Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Blog Journal #3
Well, the end has finally come and I want to let everyone know that I am happy to have this class come to a close. It has been a long road, but I have gained many new insights from many of you on the different ways to be advocates for children and their families. I thought this class would have been a breeze, but of course it took a lot of time and effort to finish. I did learn the importance of being the voice for others and will continue to fight to get parents and families to understand the importance of play in their child's lives. I would like to thank all of you who gave encouraging words when I wanted to just give up. I have really enjoyed reading about others advocacy efforts and wish you guys the best in your career. Next stop GRADUATION!!! :)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Blog Journal #2
I have been pushing forward with my advocacy action plan, but there are still a few kinks that could be worked out. I sat down with a few of my colleagues from work and read my plan to get a feel for what I should work on, or things that I may need to add in order to ensure my message was clear. My co-workers felt that the plan was a good starting point to make parents aware of the importance of play. I think that I have a good topic that will educate parents on the different ways to build a positive foundation for development, but I still have concerns on the delivery method.
Do you think that a power point presentation will be better than giving the audience a hand out to read through? My concern is that the power point presentation will take away from the message I am trying to get out to others.
I also have concerns that my presentation will not grab the attention of the parents because they are not in out field and still feel that academic are the best way for their child learn. Has anyone thought of a back up action plan that could also be helpful to the site they have picked?
What are some ways that I could continue my efforts even if I do not have the support from others?
Segal, Marilyn PH.D. (1998). Your Child At Play: One to Two Years. Ft. Lauderdale: Newmarket Press
Professionals are always looking for new ways to build on a child’s self esteem. Children are looking for recognition and approval from peers and professionals and through play professionals can complement children on achieving a goal, or peers are able to feel empathy toward their friend. According to Merilyn Segal, PH.D., Your Child At Play: One to Two Years (1998) “In many different ways, the toddler period is a time of strong ambivalence,” (p. 177)
Shore, Penny. (2002). How Your Baby and Child Learns. Canada: The Parent Kit Coroporation
According to Penny Shore, How Your Baby and Child Learns (2002) “Reading to your toddler is a wonderful way to develop language, foster curiosity, create conversation, and share your feelings.” (p. 46). Books are helpful in the progression of a child’s understanding of the world and are a great way to foster language in children.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Blog Journal #1
"Parents have become so convinced that educators know what is best for children that they forget that they are the experts." ~Marian Wright Edelman, educator
The reason that I selected this quote was because I feel that parents are the one's who are able to give the best information on how their child learns, their temperment, and any challenges that professionals may need to know in order to help their child reach developmental goals. The thing that has inspired me during my advocacy plan has been the children. I have had many children start at the center I work at and not have language, social skills, or cognitive skills that are necessary to do well in school. I also have been getting great feedback from parents about the different ideas that were brought to their attention on how to promote their child's development by learning through play. Parents say thst it has made their jobs easier because their children are interested in learning when the activities are fun, or are treated like a game.
One challenge that I have targeted while working on my advocacy plan was getting more parents on board with helping their child's development through playing. I had to explain that play represents many different aspects. I helped the parents understand that talking with their child and playing word games helps build language. Playing with other children is important for children to learn social skills, and how to problem solve. Parents in the center I work at have been telling me that they have noticed small improvements in their child's behavior, which is a small step in understanding the importance of play. The most effictive way to get over the challenges that I face with the action plan will be to constantly inform parents and educate them on the importance of play for children's development. One way to encourage others during their plan will be to stay focused on the goals and make realistic goals that can be reached. Never give up and keep pushing foward.
The reason that I selected this quote was because I feel that parents are the one's who are able to give the best information on how their child learns, their temperment, and any challenges that professionals may need to know in order to help their child reach developmental goals. The thing that has inspired me during my advocacy plan has been the children. I have had many children start at the center I work at and not have language, social skills, or cognitive skills that are necessary to do well in school. I also have been getting great feedback from parents about the different ideas that were brought to their attention on how to promote their child's development by learning through play. Parents say thst it has made their jobs easier because their children are interested in learning when the activities are fun, or are treated like a game.
One challenge that I have targeted while working on my advocacy plan was getting more parents on board with helping their child's development through playing. I had to explain that play represents many different aspects. I helped the parents understand that talking with their child and playing word games helps build language. Playing with other children is important for children to learn social skills, and how to problem solve. Parents in the center I work at have been telling me that they have noticed small improvements in their child's behavior, which is a small step in understanding the importance of play. The most effictive way to get over the challenges that I face with the action plan will be to constantly inform parents and educate them on the importance of play for children's development. One way to encourage others during their plan will be to stay focused on the goals and make realistic goals that can be reached. Never give up and keep pushing foward.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
EDU 412 Nneka Maduka
I want to say hello to everyone and wish you all luck in the class. I am using the same blog from last class because I have strong feelings towards getting knowledge out to parents about the important role that plays has on their child's development. Please follow my blog and give any helpful comments towards my advocacy action plan.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Blog Journal #4
I sat down with a few of the parents who’s children attend the child care center that I work for and we discussed my advocacy plan on how children learn through play. Most of the parents were happy to give their insights to what their children learn and need to learn while in the classroom. One parent was under the impression that her child only played games in the class. She did not think the games had anything to do with academics and learning social skills. There was also a parent that understood that children were learning how to play with others before they were able to be successful in the elementary schools. The last parent felt she wanted to be on board with whatever the teachers were doing in the classroom to help their child be successful in the primary grades.
After talking with the parents I learned that the parents had expectations for their children that were the same as the professionals that were working with them. Many parents feel that the majority of the academic knowledge that children gain come from the school, but failed to understand that it is a joint effort to ensure that children reach their developmental goals.
One insight that I learned from the parents was when working with families it is important that there is a strong positive relationship between families and professionals to better understand the needs of the family.
After talking with the parents I learned that the parents had expectations for their children that were the same as the professionals that were working with them. Many parents feel that the majority of the academic knowledge that children gain come from the school, but failed to understand that it is a joint effort to ensure that children reach their developmental goals.
One insight that I learned from the parents was when working with families it is important that there is a strong positive relationship between families and professionals to better understand the needs of the family.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Blog Journal #3
I had the opportunity to discuss my advocacy plan with a professional who works with three year olds. Her main focus is teaching children how to control their feelings, build their vocabularies, and learn to build positive relationships with others. I discussed my view on the importance of play for children in childcare, which is the same view she holds that play is important to the development of children. Ms. April explained to me that in many centers parents have the same focus on academics and not teaching children to interact with others.
Ms. April feels that when children are going to an elementary school the main focus is always on academics. If a child has a hard time controlling their emotions, using their language, and following simple directions then it would be difficult to get them to focus and take in the information that is being presented to them.
While observing the class it was apparent that Ms. April had the children in learning centers: dramatic play, building blocks, media table etc., she encouraged the children to problem solve, use their words to get their message across, and understand when they have to wait their turns. She also gets the children into small groups and helps them with counting, colors, letters, and shapes. I agree that these are the building blocks for getting children ready for the academic part of their learning careers.
Ms. April feels that when children are going to an elementary school the main focus is always on academics. If a child has a hard time controlling their emotions, using their language, and following simple directions then it would be difficult to get them to focus and take in the information that is being presented to them.
While observing the class it was apparent that Ms. April had the children in learning centers: dramatic play, building blocks, media table etc., she encouraged the children to problem solve, use their words to get their message across, and understand when they have to wait their turns. She also gets the children into small groups and helps them with counting, colors, letters, and shapes. I agree that these are the building blocks for getting children ready for the academic part of their learning careers.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Blog Post 2
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michele, who is the owner of a child care center in Illinois. Michele has been a childcare professional for over twenty years and has been a advocate for the quality care children receive while in the child care setting. I begin to introduce my topic for my research paper to Michele about the importance of play for children and their development. Michele has strong views that children should have the opportunity to explore their environment. Through play children are able to solve small problems, build their vocabularies, and learn to respect others and themselves.
One insight that I gained from Michele is her understanding of how children learn differently and how important it is that professionals create an environment for children to express ideas and learn from the people around them. Another insight that I gained from Michele was the importance of making the activities child directed and helping them learn from knowledge they already have.
Children need to have interactions with others in order to understand feelings, language, and cognitive thinking. Play allows a child to understand the different roles that people take on while talking, which helps in understanding words and their meaning. This is a skill that is needed to help children gain the skills of reading and writing, Through play children are capable of building life long skills to help them be productive members of society.
One insight that I gained from Michele is her understanding of how children learn differently and how important it is that professionals create an environment for children to express ideas and learn from the people around them. Another insight that I gained from Michele was the importance of making the activities child directed and helping them learn from knowledge they already have.
Children need to have interactions with others in order to understand feelings, language, and cognitive thinking. Play allows a child to understand the different roles that people take on while talking, which helps in understanding words and their meaning. This is a skill that is needed to help children gain the skills of reading and writing, Through play children are capable of building life long skills to help them be productive members of society.
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