Reflective Thoughts

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady

This quote means so much to mean because I believe in it so much. You should expect so much from children because they are capable of everything you put in front of them! The job of a teacher is to give children endless knowledge and to be able to believe in themselves. Teachers should challenge their students and believe that they will succeed. Every child is different and capable of different things but they all have strengths that teachers should believe in. Teachers just open the doors for children and it is something that I am so grateful to be apart of!

Testing for Intelligence?

I personally think that when measuring or assessing a child there are many things that need to be looked at. I believe that they child’s academics should be measured to see what knowledge they have and what they still need help with. I think that a child’s behavior should be assessed to see if it is impeding on the child’s ability to learn or grow academically. I also strongly believe that the child’s home life should be looked at in some way to understand the positive or negative environment that the child is living in. I believe that all of these thinks should be measured or assessed because they all effect the child and what they are capable of. If a child has a rough home life and no one to support them, the odds are stacked against them, but they shouldn’t be punished for something they can’t help.

I looked into China to see how they assess their children. I was shocked at what I read. These children go to school at the crack of dawn and don’t come home until dinner. They are given exam after exam of pure recall information. They are expected to do well because they have no other option. If parents follow the 1 child rule they hang that over the child’s head and tell them they have to do well, their family depends on it. (Stack, 2011) To me this seems so stressful on the child. Children also go to school to learn to be creative and use their imagination, not just sit, listen and recall answer. I am glad that in the US I am able to teach and prepare the students not just feed them tests. Although sometimes I feel like it could quickly turn into that.

I teach kindergarten, which to me should be the most fun grade. I started 4 years ago and we had so much fun and did so many projects. As the years have passed I have had to do more and more testing. Now, all I feel like I do is test. I just finished testing for report cards and it took me a whole week to do! My poor kids missed out on so much direct instruction because I have to do what I am asked. I really want to know who thinks that this testing is such a great idea and why we have to have so much. I want children to love school, not be tired of it by first grade because of all the testing. 

Stack, Megan K. (2011, January 13). Chinese students’ high scores in international tests come to a cost. Las Angeles Times. Retrieved from
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/13/world/la-fg-china-education-20110113

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

I feel that I was very privileged as a child. I did not have to worry about when I was going to get my next meal or if there was going to be violence in the house. I was well taken care of and was a very lucky little girl. Everyday that I attend my job I see children that are not so lucky. There parents are working more than one job just trying to put food on the table. Other children have to see the violence and abuse that happens between their family members and sometimes themselves.

I have a little boy in my classroom whose mother was abused by his father. She stayed in the marriage until she knew the right time to get out. The young boy learned from what his father did and leads to violence to solve problems instead of working the problems out with words. His mother and I have had numerous conversations about his behavior and how to break his habits and what he learned at such a young age. By giving him a stress ball, a quite place to think about something before he reacts and tons of positive reinforcement he is getting better each day.

When looking into violence in other countries the one thing that really caught my attention was sexual violence in Africa. There were so many stories and examples of things that had happened to young children and even grown adults. When taken victim these children can b e apart of sexual violence, including rape, mutilation, and sexual slavery. This was so disturbing to me. These are children and they are asked to do these awful things. Children should be able to be themselves and not have to worry about when they are going to be taken advantage of and who is going to hurt them. I'm not sure how they are about to concentrate on thing that they are suppose to be doing or learning, they are just trying to survive.

To stop this from happening many different governments have stepped in to support these women and children. They are donating money to help educate and provide programs to stop the abuse from happening.

Reference: 

Alexis Arieff, (2009). Sexual Violence in African Conflicts. Congressional Research Service. 1-31.

Child Development and Public Health

I chose to look more into nutrition and how it effects our children. I see it everyday in my classroom. Children can't learn or concentrate because they are starving. My students receive free breakfast and lunch. I also give them a snack at the end of the day. This most times is still not enough for some of them. I few of my students also receive backpacks full of food to take home over the weekend.

As a mother myself I know that my child eats me out of house and home. Food is not a cheap thing to buy either! I can't imagine how I would feel if I couldn't provide the amount of food my child needed to stay healthy. At that I only have 1, so I can't imagine having more than 1 child to feed!

I went to the website for the Global Child Nutrition Foundation. From there I looked at the research and studies that they had done. One of their projects was feeding Mali, Chile and India. They were trying to feed school aged children and get their nutritional needs met. It was brought to my attention that in Chile the government helps feed the children to help their education. Different countries obviously have different priorities when it comes to making sure that children are being fed.

The way this impacts me is to continue to make sure that my students are eating as much as they can, as it does effect their education.When I see a child that is extra hungry I will continue to help them get food and give their parents the resources to help.


http://www.gcnf.org/

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

When looking back on a child birth experience the first thing I think of is the birth of my son, Layton.  I remember everything from that eventful day. I remember losing my mucus plug and calling my mom freaking out because I was scared. We went to the hospital twice before they kept me. I made it to 4 centimeters before my epidural. The epidural was not very strong om my left side so they had to keep turning me to make it effective. Before the nurse came in to have me start pushing we hit the epidural medicine a few extra times which was a huge mistake. 2 hours of pushing and we had a scary discussion to make, either we had to vacuum him or or go in for a c-section which was dangerous because he was so low in the birth canal. 2 vacuum pulls later and I gave birth to a 6lbs 8oz healthy baby boy.

I chose this example because it means the most to me. I love my son more that anything in the world and I would do it all over again to share that same love with another child. I was lucky to have an easy pregnancy and a pretty easy delivery.

My thoughts regarding child birth is to make sure that you are educated about giving birth before going to the hospital. Most hospitals gives classes. Is was so educational for me to know what was going to happen when my son was in distress and how it would effect my baby and his life is something went wrong. mothers need to educate themselves because so many things can happen during childbirth that will effect the development of their child.
In Ghana most babies are born at home. Most women live in a hut with only a midwife to help them. The mothers are not given epidurals or any medications. These mothers delivery naturally on their own with no help. The difference I had was that I was given pain medication and an epidural which I couldn't imagine giving birth without! I now understand that many countries deliver babies without the shelter of a hospital or the help of nurses or pain medication. It is great to know that if I had to do it again this could be a real option for me.

Code of Ethics

After looking through the code of ethics in the DEC and NAEYC articles I came across three that were very meaningful to me:

·      We shall serve as advocates for children with disabilities and their families and for the professionals who serve them by supporting both policy and programmatic decisions that enhance the quality of their lives. (DEC)

·      We shall provide services and supports to children and families in a fair and equitable manner while respecting families’ culture, race, language, socioeconomic status, marital status, and sexual orientation. (DEC)

·      To provide all children with experiences in a language that they know, as well as support children in maintaining the use of their home language and in learning English. (NAEYC)

The reason that they are so meaningful to me is because they explain that no matter what differences or challenges a student face we are advocates for them and their rights. I have many students that have disabilities, Spanish as a first language, low economic status or blended families. No matter what goes on at home I am their teacher in school and my job is to teach them no matter what.  

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf 

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from  http://www.dec-sped.org/

Early Childhood Resources

The following links are websites that have many different web articles and books related to Early Childhood Education and parenting.

Early Childhood News
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/page2.aspx

 Berkeley Parents Network
http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/where2buy/parentingbooks.html

Child Development Institute Parenting Today
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting.shtml

Educational Quotes

The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.

-Jean Piaget

I must say I do enjoy leisure for study- all my life it has seemed to me that personally I wanted no other wealth that leisure & now I have got it!

-Elizabeth Peabody

Young children from very low-income families, who are not succeeding in school, does not have to do with their intelligence; they just needed the tools to know how to survive and thrive in the public school system. 

-Louise Derman-Sparks 

I have the passion to make sure that all children are taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and to develop to their fullest ability.

-Louise Derman-Sparks

What a unique opportunity we as educators have. We as professional educators have the opportunity to shape a child’s life for the better. 

 -Sandy Escobido

Personal Childhood Web

I was blessed to grow up in a single family home, where my parents were married and happy and I had 1 younger bother. I had all 4 of my grandparents whom were also married and happy. I also during my childhood years had 3 5 of my Great-Grandparents. My family was also filled with many cousins, aunts and uncles. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where most of my family still resides today.

I have been so grateful to have so many supportive people in my life. These are only 5 of them. These people have influenced my life as a child. They nurtured me, cared about me and made me feel special. They  have made a tremendous influence and impact on my present life as well. 

Janna Downer
My mother, Janna Downer, is one person who had a huge role in my childhood. She is a hardworking, dedicated mother, who was always there for my brother and I growing up. She would always make sure that I had everything I needed and got to do and participate in things that were important to me. She always made me feel like I was indestructible and was the greatest example of what kind of a mother I wanted to be. To this day when I parent my son I find myself doing and saying things exactly like my mother would have. I hope that he grows up to look up to me just as much as I look up to her.

Bryan Downer 
My father, Bryan Downer, was one of the most nurturing people in my life growing up. He was the one that set the rules and boundaries. He was also the first one to congratulate me on my accomplishments. My dad always wanted me to be an independent person and make choices on my own even if they weren’t the right ones, I would learn from them. I am hoping that I will one day find a father figure for my son that was just like my dad was with me. Someone for him to look up to and learn from.

Dawn Downer
 My Aunt, Dawn Downer, played a great role in my childhood. I was the first born in my generation so I was the spoiled one. She would always take me to do fun things and try new things. When my parents weren’t able to take me somewhere or to a school function, she was always the first one there. I hope that when I become an Aunt I will be just like she was. I will be like a second mother to them and encourage them and help them in their journeys just like my aunt did for me.

Judy Stephens
 My maternal grandmother, Judy Stephens, was one of the funniest people I knew growing up. She was also, and still is, one of the best cooks! My grandma was always at everything that she could be there for, grandparent’s day, concerts, recitals and award programs. She would always take me with her to the grocery store and let me help her cook. She was such a kind sole and always got my family together even if there wasn’t really reason. When I become a grandmother my hope is that I can be like the glue that she was for our family. Always making sure that everyone is together and never drifting apart.

Dotti Downer 
My paternal grandmother, Dotti Downer, was probably my greatest supporter and still is to this day. She was the first person to arrive at any function I was having. She was always the loudest person cheering at any game. She was the one yelling at bad calls and things she didn’t agree with. But, she was always the one that sat beside my bed when I would spend the night and tell me bedtime stories until I fell asleep. When I have grandkids I want to be that big of a supporter for them. I want them to know that no matter when they are so important to me and I will do anything for them.

Children drawings are the best

I always love to see what my students come up with when I ask them to draw a picture. One of my all time favorite pictures is from a student on the 100th day of school. I always ask them to draw what they think they would look like when they are 100 years old and these are 2 that I received.

The first picture shows a coffin in the ground with a tombstone and him as an angel in the sky. I ask why he thought he would be an angel at 100 and his response was simple. "Hopefully when I'm 100, I am already and angel like my mom." Heartbreaker! The second picture is of another little boy in a coffin. I asked him why he drew himself in a coffin and his response was, "Well who really lives to be 100? No one these days!" These are my favorite not only because of the drawings but because of the meaning behind them.

She touched my heart...

I just started teaching my 4th year of Kindergarten. Last year was my favorite class that I have had to far. I had so many kids that touched my heart but one in particular. Her name was Emma, a blond hair, blue eyed cutie! I will never forget the day that she came to "Meet the Teacher Night," the Friday before school started. She came with Grandma and Grandpa, standing behind them hiding the entire time silent. As the school year progressed I learned more and more about Emma. Here mom had a drug addiction and was in and out of her life. She has a little sister that she never gets to see. Emma lived with her grandparents, whom both worked full time jobs, so after school she would go to a daycare until they were done working. Thankfully her Grandparents were very involved in her life and made her feel like the very special little girl that she was. Grandma called me one day and asked how she was doing, because Mom had not shown up at Emma's birthday party. After talking about Emma, and how there were not issues and she was doing amazing, grandma began to sob! I was taken back and not sure what to say. She then told me that Emma explained to Grandma that when mom didn't show up at her party she wasn't surprised. She then told her that she wished I was her mom because I never let her down and would have shown up and brought her a gift. Grandma explained that everything they do at home has to do with me, "Ms. Downer said we have to do it this way. Ms. Downer doesn't let me do that" etc. Grandma thanked me for everything that I had done for Emma. After hanging up the phone I then proceed to sob! I never knew how much I meant to Emma because she was always to quiet and shy. From that day forward I talked so much more to her and she really started to open up. She ended the year as my highest student and my all time favorite. She is the sweetest and most deserving child. She hugs me every time to sees me in the hallway and whispers, "I still wish I was in your room."

Favorite Children's Book

One of my favorite books to read to my students, in the beginning of the school year is "Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes" by Eric Litwin. This book teaches the children all of the places that they go in the school building: library, lunchroom, playground, etc. The kids love to sing along when Pete sings his songs. This is such a colorful and exciting book to read. The kids ask to read it all the time and I can never say no!