I have a lot of support in my professional and personal life.
In my professional life my supervisor supports me by allowing me to do my homework when I do not have a lot of work task to complete. She always ask me how my classes are going? My other coworkers ask about school and when I have down days they always encourage me and keep me motivated. Sometimes my life gets overwhelming and I want to give up. Many of my coworkers tell me that I inspired them to go back to school and get a college education. They always tease me and call me Ms. Phd, but they are really proud me and hope I finish.
In my personal my family are my biggest supporters. My parents have always been my biggest supporters. Even though I had to move back in with them to help out when they got sick, but I needed them more than they needed me. They are my everthing and if it wasn't for their support and prayers I don't know where I would be. They help me with my shelter and my finances. My job has been going through financial challenges and I didn't get paid for a month. They help me with child care and transportation for my child.
My child is one of major supporters. Now that she is older and know a lot she always encourages me. She ask millions of questions and tell me wow mommy you are doing your homework, I wish I had homework to do. She encourages me with my weight loss. She joins me and she cheers me on. She also reminds me what I'm not suppose to eat. I love this little girl so much.
My best girl friend is another supporter in my life. She always call or text to make sure I'm staying on track with my healthy eating and mental health. She is my outlet and always have words of encouragement. She is some one I can be silly with and she is there when I need a shoulder to cry on.
If these people were not here I don't know where I would be. I would probably be homeless and crazy. My parents provide stability, my daughter provide unconditional love, and my bff provide friendship. Last but never least is my church. They support my soul and spirituality in the Lord. The Lord comes first in my life. If I did not have the Lord I would be dead. The Lord is my life and he keeps me on the right path. He is the reason I wake up every morning, he is the reason I am who I am. I really love the Lord!
http://www.waldenu.edu
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
My Connections to Play
"Children have always learned and created places for themselves through play."
-Donna R. Barnes
Contemporary American psychologist
"Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities."
-Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist
When I was growing up my mother, sister, brothers, and teachers supported play. My mother supported play by allowing me to play with my toys and going outside to play with other children in the neighborhood. My siblings supported play by playing with me and they also bought me toys when I was younger. My teachers supported play by allowing us to have recess and going outside to jump rope, play basketball, or just running around to get a break from sitting in a classroom all day.
I believe play is different from when I was younger because there are more technological devices than when I was growing up. Play is very different in our schools than when I was growing up because there is no more play time. When I was growing up we had recess and we were allowed to go outside or in the gym to play and get a break from classwork. Chicago Public Schools no longer offer recess time for children to play. Chicago Public Schools has also taken away extracurricular activities such as band and art. When I was growing up I was in the choir, I participated on the cheerleader squad, and I also took a sewing class. I really think that Chicago should bring back recess and extracurricular activities because I believe that this is part of the cause for the rising violence in Chicago. Every day a young person has been shot or killed by gun violence. The children do not have a outlet to release their energy. Most children when they get home from school have to play the mommy or daddy role with younger siblings or fin for themselves, so they do not have time to play at home. In some homes most play consist of video games or computer games. This does not allow the child an opportunity to do physical activities. The mind is working and being challenged in video games, but the child is sitting for hours. I know after school when I was growing up I came home, did my homework, and then I was allowed to go outside to play if the weather permitted. After that it was time to come in have dinner, take a bath, and go to bed. I was exhausted and ready to go to bed because I tired myself out by running, jumping rope, or just hanging out with my friends in the neighborhood.
The role of play throughout my life thought me how to socialize, problem solve, think critically, solve conflicts, and learn. I find myself playing now as an adult and play is my time to release any built up tension or stress do to my every day life task. I sometimes play video games, computer games, or play with my child. During play time as an adult I don't worry about anything and it takes my mind off of things that I may have been stressing about. If I had a bad day at work play with my daughter relaxes me and keep my mind at ease. Even though we play video games they are more active so we are not just sitting in front of the television. We are up dancing, jumping, running, or jogging. This allows me to have some form of physical activity which is important not only in young children. Adults need to be physically active to stay healthy and fit. Play keeps your metabolism high because when I was a child growing up, childhood obesity was not an issue. My family members use to wonder where the food was going when I ate because I stayed small. I use to eat a lot but I was also physically active. I believe that this is the reason there are so many children who are overweight. The minute I became less active I started gaining weight and now it is hard to keep it off. Play is important for cognitive development and physical health.
http://www.waldenu.edu
-Donna R. Barnes
Contemporary American psychologist
"Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities."
-Stuart Brown, MD
Contemporary American psychiatrist
Pogo balls was very essential in play when I was growing up. It provided physical exercise and it taught me balance.
The cabbage patch kid was one of my favorite toys. It allowed me to do pretend play. I was able to pretend that my cabbage patch kid was a real baby and I could talk to them, change their clothes, and pretend to feed them.
The Rubik cube was a toy that was challenging to me. It challenged my mind, I had to think logically and problem solve to match the colors.
When I was growing up my mother, sister, brothers, and teachers supported play. My mother supported play by allowing me to play with my toys and going outside to play with other children in the neighborhood. My siblings supported play by playing with me and they also bought me toys when I was younger. My teachers supported play by allowing us to have recess and going outside to jump rope, play basketball, or just running around to get a break from sitting in a classroom all day.
I believe play is different from when I was younger because there are more technological devices than when I was growing up. Play is very different in our schools than when I was growing up because there is no more play time. When I was growing up we had recess and we were allowed to go outside or in the gym to play and get a break from classwork. Chicago Public Schools no longer offer recess time for children to play. Chicago Public Schools has also taken away extracurricular activities such as band and art. When I was growing up I was in the choir, I participated on the cheerleader squad, and I also took a sewing class. I really think that Chicago should bring back recess and extracurricular activities because I believe that this is part of the cause for the rising violence in Chicago. Every day a young person has been shot or killed by gun violence. The children do not have a outlet to release their energy. Most children when they get home from school have to play the mommy or daddy role with younger siblings or fin for themselves, so they do not have time to play at home. In some homes most play consist of video games or computer games. This does not allow the child an opportunity to do physical activities. The mind is working and being challenged in video games, but the child is sitting for hours. I know after school when I was growing up I came home, did my homework, and then I was allowed to go outside to play if the weather permitted. After that it was time to come in have dinner, take a bath, and go to bed. I was exhausted and ready to go to bed because I tired myself out by running, jumping rope, or just hanging out with my friends in the neighborhood.
The role of play throughout my life thought me how to socialize, problem solve, think critically, solve conflicts, and learn. I find myself playing now as an adult and play is my time to release any built up tension or stress do to my every day life task. I sometimes play video games, computer games, or play with my child. During play time as an adult I don't worry about anything and it takes my mind off of things that I may have been stressing about. If I had a bad day at work play with my daughter relaxes me and keep my mind at ease. Even though we play video games they are more active so we are not just sitting in front of the television. We are up dancing, jumping, running, or jogging. This allows me to have some form of physical activity which is important not only in young children. Adults need to be physically active to stay healthy and fit. Play keeps your metabolism high because when I was a child growing up, childhood obesity was not an issue. My family members use to wonder where the food was going when I ate because I stayed small. I use to eat a lot but I was also physically active. I believe that this is the reason there are so many children who are overweight. The minute I became less active I started gaining weight and now it is hard to keep it off. Play is important for cognitive development and physical health.
http://www.waldenu.edu
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Relationship Reflection
Relationships are important to me because they provide support. Relationships allows me to feel that I am being loved and that I have a purpose in life. Relationships allows me to socialize. Relationships make me feel alive, have fun, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most relationships have struggles and can be very stressful. The rewards of having a relationship is greater than the challenges. Relationships allow me to have someone to talk to and have adult time. It is always good to have some time away from my professional life and parent life. I love my job and I love being a mother, but there are times when I need a break and spend time with friends or family.
Although I am not married, as I grew older I found out that relationships aren't just between a man and woman. I have a very close relationship with my mother and a few best girlfriends. I use to think that I needed a husband to have a relationship, but a husband is not the only person I need for a relationship. I have a mother who encourages me every day. She encourages through her words, her life, and her willingness to be strong. My mother ran into some health challenges but she has proved that she is stronger than those issues. My mother only have a high school education and she has raised 5 children and provided for us. My mother made sure that we did not want for anything. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and I pray for her daily. The other person in my life that I have a positive relationship with is my best friend for life Jovonna. Jovonna and I have been friends for over 20 years. We have been trough thick and thin together. We have had our good and bad times. At one point we started to drift apart but for some reason we can't let each other go. Even though we do not talk or hangout as often as we did when we were younger, we are still there for each other when needed. She is a selfless person and gives without expecting anything in return. She does not give or help someone for recognition. She has been taking care of her mother since we were young girls and to see her go through that and try to maintain a childhood was amazing. She did an outstanding job and she is still to this day taking care of her mother. She is a wonderful person and I could go on and on about her.
Since the relationships I have now are only with women I do not see them developing into a partnership.
My experience with relationships can impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by allowing me to work with different personalities. Each person develops at his or her own pace and I learned that through relationships. This will be effective in my profession. Dealing with challenges and maintain relationships can also be effective in my profession because there are challenges in the early childhood field and I must maintain relationships with the families I serve at all times. Relationships are important and teaches me how to deal with things that may come up in my professional life. Sometimes situations that have occurred in my professional life has also occurred in my personal life and I already knew how to deal with it. I love being happy and having positive relationships makes me happy.
www.waldenu.edu
Although I am not married, as I grew older I found out that relationships aren't just between a man and woman. I have a very close relationship with my mother and a few best girlfriends. I use to think that I needed a husband to have a relationship, but a husband is not the only person I need for a relationship. I have a mother who encourages me every day. She encourages through her words, her life, and her willingness to be strong. My mother ran into some health challenges but she has proved that she is stronger than those issues. My mother only have a high school education and she has raised 5 children and provided for us. My mother made sure that we did not want for anything. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and I pray for her daily. The other person in my life that I have a positive relationship with is my best friend for life Jovonna. Jovonna and I have been friends for over 20 years. We have been trough thick and thin together. We have had our good and bad times. At one point we started to drift apart but for some reason we can't let each other go. Even though we do not talk or hangout as often as we did when we were younger, we are still there for each other when needed. She is a selfless person and gives without expecting anything in return. She does not give or help someone for recognition. She has been taking care of her mother since we were young girls and to see her go through that and try to maintain a childhood was amazing. She did an outstanding job and she is still to this day taking care of her mother. She is a wonderful person and I could go on and on about her.
Since the relationships I have now are only with women I do not see them developing into a partnership.
My experience with relationships can impact my work as an effective early childhood professional by allowing me to work with different personalities. Each person develops at his or her own pace and I learned that through relationships. This will be effective in my profession. Dealing with challenges and maintain relationships can also be effective in my profession because there are challenges in the early childhood field and I must maintain relationships with the families I serve at all times. Relationships are important and teaches me how to deal with things that may come up in my professional life. Sometimes situations that have occurred in my professional life has also occurred in my personal life and I already knew how to deal with it. I love being happy and having positive relationships makes me happy.
www.waldenu.edu
Saturday, December 21, 2013
A note of thanks to Cherish
Cherish,
I would like to thank you for reading my blogs and posting your comments. Your comments were very insightful. I am glad to hear that we had some things in common. I wish you best of luck and I know that you will do well in your courses.
Sincerely,
Erica
I would like to thank you for reading my blogs and posting your comments. Your comments were very insightful. I am glad to hear that we had some things in common. I wish you best of luck and I know that you will do well in your courses.
Sincerely,
Erica
Professional Thanks to Catherine
Catherine,
I would like to thank you for commenting on my post and supporting my blogs. Your comments were encouraging and helped me socialize more. I appreciate the time that you took out of your busy schedule to review my blogs. Best of luck in the remainder of the early childhood studies program. I know that you will do well.
Sincerely,
Erica
I would like to thank you for commenting on my post and supporting my blogs. Your comments were encouraging and helped me socialize more. I appreciate the time that you took out of your busy schedule to review my blogs. Best of luck in the remainder of the early childhood studies program. I know that you will do well.
Sincerely,
Erica
Ending Quote
I am going to be brief and leave you all with this little quote.
http://www.waldenu.edu
http://www.waldenu.edu
It is easier to build strong children
than to repair broken men
~Frederick Douglas
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Assessing Children
For many years early childhood educators have been discussing problems with curriculum and teaching methods in terms of developmental appropriateness. Part of the problem for developmental appropriateness is related to the assessment of young children.
The purpose of assessing a child may be to:
I know that at the school I work at the teachers use 2 different types of assessments. One of the assessment tools is used to measure the child's social and emotional behavior. This assessment will let the educator and parent know if the child have any behavior problems. The other test is to determine if the child is developing at the appropriate age. The child can score pass, rescreen, or refer. If a child is scored a rescreen the teacher have 60 days to rescreen the child and if the child scores a rescreen again or a refer the child must be referred for special needs services. If a child score a refer from the initial test the child is automatically referred to the local public school for further evaluations for special needs services. The parent have the right to refuse the child being referred. If the parent determines that there is nothing wrong with their child and do not want them referred the parent will have to sign documentation stating he or she do not want their child referred. What happens with this child? The child will not receive services that he or she may need and when this child does transition to public school and the problem was never addressed this child could get lost in the system and fail all test. This child could end up being labeled and placed in a remedial classroom. This is why I stress to my parents the importance of getting their child assessed at an early age and to start the services before the child transition to public school. For example, I have a child in my program who was referred for his speech, the mother said that there is nothing wrong with her sons speech and refused to have him evaluated. This year the same issue came up and the little boy's speech has gotten worst. The mother still refuse to have him evaluated and she said that they told her mother the same thing about her and she speaks fine. This is not true because I have conversations with this parent often and I can barely understand what she is saying most of the time.
The part of the world I chose to research is Africa. Developing milestones can be different depending on your cultural. In many countries in Africa Western tests are used to assess children. Western test are not culturally appropriate for some African populations and cannot assess if those children are developing normally. For example, activities such as preparing breakfast or using a utensil may be frightening to a African child living in a rural area. These children are not use to using forks or knives while eating. Some of these children may have never seen a book and it would be difficult for them to pass an assessment that ask them to pick objects that match. Test being culturally sensitive have been an issue in America as well for many years. Some people believe that some test are bias and do not assess all children in the world.
Reference:
Refining the milestones: assessing child development in Africa. Retrieved from: http://blog.wellcome.ac.uk/2010/08/11/refining-the-milestones-assessing-child-development-in-africa/
http://www.waldenu.edu
The purpose of assessing a child may be to:
- determine progress of a developmental achievement
- make appropriate decisions
- diagnose a learning problem
- help in curriculum decisions
- serve as a basis for reporting to parents
- assist a child with assessing his or her own progress
I know that at the school I work at the teachers use 2 different types of assessments. One of the assessment tools is used to measure the child's social and emotional behavior. This assessment will let the educator and parent know if the child have any behavior problems. The other test is to determine if the child is developing at the appropriate age. The child can score pass, rescreen, or refer. If a child is scored a rescreen the teacher have 60 days to rescreen the child and if the child scores a rescreen again or a refer the child must be referred for special needs services. If a child score a refer from the initial test the child is automatically referred to the local public school for further evaluations for special needs services. The parent have the right to refuse the child being referred. If the parent determines that there is nothing wrong with their child and do not want them referred the parent will have to sign documentation stating he or she do not want their child referred. What happens with this child? The child will not receive services that he or she may need and when this child does transition to public school and the problem was never addressed this child could get lost in the system and fail all test. This child could end up being labeled and placed in a remedial classroom. This is why I stress to my parents the importance of getting their child assessed at an early age and to start the services before the child transition to public school. For example, I have a child in my program who was referred for his speech, the mother said that there is nothing wrong with her sons speech and refused to have him evaluated. This year the same issue came up and the little boy's speech has gotten worst. The mother still refuse to have him evaluated and she said that they told her mother the same thing about her and she speaks fine. This is not true because I have conversations with this parent often and I can barely understand what she is saying most of the time.
The part of the world I chose to research is Africa. Developing milestones can be different depending on your cultural. In many countries in Africa Western tests are used to assess children. Western test are not culturally appropriate for some African populations and cannot assess if those children are developing normally. For example, activities such as preparing breakfast or using a utensil may be frightening to a African child living in a rural area. These children are not use to using forks or knives while eating. Some of these children may have never seen a book and it would be difficult for them to pass an assessment that ask them to pick objects that match. Test being culturally sensitive have been an issue in America as well for many years. Some people believe that some test are bias and do not assess all children in the world.
Reference:
Refining the milestones: assessing child development in Africa. Retrieved from: http://blog.wellcome.ac.uk/2010/08/11/refining-the-milestones-assessing-child-development-in-africa/
http://www.waldenu.edu
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