Relationship Reflection

Relationships and partnerships are important to me because they give you someone in which to share your ups and downs. It also means having someone to confide in, listen too, and be there for during their times of joy and sorrow. It’s important in life to have strong healthy relationships and for us to feel nurtured and cared for. Relationships and partnerships have not always come easy for me, but as I’ve grown older I’ve come to appreciate and understand them more. My parents divorced when I was seven, as mentioned in an earlier blog post, and I lived with my grandmother until she passed away three years ago. I have always felt loved and cared for by my family and friends. Sometimes when you see hurt and experience hurt, love relationships can be difficult. It took some time, learning and understanding to know that marriage is a wonderful thing. I had witnessed divorce and separation in so many relationships that part of me thought, “why should I do this”. Luckily I babysat for a relationship therapist who helped me to work through my partnership anxiety and fears. It wasn’t until I met my husband and had to take care of my grandmother, who had taken care of me, that I truly appreciated my relationships and partnerships with others.

I have many close relationships in my life. Those relationships include my husband, my sister, my dad, a great aunt, Dottie and Parker Harness, my pets, my church family, and my friends. My husband and I have had many ups and downs especially since getting married two years ago. My grandmother passed a few months before the wedding, my mom one year later, and a tree fell on our house a year ago April. We had the joy of buying our first home together and the reality of home ownership a little too close together for comfort. However, through this time we have comforted each other and cursed each other, but we yet we have held each other through it. We haven’t had to go it alone. Trials make us stronger and build our relationships and partnerships. These factors have made us a stronger more committed team. I have had my church family to lean on and help hold me up through many tough times and joyful times. They have encouraged me to be strong and prayed for me and with me. When the tree fell they came to lend a helping hand along with my dad. My dad has been there to say, “this too shall pass, it’s just one of those things”. This he has said on many occasions. Often times I hear this when I’ve been struggling through school, with a relationship, car trouble, or even a broken heart or broken bone. Each time it lets me know how much he cares and that he’s always there. My sister is recently engaged. As children our relationship was not close, but as sisters do we have grown closer together. We have cheered each other on at ball games, dance recitals, and graduations. We’ve planned funerals and weddings all of these factors have contributed to my relationship with her today. I’m sure sharing in this wedding will be the highlight of the year.

My Great Aunt Jane has encouraged me to keep going and complete my master’s degree. She’s talked to me about what my grandmother would do and say about completing my master’s and the suffering I am enduring this year in the teaching field. When a loved one can share with you what a passed loved one might say or do if they were hear sometimes warms the heart. Dottie and Parker are friends that are always there for me for help, encouragement, and sometimes just to help me take a good hard look at reality. They help me to understand life a little bit better. Sometimes we need people like them to help us face reality and to know that life happens. Dottie as a relationship therapist and friend has helped me with communication and understanding in my partnerships.

I also, have fun loving pets who, recently attend doggy school and have helped me to learn patience. They are always there for me and give me someone to talk to when others do not want to listen. If I’m not feeling well they know, and are there to help take care of me. Somehow having them around let’s me know all is well.

Communication is always key in a relationship and partnership. My friends and I talk at least once a week about the events in our lives. Sometimes these conversations are on the phone but sometimes they are at table. At table is where many relationships are built and made. It is important and a challenge to keep an open mind when talking with people, whether it is someone you are close to or someone you have never met. Overtime I have learned that to develop and maintain a relationship it is important to look at things from all angles, that there is more than one point of view. It is important to know that I will not always be right, and the grass may be greener on the other side. I won’t ever know if I don’t take chances.
My experiences with relationship/partnerships, including my ability to be an active reflective contributor, impact my work as an effective early childhood professional because I am able to keep an open mind and know that everyone’s family is not the same, nor are they like mine. I know that each child will be raised differently and every parent will not see things the way I do. This reminds me of hearing parents say, “they can do this at home”. Maybe they can and I’m open to that, but I want to see them do it at school. I live in the inner city grew up in a bad neighborhood, had parents who divorced, luckily a grandmother who was there for me, and I worked hard to earn a college degree. I know that my experience may not be like the families I serve or like those that I work with each day. It is important for me to take what I know and use it. Also, to discuss with others their experiences and learn about their cultures and experiences.

When I Think of Child Development....

"Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them,
and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon."
Ann Lieberman

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning....They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play".
Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

"Let Them Be Little"
This video shows children playing with children there own age and in some clips even the same gender. It shows empathy in hugs friends and parents. It shows children from birth through the early childhood ages and stages. Children in this video are climbing and discovering knew things, such as the sand between their toes. There are clips of children who live where they can play in the water and drink from a water fountain. A small boy shows signs of learning to tie his shoes, pulling on his laces. A mother kisses her baby and the baby smiles. A child watches a cartoon, just one sign of the technology available to our children today. Children should be allowed to be little and express their needs and wants in their way. It is our job to listen, be understanding, and foster that growth. The video shows parental bonds between children.





In Thanks and Support to my colleagues
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
Author Unknown

Testing for Intelligence?

In a commitment to viewing children holistically, children should be measured and assessed within there own learning style and comfortable upon assessment. Some children are creative, some feel a test is the answer, some enjoying writing, and some performing. There are so many different ways, in which children learn. Anything taught can be assessed using different forms it does not always have to be in the form of a test. In education we are "teaching to a test" today more than ever before, but what are the children really learning. Is it something that will stick with them? Maybe but only if it was made meaningful to them otherwise it was only useful to get a high score. Students ability to write and have conversation should be an assessment. In the world of technology there are many children that can fill in a bubble on an exam and type a paper with a grammar spell check. What can they do with out it? All children should be assessed on an individual basis because each child is different. Their learning styles maybe different just as teaching styles vary among teachers. Children should be assessed on an individual basis because of the variance in learning styles. How well a child is able to retain information should be assessed? If a disability test is warranted then they should receive that testing. Every child is entitled to free appropriate public education. It is our job as educators to make sure that that child receives a beneficial education that meets their individual needs.

A look at Japan's Education
In Japan there education system is based on formal assessments and exams. Children know beginning in the early years that they have these exams, and they are their ticket to wealth and success. Students must prepare to take a high school entrance exam. Teachers in Japan collaborate on exactly what to teach and how much to teach daily. Students are given formal assessments, such as test papers and short quizes. Students have gotten bored with the assessments and they are given a break now. Students thought to have a learning disability are assessed and proved with the proper education they need. Children with special needs are provided an education in a special class or in a special school.

Soap Box on Standardized Testing
Well, welcome to my soap box. I am not a test taker. I get sick, and I worry through all tests. I have had many discussions in recent years on standardized testing. I'm not for it I think children can learn more with out it, teachers can teach more without it, and students will retain more. If they are engaged and having fun they are learning. "Learning Through Play" Today we live in a standardized test based society and are data driven. Schools are trying to improve and they are doing everything they can to get students "at grade level". In working with children and knowing they all learn differently. My personal feelings about standardized testing are not very good. An example of why tests are not the only assessment answer. I had a very hard time passing our state assessment test, then when I had a hard time passing college entrance tests, and the teacher's exams.
My dad and sister did not do as well in a couple of classes and therefore had to go to summer school that summer. They didn't have the highest GPA, but got high score on the ACT and SAT. They both went on to college but never finished. I did very well in school and graduated with a high GPA from high school and college, but when it comes to test taking I'm not good. I struggled getting into college and getting through one teacher exam. I believe I finally got through with a lot of prayer and self determination. To me this proves that students can perform in the classroom and learn without having to have a standardized test score to prove they can pass a test. At one point I thought maybe if I could get extra help on the reading portion by being allowed more time. Maybe I could take it without being timed at all.
I got so concerned and was convinced that something must have been wrong with me. I decided to go the psychologist at the college to find out if I had a disability. After $200 + I was told I was average and nothing was wrong. I was relieved but still had trouble with the test. I have learned to compensate for what I can explain and do what I have to to get through the world of tests.

Stressors of Childhood

During my childhood the predominant stressor in my life was chaos. I lived in a home with my mom and dad, but directly across the street from my grandparent's home. My mother, who passed away a year ago, was an alcoholic who went out almost every night. My dad worked everyday, but also most nights. I spent the days at either my home or my grandparents home. Many of my nights were spent at a babysitter's house. Some nights I spent with my grandparents. The nights spent at the babysitter's were usually late. I was usually picked up in what seemed like the middle of the night or early morning before daylight. I can still remember the smell of the cool night air combined with the smell of cigarettes. The hard pat was never knowing when I would get to go home or who would be picking me up. It's hard for a child not being at home and especially falling asleep somewhere other than home. There were lots of tears shed and lots fo time spent in the bathroom at the babysitters. The bathroom was somewhere I could go and be alone. The babysitter had to make me come out many times and then try to stop my crying. I could cry alone in the bathroom where I thought no one would know I was upset. I suppose crying was my relief. I would also call my grandparents from my house, at a very young age, to come get me. If they were available they usually came. There home was my refuge from everything at my house. At there home I was away from being taken to the babysitter. I had several friends in the neighborhood where I would go until dark, when I had to go home. I never wanted to go home because I knew that meant I might be going to a babysitter, but it could also mean going to my grandparents. I found strength and comfort in them.
Picture of My mom and sister at my Wedding October 9, 2009.

Note: Pictures of my grandparents, Memaw and Pawpaw, can be found on the right side of this page. Under Ginny's Childhood Web.

There are many other countries around the world where the chaos I experienced as a child doesn't seem very chaotic at all. I have always had a roof over my head and I knew who my parents were even if I didn't always know where they were. Even the parental fighting I experienced before my parents divorced, was like a slap on the arm, compared to violence children witness in other places. Countries such as Haiti where the majority of the population are under age 18. The country was hit by an earthquake in 2010 that caused widespread devastation. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Many of the Haitian children were orphans before the quake, but the numbers increased dramatically afterward. The stressors the children of Haiti face and cope with daily are poverty, natural disaster, isolation, hunger, noise, chaos, disease, environmental pollution, and violence. Haiti does not have access to safe drinking water. (You may refer to my previous post on access to healthy water to find out more.) Haitians do not have access to water so the children spend most of their time going to get brackish water. The country is impoverished and there is no water readily available which leads to poor sanitation. Many of the fields and livestock were wiped out by storms. Each year more and more tropical storms and hurricanes hit Haiti. Most of the people and children in Haiti are still living in tent cities which makes for a noisy environment and often brings about violence. The violence is gender based against women and children. Women in the Haitian communities are having to fight off rape and child trafficing even though there bodies are weak. The children feel isolated and scared. There is so much going on around them and rarely a calm moment. Some of the children want people to hear their stories so everyone see first hand the devastation and suffering they are a part of daily.
There are many organizations and foundations helping to minimize the harm of these stressors. Cholera prevention kits are being sent to help prevent its spread and when funds are available more medical supplies are sent to Haiti. There is a currently a clean water project for Haiti to install chlorinators in Por de Prince, Haiti. These will provide clean water to 300,000 Haitians and allow for more sanitary conditions. New orphanages are being opened thanks to caring people and private donations. The children have a safe place to live, learn, and grow because they will also receive the proper nutrition. Many of the children will never make it out of the orphanages do to lack of adoption and previous illnesses. Through many private donations and volunteers there has been a large effort to protect the children of Haiti and keep them safe.

Save the Children Voices from the Field: Haiti Earthquake Emergency

Haiti Children

Access to Healthy Water

Access to healthy water is extremely meaningful to me. I live in a developed region of the world in a major city. Of course living in a large city comes with exposure to many pollutants. There are constant news headlines warning about the pollutants that could be in the water. Luckily the water where I live comes from the Artesian Wells and most people prefer Memphis water over bottled water. There is also no color or odor to our water, which is nice when bathing and washing clothes. Memphis water contains florid which is good for the maintenance of healthy teeth. I realized just how thankful I was for clear, clean water after meeting my husband. We went to visit his family for the first time, not too long after we met. The water was brown. After flushing the toilet a time or two and hoping no one noticed, I wondered should I brush my teeth. I did brush them and showered. The water actually adds nutrients to your hair making it softer than usual. In the whole scheme of things the water there still holds very little comparison to other regions. Even developed regions outside of the U.S. do not have healthy water, it has color, odor, and foreign particles in it.

Children in other countries are dying everyday and almost every second from healthy water diseases. The water in Western Europe is quite contaminated which is the cause of many diseases related to water. The Compliance Committee there has two main goals to complete by 2015. They want to double the number of people having access ti improved water and to reduce child mortality under age five. Also, the countries in Africa are in desperate need of healthy water. In some African countries water supply systems are being put in,but they are very small in numbers. The lack of unhealthy drinking water which in turn gives children more time for an education. The new systems allow for faster retrieval of water which in turns gives children time for an education. More education means learning about healthy hygiene, for instance the use of soap and water to wash hands.

There are several organizations that we can get involved with to help in these other countries. Changes are being made one slow step at a time. I contribute to UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief, with my donations but I can do so much more. I will work more closely with this organization locally to try and make a difference in the lives of these families and children. In my work we are always discussing and promoting healthy habits. In the future I will discuss with my students more in-depth, pollutants and what we can do to protect our waterways and environment. I will encourage the global concern for healthy water and what they can do to help. We must remember our environments and everything in it have an impact on the young child.

I have included some links here you may find helpful and informative.

Concern World Wide
Safe Water International
United States Environmental Protection Agency
United Methodist Committee on Relief UMCOR

New safe-water systems in rural Niger enable children to go to school

CHINWAGHARI VILLAGE, Niger, 22 March 2010 – Surrounded by a throng of other children, each carrying empty containers, 8-year-old Fatima Hamouma walked to the new, modern water taps in her village. In just a few minutes, she had filled all six of her containers. Just a year ago, fetching water from the old traditional well would have required at least three hours of hard work.

Childbirth in Korea

I have a friend who is currently teaching in Korea to the very young 2,3,& 4 year olds. I have another friend who just finish a tour of duty there for the U.S. Army and has just returned home. Women who are able and ready in America usually share there pregnancy with their husbands or mothers first. In Korea the news is shared first with the mother-in-law, then the father, and lastly her mother. I know of very few women who would tell their mother-in-law first. It is quite different from American culture. There are many rituals of what to eat, not to eat, and what to do and not to do. These are similar to what American's do for the prenatal care of the child and their health. Unlike my friend with who was lucky to an epidural even with the after affects, it's not an option in Korea. In the Korean culture the woman must bite down on a cloth and ropes to hold on to for pain. She is not a loud to show pain. Did I mention she must stay quiet? The only time I've heard of this is when Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise had their baby. She had to remain quiet but it was do to their beliefs in Scientology. Men are also not allowed near the mother in labor only the mother in law and women who have experience child birth. No one can come around fro 21-100 days following a birth. The father-in-law names the child the name of his choice. My friend chose her daughter's name and like most American families names are discussed with family and friends.
Also, for health purposes after the delivery mothers are encouraged to eat seaweed soup. I have included the picture below.

References
Korean childbirth Traditions.(2005,October 7).Retrieved from:
http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNKorean_04.html
Korea4Expats.com.(2010).Childbirth Customs. Retrieved from:http://www.korea4expats.co
/article-childbirth-customs-korea.html

Experience with Childbirth

I have very little experience on the topic of child birth. I never asked my mother before she passed what happened the day I was born. I do know my dad and grandparents were there. If I had to guess I would say several aunts, uncles, and cousins were as well. I have stood by a couple of friends while they were experiencing the joys of labor. I have been anxiously waiting in the hospital waiting rooms for many births of friend's children. All births I have been close to occurred in a controlled hospital setting in a major city. I have never had the opportunity to witness a delivery, but I'm sure I will one day. Someday I hope to have the joy of having my own child. I remember the birth of my best friend Dawn's daughter the most. We were fifteen when her her daughter was born, we had no experience with babies outside of babysitting, and no experience with child birth. When she found out she was pregnant it was a shock, at first. She told the father and a friend first, and she told her mother, my family, and I three months into the pregnancy. This is often the case with teenage pregnancy. As I know from reading in education classes those first three months are a the most critical time and should be monitored very closely. Here arises one of our problems with young mothers and the importance of prenatal care. So many young mothers are scared. As educators there is a need to reach them, make them feel safe, cared for, and aware.
Dawn called me as soon after she found out. About 39 weeks later when she went into labor she called me right away. I remember going in and talking to her while she was in terrible pain and sick. She was vomiting in a bowl and being the best friend's we were she said go rinse and wipe this out. GROSS!!, but you've got to do what you've got to do. I must say I might possible remember that moment the most. I know she would do the same for me.
I stayed back there with her for a while, I'm not sure how long. Her daughter's father was also in the room with her. I remember hearing from her mother the minute her daughter arrived. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to see her and hold Brittany. She was full term and had a natural birth with an epidural. The baby was fine weighing a normal 5 lbs 13 ounces. Both and mother and baby were healthy and allowed to go home. Dawn, however, had to return to the hospital the day after coming home due to complications from the epidural. She was paralyzed for 24 hours from spinal leakage. It passed and mother and baby were home, healthy, and happy. Dawn was very tired and quickly learned the intensity of motherhood. I was still there helping out when I could. I have included a picture from Dawn's recent wedding with her now 13 yr old daughter.

A Note of Thanks & Support

Could it be signs of Spring already? This as been an amazing journey. Time seems to have passed rather quickly. They say, "time flies when you're having fun". It has been such a joy to be in the Foundations class for Early childhood Studies at Walden University with such wonderful people. I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. Early childhood is so important and I know moving forward we are going to sing like the birds in Spring, to make changes,to make improvements,share accomplishments, and create new goals. I have learned so much and gained wisdom from all of my colleagues and my professor in this course. I hope that everyone I have been working with is able to continue their professional journey. I hope they can meet the needs of early learners across the nation and across the world one child at a time, one family at a time, or through one organization at a time. Now is our time and we can do this!
Thanks so much.

Examining Codes of Ethics

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
II. Professional Development and Preparation
2.We shall continually be aware of issues challenging the field of early
childhood special education an advocate for changes in laws, regulations,
and policies leading to improved outcomes and services for young children
with disabilities and their families.
National Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC)
Section I - Ethical Responsibilities to Children
I-1.8 -- To support the right of each child to play and learn in an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities.
I-1.9 -- To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful.

Inclusion comes to mind-a word often used but rarely without a teacher gritting her teeth at the thought. In early childhood, we get it all, inclusion at it's best. A child who's never been to grandma's, never been to daycare, church, the grocery, and a library (what's that). Mom and Dad, bother and sister may be all they know. For some even play can be difficult. I enjoy working with the pre-k special ed teacher on staff with me. We are able to share ideas to improve the education among all early childhood classrooms. I serve children with disabilities just as she does. If testing is needed then referrals are made but I try to exhaust all options first.
Speech, is big among the early childhood children. This is a challenge at this time among early childhood professionals. In pre-k to give speech services or not to give speech services, is it just developmental delays? It maybe it may not be. This year the students I work with that I felt needed help with speech beyond my ability to help are being tested. For the last five years help in speech as been hard to come by. I believe this students will benefit from this service and feel better about themselves because of it. These services and others are so important as this code of ethics states. We should continually stay informed about the laws and where we are headed so that services for young children with special needs remains available. In helping to make sure that happens we will need to advocate for the services we believe in. Inclusion is great but these students must not be cut short for lack of services.

NAEYC
Section I - Ethical Responsibilities to Children

I-1.6 -- To use assessment instruments and strategies that are appropriate for the children to be assessed, that are used only for the purposes for which they were designed, and that have the potential to benefit children.
Assessment in the Pre-k classroom is very different from higher grades. It doesn't or shouldn't involve much sitting. (NO sitting and testing) Assessment should be age appropriate and done through play. Assessment through play allows students to learn through discovery, which is very age appropriate. Not only should students not be sitting but it is also important for the teacher to assess while interacting with the child during play or through play. I like to see what my students will come up with. Sometimes I get the most out of watching them write their name on the window in science, or build a whole city and then describe where they live through play with blocks. Another favorite is to watch them be me and to see them teach themselves or a friend how to count or say their alphabet. These moments are priceless. It is important for assessment to make sure you are teaching what they need. Also,to make sure you are able to get or give them the help they need.
I-1.7 -- To use assessment information to understand and support children's development and learning, to support instruction, and identify children who may need additional services.

NAEYC
Section II - Ethical Responsibilities to Families

1-2.7 -- 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.
Advocating for early childhood education is so important and the more people involved the better. At the beginning of the year I have this discussion with my parents. I explain that among the things they will be receiving, there may be things about early childhood and ways they can help to keep programs going. I encourage my parents to attend everything possible and I am a real stickler when it comes to parent/teacher conferences. The following ethical ideal states why I feel this way about the conferences. Although I send home newsletters they don't always get read. Even though we have events at school the parents don't always come. This is my chance to talk face to face, one on one with each parent and family to let them know, their child can do it and they are going to make it. I can also really stress the importance of being involved in their educational journey. I do this during these other times but their attention may not be with me then. I always tell them we are in this together and with there help and a joint effort their child will do great things. I truly believe this and I try to instill that belief in my families.
1-2.8 - To help family members enhance their understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents.

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

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

Additional Resources

I have found these resources to be helpful in the classroom and in the early childhood field. I hope they are helpful to you as well. You may find a full list of resources on Early Childhood at the bottom of this page. They were given by Dr. Longo from Walden university. You will find these additions listed under Additional Resources below her list. Enjoy and Happy Researching!
* Kid Info
* Early Childhood News: The Professional Resource for Teachers and Parents
* Kids Health in the Classroom
* Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
* Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention
* Stand for Children
* Family Involvement Makes a Difference

Words of Inspriration & Motivation

"Television viewing and video games are often a substitute for the fantasy playing and peer interactions of the past."
-Deborah J. Leong Ph.D                                         
Scaffolding Self-Directed Learning in the Primary Grades

"The challenge for early childhood educators at all levels is to ensure that our practices reflect this current knowledge while also staying true to our principles and core values - a challenge but also an opportunity."
- Susan Bredekamp Ph.D 
Staying True to our Principles

"Good teachers acknowledge and encourage children's efforts, model and demonstrate, create challenges and support children in extending their capabilities, and provide specific directions and instruction."
- Susan Bredekamp Ph.D
 Staying True to our Principles

"We as professionals in the Early Childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, and so that's what makes me passionate about this field."
- Sandy Escobido
                                                                                                    
"You got to take your ego out of it and thing about what's best for this child."
- Renatta M. Cooper

"Today my passion as a professional really is to bring my ideas in action, into changing policy, into practice, and influencing research."
- Leticia Lara LCSW
                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                

Personal Childhood Web

If you are looking for my My Personal Childhood Web...
It is located on the right side of this page above my childhood picture. Click on Ginny's Childhood Web and it will open. It has been up for several days but I thought maybe some people that view my blog for a class might miss it.  I hope you enjoy!
My technology skills were challenged in creating this web but I did enjoy it.  These people really have touched my life in many ways.  There are also many others from my church family who I did not mention. I didn't mention them because I couldn't decide on just one or two.  Someone posted the quote "it takes a village to raise a child" well these are only 5 people from a very large village where I was loved and nurtured.

He Touched Me

I work with children how are living in environments where unfortunately guns are a part of their everyday lives.
I saw two boys playing in House Keeping one day with electric drills from the Tools center.  Of course it's ok if they fix something on the house but it's not ok to peek through the kitchen window and pretend to shoot at your classmates.
Well, knowing this is reality for this one boy I took him and the other aside to discuss the incident.

Teacher: What were you doing? Were you playing like you had a gun? And do we play like that?
Student: Quiet at first.  The boys said yes, and said no we are not suppose to play like that.
Teacher: Do you know what happens when you shoot someone? Have you seen someone with a gun?
Student: Very quiet now.  They bleed, they get hurt.  My uncle brought one over, and my dad has one.
Teacher: Neither boy said the person would die.  Well, die isn't a vocabulary word widely used around young children.  Yet this is reality.
We discussed how they might die and we discussed what would happen to that person that shot them.  They would go to prison.   They would both be missed by their mom's or family because they would  not live at their home anymore.
This brought it home to these boys thinking about how there mom would feel if they weren't at home.  Also, how they would feel if they never got to see that person that cares about them, feeds them, loves them.  We talked about how the person who was shot's family would feel.
We also discussed as we had previously what to do if we see someone who wants to play with a gun. 

You have to make it reality for kids even though they are kids.  I had a friend ask don't you think it was a little harsh to say they might die. I said no because that's reality.  TV sugar coats it we have to make it real before they do and are faced with it.

Well, he touched me. You never know if what you say will sink in you only hope.
Student to student.

Boy1 who was in previous discussion: 

Mrs. Ginny says we don't play with guns. Do you know what happens if you shoot someone.
Boy2: Puts gun down.
Boy1: continues to explain in his own words.

We don't always over hear or see where we've helped a child but in this case I was able to.  I hold this story close to my heart because I grew up with gunfire outside my window at night in an inner city. I hope in this child's life and others it will make a difference. 

Children's Books x2

 "The Crayon Box That Talked" by Shane DeRolf

I first learned of this story when completing a project for a teaching diversity class as an undergrad student.  It wasn't until I started teaching that I found it as a book.  My classroom theme was crayons at the time so this book worked in perfectly at back to school time and on several other occasions.  The children love the colorful pictures. It can be a good way to find out their favorite color and why it is their favorite.
This is a wonderful book that illustrates how we are all different and unique, like a box of crayons. In the beginning of the story a young girl buys the box of crayons and takes it home.  None of the crayons get a long.  She colors a picture and in the end the crayons like each other and have worked together (through her coloring with them) to create a beautiful picture.  The last words say it all, "We are a box of crayons each one of us unique but when we get together the picture is complete". 

"Charlie the Caterpillar" by Dom Deluise

This one falls along the lines of friendship and also sees people as unique.  I first read this during a lesson on butterflies.  This book is about much more than butterflies and it really touches the heart of students.  Students can sometimes relate to animals or crayons like in the above book more so than people.  

In this story Charlie is a caterpillar and although I think he is really cute and fuzzy the characters in the book do not feel the same way.  Charlie tries to make friends with everyone and they call him names and tell him he can't play.  This is very real for young children.  In the end he of course changes to a beautiful butterfly and they all want to become his friend.  He remembers how he was treated by them and just floats about without giving in to their new kindness.  He meets up with anther (girl) caterpillar who is having his same luck with friends.  They become friends and all is well.  

In both of these stories there are lessons that can be learned and lots of discussion that can take place. Lots of discussion about feelings, friends, and social behavior come from these books and often when children see a similar behavior being acted out they refer to the books. For example when someone says, "I'm not your friend, or I don't want to play with you".  These books can help young children to work through those difference and make good choices and good friends.  I always enjoy reading these to my students and they never tire of hearing them.  They ask for them over and over again.  

Oh, for the love of blogs!

This is my first time to set up a blog site.  I have read blog and commented on blogs but I've never had my own blog. It's about time I got my feet wet.  I am still unsure about RSS but "I Think, I Can".  This is all a little intimidating yet crazy exciting all rolled into one.  Look out blog world here comes Early Childhood educators!