Growing Your Collections Of Resources

Early childhood education professionals understand the importance to having resources at hand. This field involves constant change. Whether it be new teaching styles and techniques or new laws, it is necessary to have resources that help us to effectively care for children.

This week's course resources included:

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

• 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://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf

• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

• 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

• Websites:

◦ World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage

◦ World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
Read about OMEP's mission.

◦ Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/
Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week's Application assignment.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/

• The Division for Early Childhood
http://www.dec-sped.org/

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

• WESTED
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

• Harvard Education Letter
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

• FPG Child Development Institute
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/

• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
http://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/

• Institute for Women's Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/

• 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.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

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

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

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the Journal option under Search & Find on the library website to find journals by title.

• YC Young Children

• Childhood

• Journal of Child & Family Studies

• Child Study Journal

• Multicultural Education

• Early Childhood Education Journal

• Journal of Early Childhood Research

• International Journal of Early Childhood

• Early Childhood Research Quarterly

• Developmental Psychology

• Social Studies

• Maternal & Child Health Journal

• International Journal of Early Years Education

Additional resources that I have chosen:

Bloom, P.J. 2005.

Blueprint for action: Achieving center-based change through staff development.

2nd ed. Lake Forest: IL: New Horizons.

PBS Teachers

provides early chilhood educators with professional development resources as well as curriculum tools and ideas.

www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood

Ray, A., B. Bowman, & J. Robbins. 2006.

Preparing early childhood teachers to successfully educate all children: The contribution of four-year undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

A project of the Initiative on Race, Class and Culture in Early Childhood. Final Report to the Foundation for Child Development. Chicago: Erikson

Institute. Online: www.fcd-us.org/usr_doc/TeacherPreparation Programs.pdf.

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"You have to consider children as individuals, and consider children as members of groups with their own cultural identities." by Susan Bredekamp. (ECT Editorial Staff, April2006)

"If the first three years of life are deprived in terms of stimulation and interaction with warm, nurturing human beings, it's going to be real tough for the child to acquire the depth and breadth of verbal language needed to build reading abilities." by Susan Bredekamp. (ECT Editorial Staff, April2006) 

Early Childhood Today Editorial Staff (April 2006). ECT Interview: Sue Bredekamp & Susan Neuman on Learning to Read.  Retrieved from: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11922&FullBreadCrumb=%3Ca+href%3D%22%2Fbrowse%2Fsearch.jsp%3Fquery%3Dneuman%26c1%3DCONTENT30%26c2%3Dfalse%22%3EAll+Results+%3C%2Fa%3E

Both of these quotes stand out to me. The first one stresses the importance understanding that every child is different. They come from different backgrounds and have different values. Children all learn at a different pace. It is our duty to be able to accommodate each child on our care. We must make it our priority to have one-on-one time with young children so we may get to know them and their families. We also must nurture them and gain their trust. 

In the second quote, Susan explains the vital role of exposing a child by the age of three to some type of healthy environment that simulates them and enhances their communication skills. At this age, children are absorbing everything surrounding them. This is why in these early stages of life we provide children with access to opportunities as well as the learning tools needed for success. 

“Know that being proactive is the single best thing that an educator can do to support children who have problem behavior. Being proactive means that you are acting in advance – before a problem occurs.” Ann P Turnbull

Retrieved from: http://kingnadia.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-real-job-as-educator-quote-by-ann.html

Ann notes that as educators we have to stay on top of things. By doing so we alleviate a lot of issues that may arise in dealing with children, especially individuals with behavioral problems. I have taken classes that focused on learning disabilities and children who have problem behavior. They have helped me find solutions and techniques that allowed me to effectively handle an array of situations in the classroom. 

“What keeps me engaged is that we’re not there yet.”

Renatta M. Cooper

Personal Childhood Web

This blog is dedicated especially to the people who nurtured and cared for me when I was a child. 

It is impossible to narrow it down to five people. I owe numerous family members this title. I have an extremely large family. I am truly a prodigy of "It takes a village to raise a child."  Growing up, I was taught to respect everyone. The young and the old but especially the old. Where ever I went, someone could put me in my place; my aunts, uncles, older cousins, family friends or just people who knew my family and what they stood for. Because of this, I rarely got in trouble. I was afraid that it would get back to my parents if I did something wrong.

My mother and I have an amazing bond. She is not only my mother; she is my friend. Ruth made sure I was well taken care of. She put me first and made sure I went down the right paths in life. Whatever shoe I needed her to wear, she wore it. She was and still is my counselor, nurse, lawyer, teacher, and so much more. We are so close that we have worked together at two different jobs. It is such a joy to be blessed with a mother like her. I still get warm and fuzzy inside when I talk about the great things she has done for me! 

 My father is a pretty cool guy. He let me lead the way in my life with guidance and protection. Leonard "Lenny" was there to catch me when I fell, and pick me up when I was down. He lived in a different house but he was always a phone call away. We talked everyday and we still do. Having a leadership role as a child set the tone for the life I would now lead. I greatly appreciate all the things that my dad has done and continues to do for me.

I just pointed out my parents but as I stated earlier everyone in my family as well as the surrounding communities I lived in played a major role in my life. I want the same for my children. I tell them to respect everyone. They also know if they are doing something wrong anybody can correct them(verbally) and if they don't listen they have to answer to their father and I.

"A fearless child is a dangerous child"

What Children Need Most

Yup, this pretty much sums it up! Give a child guidance but let them lead the way. Children want to explore the world and we should be there to support and encourage their journey. I take the time to show them how much I care and appreciate them. The reward of displaying this type of behavior listed in this quote is glorifying. Helping children is what I live for and making sure I can aid in their growth leaves a soft spot in my heart!

Ashton the Artist

Drawing By Curtis "Ashton" (Age 7)

I love when children draw. It is their opportunity to express themselves in a nonverbal way. They can be creative and tell about their work in a way that makes them feel as ease and more open to communicate with others.

My Son loves to draw and he lives to play soccer! 



He drew me this picture after their last game of the season in 2013. They were undefeated that year!  He eats, sleeps and breaths soccer. When you see my son, he is always carrying or kicking a soccer ball. I have this drawing saved in my phone as a reminder of the passion that he has for this sport!

(Above is a picture of my soccer superstars!) 

Me When I Was Three

As I look at this this picture, I see all three of my children in it. My son has my eyes. My middle child makes the same funny expressions like this one. And my baby girl has my lips and nose. AMAZING!

This was my third birthday party. I do not remember a thing from this day, so I asked my dad. He informed me that I was a very busy young lady and I demanded all of the attention in the room at all times. My cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents all gathered on this day to celebrate my big day. My family is pretty huge, so nothing is ever a small get together. He also explained, when it was time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake, I became shy. Hence this crazy pose and look on my face! 

Pictures are a great way to hold on to your memories (even if you don't remember them). They are also great conversation starters. I enjoyed the things my father could recall from the photo.