"My Connections to Play"

                                       As a child I often wanted to go outside and play with my friends and my sisters. My mother was very adamant about us running around and be children.  At times we did not want to go out and play but she pushed us to be active. As I have gotten older I realized that play is not what it was when I was growing up and that saddens to me some degree. In this field we see things that blow us away and watching what today child’s consider “play” is totally different. When I was younger we were content with going outside and running around, playing hide and go seek, and jump rope, and today that is a whole new ball game. I have seen that children today do not like to be active and in part I blame all the advances in technology. I hope that one day we are able to get back to the basics and keep the spirit of play alive and well in the many years to come.

“Play is our brain's favorite way of learning.”

----Diane Ackerman                

“The true object of all human life is play.”

----G. K. Chesterton

         

    Relationship Reflection

 

Relationships are important to me, because I have built lasting relationships with friends and family over the years. As a child I wanted everyone to like me, but as I got older I learned that having just anybody in your life was a negative thing. I soon realized that I wanted to surround myself with loving and caring people in my life and have those relationships last. Family is very important to me and the family members I am closest to are my younger sisters.  My sisters are my best friends and my confidants, and just being around them puts a smile upon my face.

                I must admit that our relationship was not always the best, but over the years we learned to appreciate it other and respect each other more and more. We learned through trial and error that communication was key and was the foundation for a lasting relationship.  I remember once that my sisters and I, got into a  huge fight and our mother was so upset with us, and all we kept hearing her say was, “Why my girls, oh why?”. It was in that moment when I realized that all she wanted for us, was to act like young ladies and love each other.  I believe that strong partnerships and relationships rely heavily on effective communication, also total honesty, and also consideration. It is very important for us as humans to respect each other’s views and values and be empathetic to one’s feelings. As an educator each and every day I am adding and building on a firmer foundation with my students and his or her family. I believe it is very important for me to interact with the family to gain their trust and build up a rapport that would benefit the students and their family.

Blog Assignment: Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

            As a child I came into contact with a lot of people and one person in particular sticks out to me, my friend Jasmine.  Jasmine came from a single parent home and was the youngest of five children. She was very mild mannered at school, but I never understood why when it was time to go home that should would act out. In our neighborhood some rumors were circulated but I always waited for Jasmine to tell me herself. At seven or eight years old I could not do much but I wanted to be a friend and be there whenever Jasmine needed me.  Three years after meeting Jasmine I soon realized why her behavior changed and it was evident that her home life was not the best.

            Jasmine went to me in confidence and shared how her and her sisters were being abused by their mother’s male friends. I was shocked and sad for her, because I could not imagine that situation for myself and my sisters. During our friendship I saw how Jasmine behavior changed and the emotional turmoil she went through. It was hard to see her cope because her mother was in denial and did very little to bring those men to justice. Jasmine life took a turn for the worst when she began at a young age doing drugs, and each year my once cheerful friend became an angry and depressed person.

           

            In South Africa women and children have been impacted with several stressors, one of which is violence. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV infection among women and children. South African women and young girls are more vulnerable in the population to contact HIV and become violently abused; this is contributed to the violence of women and the segregation of men and women. Women who HIV positive are often tormented, ridiculed, and labeled as “spreaders” of this deadly virus, and because of this women and young girls often come violently abused. In December of 1999, the South African Domestic Violence Act was revamped and put into effect. Legislation called for a well defined and thorough definition of abuse and domestic relations. The Girls’ Education Movement/Safe Schools Initiatives organization and the Violence against Women and Children and HIV and AIDS project are working hard to protect the rights of women and children throughout South Africa.

References:

http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/hiv_aids_729.html

                                                     Important People

Grandma Evans

 Aunt Keesha & her bestfriend Pam

Grandma Ruby

My Mother and sister

"Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people's children. After all, when one of our children needs life-saving surgery, some else's child will perform it. If one of our children is harmed by violence, someone else's child will be responsible for the violent act. The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good secured for all other people's children." --Lilian Katz

"We as professionals, in the early childhood field have the opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."--Sandy Escobido

"Young children are inquisitive. They ask questions, wonder about things, and like to investigate interesting phenomena in their world." ---Sylvia Chard

“If we want to invest in the prosperity of our nation, we must invest in the
education of our children so that their talents may be fully employed.”  President Bill Clinton

“Positive behavior support is an approach for helping children develop social and communication skills, while creating a positive environment for learning and growth. Essentially, positive behavior support is a package of strategies, not just one intervention.”---Ann Turnbull

Personal Childhood Web

Ida Welch: My mother was a fighter and she instilled in me the importance of hard work.  Although my mother was a single parent, she never once let that get her down and she always made sure my sisters and I were well taken care of. My mother continues to impact my life because she is always pushing me and motivating me to keep going when it comes to school and she is highly important to me.

Ruenell Gatson: My adopted grandmother is to me the best mother figure in the world and her caring spirit has not only impacted and changed my life but also other children in the community as well. My Ruby as I like to call her, is always finding new ways to help a child in need and so she influenced me in part to get into a field helping others.  My grandmother is the foundation of my family and her many lessons and teachings will forever impact my life and the life of my future family.

Keesha Roberson: My aunt has been like a second mother figure to me. She is smart, kind, out-going, a singer, and just downright lovable. Over the years my aunt and I have always had a strong relationship, she is someone I can always go to if I have a problem and is close by whenever I need to talk. I could remember my aunt always using my summers for extended lessons and at the time I did not understand why, but as I got older I realized she was keeping my mind going. I learned to appreciate the many math and vocabulary lessons because they helped me excelled in my studies and continue to impact my life even to this day.  

Teeira “Uncle Terry” Roberson: My uncle was and is still a huge contributed to my life.  My Uncle Terry was that father figure I needed in my life and even after his death of Leukemia back in 2000, I still hold on to his teachings and use him as a guide to  what I feel is the perfect or ideal male role.  My Uncle was always there extending that helping hand and every time I was around him he made me feel like a princess.  I miss him terribly and I hold all of his kind words and many acts of love close and dear to my heart.

Mary “Grandma Evans” Evans: My great-grandmother embodies strength and love. She taught me at an early age to always treat people with respect and to always fight for what I believe in. My grandma used her years growing up during segregation as stepping tools in the running and foundation of her family. I have never once heard her use one bad word or raise her voice, just being around her calms me.  She continues to nurture me and when I was away at college she always found time to send me a caring or encouraging word. As I continue through life and my education I try to embody some glimpse of my grandmother’s calming and caring spirit.

 Here's a baby pic...!!!