COURSE RESOURCES

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

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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

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/

Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library
Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to "How Do I...?", select "Tips for Specific Formats and Resources," and then "e-journals" to find this search interface.)

• 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:

Pinterest: Although many may not see this as a resource, instructionally I find it valuable. There are many teacher sites that are wonderful.

BLACKBOARD: The county that I work in has a specific site for our instructional staff and I spend a lot of time on there.

YOUTUBE: This is the single best place to find instructional songs for use in the classroom. I create and share a monthly playlist for my team. We couldn't afford to purchase every song we need, so it is great for us!

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

“What children can do with the assistance of others is even more indicative of their mental development than what they can do alone.”  Vygotsky, Mind in Society, 1978

 

 

"I am not here to save the world, I am here just to make a difference in the community that I am working."

"One little sparkle will make a difference for me."

Raymond Hernandez M.S. Ed.

Executive Director, School of Early Childhood Education

University of Southern California

 

*It's hard not to agree with Raymond Hernandez. Sometimes, we all need just a little bit of sparkle.



References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). The passion for early childhood [Video webcast].  In Foundations of early

 

               childhood studies. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?

 

               tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%

 

               3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2098772_1%26url%3D

 

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes.

              (M.Cole, V. John-Steiner, Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds.). Cambridge, Massachusetts:

              Harvard University Press.

Web of Support

The Web of Support

My parents are the top and most central in my support system.

Dad

As a child, I was the son my dad never had. He took me everywhere, and I was glad to go. I went to the farm offices to "play on the phones and played "secretary." I went hunting and fishing with him. He always had a supportive idea when I struggled to get along with my mom. I can remember lying on my back, starring at the underside of a vintage Ford Mustang watching my dad tinker, and listening to his ideas on how I could do things differently to get along with my sister and mom.

The support never ended. My dad traveled to Russia on two separate trips for me to adopt two baby girls. On my first adoption we had to stay in Russia for a month. He gladly did it. He adores my daughters and comes from Florida to Virginia every 5 or 6 weeks to visit us, excuse me, THEM!

Living my life knowing there is a safety net below me gives me the courage to do things I might not have done if my parents were less supportive.

Mom

My mom was a task master when I was little. She expected far more than I felt I could give. She was the chore maker, homework checker, and rule enforcer. She was also the principal of the school I attended. She was tough. For a while, I wanted to but her in a box and send her to Alaska. But looking back, she had to be that way to me. I was a silly, chatty, social child who cared more about friendships than grades. I had to tow the line for my mom, because I couldn't have cared less about assignments and tests. But mom held fast. She meant what she said, and only said what she meant. I appreciate her devotion to getting me through puberty, high school, and college. I wasn't an easy child! I partied too much in college, a private institution that politely DISMISSED me after a 2.5 years of social infractions and less than stellar grades. That is when my mom nurtured me in the way I needed to be nurtured. Instead of sending me to the school that I would accept me and all me childish flaws, she made me come home. Home to my small town and go to the community college to retake all the courses that wouldn't transfer, and then she would only allow me to go to the school that was in driving distance to complete my degree. It was humiliating. I had to sit at our dining room table and complete my homework. Keggers, sororities, frat parties were over. My dear mother would say, "I will get you through college if it's the last thing I ever do" And she did. I owe her my education. I chose to be a teacher because nursing took longer, because graphic design wasn't a guarantee to employment. And that's what I wanted. I wanted a job, so that I could get out of my childhood home...

 

My mom also traveled twice to Russia. My parents took turns going on each of the trips so that I wouldn't have to travel alone. I wasn't afraid, they were. And it all worked out.

My mom retired when I adopted my first baby girl. She moved from Florida to Virginia to be with my gal while I worked. She is ever present in our lives and is with my little family everyday. We visit, brainstorm, travel, and enjoy our time together.

Sis

My sister and I have always had a complex relationship. We are night and day. Actually we are last night and two days later! She is sporty and always in a relationship. I was a cheerleader and oboe player and always with a giant group of girls. As young children she was the boss. We played her games and she insisted on teaching me about every sport. I was always afraid of sporty games. I am of the age that Marsha Brady's dreaded nose incident played heavily on my mind...

As much as my sister bossed me, I knew she loved me and would be there if anyone bothered me. We are much closer in adulthood. She traveled to Moscow for each of the "bring the baby home" trip. She instantly loved both of my girls and spends lots of weekends with them. We always take a summer vacation together just to have fun girl time.

 

Just A Small Town Girl...

When you grow up in a small town, you are supported by many, many, adults. I was lucky enough to be a cheerleader, oboe player, yearbook representative, SGA president, senior play cast member, and all around busy girl. Every person who led those groups became very important in my life. Mrs. Sizemore, my cheerleading sponsor was the first adult I told about my parents divorce. You see, I was the only girl who had parents that were divorcing. The small town took it hard. My mom being the school principal had support, but it didn't look good for her. So our little family kept it a secret.

 

Of support I felt outside of my parents, my community offered the most. After 45 years, my favorite people are still those from my home town..I still adore those teachers, coaches, friends and first loves..

First loves, best friends..they stay in the life of a small town girl, and keep offering encouragement and wise advice.

   First Love in the 80's 

To Good Friends with our Kids in the 2K

 

No self respecting child of the 80's could ever reflect without adding the Material Girl..

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2

2013-14 School Picture



I am especially fond of a million quotes about school, children, families, and learning. I am a kindergarten teacher so most of my thoughts link to warm fuzzy quotes. I have several favorites that I will share...

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

- Fred Rogers

 

“When you know better you do better.”
― Maya Angelou

“In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra. ”
― Fran Lebowitz

 

 

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It's Time To Sleep, My Love

In the first few months of kindergarten, our little ones rest. They bring blankets and sometime they even bring little snuggly toys. And everyday, I read this story, twice as the children rest and become still for the first time. The words are melodic and tender, and after several weeks, I begin to see the children as their eyes slowly blink, and their mouths softly say the words along with me. And friends, that is magic. That is the magic that keeps me in the classroom after 23 years.

 

 

 

What truly fuels my passion for teaching young learners is far more difficult to put into my own words. The words of my students keep me laughing, crying, and returning..

The words of my little "C" whose glasses are always hovering on the tip of her nose bring such inner joy and appreciation for my job, she tells me everyday, "Ms. Green your yutiful."

Then there are the students from years before who come back everyday and tell me they miss kindergarten, not just me, but the whole idea of kindergarten. The place that is full of color and wonder and glitter and paint.

There was my little Muslim student who wanted to be "big" so she wore a scarf to cover her head each day. But her efforts were always beyond her, and she would take it off and swirl it around like the loveliest high flying balloon. I reminded her often that she could be big later...

And then there was the little guy who struggled with his parents separation. And he fought himself and me, and anyone who came near him on his heartache days. We worked hard to get ourselves through that. And I miss him. I worry about him..Not that he won't do better and be better, but that he won't have a soft place to fall, if by chance he does fall..

The stories, the faces, the words, the families, the heartaches, the joy, the blessings..That's why we do it..That's why I teach..