Quotes

Samuel J. Meisels, stated "The research is clear. Time and again, the data prove that giving children access to quality early childhood programs not only works to boost their academic success, it's incredibly cost-effective as well."

"The highest stake of all is our ability to help children realize their full potential."
Samuel J. Meisels

"We know that teachers are the key to good child care - and as long as teachers are undervalued, American children, too, will keep getting less than they deserve."
Marcy Whitbook

Louis Derman-Sparks
"Preschool years are critical to development, we as early childhood educators and professionals have the ability to shape their lives for the better."

Sandy Escobido
"When I see parents learning how to speak to policy makers, learning how to write letters, learning how to tell their story, and share their voice thats's what keep me motivated."

Personal Childhood Web

My mother is my hero and everything. She nurtured me and brought out the best in me. She made me feel special in every way a girl can. My mom was fun, loving, caring, just allaround the best. My mother made sure that my siblings and I had everything we needed to be successful in life. She supported me in everything I did from extracurricula activities, to career choice, and marriage. My mother would do things just because. She would text me to say I love you and call to play a word game and talk about movies that we have seen a million times. She was there for me when I had my first two children and showed me everything to do. My mom showed me how to have strength and keep my faith strong. I miss my mom but she is still the greatest most beautiful person in my life. It would be four years on April 12th that I lost my mother to Kidney Cancer. Even though she is gone that strong love still and will forever be in my heart. I remember telling my mom right before she passed that she taught me well and I will take care of my siblings and make sure everyone is ok and I love you. She smiled and told me she loved me too.

My dad is awesome. He is very supportive of everything I do and gives me advice every time I need it. My dad is always there for me. I know that if I ever need anything I can call on him. He was at all of my track meets and basketball games shouting from the sidelines. He made sure every Christmas was one i would not forget and he still does. He taught me how to never allow others thoughts or opinions affect me and to always be a leader. He is a great man and I am very blessed to have him as my father or as I still say daddy. My favorite memory with my dad is beating him in basketball. He says he let me win but I know he was playing hard. We had a rematch and I let him win but it was all for fun. I love him with all my heart.

I am very close to my grandmother. I have always been close to her but got even closer when I lost my mother. I feel through her I still have a connection with my mom. MY grandmother nurtured me and adviced me through many things in my life. Anytime I come over with the kids she would make a full meal and we would sit and talk. When I was younger I would fake sick to go to my grandmother's house just to spend the day with her when none of my siblings or cousins woulsd be there so I can have that alone time with her. She would make the best breakfast and lunch and allowed me to watch cartoons all day. I love my grandmother and she is still here for me to help me through life's challenges.

My big brother Craig is the person I look up to. He was and still is my protector. He was always at my side when I needed him. Even though as siblings we would have disagreements and so on he always showed me love. He made sure I was always ok. Even now if we go out he will shadow me and make sure that no one bothered me. He would always play games with me and listen to my problems, concerns, ideas, and thoughts. He is a great big brother. Everytime we call we never hang up without saying I love you. My brother taught me how to draw and do stunts on my bicycle. He told funny jokes and scary stories to my other siblings and I. It is hard to pick just one memory with my brother because there are so many great ones.

My Aunt Tina is not only my aunt but my spiritual mother as well. When my mother passed she said she wanted to be my siblings and I spritual mother. My mother was the oldest and she is third child from my mother. I have always had a close relationship to my aunt. She helped me deal with aloth spirtually after my mother passed. Growing up my aunt always had sleepovers at her house. She always showed me that she loved me and cared about me. She is one of the people that pushed me to go back to school and get my Masters. She gives great advice about everything. My aunt always and still treats me as if I was her own daughter. One of the best memories with my aunt was when we had asleepover with my siblings and cousins, we sat in a circle in the dark and she told the best but scariest stories.She would also make the best nachos and breakfast in the mornings. Another memory is more recent. Last year my aunt, cousin, sister, and I went to Disney World and act like little children all over again. We had a blast. I love my aunt.

A Touching Story

Armando was a student in my classroom two years ago.  I can remember that he was very polite and shy.  He tried really hard in class and never gave me a problem.  One day we were having a picnic outside.  I noticed that Armando stayed close to the table that contained the food the students consumed that day.  He would walk away to play with the other students at times but he did not interact with them much on this particular day.  After several hours of being outside, I took the students to the classroom to rest.  I noticed that Armando seemed to have something stuffed in his pockets.  It turned out that he was trying to take food home so that his family could eat that night.  I was very puzzled to hear this news.  When Armando's family came to pick him up, I made the comment that we had food left over from our picnic and all the students were able to take food home so it would not go to waste.  I will never forget the expression on his mother's face as she packed the sandwiches and chips to take home.  I realized from that point that we never really know what is going on inside the homes of our students.  What a fascinating and courgeous child this was to want to help out his family. 

Favorite Childrens Book

I enjoy reading the story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my students.  The book is enriched with many color pictures and a story line that is easy for the early childhood student is understand.  I like to take the time to review colors  and sight words with y students through the use of this book.  We create art projects by making pictures of caterpillars. 

Early Childhood Quote

There is nothing more contagious than the laughter of young children; it doesn't even have to matter what they are laughing about. 


Poet:  Criss Jami

As teachers would should provide activities for students to be expressive.  Young children should have opportunites to enjoy the educational setting. 

Testing in the Early Childhood Classroom

When a student enters the early childhood classroom for the first time, there is usually a sense of urgency to evaluate the student to determine their readiness level. Throughout the school year, students are challenged with taking several other assessments to determine if they are progressing.  This practice usually leads to the students being placed in special programs based on the data from the results.  Although I think assessing students is a good idea, how much assessing is too much?

“Assessment is a great way to chart a child’s progress over time, provide feedback to a child’s parent(s), or help with classroom management and discipline.”  (Salvia & Ysseldyke, 1995, p. 207).  This practice does provide valuable information but at times it seems to be too much.  Since the students I work with fall under the early childhood umbrella, I believe there should be a balance between learning, assessing and allowing the students to be children. 

One method of assessment that I like to use in my classroom is portfolios.  I am able to see the growth of students over time and the results are more reliable. An assessment method which has been gaining favor in the early childhood community is the portfolio (Gronlund, 1998; Honig, 1996; Kankaanranta, 1996). My students also like to work on their portfolios because they are kid friendly and the students are free to be expressive.  I am able to catch items my students need help with by looking at their portfolios.  I check them several times throughout the school year for growth and re-teaching opportunities.

 

Gronlund, G. (1998). Portfolios as an assessment tool: Is collection of work enough? Young Children, 53(3), 4-10.

Honig, A.S. (1996). Evaluation of early childhood enrichment programs. Early Childhood Development and Care, 120, 29-37.

Kankaanranta, M. (1996). Self-portrait of a child: Portfolios as a means of self-assessment in preschool and primary school. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 403 058

Salvia, J. & Ysseldyke, J. (1995). Assessment (6th Ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.