This week's blog entry calls for us to discuss our adventures in contacting other education professionals internationally, introducing our new acquaintance, sharing what we have learned from them thus far, and so on. This has been one of the most challenging assignments I have had to date with this Master's program. In an attempt to establish contact with an international professional, I had e-mailed 12 different representatives from countries all over the world. After two weeks, I have still heard nothing in response. Luckily, one of my colleagues in my district, our ELL teacher, shared a contact with me. She often Skypes with a Kindergarten teacher in Mexico that she established contact with via Facebook two years ago. Her contact was willing to e-mail me and discuss various things so I was happy to establish my first contact! I am still in the process of working on my next contact, as I have reached out to someone in Ghana (also connected via a colleague from my district) and two teachers who teach abroad (relatives of my best friend's new husband) and am awaiting a reply from them within the next few days.
The contact I was able to establish is a Kindergarten teacher in Mexico. Her name is Myrella Gomez. She is such a positive and enthusiastic educator who I am happy to have made contact with. We have planned on possibly Skyping with our classes this spring for Cinco de Mayo, since I have a few students who have family from Mexico and she would like them to see how this is celebrated in Mexico. I am looking forward to this opportunity! She has explained that she teaches her students the English language as part of her daily schedule, as well. I am curious to see her response about this week's topic of poverty as I have not received response just yet. She explained this is a busy week and would get back to me by the weekend. I will gladly post an update when it comes in. :)
Being able to establish contact with educators from all over the world is an exciting experience for me. Myrella is providing me with insight to a culture I am very curious about as I have had several students with Mexican heritage over the past three years in my district. She is helping me brush up on my Spanish skills, as well, which is always helpful! I am curious to see if Mexico and other countries have similar issues and trends in the field of early childhood education, such as poverty becoming a more important issue or changing demographics and diversity being a new trend. If so, how will they handle it compared to our country? I am anxiously awaiting Myrella's response.
The topic of poverty this week has opened my eyes and my heart. I live and work in a town that is now a mix of middle class and low-income families. I see students coming into my classroom daily, hungry, tired, and stressed. I worry and want to reach out and help these children and families but was unsure how. My district began a Village Shoppe to help these needy families. This week's resources have provided me with information, knowledge, resources, and confidence to make a change in the lives of these children, however small that may be, even just within my own classroom. The brief information that I received from Myrella on the topic shows me that poverty is a concern in Mexico, as well. As mentioned in the multimedia presentation in the first week of class, for many families in Mexico the husband/father works to provide for the family only. The extended family is then a close-knit bunch who share whatever it is they do have and make the most of their time together. While it seems poverty is a concern, family is important and helps get through the difficult times. Culture plays a huge role in this difference between the two countries, which Myrella helped to confirm for me.
I am hopeful to receive additional e-mails with information on the topic in regards to Mexico, as well as either Ghana or elsewhere, to update this posting within the next few days. I am extremely curious to learn more about these countries in terms of their cultures, education systems, and the issues and trends impacting children in education as compared to what we discuss and face here in the United States.
Returning soon with an update. Until then….
-Ashley
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Sharing Web Resources
Week 2 is fully underway in the Issues and Trends course I am currently enrolled in. This week we were asked to examine closely the organization we chose to follow and learn more about. I had mentioned last week there were two organizations that had caught my eye but this week I would like to focus on the Save the Children Organization.
Save the Children is an organization created to help children worldwide survive the stressors of daily life they are facing and cannot control themselves. As stated on the website, "Save the children gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves - a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm, especially when disaster strikes. We advocate and achieve lasting change for millions of children. We save children's lives," (Save the Children, 2014). This organization's webpage has a multitude of resources and current events taking place around the world that impact children. It details the countries it works in, their goals and accomplishments, their campaigns, their programs, and much more. It provides current events and articles taking place throughout the world and allows people to connect and be involved via the website and social media institutions, such as Facebook and Twitter. The organization can be found at this website address: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm.
While there are many issues taking place worldwide that are of grave concern for the well being of our children, there was one in particular that caught my eye and touched my heart in such a way I felt I had to share. In an article from the Save the Children Newsroom posted on December 13, 2013, they discuss how "the decline in education for Syrian children has been the sharpest and most rapid in the history of the region," (Uenuma, 2013, p. 1). Due to the warring state that Syria is currently in, children are unable to attend schools due to fear, physical inability to go due to buildings being destroyed or otherwise utilized, etc. Uenuma (2013) explains further how nearly 3 million children were forced to leave their education behind in the primary grades "as fighting has destroyed classrooms, left children too terrified to go to school, or seen families flee the country," (p. 1). Even more disheartening was reading that "between 500,000-600,000 Syrian refugee children are out of school," (Uenuma, 2013, p. 1). These poor children and families are living in fear for their lives, some even illegally crossing borders into neighboring countries to flee the bloodshed only to find they cannot be welcomed there due to overcrowding or tensions between regions. For an area within this region to have 97% attendance in 2011 to drop drastically to 6% is an astonishing fact. Uenuma (2013) explains, "Syria was a regional leader in education enrollment before the conflict, yet in less than three years the sharpest regression in education of anywhere in the region occurred with dire consequences for the future," (p. 1). Even for the families who are still remaining in Syria and dealing with the continuous bloodshed and strife their children are without education as parents are fearful to send them to school in such conditions with such events continuously taking place in their country and one cannot blame them. Uenuma (2013) speaks for the Save the Children and Unicef organizations listing ways action could be taken now to reverse this intense decline and slide downward, listing the following examples:
"- Protection of education infrastructure inside Syria - including ending the use of schools
for military purposes, declaring schools as zones of peace, and holding accountable those
parties to the conflict who violate the protection of schools.
- Doubling of international investment for education in host countries to expand and
improve learning spaces, recruit additional teachers and slash the costs of getting children
into classrooms.
- Innovative approaches to overcome education needs of Syrian refugee children through
such as transferrable certification for refugee students.
- Scaling up proven models such as home-based learning, non-formal learning centers
and child-friendly spaces that provide psychosocial support for children," (p. 1).
Ultimately, this article moved me to tears, fearful for the children and families in this region and thankful we do not face these circumstances on a daily basis here, but most importantly, left me wanting to find a way to help. By following and supporting this organization, making donations, or purchasing gifts for children around the world to help their specific needs and struggles, I can help to make a difference in the health, education, and life of these children. So can you. Please take the time to peruse the Save the Children organization's website. I promise you will feel the same passion as I did, left wanting to make a difference and treasure the precious moments we spend safely here with our children we are lucky enough to work with. Then again, maybe it is just me. I am a big time softy and have a huge heart, which can be a blessing and a curse; regardless, I know to follow my heart when it is the right thing to do and I hope you would too. :)
Until next week….
-A
---------------------------------------
References:
Save the Children Federation, Inc. (2014). Save the Children. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm.
Uenuma, F. (13 December 2013). Decline in education for Syrian children "worst and fastest in region's history. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=8rKLIXMGIpI4E&b=8486803&ct=13500437.
Save the Children is an organization created to help children worldwide survive the stressors of daily life they are facing and cannot control themselves. As stated on the website, "Save the children gives children in the United States and around the world what every child deserves - a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm, especially when disaster strikes. We advocate and achieve lasting change for millions of children. We save children's lives," (Save the Children, 2014). This organization's webpage has a multitude of resources and current events taking place around the world that impact children. It details the countries it works in, their goals and accomplishments, their campaigns, their programs, and much more. It provides current events and articles taking place throughout the world and allows people to connect and be involved via the website and social media institutions, such as Facebook and Twitter. The organization can be found at this website address: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm.
While there are many issues taking place worldwide that are of grave concern for the well being of our children, there was one in particular that caught my eye and touched my heart in such a way I felt I had to share. In an article from the Save the Children Newsroom posted on December 13, 2013, they discuss how "the decline in education for Syrian children has been the sharpest and most rapid in the history of the region," (Uenuma, 2013, p. 1). Due to the warring state that Syria is currently in, children are unable to attend schools due to fear, physical inability to go due to buildings being destroyed or otherwise utilized, etc. Uenuma (2013) explains further how nearly 3 million children were forced to leave their education behind in the primary grades "as fighting has destroyed classrooms, left children too terrified to go to school, or seen families flee the country," (p. 1). Even more disheartening was reading that "between 500,000-600,000 Syrian refugee children are out of school," (Uenuma, 2013, p. 1). These poor children and families are living in fear for their lives, some even illegally crossing borders into neighboring countries to flee the bloodshed only to find they cannot be welcomed there due to overcrowding or tensions between regions. For an area within this region to have 97% attendance in 2011 to drop drastically to 6% is an astonishing fact. Uenuma (2013) explains, "Syria was a regional leader in education enrollment before the conflict, yet in less than three years the sharpest regression in education of anywhere in the region occurred with dire consequences for the future," (p. 1). Even for the families who are still remaining in Syria and dealing with the continuous bloodshed and strife their children are without education as parents are fearful to send them to school in such conditions with such events continuously taking place in their country and one cannot blame them. Uenuma (2013) speaks for the Save the Children and Unicef organizations listing ways action could be taken now to reverse this intense decline and slide downward, listing the following examples:
"- Protection of education infrastructure inside Syria - including ending the use of schools
for military purposes, declaring schools as zones of peace, and holding accountable those
parties to the conflict who violate the protection of schools.
- Doubling of international investment for education in host countries to expand and
improve learning spaces, recruit additional teachers and slash the costs of getting children
into classrooms.
- Innovative approaches to overcome education needs of Syrian refugee children through
such as transferrable certification for refugee students.
- Scaling up proven models such as home-based learning, non-formal learning centers
and child-friendly spaces that provide psychosocial support for children," (p. 1).
Ultimately, this article moved me to tears, fearful for the children and families in this region and thankful we do not face these circumstances on a daily basis here, but most importantly, left me wanting to find a way to help. By following and supporting this organization, making donations, or purchasing gifts for children around the world to help their specific needs and struggles, I can help to make a difference in the health, education, and life of these children. So can you. Please take the time to peruse the Save the Children organization's website. I promise you will feel the same passion as I did, left wanting to make a difference and treasure the precious moments we spend safely here with our children we are lucky enough to work with. Then again, maybe it is just me. I am a big time softy and have a huge heart, which can be a blessing and a curse; regardless, I know to follow my heart when it is the right thing to do and I hope you would too. :)
Until next week….
-A
---------------------------------------
References:
Save the Children Federation, Inc. (2014). Save the Children. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm.
Uenuma, F. (13 December 2013). Decline in education for Syrian children "worst and fastest in region's history. Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=8rKLIXMGIpI4E&b=8486803&ct=13500437.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources
Hello and welcome back one and all! I am embarking on my latest challenge, entering my fourth class of my Master's Degree Program at Walden University entitled Issues & Trends in the Early Childhood Field. In our first week of class, we had a two part blog assignment to complete, as you will see below.
Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts:
Part 1 of this week's blog assignment required us to establish contact with an international colleague in the field of education or child representation. There were two different websites provided for us to attempt to establish such contacts. Throughout the week, I have attempted to e-mail 9 different professionals from various countries around the world. Unfortunately, it is Saturday and I have still not received a response from any of the professionals I have attempted to contact. I am hopeful I will be able to establish contact and build a rapport with at least two of the professionals I reached out to in order to become more aware of various countries educational systems, beliefs, cultures, languages, and so much more. I think this is a great way to network in the field of education, as well as a great way to better understand our ever-changing diverse population in the United States. At this point, I have contacted representatives from various organizations in the following countries: Ireland, Philippines, Germany, Turkey, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Singapore. I have reached out to two different professionals in Turkey and Ireland, as I am hopeful to establish contact with them and learn more about these countries. The reason I am so interested in Ireland is because it is part of my heritage from both sides of my family and a place in which I have always, always wanted to travel to and learn more about. Turkey, on the other hand, strikes my interest in a different way. My district is the home to several Turkish families who have immigrated to the United States from Turkey, settling in my town. Over the past two years I have been lucky enough to work with two or three students from this country/culture and learn some simple parts of the language and culture. This year I have 5 or 6 students who hail from this region and celebrate this culture. It would mean so much to me if I could learn more about this residence and understand their language, culture, beliefs, and more. :) I have not given up hope yet; I am still attempting to complete the first option for Assignment 1 Part 1. If within the next few days I do not hear back from any of these professionals, I will be forced to complete the alternative assignment.
Part 2: Expanding Resources:
For Part 2 of this assignment in week 1, we had to research and study a variety of organizations in the United States and around the world and choose just one to focus on. Since quite a few of these organizations were new to me or caught my eye, I spent some time researching each that I seemed interested in. I have narrowed it down to two organizations in which I signed up to receive e-newsletters from to stay informed and learn more about the organizations: Save the Children and ACEI (Association for Children International). I had very brief experiences with these two organizations in prior classes and have been hoping for another chance to learn more about them so that is how I ultimately made my decision. I will focus on one of them in the upcoming weeks of this class, but still would like to learn more about both for my own educational knowledge and interest. I think this week has been jam packed with rich resources to explore and discover. These resources will be meaningful, helpful, and come in very handy to have in our toolbox over the next few weeks of this course, as well as in our educational careers in the early childhood field.
Until next week...
Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts:
Part 1 of this week's blog assignment required us to establish contact with an international colleague in the field of education or child representation. There were two different websites provided for us to attempt to establish such contacts. Throughout the week, I have attempted to e-mail 9 different professionals from various countries around the world. Unfortunately, it is Saturday and I have still not received a response from any of the professionals I have attempted to contact. I am hopeful I will be able to establish contact and build a rapport with at least two of the professionals I reached out to in order to become more aware of various countries educational systems, beliefs, cultures, languages, and so much more. I think this is a great way to network in the field of education, as well as a great way to better understand our ever-changing diverse population in the United States. At this point, I have contacted representatives from various organizations in the following countries: Ireland, Philippines, Germany, Turkey, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Singapore. I have reached out to two different professionals in Turkey and Ireland, as I am hopeful to establish contact with them and learn more about these countries. The reason I am so interested in Ireland is because it is part of my heritage from both sides of my family and a place in which I have always, always wanted to travel to and learn more about. Turkey, on the other hand, strikes my interest in a different way. My district is the home to several Turkish families who have immigrated to the United States from Turkey, settling in my town. Over the past two years I have been lucky enough to work with two or three students from this country/culture and learn some simple parts of the language and culture. This year I have 5 or 6 students who hail from this region and celebrate this culture. It would mean so much to me if I could learn more about this residence and understand their language, culture, beliefs, and more. :) I have not given up hope yet; I am still attempting to complete the first option for Assignment 1 Part 1. If within the next few days I do not hear back from any of these professionals, I will be forced to complete the alternative assignment.
Part 2: Expanding Resources:
For Part 2 of this assignment in week 1, we had to research and study a variety of organizations in the United States and around the world and choose just one to focus on. Since quite a few of these organizations were new to me or caught my eye, I spent some time researching each that I seemed interested in. I have narrowed it down to two organizations in which I signed up to receive e-newsletters from to stay informed and learn more about the organizations: Save the Children and ACEI (Association for Children International). I had very brief experiences with these two organizations in prior classes and have been hoping for another chance to learn more about them so that is how I ultimately made my decision. I will focus on one of them in the upcoming weeks of this class, but still would like to learn more about both for my own educational knowledge and interest. I think this week has been jam packed with rich resources to explore and discover. These resources will be meaningful, helpful, and come in very handy to have in our toolbox over the next few weeks of this course, as well as in our educational careers in the early childhood field.
Until next week...
Sunday, December 8, 2013
My Supports
Our assignment this week discusses the importance of supports in your daily life and environment. In order to stay positive and be successful in your career and life, regardless of what you do, where you're from, etc., you need to establish a support system. This support system will encourage you and support you through the ups and downs, good and bad. Your support system can consist of colleagues and coworkers, family and friends, your spouse or special person in your life, etc.
My daily support system consists of loved ones and coworkers. Beginning with my loved ones, my first support would be from my boyfriend, Mike. I have spoken about him on several occasions in this blog. We have been together 7 and 1/2 years and have lived together in our house for almost 4 years. He is my best friend and one of my biggest fans. He knows exactly what to say to help me de-stress and put a smile back on my face. He celebrates my successes with me and helps me get through my lowest lows. He encouraged me to challenge myself and achieve my goals by going back to school, offering to help me as much as possible and pick up the slack around the house to help me not stress too much. We support each other in our careers, encouraging one another, listening to one another share the highs and lows, venting as needed, and giving advice as warranted. He is wonderful and I am lucky to have such a great person in my life.
My immediate family (mom, dad, and brother) are also a huge part of my daily support system. Even if we cannot see each other daily we try our best to stay in contact somehow, even via a simple text message with something funny or words of encouragement. I am thankful to have them in my life and to have parents who have always encouraged me to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.
My fourth grade team is another integral part of my daily support system in the educational field especially. This is my third year in fourth grade and I am so fortunate to work with three other individuals who continue to inspire, encourage, support, challenge, and help me on a daily basis. Carol was my first grade teacher when I attended school at Bellmawr Park and she was moved to fourth grade the same year I was hired full time for fourth grade. She is a wonderful mentor with a wealth of knowledge and experience she is willing to share. I am sad to say she is retiring this year and we will miss her wisdom and laughter greatly! In addition, Renee is the special education in class support teacher who works in the inclusion classroom with Carol. Renee is also a wonderful resource and she is kind, caring, dedicated, and willing to help anyone and learn new things daily. Kyle is the new fourth grade teacher this year. Kyle and I actually grew up together so it is so much fun to have a fellow friend whom I grew up with working with me. I am trying to help him daily as the other teachers have helped me as I know the first year can be extremely challenging. Together we make a great team and stick together to face the challenges each day presents and provide the best classroom environments possible for all our students.
I think there are many benefits to these supports, such as being able to share thoughts and ask questions in an environment in which you are comfortable and will continue to be a lifelong learner. In addition, it is important to not only support one another but be comfortable enough to challenge each other to be the best versions of ourselves possible. By doing so, we are committing to our role as an important person in the life of each child. If I were to lose these supports in my life, I feel as though I would be lost! Each of these people support me and my life in such a way that I have become somewhat dependent on them and vice versa. They are a key part of my day that I look forward to sharing experiences with daily. Without these wonderful supports in my support system, I would not have access to the resources and knowledge I am lucky enough to be around. In addition, I think that my outlook and attitude in many aspects of my life may be altered. Having a support system in every aspect of your life provides you with a completely different outlook on your career, on family, on friendships and love, and on life. Without these supports, I would feel lonely, I would feel more unsure of myself and my thoughts and abilities and be longing for a friend or colleague with whom I could work as a team.
There can be many challenges you may face in life and in terms of supports. A challenge I have faced on many occasions in my life is loss and grief. Losing one of your supports like a loved one can be a major blow to your system. It impacts and effects every aspect of your life, including your career. I have unfortunately experienced loss and grief more often than I would like to say in my 27 years of life. IT has definitely made an impact on me in many ways and posed many challenges. The reason I discuss this challenge is because this year I have a student in my class who also is experiencing this as her younger brother died before starting first grade due to drowning. This happened three years ago but she still has a very difficult time with it. For the first time, this year she is starting to deal with it, open up and break out of her shell. I have related to her in many ways and made it known to her that I have experienced similar loss and understand where she is coming from. I know this can be a challenge anyone can face and at times you can be overcome with sadness, losing motivation for any aspect of your life. If you are to lose a support such as a brother, sister, parent, spouse, etc., it can be life changing and alter your outlook on your career and your life. I am thankful daily that I get to spend time with the wonderful children in my class who can pick me up when I am feeling down. I am blessed.
My daily support system consists of loved ones and coworkers. Beginning with my loved ones, my first support would be from my boyfriend, Mike. I have spoken about him on several occasions in this blog. We have been together 7 and 1/2 years and have lived together in our house for almost 4 years. He is my best friend and one of my biggest fans. He knows exactly what to say to help me de-stress and put a smile back on my face. He celebrates my successes with me and helps me get through my lowest lows. He encouraged me to challenge myself and achieve my goals by going back to school, offering to help me as much as possible and pick up the slack around the house to help me not stress too much. We support each other in our careers, encouraging one another, listening to one another share the highs and lows, venting as needed, and giving advice as warranted. He is wonderful and I am lucky to have such a great person in my life.
My immediate family (mom, dad, and brother) are also a huge part of my daily support system. Even if we cannot see each other daily we try our best to stay in contact somehow, even via a simple text message with something funny or words of encouragement. I am thankful to have them in my life and to have parents who have always encouraged me to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.
My fourth grade team is another integral part of my daily support system in the educational field especially. This is my third year in fourth grade and I am so fortunate to work with three other individuals who continue to inspire, encourage, support, challenge, and help me on a daily basis. Carol was my first grade teacher when I attended school at Bellmawr Park and she was moved to fourth grade the same year I was hired full time for fourth grade. She is a wonderful mentor with a wealth of knowledge and experience she is willing to share. I am sad to say she is retiring this year and we will miss her wisdom and laughter greatly! In addition, Renee is the special education in class support teacher who works in the inclusion classroom with Carol. Renee is also a wonderful resource and she is kind, caring, dedicated, and willing to help anyone and learn new things daily. Kyle is the new fourth grade teacher this year. Kyle and I actually grew up together so it is so much fun to have a fellow friend whom I grew up with working with me. I am trying to help him daily as the other teachers have helped me as I know the first year can be extremely challenging. Together we make a great team and stick together to face the challenges each day presents and provide the best classroom environments possible for all our students.
I think there are many benefits to these supports, such as being able to share thoughts and ask questions in an environment in which you are comfortable and will continue to be a lifelong learner. In addition, it is important to not only support one another but be comfortable enough to challenge each other to be the best versions of ourselves possible. By doing so, we are committing to our role as an important person in the life of each child. If I were to lose these supports in my life, I feel as though I would be lost! Each of these people support me and my life in such a way that I have become somewhat dependent on them and vice versa. They are a key part of my day that I look forward to sharing experiences with daily. Without these wonderful supports in my support system, I would not have access to the resources and knowledge I am lucky enough to be around. In addition, I think that my outlook and attitude in many aspects of my life may be altered. Having a support system in every aspect of your life provides you with a completely different outlook on your career, on family, on friendships and love, and on life. Without these supports, I would feel lonely, I would feel more unsure of myself and my thoughts and abilities and be longing for a friend or colleague with whom I could work as a team.
There can be many challenges you may face in life and in terms of supports. A challenge I have faced on many occasions in my life is loss and grief. Losing one of your supports like a loved one can be a major blow to your system. It impacts and effects every aspect of your life, including your career. I have unfortunately experienced loss and grief more often than I would like to say in my 27 years of life. IT has definitely made an impact on me in many ways and posed many challenges. The reason I discuss this challenge is because this year I have a student in my class who also is experiencing this as her younger brother died before starting first grade due to drowning. This happened three years ago but she still has a very difficult time with it. For the first time, this year she is starting to deal with it, open up and break out of her shell. I have related to her in many ways and made it known to her that I have experienced similar loss and understand where she is coming from. I know this can be a challenge anyone can face and at times you can be overcome with sadness, losing motivation for any aspect of your life. If you are to lose a support such as a brother, sister, parent, spouse, etc., it can be life changing and alter your outlook on your career and your life. I am thankful daily that I get to spend time with the wonderful children in my class who can pick me up when I am feeling down. I am blessed.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
My Connections to Play
This week in class we are focusing on the topic of play in early childhood education - it's importance, it's benefits, and more. In order to better understand the meaning and importance of play, we have to examine our own experiences, interpretations, and benefits of play that we have been exposed to since childhood.
1. First, I begin with two important quotes about play:
1. First, I begin with two important quotes about play:
- "Through games and activities, a skilled teacher can introduce something unknown to a hesitant learner and allow the student to practice until mastery is achieved. Structured classroom play can appeal to all styles of learners: visual, aural, and kinesthetic," (Rivera, 2009, p. 52).
- Being a very visual and hands on learner, this quote really stood out to me. Growing up, math was a challenging subject and always left me feeling frustrated. When I had the opportunity to use manipulatives and play games to practice a topic, I would feel more at ease, confident, and understand the concept more. Even as an adult, I am the type of learner that needs to see it and do it to best understand it. I attempt to provide all such types of opportunities for learning throughout the day in my classroom.
- "Play can enliven that which seems uninteresting, add humor, and infuse creativity into rigid and and dry topics," (Rivera, 2009, p. 52).
- This quote takes me down memory lane to my primary grade and elementary school years. Some of the best school memories involved wonderful teachers who provided opportunities for fun and exciting games and projects to help us better understand the topics at hand. By participating in hands-on projects, crafts, and other learning experiences, I can still remember skills and concepts practiced in such ways to this day.
2. Next, I will share a few pictures of the essential toys and games to my childhood. These toys and games were items I played with on a consistent basis growing up. They are items that provided me with a variety of fond memories with my parents, cousins, friends, and brother.
- As most young girls do, I always loved playing with Barbies! I had quite the collection and loved the classic Barbie pink convertible, as well. My cousins and I would sit and play with Barbies for hours on end in our Barbie playhouses, changing their clothes and shoes, brushing and styling their hair, and having "parties". Many a rainy day was spent each summer in my cousins play room with Lisa, Jordan, Meagan and I playing Barbies!
- Another popular past time of my childhood was Nintendo! Who didn't love to play Nintendo!? Super Mario Brothers 3 and Zelda were among my favorite games that I would play with my mom, dad, aunt and cousins. We attempted to keep and use our Nintendo throughout my years growing up, even though new gaming systems were coming out each year until we had to finally retire the system as it was impossible to fix and play anymore. That was a sad day! :(
- I come from a very sports-oriented family and from a young age I had a genuine interest and love for sports, in general. By age 7 I began playing softball and completely fell in love with the game! I played until I was 19 years old for fast pitch teams, and remained on a few slow pitch teams into my early twenties. Now I miss it on a daily basis and would love to possibly go back to playing and eventually coaching someday.
- Another popular and necessary toy and tool of my childhood were art supplies! I absolutely loved to draw, color, cut, and craft drawings, pictures, and projects as a child from very early on and this love continued throughout my childhood into adolescence and adulthood. One of my many joys of teaching is the ability to be creative and make things as samples and posters and more for my students and classroom.
3. Thirdly, I will discuss and describe ways in which people in my life supported and encouraged play during my childhood years.
- As a child, some of my first memories of play took place at my Aunt Deb's house in Philadelphia, where she lived across the street from my parents and I. My Aunt Deb would babysit me during the day while my uncle and parents worked and her children, my cousins, were in school. We would eat breakfast together, spend the morning playing dolls, dress up, school, and more, eat lunch and take a break for some of my shows and her shows, work on some academic and learning based activities such as practice workbooks where we would practice numbers, letters, colors, and more, and lastly while she would do some house chores during the afternoons I would nap or play independently.
- Upon entering Kindergarten in the city, I remember only being in school for half day and having a very strict teacher. We were often sitting at tables and writing or drawing. Minimal play time was allotted. We moved to New Jersey before starting first grade and that was a total change! My teacher was wonderful, allowing me to explore and play while learning and taught me confidence in my own abilities, even teaching me how to read! I am fortunate enough to work with this teacher now in my district together in fourth grade, which is an amazing feeling as she was my first inspiration to become a teacher.
- My parents also played a key part in my play years. Dad and I always had the connection with sports and Nintendo! Mom and I would play dolls and Barbies, draw and color, play games, and read together. My love for reading definitely comes from the times when mom and I would snuggle on the couch and read books together way back when.
- Overall, the roles of play have influenced me into being more sociable with others (even though I am shy by nature) and prepared me with a variety of academic and life skills I still carry with me to this day.
4. Fourth, I will discuss the similarities and differences between play when I was a child as compared to play in our current society and field of education.
- I think it is very evident and obvious that play has changed drastically in and out of school from my childhood until present day. When I was a child, life seemed less busy. Parents seemed more likely to take time to sit and work with their children, play with their children, and experience life together. In current society, most parents are consumed by work and technology in such a way that the needs of a child may be neglected, both intentionally and unintentionally. I think parents in our current society are simply uninformed of the importance and necessity of play in a child's life and development. It is important to provide information and knowledge for them to understand this concept.
- In addition, technology has drastically changed play through the years. When I was a child, Nintendo was a fun gaming system to play but it was not something that monopolized my play time, provided a babysitter to keep me occupied, nor was I allowed to play it for hours on end as I was made to play other games, socialize with cousins and friends, and play outside. In our current society, video games, cell phones, iPads and more monopolize a child's play time and attention. Parents use such tools as something to keep the child busy or quiet. Children now will sit for hours upon hours playing video games, while most children rarely ever take time to play outside and exercise. Times have definitely changed!
- My overall hope and goal in terms of play for our current society is for it to be recognized as the crucial piece in a child's development that it is. I hope it will become a more weighted and incorporated piece into our curriculums and that more parents will begin to foster and encourage more positive interactions and play at home, once provided with the know-how to do so. The positive effects and benefits on a child who experiences play speak for itself and I am hopeful we will all begin to support such opportunities in education more in the future.
5. Lastly, I must discuss my thoughts on the role of play throughout my life (childhood to adulthood), as well as in general on a child's life from childhood to adulthood.
- Rivera (2009) lists, “Playground games such as “Mother May I?” or “Red Light/Green Light” develop self-control and social skills; board games promote taking turns, strategic thinking, and problem solving; sports, playground equipment, and blocks or construction activities augment physical coordination; and word games promote linguistic and social skills,” (p. 50). Each of the aforementioned play activities and opportunities spark fond memories of my childhood. Each of those play moments and memories were shared with someone special in my life and taught me skills that I still carry with me to this day. Skills taught during play are more meaningful than many people realize, such as the ability to socialize and interact with your peers in an appropriate manner! Problem solving skills are a key skill we need in every aspect of our lives. I remember facing many problems during play time with friends both in and out of school and by being part of those opportunities we learned the good and the bad of how to solve a problem and get to a resolution. Play didn't end for me when childhood "ended". I, to this day, feel as though I am a "big kid at heart" because I feel as though I still appreciate play, appreciate and realize the importance of letting go and having fun, being a little goofy at times. I still am willing to learn from others and work together to create new things and share adventures. Play continued on in my life past childhood and is still active in my life today for me personally, for the students in my classroom, for my younger cousins whom I treasure spending time with, and eventually, when the time comes, will carry over to my own children.
- Turning the tides a bit, the overall role of play and it's impact on a child will carry on from birth through adulthood, not only specifically to my own self but to all children, in some way, shape, or form. As Rivera states, “Through toys, games, role plays, and imaginative use of equipment and materials, children develop physically, intellectually, linguistically, emotionally, and socially,” (2009, p. 50). The benefits are many, the negative impacts are few in terms of play. The role of play in any child's life can create long lasting, positive impacts on the child's development of biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. Your opportunities for play and experiences in play during childhood will provide you with a foundation for many aspects and emotions you will count on for the rest of your life. Play does not merely start and end in childhood; rather it is a concept, an idea, an entity that continues and is surrounding you at every turn. We need to embrace the opportunities, take advantage of them, and learn from them, even in adolescence and adulthood. Play provides us with opportunities to interact with others and use our creativity and imaginations to go to a whole new world. Play can be an active part of your life depending on your job or career path you have chosen! We must never, ever underestimate the power of play and the lessons it will teach us from the time we are born until the time we leave this great Earth.
This has been lengthy but I hope it has been fun and informative. If you are anything like me, this post took you on a journey down memory lane and brought many smiles to your face. I hope you shared that with me during your time reading this posting this week. Until next time…
Ashley :)
References:
Rivera,
M. (2009). The powerful effect of play in a child's education. Education
Digest, 75(2), 50-52.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Relationship Reflection
In week 2 of my third class, we will be discussing the importance and long-lasting effects of relationships on child development. This calls for me to reflect on my own relationships I participate in for my own life. In my opinion, relationships and partnerships are one in the same; it is important for all parties involved to partake and be a team player in order for any relationship or partnership to work and be effective. A relationship requires a give and take, an understanding, compromise, time, and care. Throughout my life I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by and be a part of various positive and influential relationships. Five people in which their relationships have had a positive influence or been an important part of my life will be discussed in detail below, including my parents (mom and dad), brother (Ryan), best friend (Jessy), boyfriend (Michael), and dog (Duke).
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The first relationship that has been a positive influence in my life would be the relationship I share with my parents. My parents have always been there for me, always been firm but fair, loving, caring, encouraging, understanding, supportive, and so much more. My dad and I have always shared a bond via sports. We are a huge sports family and many fond memories come from times we worked together in our back yard or when he was coaching my softball team through the years. He always knew how to challenge me but support me at the same time and was my biggest fan. My mom and I have always been very close and I love that I can say now she is one of my best friends. She has always been my shoulder to cry on, ear to listen, and the best advice giver around. First and foremost, she was my mom and at times I did not like what she had to say but now I appreciate her so much more. My parents have showed me how to raise a child, how to persevere through challenges and difficult times, how to take care and love one another, and so much more. I will always be grateful for the life they provided for me and how they raised me, as well as how they continue to support me in every life decision I make, even at 27 years old and not living at home. I love them both and I feel very lucky to have such wonderful parents.
The second relationship that has been a positive influence and partnership is the one I share with my younger and only brother, Ryan. Ryan and I are almost 7 years apart. I still remember the day I found out I was going to be a big sister - I was so excited I couldn't stop talking about it! I went into my Kindergarten classroom the next day and drew a big picture and told everyone all about it. I couldn't wait to be a big sister. When my brother was born, I immediately wanted to be the helper. He was my little buddy right away and I loved it. There were times through the years that he absolutely, positively drove me bonkers but at the end of the day I couldn't be more grateful for him. We have always been close and again I feel lucky to call him one of my best friends. He is currently in college about 2 hours away and having the time of his life. I am so proud of him and happy for him but do miss having him around! My boyfriend and I both hang out with him a lot - Mike (my boyfriend) has taken him under his wing over the past 7 1/2 years as if he was his own little brother - and they are best buds, too. This relationship has made me very protective, taught me so much about how to help someone and be there for someone, and more importantly that family is forever. He has grown up to be an all around great guy with a good heart who is a great brother, son, and friend and someday will make a great husband and father. Love that (not-so) little guy.
The third relationship that has had one of the biggest influences on my life is the relationship I shared with my very best friend and "adopted sister", Jessy, for 12 years. We met on the first day of school in first grade, both brand new to Bellmawr Park school. We instantly hit it off and over the next 12 years of our school careers we had become inseparable. Our families even became friendly and we were "adopted" into one another's families, going to family parties and gatherings and much more. She was my person. She was my go to when I needed someone. We were always together and always there for each other. Jessy was and continues to be one of the nicest, kindest, most genuine people I have ever met with the biggest heart to love and help everyone she had ever met. At the beginning of our senior year of high school (2004), whilst making plans for our exciting future, Jessy had a brain aneurism and within a week she passed away. This was a blow to my system and to this day continues to be something I struggle to deal with. It left me with a huge void and not a day passes by that I do not miss her. She taught me so many things about life, love, friendship, and more. This relationship, hands down, has had the biggest influence on my life and continues to influence me everyday, even though she is gone. RIP always, my best friend forever, JRL.
The fourth relationship I chose to share is the relationship that has been a HUGE part of my life for the past 7 1/2 years; the relationship that I share with my boyfriend, Michael, the love of my life. When we first met we instantly hit it off. We had so many things in common and just enjoyed talking to each other. Since I was 2 hours away in college, we spoke on the phone almost daily and just enjoyed chatting and making one another laugh. We developed a friendship and I am so glad I can call him my best friend, as well. The past 7 1/2 years I have spent with Mike have been a blessing. I am so thankful everyday for him to be a part of my life and I believe, deep down, that Jessy sent him to me. They would be the best of friends if she could be here and I am thankful to her for sending him to me a year and a half after losing her. He has helped me in so many ways to become the person I am today, just as Jessy has. Mike is the funniest, sweetest, most caring man I have ever met and been with. He makes me laugh everyday and always knows how to cheer me up or help me through my hardest and most challenging moments. I honestly don't know what I would do or where I would be without him in my life. He has taught me how to love and care for someone so deeply and I cannot wait for the day I will be lucky enough to say I am his wife and we can then eventually have our own family. He is my other half and I love him to pieces.
The last relationship I chose to share is the relationship I share with my one and only favorite pup, my buddy, my dog Duke! The Dukester is the dog that Mike bought right after we began dating officially, 7 1/2 years ago. I instantly fell in love with this pup and helped take care of him, name him, and called him my own. Mike immediately called me "his mommy" and told everyone that Duke was "our dog", which of course made me so happy. Duke is a pit bull and hands down the sweetest, cutest, and most loyal and loving dog I have ever met. The breed gets such a bad rap and I always tell people that if they spent just five minutes with my Duke, they would change their minds about the breed altogether! He loves kids and enjoys every second he spends with my little cousins and goddaughter. He barely barks but loves to be pet and have all your love and attention. He is my little buddy and a part of our little family. Mike and I refer to him as "our child" because that is exactly how we treat him and how we feel about him! This relationship is just as special as the others and has taught me responsibility and how to take care of someone besides myself. I do think it is great preparation for when you have children and I couldn't imagine life without my little buddy. He may drive me absolutely insane some days but being able to come home to him everyday, being welcomed by his happy face and wagging tail knowing he is SO happy to see you, is such an awesome feeling. I love my Dukester.
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Each of these relationships have not always been easy to maintain, each has had their challenges, but each has always been and always will be worth fighting for and working out. Each relationship has a different meaning to me but is equally important to me, as well. They all have a very special place in my heart that will never change or disappear. I firmly believe that each of these relationships is in some way a partnership, especially my relationship with Mike. At the heart of our relationship is a friendship foundation, which has been the rock that has gotten us through even our toughest moments. I call it a partnership because we are a team, we work together, we support one another, we take care of each other through good and bad, we challenge and encourage one another, and so much more. Each day we work at our relationship and make it better, each day I love him more. Without this foundation, without this partnership in which we are BOTH invested, our relationship would NOT have made it 7 1/2 years and counting. :)
In addition, I think each of these relationships has taught me life skills and characteristics and made me into the person I am in order to better help me be the best educator I could possibly be in this field. The relationship that has taught me the most about how to relate and understand the field I work in would be the one I share with my brother, Ryan, and my dog, Duke, for various reasons. Caring for my brother through the years showed me from a very young age that I wanted to work with children and be a teacher. In addition, my relationship with my dog has taught me responsibility, love, and patience, all of which can also be applied to my field.
In closing, each of these relationships has, and will continue to have, a long-lasting, positive influence and impact on my life and on my outlook on and role in relationships and partnerships. I have learned so much from each of these people over the past 27 years of my life and will continue to learn for the next 27 years plus! I consider myself a lifelong learner in terms of education, but also in terms of life, as well. I value relationships with my parents, brother, best friend, boyfriend, and dog so much, as well as the rest of my friends and family I did not mention. If I mentioned everyone, I would sit here for days writing and sharing pictures! I am eternally thankful, grateful, and lucky to be blessed with these people in my life and will always let them know how much I treasure them and the lessons they are teaching me in my life.
Until next time….
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The second relationship that has been a positive influence and partnership is the one I share with my younger and only brother, Ryan. Ryan and I are almost 7 years apart. I still remember the day I found out I was going to be a big sister - I was so excited I couldn't stop talking about it! I went into my Kindergarten classroom the next day and drew a big picture and told everyone all about it. I couldn't wait to be a big sister. When my brother was born, I immediately wanted to be the helper. He was my little buddy right away and I loved it. There were times through the years that he absolutely, positively drove me bonkers but at the end of the day I couldn't be more grateful for him. We have always been close and again I feel lucky to call him one of my best friends. He is currently in college about 2 hours away and having the time of his life. I am so proud of him and happy for him but do miss having him around! My boyfriend and I both hang out with him a lot - Mike (my boyfriend) has taken him under his wing over the past 7 1/2 years as if he was his own little brother - and they are best buds, too. This relationship has made me very protective, taught me so much about how to help someone and be there for someone, and more importantly that family is forever. He has grown up to be an all around great guy with a good heart who is a great brother, son, and friend and someday will make a great husband and father. Love that (not-so) little guy.
The third relationship that has had one of the biggest influences on my life is the relationship I shared with my very best friend and "adopted sister", Jessy, for 12 years. We met on the first day of school in first grade, both brand new to Bellmawr Park school. We instantly hit it off and over the next 12 years of our school careers we had become inseparable. Our families even became friendly and we were "adopted" into one another's families, going to family parties and gatherings and much more. She was my person. She was my go to when I needed someone. We were always together and always there for each other. Jessy was and continues to be one of the nicest, kindest, most genuine people I have ever met with the biggest heart to love and help everyone she had ever met. At the beginning of our senior year of high school (2004), whilst making plans for our exciting future, Jessy had a brain aneurism and within a week she passed away. This was a blow to my system and to this day continues to be something I struggle to deal with. It left me with a huge void and not a day passes by that I do not miss her. She taught me so many things about life, love, friendship, and more. This relationship, hands down, has had the biggest influence on my life and continues to influence me everyday, even though she is gone. RIP always, my best friend forever, JRL.
The fourth relationship I chose to share is the relationship that has been a HUGE part of my life for the past 7 1/2 years; the relationship that I share with my boyfriend, Michael, the love of my life. When we first met we instantly hit it off. We had so many things in common and just enjoyed talking to each other. Since I was 2 hours away in college, we spoke on the phone almost daily and just enjoyed chatting and making one another laugh. We developed a friendship and I am so glad I can call him my best friend, as well. The past 7 1/2 years I have spent with Mike have been a blessing. I am so thankful everyday for him to be a part of my life and I believe, deep down, that Jessy sent him to me. They would be the best of friends if she could be here and I am thankful to her for sending him to me a year and a half after losing her. He has helped me in so many ways to become the person I am today, just as Jessy has. Mike is the funniest, sweetest, most caring man I have ever met and been with. He makes me laugh everyday and always knows how to cheer me up or help me through my hardest and most challenging moments. I honestly don't know what I would do or where I would be without him in my life. He has taught me how to love and care for someone so deeply and I cannot wait for the day I will be lucky enough to say I am his wife and we can then eventually have our own family. He is my other half and I love him to pieces.
The last relationship I chose to share is the relationship I share with my one and only favorite pup, my buddy, my dog Duke! The Dukester is the dog that Mike bought right after we began dating officially, 7 1/2 years ago. I instantly fell in love with this pup and helped take care of him, name him, and called him my own. Mike immediately called me "his mommy" and told everyone that Duke was "our dog", which of course made me so happy. Duke is a pit bull and hands down the sweetest, cutest, and most loyal and loving dog I have ever met. The breed gets such a bad rap and I always tell people that if they spent just five minutes with my Duke, they would change their minds about the breed altogether! He loves kids and enjoys every second he spends with my little cousins and goddaughter. He barely barks but loves to be pet and have all your love and attention. He is my little buddy and a part of our little family. Mike and I refer to him as "our child" because that is exactly how we treat him and how we feel about him! This relationship is just as special as the others and has taught me responsibility and how to take care of someone besides myself. I do think it is great preparation for when you have children and I couldn't imagine life without my little buddy. He may drive me absolutely insane some days but being able to come home to him everyday, being welcomed by his happy face and wagging tail knowing he is SO happy to see you, is such an awesome feeling. I love my Dukester.
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Each of these relationships have not always been easy to maintain, each has had their challenges, but each has always been and always will be worth fighting for and working out. Each relationship has a different meaning to me but is equally important to me, as well. They all have a very special place in my heart that will never change or disappear. I firmly believe that each of these relationships is in some way a partnership, especially my relationship with Mike. At the heart of our relationship is a friendship foundation, which has been the rock that has gotten us through even our toughest moments. I call it a partnership because we are a team, we work together, we support one another, we take care of each other through good and bad, we challenge and encourage one another, and so much more. Each day we work at our relationship and make it better, each day I love him more. Without this foundation, without this partnership in which we are BOTH invested, our relationship would NOT have made it 7 1/2 years and counting. :)
In addition, I think each of these relationships has taught me life skills and characteristics and made me into the person I am in order to better help me be the best educator I could possibly be in this field. The relationship that has taught me the most about how to relate and understand the field I work in would be the one I share with my brother, Ryan, and my dog, Duke, for various reasons. Caring for my brother through the years showed me from a very young age that I wanted to work with children and be a teacher. In addition, my relationship with my dog has taught me responsibility, love, and patience, all of which can also be applied to my field.
In closing, each of these relationships has, and will continue to have, a long-lasting, positive influence and impact on my life and on my outlook on and role in relationships and partnerships. I have learned so much from each of these people over the past 27 years of my life and will continue to learn for the next 27 years plus! I consider myself a lifelong learner in terms of education, but also in terms of life, as well. I value relationships with my parents, brother, best friend, boyfriend, and dog so much, as well as the rest of my friends and family I did not mention. If I mentioned everyone, I would sit here for days writing and sharing pictures! I am eternally thankful, grateful, and lucky to be blessed with these people in my life and will always let them know how much I treasure them and the lessons they are teaching me in my life.
Until next time….
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