My Supports

My God is definitely a supporter. I feel that without him I would not be where I am today because sometimes when I do not have anyone to talk to I would talk to God and I know deep down inside he is the one who answered all my prayers through the voice of my mom sometimes because He is always right on time with given my mom the words to say to me. Through faith I believe this 100%. God has definitely made a way out of no way for me and sisters because I told myself no to things that I thought were impossible and He did not. For example when I was getting ready to graduate college I thought that my dream of being a doctor ended as soon as I graduated because I felt that I did not have what it would take to become a doctor and he opened up a door for me and allow me to get accepted into medical school and now I am currently doing that. My second and most true daily supporter is my mother. She is the one who has held my hand through my rough times and through my good times. Whenever I needed something she would always be there to tell me what it is that I need to do in order to get through my situation. She is my motivation and strength when I don’t feel like fighting anymore. For example my mother has been through so much throughout her life she has been through dialysis because of kidney failure and she survived that, she has survived breast cancer, and she had to take on the lead role of being a parent to my siblings and I after the passing of my dad. I mentioned this because she has been strong throughout the years and she still is and had support behind her so she supports me in whatever decision I make by giving me advice and telling me to keep pushing no matter how hard things get. She is a true definition of a supporter because when she was going through the things she was going through she needed support so she definitely knows how to be a supporter.  My grandmother and father are also supporters in my life because they have supported me in everything. They are my supporters because I would not be in medical school now if it wasn’t for the financial support of them and my mother. My twin sister is another one because she keeps me motivated a lot and tells me I can do things even if I feel like I can’t. She is always there to help me get through what I think are the toughest times there are in my life by just being there to talk. If I did not have any of these supporters I don’t think I would be this far in life right now.

Some other supports that I have is my computer to keep in contact with everyone back at home because I have no access to my phone from home because roaming charges would be high and that is something I do not want. My computer and I pad allows me to text and call my mother and other family members back at home while I’m away at school. Skype is also a great supporter for me because without it I would not be able to get in touch and stay in touch with my family. Seeing my family makes me feel that I am actually apart of the festivities that they are enjoying at home and this helps me to be away from them. Electronics period are a major supporter for me because without it I would not be able to be miles and miles away from my family without being able to see or communicate with them.

One challenge I chose to imagine and the thoughts that I have with regard to supports I want and need would be my future husband who is currently my fiancé. I just need him to understand and support me on the fact that I have chosen to leave and go miles away for school so that one day we would be able to have a comfortable life together. I would also need the support of my grandparents in ensuring that when I do get married one day they would still be there to help me with whatever it is that I may need in order to make my wedding the most memorable day of my life. If I don’t have the support of any of them then I would not be able to have I want and need in my life.   

My Connections to Play

Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.

Diane Ackerman
Contemporary American author

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

Fred Rogers
American television personality
1928–2003

Include two to three pictures of essential play items for your younger self.

Describe how people supported play when you were younger and/or the role of play in your childhood.

The people who supported play when I was young my baby sitter Ms. Linda. She gave me all types of toys to play with and not only did she do that she played with me also. 

Write a brief entry on how you feel play today is similar or different from the play in which you engaged as a child and what your hope for young is now with regard to play.

Play today is different to me because children have more to play with and there are more day cares available which allows for children to go out and play in a yard with others instead of inside because at the time it was more home day cares. 

Relationship Reflection

Explain why relationships/partnerships are important to you (If you would like, upload a photo or photos of people* who are important to you)

Relationships are important to me because it helps me see things clearly about yourself and things that you may need to evaluate about yourself. You can't do some of these things if you don’t have that certain person in your life to bring it out of you. They are also important because they help you to push for your goals by supporting you and giving you hope. Relationships are also important to me because they allow me to be more open not just with close ones around me but also those that I don’t know. Just in general relationships and partnerships are important to me because there are some relationships you can build up and help you to learn throughout life and not be so dependent on people because they will tell you the truth even if you don’t want to hear it, but to me its better to hear it from a relationship that is important to you then from someone else you don’t have a relationship with first.

 Identify several people with whom you currently have positive relationships and/or partnerships

My mother, my Grandmother, and my Twin sister.

 Describe the ways in which each relationship is positive and factors that contributed to developing and maintaining each relationship

The relationship with my mother is positive because my mother is the one to push me to get things done and support me in any and every decision that I make. My mother also tells me the truth even if I don’t want to hear it because she has been through things way before me and she understands more and just wants me to be better than her and not the same mistakes that she has made in her life. The factors that contributed to developing and maintain each relationship are good listening skills and communication.

 The relationship with my Grandmother is positive because with her she is always there for me to help out with whatever it is just like my Mom. Although my Grandma is out spoken she means well and is always there with a listening ear. The factor that contributed to developing and maintain my relationship with her is the tough love that she gives and the words she speaks into my life.

 My twin is another relationship. This one is so dear and special to me because its like a built in best freind. The positivity in this relationship is that I always have someone one to share my secretes with because sometimes there are things that you can't or would rather not share with parents because they are parents and might not understand you completely. The factors that contribute to developing and maintaining a relationship is that she is always with me where ever I go she is right there and wherever she go I am there and we are always their listening to what each one has to say. It’s a close bond that many people don’t get to experience.

Describe insights regarding challenges to developing and maintaining relationships that you have learned from your experience over time

Some insights to developing and maintaining relationships are miscommunication and not always agreeing with each other. 

What do you see as special characteristics of these relationships that make some, if any, partnerships?

One special characteristic is to understand each other and allowing each other to be heard even if you don’t want to.

 How might your experiences with relationships/partnerships, including your ability to be an active, reflective contributor, impact your work as an effective early childhood professional?

My experience with relationships to be an active, reflective contributor, impact my work as an effective early childhood professional because it will help me to be more understanding to those I come in contact with. It will also help me to become a motivator and supporter for everyone I come in contact with not just families but children also, and another thing is that it will allow me to be a great communicator and listener.

When I Think of Child Development

"Children are our most valuable resource."

 Herbert Hoover

Testing for Intelligence?

Children are growing every day whether its weight, walking, crawling, or talking. When they are growing  this is something that should be assessed because it shows how the child is suppose to develop by a certain age and where they are suppose to be at that age. Some children may grow faster then others but in a certain age range children should be at or around the stage the other children are at. For example, during the age range 7-11 the children are at the stage where they should now starting to think logically and start to do abstract thinking. So I feel that the way a child develops should be assessed. In school the child should be assessed because the teachers should know if the child is on the same level as the children of his or her age or below so that they could know what to do to help that child.

In Cuba the children are assessed depending on the way that they can read. Since education is the number one thing in Cuba the people there make sure that the children who are there learn to read. For example, in Cuba all the schools closed down for a long period of time so that the children could learn to read, so that one day they could all become successful and have a better life. The teachers in Cuba would make sure of it by going to the houses where the children stayed.

I think that children should not be assessed when it comes to entering into a college or graduate school because to me a student could be smart but when it comes to standardized  test they don’t do as well. For example, the SAT, ACT, the MCAT and whatever else requires students to get accepted into another school or pass to another grade like the LEAP, or GEE. Now I believe the IOWA is okay because its just testing to see where the children are but it does not hold them back if they don’t pass.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

I didn’t understand the whole idea of racism when I was a child until an incident happened to me. I couldn’t understand why the incident happened the way it did.I wasn’t really sad about it after it happened because I got over it quick. My aunt on the other hand was kind of upset. Being that I was young I did not stay sad long because I knew nothing about racism. I could remember that I wanted two balloons when my family and I went to the fair because I saw the little Caucasian girl in the front of me get two balloons. When I got to the front I asked if I could have two and I was told no you are only allowed one but I didn’t understand why and they were free, but the girl in the front of me got two and then when I left I saw the other little Caucasian girl get two. I got upset afterwards because I thought to myself I thought we could only get one, it was then that I found out about racism and what it was from my aunt.  The way that I coped with it was just from the comfort of my aunt telling me not to worry about it and just to continue having a continue to have a good time and that she would take me to get more balloons from the store. 

Africa includes some of the poorest countries in the world. In much of Africa south of the Sahara, harsh environmental conditions exacerbate the conditions of poverty. (Fight Poverty, 2006). The country that I would like to know more about when it comes to poverty is one of the third world countries such as Africa. I would like to see why is it that they don’t have enough money or food so that those children can eat and get the proper nutrition they need.  The way that poverty is affecting the development of these children is that they are malnourished and have lots of diseases that can kill them because their country is not a developing county. What is happening now in Africa to stop or reduce poverty is that there is a thing were HBCU students with choices purchase African- manufacturing apparel, including t-shirts, jeans and jackets, from campus stores.

Fight poverty. (2006). Retrieved May 23, 2012, from https://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/facts/africa.html

Child Development and Public Health

Access to healthy water is an important topic to me because it makes up most of the most of the world. so to have access to it is very important. For example, water is what we drink,  use to cook with in some cases, to shower, and many other things so this is why we we should have access to it. Access to water is also important because of hygiene purposes which is why we should have access to it. In Indonesia there is access to healthy water in some areas but not all areas. In order for the people in certain part of Indonesia such as Jakarta boil their water to make it safe to drink. So this is one area in Indonesia that does not have clean and safe drinking water.

The information that I have learned may impact my future because by me learning that everyone can't have access to healthy water makes me want to go and make sure I make a difference in the world. I can do this by going to different areas of the world by helping to go and do volunteer work. For instance, I would like to go and bring clean water to those countries who are less fortunate so that they could survive longer because drinking contaminated water causes health issues. So, I would like to make sure these people young and old get clean, safe, and healthy water.

Childbirth in Your Life and Around the World

A birth that I experienced personally was my nephew three years ago. What I remember about his birth is taking pictures of him on one camera while recording his birth on another one. I remember waiting patiently for him to enter into the world. When he finally came into the world he came out quiet he did not start crying until the doctor kept wiping him off. I chose this birth because it was the first birth that I experienced up close and personal. My thoughts regarding birth is that it is a beautiful thing and a joy to experience and the impact it has is unbelievable because it shows what women have to go through to bring a new life into the world.

One particular region that I have chosen is China. The births that happen in China that is different then United States is that in China that married couples in urban areas are only allowed one child and girls in china are not allowed to be born if they are they will be drowned. What I learned about about this is that you can't down someone else culture just because of your own beliefs because they might think about your culture and think the same thing. The impact of the birthing experience on development  that I gained was that I did not know that different cultures such as the ones in China kill baby girls and are limited to one child if in an urban area. It is kind of sad to know this because of the fact that I love children and that they are all a gift and blessing from God but because of our different beliefs we can't say whats wrong or right.

Special Thanks

Hi to all my colleagues I just want to take this time out to thank each and everyone who has come and responded on my page and left me comments that we fulfilling and heart felt. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to reach my dream and goals in getting my masters in early childhood studies and I don't think that I could have done it without the help and support of you guys. You have all shown me ways in which I could become better in this field just by the comments you posted and the ones I have read from the discussions about each and everyone of your lives. I feel that I have also supported you guys just as much as you have supported me and this has made me grow as a person. So, I thank you all and I hope that each and everyone of succeed in life in getting your masters degree.

Examining Codes of Ethics

Responsive Family Centered Practices (DEC)

We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.

This ideal is meaningful to me and it is significant to my professionalism because no matter what I feel that we should always demonstrate our respect and concern for everyone no matter who they are because just because they might not be like us or have the same beliefs we should always respect them no matter what.

Professional Practice (DEC)

We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children's development and learning.

This idea is to my professionalism because in order to maintain a healthy and safe environment we should always build a relationship with the children and their families so that they could feel safe and know that their children are learning in a comfortable and safe place.

Conceptual Framework (NAEYC)

To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.

This is the most meaningful and most significant to my professionalism because as professionals we have to remember that everyone learns differently and they all have the potential of being something great so we have to respect that know that they have different abilities and qualities about themselves

.

Course Resources

Video Program: “The Resources for Early Childhood”
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

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

NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf

World Forum Foundation http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us

World Organization for Early Childhood Education http://www.omep-usnc.org/

Association for Childhood Education Internationalhttp://acei.org/about/

Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

National Association for the Education of Young Childrenhttp://www.naeyc.org/

The Division for Early Childhoodhttp://www.dec-sped.org/

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

WESTEDhttp://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

Harvard Education Letterhttp://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

FPG Child Development Institutehttp://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm

Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conferencehttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

HighScope http://www.highscope.org/

Children’s Defense Fund http://www.childrensdefense.org/

Center for Child Care Workforce http://www.ccw.org/

Council for Exceptional Children http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Institute for Women’s Policy Research http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm

National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

National Child Care Association http://www.nccanet.org/

National Institute for Early Education Research http://nieer.org/

Pre[K]Now http://www.preknow.org/

Voices for America’s Children http://www.voices.org/

The Erikson Institute http://www.erikson.edu/


Additional Resources
The Early Childhood Years: The 2 to 6 Year (Book)

Motivating Learning in Young Children- http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/earlychildmotiv_ho.aspx

Precious Children: Article:Early Education in China
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/earlyed/read_vaughan.html

Words of Inspiration and Motivation Quotes

"Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but because they care so deeply."
~T. Berry Brazelton

"Doing what's right isn't the problem. It is knowing what's right.
Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity."
~President Lyndon B. Johnson

"I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution in the world and fix injustice in the world through teaching."
~Louise Derman-Sparks

Personal Childhod Web

Dedication
To all those played a role in my life as a child I just want to say thank you for everything. I dedicate this just to you. I love you so much words can't explain my gratitude towards you. You have made me the strong person and women that I am and without you I could have not got this far in life with the support of you.

5 Wonderful People and Description
My mother. (Mable) A very strong, humble, and courageous woman. A woman of wisdom and integrity. You have been there for me every step of the way in my life as a child and made me feel wanted and special. You made me feel special just by being there for me when I needed you the most. You have influenced me just because of the strong person that you are and you have truly been the epitome of my happiness and why I can say I am the strong person I am and was as a child and its all because of you.

 My grandmother (Kitty) Very opened and kind woman. You have influenced me in so many ways and they are just you being the very outspoken person that you are by telling me that I will be alright as a child when something wasn't going my way. You have made me feel so special as a child because you would always do things for me that most people wouldn't do for some of the people that they love.

My grandfather (Earnest) Laid back and funny person and the definition of a man. You have made me feel special because as a child you have always had my back in everything that I did whether it was wrong or right. You have influenced me as a child because you showed me what it is to be a hard worker and a successful person.

My Dad ( Cary)  Caring and loving person. Although you are not with me anymore you have influence me as a child by showing me what it is to love and care about those close to you. You made me feel special because you would take the time out just to spend it with your children and just to have fun and laugh.

My Pastor ( Apostle Vinnett) Man  of integrity, wisdom and knowledge and who touch lives everyday. You have influenced me in a way that I think has made an impact on my life just because of your day to day living and what it is to be a true man of God, a man that stands up for what is right. You made me feel special just because you acknowledged me as a child and watched me grow into the young woman that I am today.

Favorite Memory
The most memorable thing that I remember going up as a child was the day my mom would always teach me about stuff in the Bible. I would be so excited to read with her and learn about different stories in the Bible. She would gather all my brothers and sisters up together and each one of us would take turns reading the Bible. It was a fun time because we all bonded during this time and developed relationships with each other that no one could take away from us. I really love this memory because my mom would just talk to us after we finished reading about stories about her childhood and this is where the bonding came in with me, her, and my brothers and sisters.