Week 4: Words of Inspiration and Motivation from Major Contributors to the Early Childhood Field

A noteworthy quote from the Women's Rights Are Human Rights Famous Speech by Hillary Clinton in Beijing, China: 5 September 1995

"As long as discrimination and inequities remain so commonplace around the world - as long as girls and women are valued less, fed less, fed last, overworked, underpaid, not schooled and subjected to violence in and out of their homes - the potential of the human family to create a peaceful, prosperous world will not be realized."

This resonates with me because so many fail to realize that the institution of the FAMILY is the basis for which all larger, governmental decisions are made. Any major political issue, strategy, program, etc. can be critiqued by how it is applied to the basic level of the population: the family. Furthermore, without women, there would be no families.

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A quote from Samuel J. Meisels, a contributor to the sector of Early Childhood Education in various ways. He is known for his work with the Erikson Institute and an advocate for well-rounded Head Start programs in the US.

“For decades, we in early intervention have been fighting the good fight over the true goals of Head Start, not to increase IQ per se but to increase social competence, help the child meet social expectancies, and assist children living in poverty to prepare for formal schooling.”

Meisels, S.J., & Shonkoff, J.P. (2003). Handbook of early childhood intervention 2^nd edition. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 

Week 3: My Childhood Web

Just a few who played a part in my childhood

My Dad: I have always been a “Daddy’s girl.” He has influenced my life in many ways over the years with things he’s done, things he’s not done. Like with my mother, our relationship, as all significant ones do, has had it’s ups and downs. I have never felt unloved though. He had a way of raising me which allowed me to make my own mistakes, but learn from them. He allowed me to explore the world around me while having personal pride and a sense of responsibility. This always made me feel special growing up because I was never forced into anything, but to be exactly who I want. My father continues to be a sense of support and encouragment in my life into adulthood by listening to my frusterations about being a “grown up,” and reminding me that change, options and choices can be a good thing.

                                                                                                                                                                               

My Auntie: My aunt has always been a source of support, patience, caring and nurturing in my life. As a child, she is another who encouraged my academic progress, always taking an interest in my studies, extra-curricular activities, but especially my dreams. When other’s doubted my long term plans, she was the one who said, “stick with it, Sess. If it doesn’t work, at least there will be no regrets.” She helped guide my parents with sharing my points of view when I felt “they just don’t get it.” Auntie Denise continues to be a great mentor as I become an adult and continue to progress.

My Brother: Alex and I grew up being delt the same deck of cards. Though we chose to handle our hands differently in our childhood, we were a team for most of it. I took the role of protector over him a lot, and he would reciprocate by making me laugh things off, going out to play, or being my “wingman” during disagreements with our parents. He made me feel special by making me realize that allowing freedom of choice is just as important as receiving it. He taught me that people must find their own ways, even if relationships are altered in the process. Our relationship continues to evolve, but he will always be my little brother.

My best friend: Shan and I met during the second year of high school, but as this happened, we realized that we were connected by mutual relationships during much of our childhood. For example, Shan’s first boy friend in middle school, was my boyfriend in 3^rd grade! Her second boyfriend was my 6^th grade crush and fellow band geek! During middle school, I played basketball, five minutes from where she spent weekends with her dad. We still to this day question why it took so long for fate to bring us together. Eventually it happened though and I am so thankful for our friendship. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood would have been unimaginably more difficult if we weren’t “platonic life partners” as we call ourselves. She is my voice of reason, as well as the one who encourages spontaneity. She has taught me a lot about how to take the good with the bad when it comes to the most random of situations. When I feel “stuck,” she gets me unglued. And when I feel totally overwhelemed and discouraged with the state of things, she brings me back to center.

My Mom: Mom and I have always been “tough cookies.” Sometimes this was an asset in our relationship, sometimes not. All the while though, I know she loves me “as big as the whole wide world.” My mother has influenced my life in a lot of ways. I have seen what a strong, independent, woman she has been in a man’s world. I have seen her give selflessly so my brother and I could have all we needed and wanted. She taught me to go after what I want, no matter others’ critique or doubt as well as to fight for what I believe in, even if I make people frusterated or become frusterated myself because it will be worth it. She continues to make me feel special by showing her pride in me, allowing me to teach her things from time to time and continuing to have a heart of gold.

Week 2

There are VERY few things that my parents have EVER agreed on that I can remember. But, one of them is that this (see below) is both of their favorite baby pictures of me. Rightly so! To this day, chicken off the bone is still one of my favorite foods. Check out chub on my arms too, must have been all that BBQ sauce!

Also added this week to my blog is one of my favorite childhood poems. One other things my parents can agree on is that taking out the garbage (or lack of doing so) was the source of many an arguement growing up! So, Shel Silverstein's Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out was a piece that I could identify with:

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out by Shel Silverstein (1974)

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout

Would not take the garbage out!

She’d scour the pots and scrape the pans,

Candy the yams and spice the hams,

And though her daddy would scream and shout,

She simply would not take the garbage out.

And so it piled up to the ceilings:

Coffee grounds, potato peelings,

Brown bananas, rotten peas,

Chunks of sour cottage cheese.

It filled the can, it covered the floor,

It cracked the window and blocked the door

With bacon rinds and chicken bones,

Drippy ends of ice cream cones,

Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,

Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,

Pizza crusts and withered greens,

Soggy beans and tangerines,

Crusts of black burned buttered toast,

Gristly bits of beefy roasts…

The garbage rolled on down the hall,

It raised the roof it broke the wall…

Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,

Globes of gooey bubble gum.

Cellophane from green baloney,

Rubbery blubbery macaroni,

Peanut butter caked and dry,

Curdled milk and crust of pie,

Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,

Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,

Cold french fried and rancid meat,

Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.

At last the garbage reached so high

That finally it touched the sky.

And all the neighbors moved away,

And none of her friends would come to play.

And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,

“OK, I’ll take the garbage out!”

But then, of course, it was too late…

The garbage reached across the state,

From New York to the Golden Gate.

And there, in the garbage she did hate,

Poor Sarah met an awful fate,

That I cannot right now relate

Because the hour is much too late.

But children, remember Sarah Stout

And always take the garbage out!

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Still makes me smile and laugh. The biggest difference between being a kid and being a grown up in my opinion is learning to "not sweat the small stuff." The best thing about working with kids is that they are so unbelieveably honest, even when it comes to things like the stress that taking out the garbage brings. I am so fortunate to work with kids, have no two days ever be alike and to remember that I am making a difference!

Week 1

So far, week 1 has been great. I am starting to get to know some of my classmates, and even though it is doubtful we will meet face to face, it is comforting to know that some of you are pretty local to me! Slowly but surely, I am getting the hang of the technology and have been looking forward to your responses to the assignments for the week.