My Supports

Support means to me being there for someone who you love and cares about.  The support system that is important to me in my life is my daughter, my co-worker, my sisters, and my employer. My daughter is always there to push me in my studies. She is there to motivate me when I'm feeling down and out.  I can honestly say that my daughter is there to help me around the house and run errands for me when I need to be on the internet.  When I'm feeling depressed about life situations, she is there for me to talk to and help uplift my spirits. My co-worker, one in particular (Rosalind), is always there in helping me make important decisions.  Rosalind is there to keep me on the right path while at work.  When I have problems on my job, she is there to tell me " shake it off, everything will be alright".  Rosiland is like a sister to me, she comforts me when I need her to.   Rosalind is the co-worker that encouraged me to go back to school. She was the one that said, you can do it, just give it a try.  My employer is also a good support for me.  I can't thank my job enough for allowing me the opportuntity to work with children and families.  My employer supports me in my studies.  They allow me to have access to resources I need for my studies.  My employer also allow me time off when needed if I become overwhelm with  life challenges.  I love my employer because they truly show love and concern for me.  My family is there regardless of what the situation may be.  Oh if it was not for my sisters, where would I possible be today.  My sisters are very supportive of me.  They helps me with my grandchildren when I need to study for exams and complete coursework.  When my daughter is working, my sisters will help me with my grands in any way they can. My family supports me in many ways than one.  Without these supports, it will be very difficult for me to work and go to school.   If it was not for my daughter, I would have given up long time ago.  If it was not for my co-worker, I would not have made it this far.  If it was not for my employer, it would very difficult trying to work and go to school.  If it was not for my family, it would be very hard on me as a whole.  My support system is the one that keeps motivating me to push forward.   The support that I have in my life makes my life much easier and fulfilling to work hard at whatever it is I want to have in life.  The benefits of my support is that I have people who loves me and want me to succeed.  If I didn't have these supports in my life, I don't know what I will do.  I probably would have dropped out of college by now, moved away, and have to start all over again trying to accomplish my dreams.  My supports have a great influence in me pursuing my dreams.

My Connections to Play

Quotes about play:

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity.”

Kay Redfield Jamison

 

  

Play was a large part of my childhood, and I engage in a lot of play with my grandchild today.  I had fun with my neighborhood friends.  We would play ball in the street all the time.  Most of the time, we played outside whether it was in the streets or at the park.  We also played outside in the rain.  In my adult life, I still enjoy play such as riding a bike or playing on the slide with my grandchild.  Play is an important part of growing up.  It helps a child to grow and explore the world around them.  Play helps children learn different skills such as problem solving, sorting, and grouping items together.  I believe that young children should engage in play because it’s a great learning experience, and a part of child development.

I loved to color, this was one of my faovrite past times.
My granddaughter and I spends a lot time coloring.

 I still ride my bike today.

Relationship Reflection

My relationship with family brigs meaning to life.  Without a relationship with your loved ones, their is no happiness.  I get happineess and fullfillment with being with my family.  My family consist of my daughter and my two grandchildren.  I also have three sisters and two brothers.  I enjoy having family gathering with my siblings, and talking with them about our childhood experiences.  My siblings and I are a well bonded family.  I can call and talk to them about anything at anytime of the day.  My grandchildren motivates me to work hard and strive for sucess.  My daughter and I are like two sisters, we console in each other.  I try to instill in my daughter that life is what you make of it, and always try to remember that your family will always be there for you when others turn their backs on you.  My daughter and the grandchildren spend a lot a time together.  Having a family relationship and establishing a strong bond with the ones you love, can bring true meaning to family. Establishing a bond with other members not related can also bring a family type relationship.  I have several close friends that I love to be with.  I spend time with them as well, because being with people you enjoy being around, helps me create a sense fulfillment knowing their is someone who really care about you.  Relationships are one of the most important aspect in my life.  Without relationships with family and others,  there is no meaning to life.

Children Quote

Young children learn best when they become active workers rather than passive learners. Author-Bropy (1992)

I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support and feedback during this course.  I enjoyed all of the wonderful discussion forums during the entire time we spent together.  Good luck to each and everyone of you.

Testing Children

Parents want to know that their children are performing up to standard.  For years, school districts have used standardized test to keep track of student performance and to make comparison between themselves and others.  In my opinion, these types of test does not measure what children know and can do.  Children often believe they are being tested on material they have covered to see how well they comprehend the material, in reality, these test are putting pressure on children to memorize information.  Standardize testing labels children because they does not provide useful information about the individual child.  In order to assess children to find out what a child is learning, I feel that assessments such as observations records, student work samples, data from running records, and recording of student's performances are indeed ways to measure students' achievement.

In the country of Korea, the entire education system is geared entirely to the test.  Principals and administrators are concerned only with how their school fare competitively against others.  The test results are only used to determine which are the best students, and then categorize them.  The students achieving the best scores are sent to specialized charter schools for an education in technology, science or other pursuits.  The poorest test achievers are sent to industrial schools.

Ref:
Woelders, A. & Moes, E. (2002). Testing and Education in Korea. Retrieved from http:/bctf.ca/publications/newsmagarticle.aspx?id=11224

Poverty

Poor children lag behind their peers in many ways beyond income children are less healthy, and have experience with emotional and intellectual development.  When I was growing up, my parents were poor.  I was reared in a family with four sisters and three brother, and we went without a lot things.  My mom didn't work, but my father worked on a farm.  It was times when we had only enough food for one serving.  I can recall the times that we shared the same clothing and shoes.  I believe that we will have always have families that are less fortunate than other, but in today's socieity, there are a number of agencies that can assist families with resources.  We have the food stamp program that assist families with food purchases.  There are also services that assist families with utilitiy bills assistance. In many states the Salvation Army help families with clothing items.  

Africia is one of poorest contries in the world.  In much of Africa south of the Sahara, dry conditions of land keep them from growing crops to keep stocked.  One of six african children dies before the age of five due to poverty. Povery is the main cause of hunger in Africian.  Many organizations are coming together to help other countries with food supply.  Feed the Children is an organization that sponser food to children in other countries. 

Immunizations

I chose this health topic because immunization is one of the cost effective ways to prevent health problems in young children.  Working in a childcare setting, I know that children can be exposed to many virus and diseases from other children.  Therefore, it is important that children receive vaccinations before they start early care program to prevent the spread of diseases.  This topic is meaningful to me because several years ago, there was an outbreak of chicken pox at the center.  We later learned that these children had not had their chicken pox vaccinations.  Immunization is a proven method to childhood diseases, and we must make sure children have their vaccinations before entering school.

Unlike other countries, immunizations is not mandatory in Canada.  Some providence require certain vaccination before children attend school.  Most children in Canada are immunized against nine of the diseases under programs offered by the government.  Parents of new born must decide to pay out of pocket for newer vaccines.  Canada has faltered when it comes to providing children with immunization.  Canada is trying to put in place a system that will treat all children, not some, with immunizations to protect them from disease.

Ref:
Naus, M. & Sscheifele, D. (2003). Canada needs a national immunization program. Retrieved from http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/168/5/567