Friday, December 19, 2014

Time Well Spent



        Studying Diversity in Early Childhood Study has broadened my perception in the early childhood field.
·        Three deeply felt learnings
1.     Bias and prejudges are the filters that block people from seeing things truly. As a unique human being, none of us is the exact same as the other. It is not fair to tell someone has to be same as someone else. Children and families involved bias/prejudge can not identify themselves positively and struggle of being who they are.  It matters to create an environment that supports every child growing in the sense of feeling safe and loved and belonging.
2.     There are many issues and trends in the field of early childhood education. One of the issues regarding quality and early childhood professional was the challenging practices to Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics (Early Childhood Australia, 2013). Reflect myself, while I work in the classroom, countless decision are being made daily. What word I use and what decision I made matters to children's developing positive identity. An early childhood professional can not grow maturely without practice daily with the Code of ethic in the early childhood field.
3.     There are huge resources in the field. Stay current knowledge from the resources because knowledge gives the tools for us to act powerfully. Also, there are types of support systems. Each kind offers ongoing opportunities to reflect on our work with others, receive support and encouragement, learn from others, and get help from others. When we are part of a support group or network, we have the constant reassurance that we are not alone (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, P.158).
·        Farewell message to your Instructor and colleagues
       English is my second language that I started at age of mid-40s. It was difficult for me to take the course that taught in English. The very first course of this program was the cornerstone. With the help and encouragement of Dr. Kien and my first course classmates, I went through the first step, which was important for me to step to next, and to go so far. Now I am finishing my Capstone course. Thanks to the instructors and classmates who read my posts, commented on my posts, asked me questions that helped me clarify my thought, gave more information to enhance my insight, and so on. I felt so blessed to have you in my life. I wish you all blessed in your journeys whatever you do and you are going to be. We will maintain the friendship and continue supporting each other in the future working in the early childhood education field. Connect me at facebook or linkedin through my Walden email.
·        One long-term goal
      I admire the teacher who is the most beloved of children (CBS News, 2014). My long-term goal is to become one like her.
·        Favorite quotes
"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him." - Psalms 127:3
"Children make the whole world." - Agnes Zhelesnik
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6

References
CBS News. (2014, Jan.). America's oldest teacher may also be most beloved.Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/americas-oldest-teacher-may-also-be-most-beloved/
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Early Childhood Australia.(2013,Dec.). Early Childhood Australia's Code of Ethics: Challenging practices, retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/every_child_magazine/every_child_index/early_childhood_australias_code_of_ethics_challenging_practices.html