INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS

At the beginning of this week, I thought about how exciting it would be to have the opportunity to correspond with two professional contacts from other countries. I started the process by contacting a women in Nigeria. She runs and international school. The second person I selected was an individual in Mexico. The email I sent to Mexico did not work and it kept coming back. The third contact was in Russia as part of the Russian Education Fund. Unfortunately, I have not heard from any of these contacts. So I made a last futile attempt and contacted 4 different countries through UNICEF. The countries, Madagascar, Russia, Israel and Jamaica. I have not yet heard back.  But my hope is to give them through Monday.

And if need be I will complete the alternate blog assignment. 

The organization, which I chose to "discover," is NIEER. This stands for The National Institute for Early Education Research. The organization promotes quality preschool programs in the United States. It does this by offering research advice to policy makers, researchers and educators. It works with states policy makers and other organizations. I find the sight interesting as it takes a long strong look at how we can increase quality of preschool programming throughout the country. It also offers and provides easy access to their newsletter Preschool Matters Today. The website is http://nieer.org/

I think you will be surprised at the current trends and research, which they disseminate on, issues effecting young children and their families in regards to Quality ECE programming.

My supports

                            MY SUPPORTS

Each day in my life I feel supported by my children, they are teenagers and young adults. So, keep in mind, most of their day is spent thinking about themselves. But when coerced my kids lend me physical support by completing their chores like; mowing the lawn, vacuuming, or folding laundry. They can be emotionally supportive by surprising me with occasionally displays of affection, or by offering to run errands for me (the use of my car is their ulterior motive). My children and I talk about most things and I just so enjoy that. My friends lend me all kinds of emotional support we laugh, go out to dinner, talk on the phone, and they are always there, if I need to lean on them. My significant other, Greg is continually supportive. He and I can talk about everything. So he listens and we laugh all the time. We love to travel and enjoy exploring the world around us. One of the ways he supports me, is we participate in Crossfit together. It can be physically challenging, so he encourages me by giving me back rubs when I start complaining about my occasional aches and pains. He too likes to cook so he will often grocery shop and create delicious dinners. My friends and trainer at Crossfit have and are very supportive. They cheer me on, and encourage me to work hard. My dog Lilly is a great support and provides wonderful companionship. Often she will be sitting next to me while I do my work on the computer. Actually she is snoring pretty loudly as I write this. Lilly and I often go on jogs together, she sleeps at the end of my bed. I just love her.

I would be lost with out the computer or cell phone. Those items are examples of my practical support. I purchase items, search the web, and of course study, talk on the phone I am dependent on these items as they keep me partially in touch with the outside world.

Now if I did not have my family, friends, Lilly, and Greg, I would be lost. I am a social being, and I believe living without them would be incredibly sad and lonely. I know we all need people who within our personal circle embrace us. Without them I think I would just shrivel up and die.

I chose the challenge, of being hearing impaired. I think this challenge would impact my ability to communicate with others. I know there are communication systems, sign language that allow, those with hearing impairments to connect but I still think it would be rather difficult, as most people do not use sign language. I am sure I would be a proficient lip reader. Yet lip reading is hard to accomplish if you are not looking directly at the person.

I think it would be a tough thing to be hearing impaired. Yet, I think my friends and family would know sign language so that would be helpful. People with hearing impairments live fairly independent lives. But, at the same time I think they miss out on a lot. Sometimes it’s hard to understand social cues if you are hearing impaired. I too think it would be difficult for me to be dependent on my family and friends. I most likely would need and interpreter when engaging in conversations with others. Given my personality, I think being dependent on others would in itself be a challenge to me.

If I were a person with a hearing impairment, I probably would not need to use my cell as often.

Talking on it would serve no purpose, so I would have to be proficient at texting. Though I know their are other communication 

I think the challenge of being hearing impaired would be a tough one for me. As I love music, going to plays, concerts, and being unable to hear would not be fun! I think too going to synagogue would be a challenge. I think that there would need to be an interpreter there as well.  I know that when individuals have noticeable challenges, society struggles by always know how to act. Sometimes I would probably be treated differently. I understand the reasoning, but I think that would be hard. There are helpful support groups for individuals who are challenged with hearing impairments. I think belonging to a support group would be incredibly helpful, they would be a wonderful resource and through them I would discover answers to my questions, and be in contact with individuals who would encourage me while at the same time they would provide me with emotional support. According to the American Speech and Language Hearing association, support groups; You are not the only one with a hearing loss. Joining a support group will give you the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences. How do they handle traveling, meetings, appointments, going to the hospital, telephone conversations, hearing in theaters, and difficult family members or work associates? Have they used assistive listening devices? What has worked? Support groups are excellent forums for problem solving and mutual support. They are also good for your sense of humor—an essential for coping with a hearing loss. (American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2012).
 

I chose this challenge, because one of my favorite students of all time who was challenged with a hearing impairment. She was in my class from the time she was three until she was six. Zoe taught me so much. I held such strong admiration for her. She was a child who worked hard not to let her challenge impact her negatively. She too did not want others to judge her or treat her any differently because of her hearing impairment. She was a great inspiration to her friends and family, and  to her teacher.


Resources:
American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/support-services-for-Adults

Play

                                MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

When I was a child we had the choice to play either, inside our homes or we played outdoors. When we played outside our play consisted of games like tag, hopscotch, freeze, or four-square. We had a jungle gym, we spent lots of time climbing on it. We also spent tons of time playing  with our hoola hoops and skip it. As kids we had to try and make a buck or two, so we often sold lemon aide or kool aid.  When the weather was good it was automatically assumed that you were to play outside. I often played with my friends who lived in our neighborhood. I was different then most of the kids growing up in my neighborhood as my mom had a full time job. So, during the summer months I went to a summer day camp. It was a blast. Some of my best friends today are the girls I went to camp with.

If the weather wasn’t nice then we were allowed to play indoors. When I was young, I played with my two older siblings. My sister and I would play pretend with our tea set or our babies. We had some great toys in the sixties and early seventies. Trolls, slinky, kreepy krawlers and play dough. We also spent a great deal of time listening to records on the record player. We too loved to build forts! The more blankets the bigger the fort.

The difference between play today and play when I was little, is we were much more resourceful, creative and physically active. Obviously, technology did not exist so your choices were much more limited. Therefore, we were more resourceful and at the same time we had a bit more freedom. We would get on our bikes and we would ride everywhere; too the neighborhood Dairy Queen, the movies or even to the drug store. Today, children's physical play is continuously structured. I am not opposed to recreational, organized or team sports. I just wish children had a little more freedom, creativity and choice when it comes to physical activity.

With my own children, I tried to create an outside environment where my own crew would be safe, and physically active. My hope was that our backyard would be a hang out for the kids within the neighborhood. Within our home, I provided my kids with play places where they could be creative, messy and enjoy just being a kid.  In both my roles as mother and teacher I have always hoped children would have areas where they could explore, learn and grow.

I have always been a fairly physically active person. I just turned 50, and this past January joined Cross Fit. I love challenging myself and I am having fun enjoying my own special "play" time!

Pass the sugar ... Please!!

Creepy Crawlers!

We would dance and play
music .... 

   

Relationship Reflection

                                       RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

I believe the relationships within my life empower me and help me to define the person I am. These individuals challenge me, love me and provide the support I may need. I in turn love and support them. I have close friends, my children, and a significant other, who each day make me laugh, and make me cry.... Within all of these relationships, there are many common threads which bind us too one another. We share experiences, interests, culture, and knowledge, and even hardships. In order for these relationships to flourish, they need to be based on trust and respect, as well as a reciprocal sense of communication. I believe these entities are the foundations for all great and important relationships. Within each of these relationships there is a place for continued learning and growth. They are never stagnant. Most of my relationships are intertwined and connected. I feel lucky to have wonderful relationships with my close friends, family and significant other. I feel they are everlasting.

                                                                    My Kids

My kids: Alix; 20, Lindley; 22, Avery ;16, Chandler; 18.

I have four beautiful children. My children are all at different stages within their own lives. As they have grown and have become young adults our relationship has changed. Their well being was always at the forefront of my concerns. But as they have become older and are spreading their own wings, they require less from me. They though still need my guidance and love..... and I in turn need theirs.


                                                          My Significant Other

Akumal Mexico Mayan Ruins

Funny how life can take some unique twists and turns.  I had gone through a tough divorce and had sworn off a lasting relationship with a man. Then I met Greg. He and I immediately hit it off. We have so much fun together. Our relationship is strong and sound. We share common interests and morals and values. He has helped me to open myself up to new adventures and life possibilities while at the same time helping me to learn to quiet my mind. We relish the time we spend with one another. This is a relationship I am excited to say is still evolving.

To my colleagues... I have enjoyed our journey together. 
Dr. D., thank-you for your insight and guidance.


Take care and I wish all of you the best!


Millie

                Some of My Favorite Quotes


" If a child learns to live with approval, he learns to live with  
  himself."    Dorothy Law Nolte


" The highest form of wisdom is kindness." The Talmud


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


" Children are like wet cement, what ever falls on them makes 
   an impression."       Dr. Hiam Ginnot

Assessments

One of the reasons that drew me to teach early childhood was the fact that we continually assess and look at the whole child. We as early childhood educators pride are selves in observing every aspect of a child's development.
I believe children's abilities go beyond how successful a child is at achieving good grades in core areas. I agree with Gardner's view on multiple intelligences. I think as educators we realize at children's young ages they often have specific areas that they excel in. That's not to say that as they grow these areas will not change or expand. I though think as learners, children carry with them a natural innate learning style and abilities. Our role as educators is to expound and help the children to discover their learning styles, and interests. How we assess these areas is something American schools need to expound on.

Within a six week period each child who enter's Kindergarten within the state of Ohio, is given an assessment called the KRAL. The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for Literacy. This assessment's purpose is to conceptualize the child's pre reading skills.

In the state of Ohio, Children's skills are assessed each year from grades third through eighth. The tests are in the areas of Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies. The children's preparation for these tests are based on the schools curriculum. The curriculum as well as the assessments are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education's content standards.

It is apparent that these assessments look specifically at how a child is functioning within the academic core areas.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has their educational system split into key stages.
Stage 1 is 5-7 year olds
Stage 2 is 7-11 year olds
Stage 3 is 11-14 year olds
Stage 4 is 14-16 year olds

The skills assessed are in the areas of Math, Science, Reading and Writing
At the end of every stage children's skills are assessed and evaluated. After Stage 1,2,3 the educators looks at the attained targets for learning and determine what the children's skills are. At the end of stage 4 the assessment the General Certificate of Secondary Education is given to determine what additional schooling the child will pursue. They can continue their last two years of education, in one of two ways, they can choose to take on Vocational Education or Type A course work. Type A level course work  is academics specifically geared for individuals who want to go onto higher level of learning, college.