TAKE TIME TO QUESTION

Thursday, June 21, 2012

TAKE TIME TO QUESTION

As I reflect on my practices in early childhood development, I will ask "Am I helping or hindering healthy development.

“All the evidence that we have indicates that it is reasonable to assume in practically every human being, and certainly in almost every newborn baby, that there is an active will toward health, an impulse towards growth, or towards the actualization. “

Abraham Maslow

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/abraham_maslow.html#jiOCJo611hTtjto0.99

“It isn’t that the specifics don’t matter—they do—but only as a means to the end—a means to getting to know, respect, and appreciate children and to intervene in ways that enable them to be successful learners. Otherwise we just end up with a stack of notes crumpled up in the back of a drawer. “

--Judy R. Jablon, The Power of Observation for Birth Through Eight, 2^nd ed.(2007)

Jablon, J. R., Dombro, A. L., & Dichtelmiller, M. L. (2007) The power of observation for Birth through eight. 2^nd ed. Teaching Strategies, Inc. Washington, DC

“If we didn’t make children feel bad to help them learn how to read, why, then, did we try to make children feel bad to help them act good?....The way most of us instinctively react to misbehavior is the least effective way to help children develop good behavior.”

--Jenna Bilmes, Beyond Behavior Management, The Six Life Skills Children Need to Thrive in Today’s World (2004)

Bilmes, J. (2004) Beyond behavior management, The six life skills children need to thrive in today’s world. Red Leaf Press, St. Paul, MN.

5 comments:

Karen DavisJune 22, 2012 at 7:10 AM
Thank you for sharing your experiences as well as your views on earlychildhood. I have enjoyed getting to know you through this course. I wish you the best on your journey!
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Tammy BoldenJune 22, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Wendy,
These past eight weeks have been a journey. I have enjoyed working with you, and I wish the best.
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Trichelle WilliamsJune 23, 2012 at 3:04 AM
Thank you for sharing such wonderful quotes on child development. I appreciate all of them, especially the quote from Jenna Bilmes. Indeed, children go through a series of developmental stages that are vital to their personhood. Undoubtedly, the proper role of us as educators is to provide support and opportunities that enable them to master their developmental tasks.
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bushraJune 23, 2012 at 5:59 PM
Wendy

Thank you for sharing your valuable information and experience with us. I really enjoyed reading your blog, discussion and especially your comments. Thank you again for your feedback on my blog and discussion, and I hope to meet you all again in the next class. I wish all the best throughout your journey. Good luck
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S.S. CameronJune 24, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Hello Wendy,

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge with me. I enjoyed your discussions and encouraging words. May God continue to shine on you and your family.

Love
Shannon Cameron
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Personal Childhood Web

Joanie Peterson, my mother, was very engaged in my life from birth. I was the oldest and the only child until I was five. I was loved,my mother spent time with me by including me in whatever activities needed to be done. I remember the old tile floor in the kitchen that had to be waxed regularly. When the wax dried, my mother would give me an old towel to stand on and she would put on music and we would dance the twist until the tiles were buffed. My mother was finishing her bachelor degree in psychology and English during my first three years. I had the opportunity to meet lots of people in a community of shared values. I had time to play uninterrupted and my play was very creative and complex, with hours outside. I was read to and the value of learning was instilled in me early, but not in a competitive way, to be recognized as the best, but in a very personal way. Was I giving the task or the skill my best effort? Her approach to parenting developed intrinsic motivation in me. I am a great team player, motivated and satisfied to make sure the team does well. The measure of achievement is the level to which I tried my best. I can take a risk to take on a new challenge, because I know my mother will always love me. I value personal responsibility.

Rev. Merton Peterson, my father, was finishing seminary and pastoring his first church when I was born. I remember sitting on his lap, watching him type, helping fold bulletins, turning the handle on the old mimeograph machine, and going on home visits with him, when he needed to visit families from the church. We did not have material wealth, but I never felt poor We had enough that we could share. My did believed in me, when there was something I needed to do or learn he always spoke as though I had already mastered the task. I believe he spoke with confidence, because he has prayed for me every day of my life. Being a pastor's child means you learn manners, expectations and hospitality very early. We had lots of company. I loved giving up my bedroom and sleeping in a sleeping bag so the missionaries could have my room when they visited. I would listen to stories of their experiences in different countries and how they would help build homes and schools and grow crops wile they shared that Jesus loved them. I share my family's faith in God and the value that people are more important than things.

My extended family did not live close to me as I was growing up. But my grandmothers and aunt were prolific letter writers. We visited family every holiday, making holidays feel very special. I would listen to the adults share stories about family and friends. I knew that family were there for each other. My great-great grandparents were homesteaders. There was a strong sense of work ethic practiced. There were ranchers and there were farmers. It takes commitment and self determination to make it work. The entire family has to help to get the cattle in or harvest the crops. I remember the first time I was allowed to go on a cattle drive. I was probably seven. The strong connection to aunts, uncles and cousins as we spent the day on horseback gathering the cattle that were scattered among the trees and meadows in the foothills was exhilarating—I belonged, I was given worthwhile work. The farming family was an even stronger influence on my work ethic. When we visited the farm there was always tasks I could participate in: picking fruits and vegetables to can or freeze for my families use and when I got older picking melons or driving a tractor. It was part of being a member of my family. My family values hard work and integrity.

The church community provided a foundation of belonging and strength in conviction. Looking back I can appreciate that those families made sacrifices to make I had what I needed. The children were my friends, we could discuss the roles we were in and decisions we faced from a shared set of values. I never felt alone. As a community we looked out for each other. The community demonstrated living the values they held.

School Environment, Most people cannot imagine going to a school that houses children from kindergarten through senior high in the same building. Still the school community had enough diversity of values that it was a great place to have my values challenged and for me to exercise the decisions to stand true to my values. With only thirteen in my graduate class, but still the roles and functions of any school, there was so much opportunity to try out many different tasks. There were sports, student council officers, music, drama and clubs. I tried it all, because in a school that small everyone needs to get involved to have enough participants. My work ethic and integrity rewarded me with responsibility and opportunities. The most unusual was a flight class to learn to be a pilot, which included flight hours in a small plane. In the state I was raised, schools were the hub of activity for rural communities. Everyone came to all the events. People valued being together.

Wendy Newby - Have I asked the right question?

Thursday, June 21, 2012