"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."
Henry Ward Beecher
I love this quote, it reminds me of my children when they were small and always staring up and smiling. My mother and grandmother would say the angels are playing with them! I believed that they were so close to heaven at that age, that this statement was true.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Testing
When you speak of assessing a child holistically I often think of the many ways that we assess children in our center. There are many standardized test that our children go through yet we also assess our children physically. We have a dental chair that comes every year to exam our children's teeth, we have organizations that do hearing and vision screenings. We also take a look into the personal lives of our children. We do a survey in the beginning that ask important questions about the needs of the family. We have the ability if needed to assess our children mentally through collaboration with our mental health physicians. Reaching a child holistically is extremely important when you take care of more then just the child's academic needs you increase the child's ability to do more in the classroom. For example when I am not in pain from a swollen gum line during class, I can concentrate on the questions your asking me, and answer them to the best of my ability.
During my research of assessments in other countries i found that student assessments do not match in any two countries.In England, Silvermail (1996) found that schools provide multiple measures of performance that
During my research of assessments in other countries i found that student assessments do not match in any two countries.In England, Silvermail (1996) found that schools provide multiple measures of performance that
serve multiple purposes. Schools assess student progress through both a national examination
and teacher-made tests when students reach the ages of seven, eleven, fourteen, and sixteen.
These exams are primarily used to measure the effectiveness of the schools in delivering the
national curriculum. All schools must follow nationally prescribed content and pedagogic
methods and set targets for individual pupil learning (Whetton, Twist, and Sainsbury, 2000).
Gipps, Clarke, and McCallum (1998) assert that this system places too little emphasis on
assessment of learning and too much on assessment for learning.
The French educational system employs three sets of national assessments of student
progress. At the beginning of grades three, six, and nine, students are tested for diagnostic and
planning purposes. By the end of grade nine, students are tested to measure attainment. At the
end of high school, tests determine students’ professional and educational futures. Researchers
point out that although French educators complain about the complexity of the high-stakes, end of-
high-school exam, the public and the media support it (Fowler, 2001).
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Consequences of Stress on Children's Development
My sisters both have experienced the stress of war. On July 23, 1968 their father Lance Corporal Benjamin Tilghman was killed serving in Vietnam War. He was 19 years old. One of my sisters was 3 years old at the time and the other was only 6 months old. I asked them how did they cope/survive with the loss of their father in the war. My sister stated that they were given no information of what happened. They picked up on clues that something bad had taken place because everyone was in tears but it was not explained to them. When he was killed my mother was 18 years old. My sister informed me that they just picked up and kept it movin. She did state that his death had an affect on both of them. My middle sister suffered from a bout of depression and my oldest sister at times lives in the past wondering how things would have been if her father was around, missing his affection only reading about it in past letters.
Benjamin Tilghman
Lance Corporal
The country that I chose to research more of was Somolia. UNICEF officials are concerned that the current situation in Somalia will have lasting consequences for Somali society. Children continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, and many lack access to even the most basic services. Fighting has killed and injured numerous children. Manry are recruited into armed conflict. In addition to the traumas of conflict, children in Somalia face other challenges, from education to health and sanitation concerns. So there are many stressors that the children of Somalia have to deal with. To minimize the harm UNICEF is working to address critical health concerns by providing essential medicines, vaccines and supplies to over 250 Maternal and Child Health (MCH) facilities and 540 health posts, ensuring access to basic primary health care for about 2.5 million people each year. Over one million children under five and over 800,000 women of child-bearing age were reached during the first round of the Child Health Days which completed in June. They were provided with a package of high-impact health services including vaccinations, water purification tablets and nutritional screenings.
Benjamin Tilghman
Lance Corporal
PERSONAL DATA Home of Record: Deal Island, MD Date of birth: 02/27/1949 MILITARY DATA Service: United States Marine Corps Grade at loss: E3 Rank: Lance Corporal ID No: 2390757 MOS: 0311: RIFLEMAN Length Service: 00 Unit: 3RD PLT, H CO, 2ND BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF CASUALTY DATA Start Tour: 01/24/1968 Incident Date: 07/21/1968 Casualty Date: 07/23/1968 Age at Loss: 19 (based on date declared dead) Location: Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam Remains: Body recovered Casualty Type: Hostile, died of wounds Casualty Reason: Ground casualty Casualty Detail: Artillery, rocket, or mortar URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dt/TilghmanBx01a.htm ON THE WALL Panel 51W Line 045
THE VIRTUAL WALL ® http://www.virtualwall.org/
The country that I chose to research more of was Somolia. UNICEF officials are concerned that the current situation in Somalia will have lasting consequences for Somali society. Children continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, and many lack access to even the most basic services. Fighting has killed and injured numerous children. Manry are recruited into armed conflict. In addition to the traumas of conflict, children in Somalia face other challenges, from education to health and sanitation concerns. So there are many stressors that the children of Somalia have to deal with. To minimize the harm UNICEF is working to address critical health concerns by providing essential medicines, vaccines and supplies to over 250 Maternal and Child Health (MCH) facilities and 540 health posts, ensuring access to basic primary health care for about 2.5 million people each year. Over one million children under five and over 800,000 women of child-bearing age were reached during the first round of the Child Health Days which completed in June. They were provided with a package of high-impact health services including vaccinations, water purification tablets and nutritional screenings.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Child Development and Public Health
Immunizations are a process that stimulates the body's immune system to defend against attack by a particular contagious disease Berger (2009). Immunizations are very important, they protect children from diseases and serious complications. Immunizations are meaningful to me not only because I have small children that recieve immunizations but it is my job to make sure every parent has their health inventory form(immunization form) done before their child can come to our school. There are so many parents that think it is okay that my child is not up to date with his or her shots and thinks that the school should be okay with that also. I have to be the one to tell them that it's not okay and in order for your child to attend at our school they must have thier immunizations up to date.
I noticed in our reading that Afghanistan has one of the highest numbers of death of children under that age of 5. I found out from an article that in 2006 there was a immunization campaign done in Afghanistan supported by UNICEF. Their objective was to reduce child measles mortality by 90 percent and to elimnate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Afghanistan's infant mortality rate is very high at 257 per 1,000 live birth. Measles is a major cause of child death , and tetanus which results from unsanitary conditions at delivery, these are leading killers of mothers and their babies. In 2006 during this campaign more than 4 million children under 5 were vaccinated against measles and an estimate 4.2 million of childbearing age recieved tetanus vaccines. Mothers who were vaccinated passed tetanus immunity on to their children for the first nine months of life. This campaign helped but more help is still need.
I found that non-immunization of child may impact my future work. Someday I do want to own my own center and I must be firm with parents that their children must be up to date with immunizations.
I noticed in our reading that Afghanistan has one of the highest numbers of death of children under that age of 5. I found out from an article that in 2006 there was a immunization campaign done in Afghanistan supported by UNICEF. Their objective was to reduce child measles mortality by 90 percent and to elimnate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Afghanistan's infant mortality rate is very high at 257 per 1,000 live birth. Measles is a major cause of child death , and tetanus which results from unsanitary conditions at delivery, these are leading killers of mothers and their babies. In 2006 during this campaign more than 4 million children under 5 were vaccinated against measles and an estimate 4.2 million of childbearing age recieved tetanus vaccines. Mothers who were vaccinated passed tetanus immunity on to their children for the first nine months of life. This campaign helped but more help is still need.
I found that non-immunization of child may impact my future work. Someday I do want to own my own center and I must be firm with parents that their children must be up to date with immunizations.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Childbirth Experience
The childbirth experience that I have chosen to discuss is my own. I have two girls one who is ten years old and one that is six. Both of my daughters birth's were awesome but the birthing experience that I am choosing to discuss is my most recent, the birth of my son. My son Montre' Lamont Jenkins Jr. was born April 27, 2010. I had become settled and satisfied with my girls, especially with the fact that they were old enough to do things for themselves but my husband wanted a son. I decided that marriage was about compromising so I decided I would come off of the pill and if it was the Lord's will in his time I would become pregnant and yes with my son. I came off of the pill around January and found out August the 26th I was expecting. When we went for the ultrasound and found out it was a boy my husband almost went crazy!! I had a cesarean with both my girls and had to have another one because my bones were so small and I could not push the baby out on my own. I was fearful that having a third cesarean would be rough but the doctor told me I would be fine.I ended up having to take all my sick time, personal, and vacation for my maternity leave, that was a bummer. My cesarean was scheduled for April 27th and I had him that morning around 9:00a.m. The surgery was kinda rough. I found out afterwards that the doctor said my muscle had thinned out from so many surgeries and it was hard putting me back together, and post op was horrible. I thought I would never heal. I am glad he is here. He is awesome and I can tell already that the relationship I share with him is totally different then the girls. I love them all but boys are just different from girls.
The country that I researched on births was Sweden I learned that in Sweden, childbirth is a normal process managed with as little intervention as possible. According to a recent report by the non-profit organization Save the Children, Sweden is the safest country in the world to give birth. Sweden favours a minimum interventionist approach to pregnancy and childbirth. This means pregnancy and childbirth are monitored by a highly trained English-speaking midwife. Since Because the majority of pregnancies and births are free from complications, there is no need for an obstetrician .Childbirth in Sweden takes place in a birthing unit. I also found out that Sweden, is one of the wealthiest economies on earth. Its people are healthy and well-fed, its shops well-stocked, its communications excellent and its women well-educated, with virtually 100% female literacy. More than 72% use modern contraception and the average age for a first birth is 29. The fertility rate is 1.7. It is, in every way, a happier and healthier place to be a woman. I also learned that Sweden's maternity service is second-to-none. Antenatal care in Sweden is free. Women have a legal right to take time out of the working day to attend appointments and take-up is almost 100%. Mothers in labour are looked after with every hi-tech advantage possible; the foetal monitoring system there is among the most advanced and sensitive in the world. Kids typically start school at the age of 7 in Sweden. Maternity and paternity leave is amazing in Sweden. I read that a lady took a year off and her husband took 5 months. The government payed 80% of their salary up to a certain limit. I thought that was awesome seeming as though I had to take all of my time for maternity leave. I wished I had my kids there.
 |
| My son!!! |
The country that I researched on births was Sweden I learned that in Sweden, childbirth is a normal process managed with as little intervention as possible. According to a recent report by the non-profit organization Save the Children, Sweden is the safest country in the world to give birth. Sweden favours a minimum interventionist approach to pregnancy and childbirth. This means pregnancy and childbirth are monitored by a highly trained English-speaking midwife. Since Because the majority of pregnancies and births are free from complications, there is no need for an obstetrician .Childbirth in Sweden takes place in a birthing unit. I also found out that Sweden, is one of the wealthiest economies on earth. Its people are healthy and well-fed, its shops well-stocked, its communications excellent and its women well-educated, with virtually 100% female literacy. More than 72% use modern contraception and the average age for a first birth is 29. The fertility rate is 1.7. It is, in every way, a happier and healthier place to be a woman. I also learned that Sweden's maternity service is second-to-none. Antenatal care in Sweden is free. Women have a legal right to take time out of the working day to attend appointments and take-up is almost 100%. Mothers in labour are looked after with every hi-tech advantage possible; the foetal monitoring system there is among the most advanced and sensitive in the world. Kids typically start school at the age of 7 in Sweden. Maternity and paternity leave is amazing in Sweden. I read that a lady took a year off and her husband took 5 months. The government payed 80% of their salary up to a certain limit. I thought that was awesome seeming as though I had to take all of my time for maternity leave. I wished I had my kids there.
http://www.transparent.com/swedish/giving-birth-in-sweden/
http://sosmag.se/index.php/living-here/comments/giving-birth-in-sweden/
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Is This The End?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Examining Codes of Ethics
NAEYC Code of Ethics ideals that are meaningful to me.
1-1.1 To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
I believe that not only early childhood professionals but that all professionals should continue learning. I believe that you should always look for training to enhance your skills and to stay current in your field. I will be striving to do this in my professional life.
1-1.3 To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.
Evey child is different, no child is the same. I believe that in my profession I must recognize the differences and respect them in every child.
1-1.12 To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.
In my profession I work with families that have to deal transitions. The transition of their children leaving our program and going into kindergarten. It is our charge to make sure every child is school ready and the transition made easy for the child and the parent.
DEC Code of Ethics that are meaningful to me.
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
2.We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.
Integrity, truthfulness and honesty are huge when communicating with families and colleagues. Parents must be able to trust you and those of whom you work with.
Enhancement of Children's and Families Quality of Lives
2. We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.
My job as a service coordinator is data driven. We must be able to see that our early childhood program is graduating children who are better off from attending our program.
Responsive Family Centered Practices
7. We shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the children and families we serve by protecting all forms of verbal, written, and electronic communication.
Confidentiality is important when you are dealing with families and their private information. It is up to us to protect the confidentiality of the children and families we serve.
All of the ideals shared in the NAEYC code of ethics, and the DEC code of ethics are very meaningful when it comes to my profession. The ideals I have chosen were just a few that stuck out for me because I have to adhere and personally deal with these everyday on the job.
1-1.1 To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
I believe that not only early childhood professionals but that all professionals should continue learning. I believe that you should always look for training to enhance your skills and to stay current in your field. I will be striving to do this in my professional life.
1-1.3 To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.
Evey child is different, no child is the same. I believe that in my profession I must recognize the differences and respect them in every child.
1-1.12 To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.
In my profession I work with families that have to deal transitions. The transition of their children leaving our program and going into kindergarten. It is our charge to make sure every child is school ready and the transition made easy for the child and the parent.
DEC Code of Ethics that are meaningful to me.
Professional and Interpersonal Behavior
2.We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.
Integrity, truthfulness and honesty are huge when communicating with families and colleagues. Parents must be able to trust you and those of whom you work with.
Enhancement of Children's and Families Quality of Lives
2. We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.
My job as a service coordinator is data driven. We must be able to see that our early childhood program is graduating children who are better off from attending our program.
Responsive Family Centered Practices
7. We shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the children and families we serve by protecting all forms of verbal, written, and electronic communication.
Confidentiality is important when you are dealing with families and their private information. It is up to us to protect the confidentiality of the children and families we serve.
All of the ideals shared in the NAEYC code of ethics, and the DEC code of ethics are very meaningful when it comes to my profession. The ideals I have chosen were just a few that stuck out for me because I have to adhere and personally deal with these everyday on the job.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Collection of Resources
http://www.naeyc.org/
http://www.dec-sped.org/
http://www.zerotothree.org/
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
http://www.highscope.org/
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
http://www.ccw.org/
http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
http://www.nccanet.org/
http://nieer.org/
http://www.preknow.org/
http://www.voices.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=22807
http://www.erikson.edu/
Three additional resources that I am adding are:
http://www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/resources.html
I chose this website because of the literacy component. Literacy is extremely important where I work and any resource on literacy helps. I happen to love this resources.
http://savorpublishing.com/
I meet this author at a conference and feel in love with her books. She is awesome. My own children love her books!
http://www.famlit.org/conference/
I attend this conference for work and have enjoyed it! There are also great resources for literacy on this website.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Words of Inspiration and Motivation
Marcy Whitebook
Lilian G.Katz
"Of course children benefit from positive feedback. But praise and rewards are not the only methods of reinforcement. More emphasis should be placed on appreciation—reinforcement related explicitly and directly to the content of the child's interest and efforts."
Lilian G Katz
Louise Derman Sparks
" I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and to fix all the injustices that exsisted in the world, and I wanted to do that through teaching."
"Large numbers of children are neglected; still larger numbers now receive care
which, at best, can be called only custodial, and which, at its worst, is deplorable.
Only a relatively small proportion are benefiting from truly developmental quality
care."
Marcy Whitebook
"I suspect that most of all we have trouble as a field because we are so used to settling for what we can get, and coping creatively with too few resources that we don't ask the fundamental questions about how child care ought to be. We don't raise enough challenges. We forget to dream. Imagine the child care of our dreams, not just the child care that's good enough"
Marcy Whitebook
"I suspect that most of all we have trouble as a field because we are so used to settling for what we can get, and coping creatively with too few resources that we don't ask the fundamental questions about how child care ought to be. We don't raise enough challenges. We forget to dream. Imagine the child care of our dreams, not just the child care that's good enough"
"Of course children benefit from positive feedback. But praise and rewards are not the only methods of reinforcement. More emphasis should be placed on appreciation—reinforcement related explicitly and directly to the content of the child's interest and efforts."
Lilian G Katz
"As you consider whether to move a child into formal academic training, remember that we want our children to do more than just learn how to read and write; we want them to learn in such a way that they become lifelong readers and writers. If we push our children to start learning these skills too far ahead of their own spontaneous interest and their capacity, we may sacrifice the long-range goal of having them enjoy such pursuits. "
Louise Derman Sparks
" I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world and to fix all the injustices that exsisted in the world, and I wanted to do that through teaching."
Saturday, September 25, 2010
My Personal Childhood Web
 |
| My Mom |
 |
| Me & Dad |
My Dad even though he left when I was ten, he also nurtured and cared for me when he was there. My dad taught me how to "earn my keep", that is what he used to call it. He would always make me work for whatever I wanted especially if it was financial. I learned good work ethic from him. Times I remember with him are walking to the Ice cream shop down the street hand in hand, I would be amazed at how large his hand was compared to mine. This gave me a sense of security. Even though I do not see him much, I am still able to call and speak with my father. He remains an impact in my life just knowing he is there to talk to.
My grandmother! My grandmother passed almost 2 years ago but it feels like yesterday.I don't have a picture of her yet! I realized writing this that she taught me unconditional love. She loved me regardless of whether I was in church and living a saved life or whether I was out in the streets acting crazy. She always had a special hot meal cooked for me, and she had a special nickname for me that no one else called me other than my uncle johnny, It was pooh!! I miss her and love her very much. She taught me how to love past what I saw on the outside of people. Her way of loving and giving unconditonally continues to be an impact in my life.
 |
| My youngest daughter and My sister Val |
My oldest sister Valerie..boy oh boy she is crazy!! My sister Val is a fun, keep you laughing type of person. She nurtured me by telling me things my mom would never discuss with me, boys, sex, female personal hygiene in my teens. She would also do something for me that I would never forget. My sister was lighter in complexion then I was and she would often hold me up in the mirror and tell me you are the most beautiful black chocolate girl I have ever seen.This would affirm in me that my skin color made me beautiful even though I was of dark complexion. I continue to talk to my sister about things I can not share with my mom and she continues to encourage me!
 |
| Me & My Sister Amy |
My sister Amy, she is the middle sister. She did not like having me around at first. My sister made me do some really silly things for her to let me know that she was mad. She was upset that I took her spot as the baby girl. After a while she got used to me and we became close. I can tell my sister anything and it would not get out unless I wanted it to. She has taught me how to be a peacemaker in times that I felt were times of war! We are still close today, so much so that we live four houses down from one another. We talk daily and I am reminded when to keep my cool and be at peace because of the way she has led her own life.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Brown Bear Brown Bear
Brown Bear Brown Bear is my favorite book only because my children loved it and made me read it to them several times, also chicka chicka boom boom.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
School is so Cool!
Wow these first couple of weeks have been great! We have new three year olds attending school for the first time and Pre-kindergardners who are returning with joy in their eyes. This year brings new kids with new issues and new circumstances yet we look forward to the challenge. I can't wait to serve families that are in need.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)