For your blog this week, think of someone (e.g., family member, celebrity, politician, friend, or professor) who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context. What behaviors does this person exhibit that make him or her effective? Would you want to model some of your own communication behaviors after this person? Why or why not.
I believe that communication is key to sending a message or explaining exactly what is on your mind. I feel that some people express themselves through communication better than others. It takes some skill to communicate to large groups of people effectively. I feel that one person that I know that communicates in a positive manner is my good friend and boss. She has a way with words. Being her assistant I often try to duplicate some of the tactics that she displays and uses with our staff. I try to imitate her savvy method of disciplining staff and solving critical issues with parents. I feel she is a great communicator because she gets her point across no matter what and the staff and parents respect her and follows her wishes. This is a great skill that I would love to learn.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
My Family Culture
A description of the three items you would choose
With this assignment in mind, I though carefully about how I could capture my family’s identity and culture with only three items. I often contemplated about the items that I would take. After thinking long and hard I would have to take family photo albums, the bible and my laptop (with Internet). The photo album would be books that had my family’s history and events that were captured by camera. I would also take the bible so I could often refer to the bible for comfort and spiritual guidance. The laptop is an item that would allow me to refer to major works of art, books about great black inventors and achievers and my African history.
How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
I know that these items are important to me because they describe who I am. I was raised reading the bible and I need to have mementos that reflect upon my family and those who are no longer with me. The laptop would allow me to show others and explain how my culture has made me into the person I am today. I would use all of these tangible items to show others about me and my history through time so it will not be forgotten.
Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you
I would be devastated to discover that I could only keep one item after I have thought so long about what items I would pick to take with me on this journey. If I had to give up the other two items I brought I would keep the laptop and give the bible to another person who needed spiritual guidance and I would give someone my photos so they would have an opportunity to see how my family lived and cultural events that were very important to my family.
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
This activity has really had me think about items and their importance in my life. I know many families that have been misplaced due to emergencies or tragic events in their life. This assignment has opened my eyes and showed me that I need to reevaluate myself and my culture and think about things that are of importance when a major tragedy occurs.
With this assignment in mind, I though carefully about how I could capture my family’s identity and culture with only three items. I often contemplated about the items that I would take. After thinking long and hard I would have to take family photo albums, the bible and my laptop (with Internet). The photo album would be books that had my family’s history and events that were captured by camera. I would also take the bible so I could often refer to the bible for comfort and spiritual guidance. The laptop is an item that would allow me to refer to major works of art, books about great black inventors and achievers and my African history.
How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
I know that these items are important to me because they describe who I am. I was raised reading the bible and I need to have mementos that reflect upon my family and those who are no longer with me. The laptop would allow me to show others and explain how my culture has made me into the person I am today. I would use all of these tangible items to show others about me and my history through time so it will not be forgotten.
Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you
I would be devastated to discover that I could only keep one item after I have thought so long about what items I would pick to take with me on this journey. If I had to give up the other two items I brought I would keep the laptop and give the bible to another person who needed spiritual guidance and I would give someone my photos so they would have an opportunity to see how my family lived and cultural events that were very important to my family.
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
This activity has really had me think about items and their importance in my life. I know many families that have been misplaced due to emergencies or tragic events in their life. This assignment has opened my eyes and showed me that I need to reevaluate myself and my culture and think about things that are of importance when a major tragedy occurs.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories
Share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: Perhaps you can provide real-life examples of research benefits to children and/or families; maybe you are familiar with stories of people who have been positively affected by research; or you came across a published research article concerning children or families which you find exciting and would like to share with your colleagues.
When I think of an uplifting story about the effects of research on children on children I often think back to one of my son’s friends. This child is the same age and grade as my son. While the children were in the 2nd grade I begin to notice certain behaviors and things that lead me to believe that my son had some challenges in school. Due to the fact that I am an educator, I was able to see the signs and get my son help as soon as possible. I notified the teacher and we had him evaluated immediately. After his evaluation, I noticed some of the same challenges and issues with his friend. I immediately gave the friends parents research based articles that expressed some of the concerns that they did display. The parents met with the teachers and they began to understand what was going on with their child and the issues that were affecting the child. The parents received a referral from the child’s teacher and he was tested and the results revealed that he had challenges that needed to be addressed.
After the parents understood the information that was given, they expressed their overwhelmed joy that their child was going to receive the help that he needed to be successful in school. I truly believe that my expertise and research helped me to help families be their child’s first advocate.
When I think of an uplifting story about the effects of research on children on children I often think back to one of my son’s friends. This child is the same age and grade as my son. While the children were in the 2nd grade I begin to notice certain behaviors and things that lead me to believe that my son had some challenges in school. Due to the fact that I am an educator, I was able to see the signs and get my son help as soon as possible. I notified the teacher and we had him evaluated immediately. After his evaluation, I noticed some of the same challenges and issues with his friend. I immediately gave the friends parents research based articles that expressed some of the concerns that they did display. The parents met with the teachers and they began to understand what was going on with their child and the issues that were affecting the child. The parents received a referral from the child’s teacher and he was tested and the results revealed that he had challenges that needed to be addressed.
After the parents understood the information that was given, they expressed their overwhelmed joy that their child was going to receive the help that he needed to be successful in school. I truly believe that my expertise and research helped me to help families be their child’s first advocate.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My Research Journey!
The general early childhood research topic that I have chosen to discuss is the importance of the curriculum and how it relates to children’s success in the classroom and the future.
The three related subtopics are:
1. The positive outcomes when parents advocate for their child and believe in the curriculum.
2. Different types of curriculums
3. How teachers relate the curriculum to positive outcomes to teacher training in the classroom.
My personal reason for choosing this topic is to explore and research the reasons that children are prepared and successful in the classroom currently and in the future. I feel that my number one goal is to ensure that parents are their child’s first advocate. I also want the children to become successful in the classroom on the preschool level in hopes of fully preparing them for public school. Creating a positive, loving and nurturing environment is a great foundation for teaching children about the importance of education. The relationships that families have ultimately has a huge effect on the outcome of children in the home and school life. I also feel that the teachers and families should be educated about the curriculum and understand the basis of the curriculum. If these things are done properly then the children will have the opportunity to learn using a positive curriculum that is appropriate for the children and it will allow children to learn and be successful in the classroom environment.
The three ways I anticipate that researching these topics might be significant for young children is because research can prove and explain the proper ways and methods that children can learn. The center that I work at uses the High/Scope curriculum and the research that has been written explains the ways that children learn best through play. This research also helps parents understand the ways that children progress using the curriculum. This is a great way to prove this to parents and show them results and scores of children that learn using this curriculum.
The three related subtopics are:
1. The positive outcomes when parents advocate for their child and believe in the curriculum.
2. Different types of curriculums
3. How teachers relate the curriculum to positive outcomes to teacher training in the classroom.
My personal reason for choosing this topic is to explore and research the reasons that children are prepared and successful in the classroom currently and in the future. I feel that my number one goal is to ensure that parents are their child’s first advocate. I also want the children to become successful in the classroom on the preschool level in hopes of fully preparing them for public school. Creating a positive, loving and nurturing environment is a great foundation for teaching children about the importance of education. The relationships that families have ultimately has a huge effect on the outcome of children in the home and school life. I also feel that the teachers and families should be educated about the curriculum and understand the basis of the curriculum. If these things are done properly then the children will have the opportunity to learn using a positive curriculum that is appropriate for the children and it will allow children to learn and be successful in the classroom environment.
The three ways I anticipate that researching these topics might be significant for young children is because research can prove and explain the proper ways and methods that children can learn. The center that I work at uses the High/Scope curriculum and the research that has been written explains the ways that children learn best through play. This research also helps parents understand the ways that children progress using the curriculum. This is a great way to prove this to parents and show them results and scores of children that learn using this curriculum.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Websites
Name: NAEYC
Link: http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/naeycae/issues/2011-02-23.html
Website: www.naeyc.org
The organization that I choose to receive newsletters and information was NAEYC.org. The website offers monthly newsletters to centers or programs that are accredited programs. The information that I receive monthly gives me an insight in to the changing rules and standards that are required by NAEYC. The newsletter also gives tips to centers or programs that are interested in being reaccredited with the organizations.
One current issue from the newsletter that I thought was interesting and insightful was the section that discussed programs that may assist or serve military families. The article discussed the many programs that are available for families and the centers. There is also free training that will assist programs with becoming more qualified to work with preschool aged children. These programs will assist the families with helping the young children that are having issues with their parents’ deployments and even reunifications. I feel that this training is desperately needed to assist all families with various issues. I can see or imagine the huge benefits that can be gained with this training program.
I also learned about different job openings that were available in this organization. I feel this is a great way to market and find new employees that are interested in early childhood education.
Link: http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/naeycae/issues/2011-02-23.html
Website: www.naeyc.org
The organization that I choose to receive newsletters and information was NAEYC.org. The website offers monthly newsletters to centers or programs that are accredited programs. The information that I receive monthly gives me an insight in to the changing rules and standards that are required by NAEYC. The newsletter also gives tips to centers or programs that are interested in being reaccredited with the organizations.
One current issue from the newsletter that I thought was interesting and insightful was the section that discussed programs that may assist or serve military families. The article discussed the many programs that are available for families and the centers. There is also free training that will assist programs with becoming more qualified to work with preschool aged children. These programs will assist the families with helping the young children that are having issues with their parents’ deployments and even reunifications. I feel that this training is desperately needed to assist all families with various issues. I can see or imagine the huge benefits that can be gained with this training program.
I also learned about different job openings that were available in this organization. I feel this is a great way to market and find new employees that are interested in early childhood education.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Professional Contacts and Links
Part I- Establishing Professional Contacts-
I had a late start to this assignment however, I have sent out email to various professional contacts that have not contacted to me recently. I plan to continue to make contact with the professionals.
Even though I haven’t had any luck, I am in contact with colleagues that live in other countries that will assist me with the information needed to be successful with my blog assignment.
Part II. Expanding Resources-
The websites that I choose to research are nbcdi.org and naeyc.org. I chose these websites because I feel that they are essential organizations that will benefit me by offering me training classes and other forms of support for my career. I am a member of both of these organizations and I receive information monthly about updated policies and things that are important to educators in this field. The center that I work at is NAEYC accredited and I feel it is important to stay abreast of new and changing items in the field of education. This website not only caters to educators but it also has a wealth of information that is helpful for families of different structures. It is important for me to referred parents and educators to this website for support and articles that they can use to help educate themselves and their children.
Resources
National Black Child Development Institute
http://nbcdi.org/
(Newsletter: http://nbcdi.org/support/sign-up-for-nbcdi-newsletters/ )
The National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/
(Review also the position statements: http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements )
I had a late start to this assignment however, I have sent out email to various professional contacts that have not contacted to me recently. I plan to continue to make contact with the professionals.
Even though I haven’t had any luck, I am in contact with colleagues that live in other countries that will assist me with the information needed to be successful with my blog assignment.
Part II. Expanding Resources-
The websites that I choose to research are nbcdi.org and naeyc.org. I chose these websites because I feel that they are essential organizations that will benefit me by offering me training classes and other forms of support for my career. I am a member of both of these organizations and I receive information monthly about updated policies and things that are important to educators in this field. The center that I work at is NAEYC accredited and I feel it is important to stay abreast of new and changing items in the field of education. This website not only caters to educators but it also has a wealth of information that is helpful for families of different structures. It is important for me to referred parents and educators to this website for support and articles that they can use to help educate themselves and their children.
Resources
National Black Child Development Institute
http://nbcdi.org/
(Newsletter: http://nbcdi.org/support/sign-up-for-nbcdi-newsletters/ )
The National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/
(Review also the position statements: http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements )
Sunday, February 20, 2011
My Supports
My Supports
When I think about supports, three things come to my mind. I thought about God, my family and technology.
I feel that God makes all things possible in my life. I also feel that he provides me with everything I need to stay healthy and maintain my existence in the community. He helps me to continue my education as well as stay needed in my career. I know that he consciously helps me be all that I can be.
The next support that I have is my family. My family supports me in everything I do. I know that my family has my back through thick and thin. If it was not for my family, I know that I would not have the ability to continue my education. My mom is my biggest supporter. She was not able to complete college because she was married and she had to take care of her family. She constantly encourages me to further my education and take it to the limit.
My last support is technology. Technology is a huge part of the world today. Everyone is using technology all around us. Cell phones, computers, email, Facebook and even the internet help to keep the world in the loop. I know that the internet truly helps me because it fi were not for the internet, I would not be able to complete my degree online. Web based education is one of the best things, that I have ever known.
When I think about supports, three things come to my mind. I thought about God, my family and technology.
I feel that God makes all things possible in my life. I also feel that he provides me with everything I need to stay healthy and maintain my existence in the community. He helps me to continue my education as well as stay needed in my career. I know that he consciously helps me be all that I can be.
The next support that I have is my family. My family supports me in everything I do. I know that my family has my back through thick and thin. If it was not for my family, I know that I would not have the ability to continue my education. My mom is my biggest supporter. She was not able to complete college because she was married and she had to take care of her family. She constantly encourages me to further my education and take it to the limit.
My last support is technology. Technology is a huge part of the world today. Everyone is using technology all around us. Cell phones, computers, email, Facebook and even the internet help to keep the world in the loop. I know that the internet truly helps me because it fi were not for the internet, I would not be able to complete my degree online. Web based education is one of the best things, that I have ever known.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)