Inspirational quotes, pictures, and more!

--Quotes--

"It takes a village to raise a child" - African Poverb
I like this proverb because it is true. It takes a community of families, educators, businesses, health care providers to help a child grow, learn and become a responsible member of society.

"A person's a person, no matter how small" - Dr. Seuss
I like this quote because young children have a voice with opinions and we need to listen to them.

"If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand up for much" - Marian Wright Edelman
I like this quote because young children need someone(adults) to stand up for them and fight for their rights; free education, shelter, clothing, food and health care.

--Pictures--

I chose Sesame Street because I love the show. I watched it as a child, my children watched it growing up , and my students now watch parts of it at least two times a week. This show deals with all types of family situations and finds solutions that are positive.

I chose this image because the world is a melting pot of culturally diverse people. As a scholar for change we must embrace diversity and learn about other cultures. Learning about other cultures will enhance our growth as human beings and allow us to teach our youngest learners to embrace all people.

I chose this image because this is my favorite ride at Disneyland. I enjoy watching all the young children from other countries wearing their native clothing and singing "It's a small world" in their native languages. At the end of the ride their is a representative from each country singing the song in English. If only adults could learn how to respect and love one another for their cultural differences. Once adults learn this, then there will be a positive social change and maybe one day we can actually see children and adults singing this song.

Sources of Inspiration

NAEYC

I chose NAEYC because they are the leading organization dealing with children and education. This organization is in the fore front of new research and theories in the field of child development. I am a member of this organization.

Let Children Play

I chose Let Children Play because this site gave me the inspiration to do my research paper on nature. This site has so many ideas to do with children outside. 

Children's Defense Fund

I chose this site because I agree with the mission statement; children need a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life. This organization is in the fore front a achieving these goals for all children. I plan to join this organization.

Module 6 Assignment 2

Nature and outdoor play for our youngest children is diminishing in some areas and flourishing in others. Parents fear taking their children to parks due to crime, drugs, broken equipment and not enough time. Some schools are so focused on the academics that children do not get to spend that much time outside. Other schools are establishing an area at  that is considered nature based, while brand new school are being built around a nature theme approach. Some of the benefits of outdoor play are social, cognitive, emotional, and language skills. Children learn mathematics operations, science inquiry, and physical development

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The blog that I chose, Let the Children Play has influenced the way I use the outdoor environment to teach. I have started to incorporate many of their ideas with my students. Some of their ideas are so simple. Of course you do need some supplies, but most of them are recyclable’s that you can ask families to donate.

We have planted beans, cilantro, sunflowers, and other vegetables using plastic bottles and I have saved a pallet that I am going to ask parents to paint and turn it into a raft or quiet area for the children.

My three year old students are learning; to count, about the plant cycle, about the sun, water, rain and their benefits, language, and socialization skills.

Questions for thought:

What can you do for children who are allergic to grass or pollen?

Do you feel that it is okay for children to go outside for a walk in light rain if properly dressed?

Is it okay to let children go barefoot outside is dirt or sand?

What do you say to your administrators when you want to spend more time outside teaching than inside?

Blog

www.letthechildrenplay.net

Vaccinations Pros and Cons

This past week I spoke with one of my early education colleague of Muslim faith about children and vaccinations. I remembered us talking several years ago about her youngest daughters first day of school and I asked her how she handled getting all of those shots. She told me that she had a waiver due to religious beliefs. I was shocked.

Now move forward a few years. I asked my colleague to explain her believes about vaccinations. Her family has not received in type of vaccinations due to her Muslim faith. She also told me that there are serious sides to vaccinations and some children can even die. She told me that some vaccinations contain mercury and other chemical that are harmful to your body. According to her faith the best way to provide antibodies to your baby is to breastfed them.  Eating healthy and pure foods, avoid pork, alcohol and drugs, will helps keep their bodies strong. 

After doing some online research I found more sources that agreed with my colleague. Just Mommies website has a message board (Welcome to Choosing not to Vaccinate), they even have articles on the pros and cons of vaccination. On ProCon.org another website about vaccinations it list thirteen arguments for and against vaccines. This website also has a video gallery with qualified health care professional’s perspective about vaccinations.

I also found online research articles websites that support my beliefs to vaccinate all children against diseases. Healthychildren.org discusses why children need to be vaccinated. UNICEF gives facts about how vaccinations can save lives and stop diseases.

What is your opinion about vaccinating infants and children?

Do you think all children should receive their vaccination for free?

Do you think we the United States should send medical supplies and vaccines to other countries, when we have children and families here that cannot afford health care, medicines or vaccines?

Resources

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunization/pages/why-immunize-your-child.aspx?

http://www.justmommies.com/family-life/family-health/the-vaccination-debate-pros-and-cons-vaccinations

http://www.mission.comislam.com/health/immmunizationhurtornot.htm

www.unicefusa.org/work/immunization/infographic-unicef-immunization.html

http://vaccines.procon.org

Winter Bulletin Boards

This board reflects the theme of winter and the story 3 Little Kittens.

This board is a collage of clouds that we carried for our Martin Luther King Parade

These are clouds that represent Martin Luther King. I transcribed what they had to say after I read a story about him.

Introduction

Hello my name is Angela and I am an early childhood educator. I have a Master’s degree in Teaching, Specializing in Early Childhood Education, a Community College Teaching Certificate and I am working on an ED.S and a Doctorate. I have worked for Los Angeles Unified School District for the past 28 years. I have worked with infants, toddlers, preschooler and school-age children. Currently I work with 3 year olds.

My interest in bulletin boards stems from taking a professional development class about how to and how not to set up bulletin boards. Bulletin boards do not always have to be on a board, they can be on doors, walls, and hallways, inside the classroom and outside.

I created this blog to let other educators see the many different ways a bulletin board can be set up and used.

Using family pictures is a wonderful way to create bulletins. It enhances a child's self esteem. It also allows new students the opportunity to see their family when they are feeling unsure of new surroundings. Family pictures demonstrate diversity in a classroom. Plus when teachers use their family pictures, students can see that the teachers were once little themselves. 

This picture was taken when I was three years old at Sears. This picture reflect four generations of only children on my mother's side of the family.  

Under Construction

Welcome to the wonderful world of classroom bulletin boards. Bulletin boards are under construction.