Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"I really believe that each of us must care about everyone else's children. We must come to see that the well-being of our own individual children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people's children. After all, when one of our own children needs a life-threatening surgery, someone else's child will perform it; when one of our own children is threatened or harmed by violence on the streets, someone else's child will commit it. The good life for our own children can only be secured if it is also secured for all other people's children. But to worry about all other people's children is not just a practical or strategic matter; it is a moral and ethical one: to strive for the well-being of all other people's children is right." - Dr. Lilian G. Katz

"Probably the most important single determinant of a child's growth is the behavior of the parents. Lots of research demonstrates that the more involved parents are in the education of their children, the better the children's education and performance. This is true of middle-class children, poor children—every child." - Dr. Edward Zigler

"I'm not here to save the world, I'm here to just make a difference in the community that I'm working in." - Raymond Hernandez, Executive Director for the School of Early Childhood Education, University of Southern California

"It's not all about you, you got to take your ego out of it and figure out what's best for this child." - Renatta M. Cooper, Program Special for the Office of Child Care, LA County Chief Administrative Office

Personal Childhood Web

Mama (Anne): My mother has been one of the most influential people in my life. She always made me feel cared for by always telling me that she loved me. She told me that she wanted to make a point to tell me that she loved me because her mother never did that and she wished that she did. When I was a child, she showed me that she cared for me by showing me how to cook, helping me with homework, and nurturing me when I was sick. She still influences me everyday because I am quickly realizing that I am becoming just like her and I'm okay with that.

Daddy (Terry): My father and I have always had a strained relationship, but I always knew that that he cared for me. When I was a child, he made a cassette tape for me of all of my favorite songs and he would play it for me when we would go anywhere in his truck. He always made me feel special; like "Daddy's Little Girl." Every time I hear "Great Balls of Fire," I think of the tape that he had made especially for me. I think a part of me will always be Daddy's Little Girl.

Melissa (Sister): My sister and I are 15 years apart (she is older) and she has always felt like a second mother to me. She definitely helped to raise me and I share many of the same values and morals with her. She took part in helping me with homework, teaching me how to swim, and being my personal cheerleader. She still influences me today by asking me how school is going and always helping me to stay positive.

Robbie (Sister's significant other): Robbie entered my life when I was 12 years old, but she has definitely shaped me as a person. I did not accept her when she first entered my life because I suppose I did not understand the concept of her being my sister's girlfriend. She stuck it out and got to know me and now, I can't imagine life without her in it. She truly cared about me and my life. She always took the time to ask me about my day and my opinion about things. Robbie has always made me feel like a valuable person.

Tamela (Family Friend): Tamela has been a family friend for well over 20 years. She and my sister went to high school together. When I was a child, she would spend weekends with us and she would bring activities for she and I to do together. Whenever my sister would tell me that Tamela was coming over for the weekend, I would be ecstatic because I knew that it was going to be a fun weekend ahead! We would tie dye shirts, cook, and do other miscellaneous crafts. I feel that she aided me in bringing out my creative side. I quietly thank her when I come up with a creative project because I know that she helped to develop that aspect of my personality.

A Giraffe and a Half

My favorite children's book is A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein. I first heard about this book in a Children's Literature class and I thought it was adorable and I could only imagine how much fun 4 and 5 year olds would have with this book if a group of college students were giggling over it. I also enjoy how the students can read along with the book if they are paying attention and remembering each thing that has been added to the giraffe.

Quote

I have always loved this quote.

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." -- Dr. Haim Ginott

It's so important that we remember that children are always watching what we do and say. We should always make sure that they are seeing positive actions when they are around their teachers because in many cases, that may be the only positive interactions that they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

Greetings!

This is my Early Childhood Education blog. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow classmates! I am not new to the blogging world, but I am new to blogging as part of a class. I am very excited about this experience!