Special Thanks

I have really enjoyed the last eight weeks as I begin my journey through the MSECS program at Walden University.  I appreciate my colleagues, classmates, professor, administration, and the parents and children I service.  I want to give a special thanks to "Group 2" for their feedback, support, insight, and suggestions relating to their experience and our Foundation of ECE course.  Thanks for the dedication and participating that helped make this course interesting and worth the time and effort.  Another special thank you to Walden for designing a program to fit the needs and demands of our global economy and that will help me meet my personal and professional goals.  And last but not least, thanks to Dr. Dartt for taking the time to share her experience and expertise with us and for challenging us to think past what we know and have done and to focus on the current issues, needs, and direction of the early childhood sector.  Again thanks, and I look forward to working with you again as I continue the course. 

Code of Ethics: DEC

My top three ideals:

• We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.
• We shall collaborate with families and colleagues in setting meaningful and relevant goals and priorities throughout the intervention process including the full disclosure of the nature, risk, and potential outcomes of any interventions. 
• We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work. 

My first ideal is categorized as the third principle for DEC.  I demonstrate this principle through observations, adapting or modifying activities, and discussing the outcome with the parent.  If the child needs additional services, I make recommendations and refer the parent to the appropriate personnel.  All of this is done in an accelerated manner, so that the child's learning will not be delayed.  

My second ideal also come from the third principle.  When working with children that have behavior disorders or that may be classified as special needs (non severe), there is a plan of action created to include this child in a general education environment.  For example, it is my responsibility to ensure the consequence and rewards system created for a child with disciplinary issues is adhered to in order for this child to succeed in the program. 

My final ideal is categorized in the first principle which focuses on professional practices.  Being trustworthy is critical in the education profession.  Children, parents, and the community rely on us to know what we are doing as educators and to be honest about the results of the students progress.  The standards are high and should remain high because any inkling of dishonesty can possibly delay the child's learning or have long term affects.  Honesty counts at all times in this profession.   

Reference
The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/

Code of Ethics: NAEYC

My top three ideas:

• To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided.
• To share information about each child’s education and development with families and to help them understand and appreciate the current knowledge base of the early childhood profession.
• To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child.

My first ideal supports my ethical responsibility to my co-workers.  I love to collaborate with my colleagues!  Sharing what I have experienced or what I have recently learned helps me self reflect and get feedback from my professional peers.  Plus, you never know what they are struggling to accomplish in their classroom.  It's a fun way to exchange ideas, provide emotional support, and build life long partnerships.  

My second ideal supports my ethical responsibility to parents/families.  Most parents learn as they go, based on trial and error.  I can help them better understand their child's development by keeping them informed of their child's progress throughout the year and offer them resources to use with their child when he/she is away from the campus.  Building a partnership with the parent, will better benefit the child as he continues to develop.

My third ideal supports my ethical responsibility to children.  This is most important professional commitment I have.  Staying in "the know" is crucial to making sure I am engaging the "whole child".  It is my overall responsibility to make sure I have the appropriate research, resources, and competency to educate young learners.     

Reference
NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

ECE Resources

Course Resources

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.   Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title.
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
• Websites:
• • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP's mission.
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/
    Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

My Additional Resources

• http://www.equitycampaign.org/i/a/document/9833_EquityMatters_Kagan_Final.pdf
• http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/
• http://eric.ed.gov/

Inspiring Quotes

"I never, ever thought about what I do as a job or a career," she says. "It was always just a matter of figuring out what needed to be done. I did what my mother and father did; I had 12 foster brothers and sisters. I've done the same thing, only on a larger scale." ~ Marian Wright Edelman


"It's so hard for this country to do what's right for children," she says. "I get tired every day. Bur you have to get up and keep working. We do make progress, though. It's been hard all these years to get children to the top of the agenda, but today I can say that's where they are: at the top of the agenda." ~ Marian Wright Edelman


"After laying that foundation, we also need to have a good, solid, high-quality preschool program for 3s and 4s. And when they get to school at age 5, don't quit. You have to have a program that goes up through the 3rd grade." ~ Dr. Edward Zigler

Passion, Motivation, and Wisdom!

Louise Derman Sparks, Professor Emeritus at Pacific Oak College in CA

"Instead of playing house, I played school." 

"I chose teaching as a way to fix the injustices in the world."

Renatta M. Cooper, Program Specialist for Office of Childcare in LA County

"Working intently with children and families is almost like earning a doctorate."

"There are challenges you will have to face and meet each year, for yourself, your staff, the children and their families."

My Personal Childhood Web

The five most important people that help raise me are:  my parents, Ruthie and George, my Aunt Faye and her daughter Valerie, and my Aunt Mattie.

For the first 10 years of my life, my parents raised me in the same home.  My dad help establish the foundation of what to expect from a father.  I was a daddies girl and enjoyed every minute of it.  All my childhood memories of my dad are great.  He was fun.  We enjoyed each others company.  I went everywhere with him.  He taught me sports, how to ride a bike, and how to be the center of attention.

When my parents weren't able to care for me, due to work, my Aunt Faye stepped in.  As a child, she was my second mother and today she is still my favorite aunt!  There was nothing my aunt would do for me.  She provided a loving environment.  She has always been one of the best cooks in the family.  There was never a day, that she didn't cook or make sure I had whatever I wanted to eat.  She showered me with gifts and always came to my defense when my older cousins were being difficult.

When my Aunt Faye was available, her teen age daughter, Valerie would pitch in.  I got a chance to see first hand how crazy high schoolers can be (lol).  We didn't bond or connect much back then but we have a better relationship now.  For the most part, she made sure I stayed out of trouble til one of our parents arrived.  She didn't interact much with me, the television and my toys kept me engaged.  But, looking back, most teens don't want that type of responsibility.

Once my parents decided to separate, my mom moved back to her home state; Louisiana.  My mom has always loved, encouraged, and supported me.  With a background in social work, she monitored everything.  She was big on communication.  She made sure no one was bothering us physically or emotionally.  She provided a non hostile environment.  Everyone liked my mom and wanted to hangout at our house!  Her home was the safest and securest; there was nothing ungodly or inappropriate being said or done.  She definitely promoted education and stayed on top of our academic progress.  She modeled everything within the best of her ability and what she could model, she explained how it should go.

In Louisiana, when my mom needed childcare assistance with us, she turned to my Aunt Mattie.  For most of my childhood life, my aunt lived with us and she didn't work.  So, there was always someone home when we got out of school.  My aunt was also my mother's spiritual counsel.  As a child, she made sure we attended and participated in church.  In between church events, she maintained spiritual guidance.