• Things addressed on websites included:
• Children's Health and Nutrition

• Separation anxiety

• Transitions to school

• Gaining resources as a country to aid in the countries development.

Things I did not know....I was aware that adults get empty nest syndrome when their children go off to college but, I was not aware that this type of  syndrome could happen even earlier.  Early childhood Australia did a great job exploring separation for parents and young ones.   Its crazy how we do not necessarily prepare our children for the kind of anxiety or even, trauma that they can endure through being separated.

                         Everyone involved in transition to school experiences changes at the relationship level. As                     children leave prior-to-school settings they, and their families, may lose contact with staff,                       children and other families from those settings. Some children start school with friends, but                     their friendship groups may change considerably as they adjust to school. For children                           with special education needs, and their families, the changes in relationships are often                           major, as prior-to-school support ceases and new relationships with new resource staff                           need to be built.

Perhaps we as educators can find a way to help children and parents better segway into this transition.  

The other thing I noticed was that the African sites were very barebone and lacked the design, color and detail as the other sites.  I do not know if this was intentional or not but,I it does help to drive the message home.

Classroom Research

I was doing some research on teaching strategies that could appeal in my classroom.  This method I found was amazing.  I have spent the greater part of the afternoon watching videos and seeing these strategies played out in  not only small children's classrooms but in high school classrooms.  Here is an example:

This is interactive, fun, and it helps kids understand despite language barriers, income, and culture.  This kind of activity is exactly what I want to see in classrooms that are sensitive to cultures and diversity.  you all should try it!

Let the Research Begin!

 I chose to research cultural differences in the classroom.  I see this as such an interesting subject.  I have dealt with this for years as an Early childhood educator.  I have seen food be an issue, i have seen language be an issue in the classroom and we are now even understanding when children are coming from same sex households.  There are lots of articles but none that quite tell you how to deal with the issues.

I hope to walk away with cutting edge ideas about how to set up a phenomenal all-inclusive new age classroom.  I did respect the simulation exercise though not much was gained from it.

Do you all have quetions in regards to my topic?  Any suggestions?  I am open and excited!

.consequences

3 Consequences

1. INCREASED AWARENESS!!!!
     I now know where to go!
2.  More information
     I now know what to do
3.  An Agenda
      I know have a network to do it in, and with, and even through

I will join one of thee groups and donate monetarily to this cause.  Im thinking of suppoting Haiti.  I thought it was interesting.

My Professional Reflections

It has been quite the journey so far in this class.  I plan to write a lot more after I finish this program.  I am a bit ambitious and attmept to write my own text books and children's books.  I have seen so much room for many new perspectives and innovations that I would like to be a part of the new age.  I think that I bring a unique and fantastic approach because of the years of experience that I have and my willingness to see outside my experience into the vast future that awaits.
In the meantime, I think that I will take some creative writing classes and up my reading of this kind of literature to make sure that i have my forms an what not correct and then I will have the confidence to just dive in.  All this writing throughout the course has allowed me the saavy and the confidence to really put myself out there.  Wish me luck, this should be interesting!

Web Resources Pt. II

The blog that I choose to explore was:  http://www.naeyc.org/

I think that it adequately addresses most things that involve Early Childhood Education and new trends and issues that need to be discussed also.

The topic that I explored this week I found very interesting.  Two principals were interviewed about how to keep the parents of a very diverse community engaged in the school.  This has been a hot topic for  the last two classes that I have taken in this program.  The methods they discussed were not so cutting edge but they did mention many of the things that we have been discussing such as making sure that families are included and feel welcomed.  They mentioned having dinner nights to open PTA meetings.  This sends a message to the children that the educators that work with them and they and their parents are all one big family.

I did explore additional links on the website and they lead me to the local chapter of the NAEYC.  They have local meetings, opportunities for employment.  The additional web resources are excellent and I am glad to know that there is a local branch and ways for me to follow up.

Week Five

Its  hard to believe that their must be innovation in adversity with children.  They are cute and adorable and loveable, but things do happen in their little lives that cause them stress. I think that as adults, the resources this week were useful because we were  able to get a snap of some of the things that we can do to alleviate obstacles and challenges.

The website that we visited showed great initiatives for helping those that are less fortunate and are facing adversity.  What I found interesting was that it was called a science.  Really?  Adversity is for study?

Call me old fashioned, lets just work from our hearts.  Is that not enough to alleviate the issues in life without yanking out a telescope and calling it a science?  Will we become too attached to methods to work from our sensitivity and our hearts?  Its interesting.