Thank You

Not what we give,
But what we share,
For the gift
without the giver
Is bare.
~James Russell Lowell




The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.  ~John E. Southard


I want to say thank you to you all. I have enjoyed our conversations and connections as we began our journey. I wish you all the best of luck in your continued education and careers.

Meaningful Ideals

Here are three ideals (from NAEYC Code of Ethics) that are meaningful to me in my career.

1. To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related discisplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child.

As a Head Start teacher and Site Administrator years ago, I ran a program that was based upon my knowledge of child development and best practice. I planned experiences to meet the children's needs and encouraged growth in skill development. In my current role, my work is not only based on child development and best practice, but also research as I design training for early childhood teachers.


2. To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.

As early childhood teachers and professionals, we must be cognizant of each child's abilities, and interests. It is by tapping into children's interests that we see their potential at work. Young children are so open and willing to learn, it is our job to facilitate that learning based on their abilities.

3. To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.

One large aspect of my programs, when I was teaching, was to invite and engage families in the classroom. Whether it was for lunch or a big harvest celebration, I encouraged families to spend time with us and witness what happens in the classroom environment. Over the past year or so I have been working to begin a parenting training series and we have never located the funding to execute the program. Recently, we have hired on a new position at my agency, Family and Community Specialist, and my dream may become reality soon. I feel strongly that parents must be educated in may ways. In every training I conduct I spend time discussing with the group how they can educate and engage families. 

Valuable Resources

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/72033/CRS-CW-5740176/educ6005_readings/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
  
• 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, from http://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, from http://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, from http://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.
  
• 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.
  Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title. 

Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://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 video 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/about/
    Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statements.

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week’s Application assignment.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• 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/index.cfm
  
• 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/
     

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library
Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to “How Do I...?”, select “Tips for Specific Formats and Resources,” and then “e-journals” to find this search interface.)

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Resources to Treasure

http://www.childcareexchange.com/
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press, Inc. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.


http://www.nccic.org/

The National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC), a service of the Office of Child Care, is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance (TA) center that provides comprehensive child care information resources and TA services to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Administrators and other key stakeholders.

http://strategiesforwomensgrowth.com/

Kay Fittes is the founder of Strategies for Women's Growth. She is a national speaker that addresses audiences of child care providers, administrators, business leaders, etc to help them achieve great success. You will want to check out her website!

Bloom, P. J. (2005). Blueprint for Action: Achieving Center-Based Change Through Staff Development.       New Horizons. Lake Forest: IL.

Quotes of Passion for Early Childhood

"I had the built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution in the world".    
- Louise Derman-Sparks



"I'm not here to save the world, I just want to make a difference in the community I'm working".   
 - Raymond Hernandez




"We should educate while we care and care while we educate".   
  - Magda Gerber