Quotes on Early Childhood

“To make sure that all children were taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and develop to their to their fullest ability.” –Louise Derman-Sparks

“Parents need supports with resources and with access to resources parents can thrive.”  --Leticia Lara LCSW

 “I believed that poor children suffered from a lack of money, not a lack of intelligence”  --Dr. Zigler

“The project is an investigation—a piece of research that involves children in seeking answers to questions they have formulated by themselves or in cooperation with their teacher and that arise in the investigation process” Dr. Lilian Katz

Personal Childhood Web

(From top left clockwise Grandma, Father, Best Friend, Mother, Sister in the middle Me!)

My personal chilhood web begins with my mother.  My mom was my primary parent and she sacrifices everything to make sure my sister and I had the best childhood she could offer us.  She always took time to listen to my ideas, support my adventures, and hold me when I needed her.  Today she is still my closest friend, and the person I call when I need support.

The next person on my web is my maternal grandmother.  My grandma and grandpa lived very close to us, and were always there to help my mom out while my dad was away on work.  My grandma always had time for my sister and me.  She taught me to bake, sew, and read.  She was always honest, and ready to help.  She continues to be there when I need an honest opinion or some extra help with my latest craft project.

My sister is six years younger than me, and during my childhood she was more of an annoyance to me than a sister.  However, after my parents split she looked to me for guidance.  Through the years I can look back on our relationship, and she is a large part of the reason I have chosen the field of early childhood.  Now, my sister challenges me everyday to look beyond myself, and see that each person is unique.

My father was a very loving man who wanted his the best for me.  He worked in a career that took him away from home for long periods of time, so growing up I didn't see him often, but when I did it was a special time.  My dad was always so interested in what I had to say.  He was always so intriqued by my ideas, school clubs, and athletics.  He wasn't able to be around for most of it, but he always made me feel like a genius.  His love for the people in his life still influences me today.

Finally my best friend in school showed me how to be a good friend.  She was there for me when I was at the highest, and she was there for me when things were the lowest.  She made me a part of her family, and offered me the opportunity to do many things that I would have never experienced with my own family.  Today we have grown apart, but each time we get together it is as if not time has passed at all.

Early Childhood Quotes

"Play, while it cannot change the external realities of children’s lives, can be a vehicle for children to explore and enjoy their differences and similarities and to create, even for a brief time, a more just world where everyone is an equal and valued participant."

Patricia G. Ramsey
Contemporary American educational psychologist

"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."
- Chinese proverb

These two quotes are two of my favorites that I believe go hand-in-hand.  Play is the cornerstone of my philosophy of early childhood education, and the first quote describes one of the biggest reasons I believe it to be true.  The second quote deals with learning, and simply and perfectly describes why play is so important to learning in early childhood environments.

Favorite Book: I Knew You Could

My favorite children's book is I Knew You Could by Craig Dorfman.  I received this book for my high school graduation, and I have used it so many times with so many different ages since.  It is a book about the track you take in life.  It talks about choosing your own track, how sometimes you will have friends along on the journey, and sometime you have to go alone, and how sometimes you have to rest, because it is inevitable there will be hill ahead, and that's when you have to dig in and push hard.  It is an amazing book that preschoolers as well as high school students can relate to.  Recently I had a girl from a varsity softball team I coached contact me.  She was so excited to tell me that she used I Knew You Could in a lesson she was teaching a third grade class.  This book has a great rhythm, rhyme and storyline, it is definately worth picking up.

http://www.amazon.com/Knew-You-Could-Craig-Dorfman/dp/0448431483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320728169&sr=8-1

A Picture of Me

This is a photo of me and my daughter.  We were enjoying a beautiful full moon, and some fresh fallen leaves!  As you can see, she was very excited when daddy brought out the camera. 

It All Begins Somewhere

Today is the first day of a new adventure!  Yesterday began my graduate studies, and today begins my time as a blogger.  I look forward to reading and learning from the news each person in the learning community will post.  Here's to a new adventure!