Sharing Web Resources-Part 2 (Week 4)

Zero to Three

On the website, there was a section titled, “I Like Me”: Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years.  Dr. Jeree Pawl describes how young children develop self-esteem, and how parents can nurture a strong, positive sense of self in their young children.   Dr. Pawl is a clinical psychologist who has worked with babies, toddlers and their families for 40 years. She is also on the Board of Directors at ZERO TO THREE.

This section could be controversial because it did not talk about how environmental factors impact self-esteem.  I know from teaching in an emotional disabilities classroom, that often times environmental factors play a part in behavioral issues. 

 BRAIN QUIZ  (I love to look at articles about the brain because of my youngest son’s unique brain issues.  The brain is very resilient and I love to read about it.)

This Brain Quiz was created to introduce some of the basic concepts concerning early brain research in a way that challenges early childhood professionals or parents to think critically and creatively about what we have heard about the research. Test yourself to see what facts and misinformation you have heard concerning infants and brain development.  This was a very interesting quiz regarding the research of the brain.  This research could help economists and policy makers with funding issues in regards to early childhood education. 

 

I think that this website provides great information for parents, pediatricians, and early childhood professionals.  It separates some age ranges and provides what developmental milestones occur during this time frame. 

                                               

Getting to Know your International Contacts-Part 1

I have had the pleasure of learning about the early childhood field in Canada and in Hungary. 

Three of my sources work at Algonquin College in Canada.  One works in a private center. 

G. Reynolds stated that adequate funding is a major issue and that many are lobbying to have federal dollars to be used for high-quality programs.  She stated that many people simply cannot afford high-quality care for their children. 

J. Barton also works at Algonquin College.  She stated that availability and funding are major issues.  She stated that many parents work multiple jobs and have a difficult time finding a child care that meets their scheduling needs. 

J. Schultz stated that many parents are on a LONG wait list for high-quality programs, so many parents find an unlicensed child care center.  Some of the spots at her facility are subsidized and others are not.  She stated that there is current debate in Canada whether childcare should receive government funding.  Parents of early children get a $100 tax credit, but she says that it is just a "drop in the bucket".  She stated that some parents spend thousands of dollars for quality care.  The average family simply cannot afford this. 

E. Szatmari is from Hungary.  She stated that in some parts of Hungary.  There is very little money.  Schools currently are over populated and cannot fill the needs.  Where she is from, many people try to get loans from the school to try to pay for their child's care, but there is little money at the school.  She stated that many young children are being watched by grandparents in an over populated home. 

Poverty can impact anyone at anytime often without warning.  When Owen and Ella were 10 weeks old, my husband lost his job without warning.  Owen was in the hospital at the time and we had major medical bills piling up.  We also had two newborns going through a ton of diapers.  It was so scary.  Thankfully, Brian found a job a few months later, but it was a scary time.  It is important as an educator to know where the child is coming from and help meet their needs while at school. 

Sharing Web Resources

ZERO TO THREE www.zerotothree.com This resource has links for behavior and development, health related issues, education and schooling, as well as a variety of other resources. 

I found the section labeled School Readiness Interactive Birth to 3 (www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education) to be very informative and interesting.  It was a web-based, interactive learning tool designed to help parents or caregivers support young children’s early learning. It had age-based information on how children develop the four key skills—language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self-confidence and self-control—that are so very important to school success.

The photos are of Owen doing some physical therapy exercises, Ella spinning like a princess, and Noah's missing tooth...I just wanted to include him!  Love my kiddos!

I also found the training for physicians to be interesting.  It is so very important for pediatricians or family doctors to be knowledgeable about development, be able to spot delays, and encourage parents to seek intervention when necessary. 

Getting Ready-Establishing Contacts and Expanding Resources

Hello!  I am excited to be starting another course and "chugging" through these courses.  I must say, this educational experience is soooooo much different (with a husband, kids, bills, etc) than my experience at Purdue, but I am learning so much. 

Part 1: Establishing Professional Contacts
I have emailed several people and have a response from one that is willing to discuss the information with me.  I am excited to learn more about her and Hungary's early childhood system.  Many of the people are concerned about the time constraint, so I am trying to contact more than one so I have a back up each week. 
Part 2: Expanding Resources
I am excited about the www.zerotothree.org organization.  I have looked at specific articles on the website before, but never took the time to really read it.  It has a lot of information.  One thing that caught my attention was the BRAIN MAP section this week.  My son, Owen, has significant diffuse white matter loss throughout his brain, so I am always intrigued by articles concerning the brain.  (Owen is still undergoing genetic testing and HOPEFULLY his condition is non-progressive.  Feel free to visit his site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/owenred)  I signed up for mail from them and registered.  Excited to learn more. 

My advice to you about establishing contacts is try a lot of people.  I am always so nervous that I will not have the information that I need when I have to post, so hopefully with more than one person I will have at least one person respond in time. 

Best wishes to you all!!!
Sarah

Request...

Thank you all for great posts during this course.
It has been a pleasure getting to know each of you. 

I have a favor to ask each of you.  My son, Owen, is going through some major genetic testing.  Would you mind saying a prayer to whom ever you pray to or ask for guidance for normal test results for him.  We pray that the white matter loss in his brain shows no progression, he continues to gain skills, and NEVER shows signs of regression.  Thank you all! 

My Supports!

I feel as though I have a wonderful support system.  My family is my rock.  They keep me going.  My children help me to be patient.  My husband helps me to find humor in things.  My parents keep me grounded.  I find comfort daily in my FAITH. 

I am a list maker.  Creating a list helps me stay organized and on-time.  It also allows me to calm down and be less anxious. Without my list, I get distracted, spend more, and lose my train of thought. 

I always make time to play with my kids each and every day.  While I often find myself being busy (often with homework...), I take the time to play with them.  I learn so much from their innocence, their attitude, and their patience with me.  It helps me to be the mom that I want to be.  I would be lost without my babies. 

I pray a lot during the day.  This helps me relax and comforted.  There have been times in my life when I have not prayed as much and I often find myself to be more uptight.  Prayer helps me find my inner peace. 
Photos:  Noah, Owen, and Ella...my little playmates!
              Brian and I...I fell in love with his humor!
              The Holtz's going to church last Easter.  We love to go to church together, play together, and PRAY together!

 

My Connections to Play!

"Play energizes us and enlivens us.  It eases our burdents.  It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities." -Stuart Brown

"In play a child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behavior.  In play it is as though he were a head taller than himself." -Lev Vygotsky

My parents both encouraged play in different ways.  My dad encouraged me to build by making drawings and creating them.  He is a very literal-type player.  My mom encouraged play that involved nature.  We lived in the country and I would map maps, go on hikes, build forts, and play adventurer.  My sister is 3 years older than me and I idolized her.  She did not particullary enjoy being outside.  She liked dolls, playing house, and drawing.  I loved interacting with others.  Growing up, I particullarly enjoyed painting, building, and being outside.  I was also a pretty literal player. 

Times have changed a bit since I was little.  Technology is everywhere.  While I think that there can be some educational benefits to electronic games, it can allow the child to not use their entire creative ability or social skills.  Families are very busy.  Organized sports are starting at a very young age.  In some cases, these organized sports have taken the place of playtime. 

I hope that young children are encouraged to play and use their imagination.  I hope that children are encouraged to play in various ways other then their preferred way.  For example, my oldest son, Noah, is a very imaginative player.  He loves to create new themes for play and use toys for various other ways other than their purpose.  Our little neighbor boy, Ty, is a few months older than Noah.  Ty is a very literal player.  I think that it is great to watch them interact and push each other to play in various forms. 

Photos:  (These are examples of things that I enjoyed doing as a child!)
Noah, Owen, and Ella playing outside and enjoying each other! 
Noah loves play-doh! 
The boys playing with my old Legos.
Ella playing babies. 
Owen playing with his blocks and trucks.   

Play has given me adventures that I may never actually experience in my lifetime.  It allowed me to learn social skills, build friendships, create new ideas, and become comfortable being by myself.  As an adult, I try to encourage my children to play in various ways.  Noah is very imaginative.  Ella loves to play babies and make-believe.  Owen loves order in his play.  He loves to line up trucks and stack blocks.  All of my kids like to play outside and I enjoy watching them learn!