She never had children of her own, but me and my siblings have always been just as much hers as our parents. She made me feel special by constantly telling me how smart, beautiful, and unique I was. She made me work hard when I didn't think I had to. Her persistence has made my life what it is today. She has never given up on me and has my back through the good and the bad. Her influence makes me strive to achieve more and give back to others because that's what she did.
Lewis - He was my middle school lband teacher. Mr. Patton was a teacher you stayed away from because he was known for being mean to the students. I usually saw him yelling at kids during breakfast and lunch. One morning he pulled me away from a group of girls and asked who I was. I mmediately started giving him attitude for the crowd and he told me that I was going to be in the band. I told him that I certainly was not. Long story short, I was for the next three years. He brought talents out of me I had no idea existed. He was impressed by my intelligence and natural ability to play several different instruments. He was the first teacher to see that I was acrting out because of my home life and cared enough to find out the specifics. He became the father I needed to be at my concerts, to praise my achievements, and to inspire me to straighten up regardless of my circumstances. He made me feel special by caring. I'd never had a teacher who put that much of himself into students. He continues to impact my life because I can see myself being that kind of teacher. He set a wonderful example!
T. Vaughn -  my pastor. I met this man when I was ten years old or so. He is one of the most honest, humble, and focused person I know. He has remained true to his word and his promise to God the entire time I've known him. He makes me feel special by taking a genuine interest in me, my children, and our well-being. As a child he helped me to figure out where and who I wanted to be. He made me understand that it was okay to change my mind and that if I fell down all I would need to do is get back up. 1
 He encourages me, believes in me, and constantly offers love and advice when I need it. He is a silent force and readily available whenever I need him. He continues to influence my life by setting an example for others to follow and be proud of.

Middle School Kids.....

Is it just me or am I visiting another planet? I know that I was once a middle school student, but SURELY!!!!!!! I wasn't like this.
My daughter was diagnosed as delusional at this age and I'm starting to wonder if they all need to be.
What is it with them when you are looking right at them when they do something and they say, "I didn't do it!"?
I am so confused. Why do they think they know everything and we know nothing?
This is by far the most difficult job I have ever had to do. It's so hard not to get down on their level when they are so hard to rationalize with. It kind of reminds me of headstart and kindergarten.
The biggest difference being that those kids have not yet grasped the concept of following rules and it is acceptable because they are 3 and 4 years old. But my gosh...12, 13!
Where is the lapse in development?
I'll get back to you on that...

Childhood...

"Level with your child by being honest. Nobody spots a phony quicker than a child." Mary MacCracken


A story of a child that touched my heart:
The story of the little girl who was killed in the Tucson rampage. I thought it was ironic that she was born on 9/11/2001, a day of peril and disaster and died in such a horrific way. She brought joy to someone's life when she was born in the midst of so much pain and she lost her life in a heinous, senseless crime. My heart really goes out to her family and loved ones. To all of those touched by both tragedies.
Children's book: "All the Ways I Love You"
I love this book because it tells a child how much you love them using everyday things. It is so special to me because you can record yourself reading the book. My new baby loves it and I feel better when we're apart because he can still hear my voice.

Where does the time go?

I am in utter amazement that the little girl I never dreamed to know past 6 years old has just turned 17 and is now preparing for an early graduation and college. Where did the time go?
In her early developmental stages, she was diagnosed with what was called a Social Developmental Delay. This I later learned is a clinical term for inability to make friends.
I was so hurt thinking that my baby would not be able to play and interact with the kids in her head start class. Sadly enough, this has carried over into her adolescent life. She's always had a rough time making and keeping friends. She's as sweet as she can be but lacks the confidence needed to thrive in that area. Thank God she has always had a vivid imagination and is able to entertain herself. I guess it didn't hurt that I gave her four more siblings to grow up around. They don't get along all the time, but they are always there for each other.
I'm hoping college will prove monumental for her and that she is able to build new, positive relationships that are long-lasting.