"Reflection" ellamaeterryearlychildhood

     As I reflect on the incredible and difficult challenges I'v encountered, I'm glad to have made it through.  There were times, I wanted to throw in the towel.  I wanted to give up and simply throw in the towel.  I wanted so badly to drop this class, because of the difficulty I've experienced at the beginning.
     I'm not good with technology.  Setting up my blog account was one of those difficult moments for me.  The incredible experience came when the instructor did a virtual class with me.  I was at awe with her dedication to here students and the fact that she was willing to go that extra mile for her students.  Because of that, I'm now able to blog and respond to a blog.  My colleagues also helped me to blog as well with a greater level of confidence through their responses as well.  This provided me with the extra confidence I needed to complete each blogging assignment.  I really learned and enjoyed reading about all the wonderful and interesting topics as well as the positive feedback from my colleagues.
     As I reflect back on my observation with the Host Teacher, I learned that parents, children and families are important in the lives of others.  I could not have completed this course without theirs views and insights. They've enlighten my understanding about early literacy so much.  They shared so many wonder things about why they feel and their beliefs why early literacy is important in the lives of children.  I like to thank my Host Teacher for allowing me the wonderful opportunity of observing the interactions with the children and the Host Teacher.  I enjoyed listening and seeing the children engaging in early literacy activities.
    The writing assignment was one of the most challenging experience I've ever encounter.  I've didn't have the faintest idea about the importance of writing in such a clear and precise way.  I didn't understand how to write and give the credit to the person whom you are quoting.  I still struggle with writing, but the examples provided by the instructor made it possible for me to see and know the proper way of writing a paper APA style.  I struggled with gathering the information that would be beneficial to writing a paper in a professional way.  I did the assignment, but I still have my challenges.  I'm thankful for all the support I got to help me get through this class.
   

Blog 5 A Note of Thank You for Your Support

We are at the end of the course.  I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your insights, suggestions, response, thoughts, interactions, and challenges.  Each of you provided me with a wealth of information that I will take on my journey as an advocate on behalf of early childhood literacy and as a professional.  You guys have made this course an experience I would never forget.  Your expertise has made my experience with observing and interacting with professional, children and families so enlightening.   I have learn so much about early childhood literacy.  I have a growing understanding of advocacy and how to address issues relating to a particular topic.  Your support has made this possible.  
  As I was given the opportunity to review your postings and think about your postings helped provide an opportunity to support you with your thoughts.  This was done as I was able to expand on your postings, suggest what I saw  differently, ask a probing or clarifying question, shared insight that I've gain from reading your postings, offer and support an opinion and validated an idea with my own experience.   In addition to that, it helped me to be mindful of the thoughts of others and to take time out to share that with others.   By posting our comments, we could identify and relate to one another in a positive way.
I wish for my colleagues as they continue on their professional path the best on their endeavors as a advocate and as a professional in the lives of children.   I wish them good blessings in the next course Internship 2 as you take on new challenges.  I wish that your encounters be rich and rewarding.   Don't hesitate to reach back in your resource and use what you know and have.  I wish that personally and  professionally that you grow significantly as to where it impacts your future greatly.  .    

Observing and Interacting With Families

ellamaeterryearlychildhoodeducation

     Blog 4

    Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential." 
~ Kofi Annan

  

     I had the pleasure of observing and interacting with more closely the parents and children of the Hegewisch Daycare Center.  At first, I was a little nervous about observing and interacting with the children and families.  After doing so, I was glad that I did.  They left such a wonderful impression on me regarding early childhood literacy.  

     The Director, Social Service Worker and Host Teacher, introduced me to the families upon each of their arrival.  Ms. "O" the social service provider shared my reasons for being there.  She then walked me to the toddlers classroom.  There I spoke to one of the parent in this particular classroom.  Ms. "O" informed me of the parent being an advocate for early childhood literacy and how she goes out to the different hospitals and read to children that are less fortunate.  I asked Ms."P" (the parent), "What made her get involved in literacy? and Why?".  Ms. "P" shared her reasons.  She stated that this ha always been an interest to her, because she remembers being read to as a child and having a food foundation that was laid in her early childhood years.  Because of that, it inspired her to give that which was given to her back to those she feels are less fortunate.  She went on to say that doing her early childhood years, she learn from being read to that her ability to focus while being read to helped her to succeed in school.  In addition to that, she is able to identify what reading and writing skills look like and being able to read fluently.  Al of the help me to interact, self regulate, gain ability to focus my attention, socially interact and gain control over my action.  I know that sounds like a lot, but it is true.  Because of that, I felt the need to reach out and give back to others what was given to me.  For me, that was a WOW!!! moment.  I thanked her for her insights and giving me the opportunity to talk with her.  

     Ms. "O" then took me to my home room teacher Ms."S".  She was standing and doing instructional activities with the children.  Ms."S", asked if I wanted to talk to one of the parents in her room;.  I replied yes.  As she was talking, the doorbell ranged.   It was a parent.  I asked if it would be okay to talk to her regarding early childhood literacy.  I shared my reasoning for being at the center.  She welcomed me and sat down to talk.  I asked her, "What are some concerns you have as it relates to early childhood literacy?"  She looked at me and hesitated for a minute or two and then replied.  As a parent, I can see why literacy is not to be taken lightly.  As I watch TV, read different articles as well as in my child's school all I hear is "school readiness".  It is understood, that children must be able to read and write at a level to be successful in today's world.  I'm preparing myself and my child to succeed in school.  I'm teaching my child the sounds of the alphabet to become fluent for reading in the future, because this is a must and it is very important.  I want for my child to be able to make sense and know that letters can be put into words and that words means something.  Words convey meaning.  I want for my child to know and mean what he say.  I want him to make sense out of what it is he is trying to convey as he interacts with others as he exchanges dialogue.  I take it serious and that is why I do a lot of one-to-one correspondence with my child.  This is to equip him to be literate as he learns to read and write.  This was another WOW!!! moment for me.  I was so amazed with the response I got from the conversation with the parents.  I wasn't expecting her to be as detailed and in depth as she was.  I walked away feeling so enlighten with the thoughts and response I gained from the parents about the way they felt about early childhood literacy.  From the beginning of the conversation to the end, I have gained another level of respect for parents and their thoughts.  

     Observing and interacting with parents that close, I had the opportunity to learn and gain insights that they to have a voice and that their voice needs to be heard.  As an advocate, they to are advocating for their children and their children's needs.  They care about empowering themselves and the future of their children as it relates to literacy. 

Observing and Interacting With Families and Children

ellamaeterryearlychildhoodeducation

     Blog 4

    Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential." 
~ Kofi Annan

  

     I had the pleasure of observing and interacting with more closely the parents and children of the Hegewisch Daycare Center.  At first, I was a little nervous about observing and interacting with the children and families.  After doing so, I was glad that I did.  They left such a wonderful impression on me regarding early childhood literacy.  

     The Director, Social Service Worker and Host Teacher, introduced me to the families upon each of their arrival.  Ms. "O" the social service provider shared my reasons for being there.  She then walked me to the toddlers classroom.  There I spoke to one of the parent in this particular classroom.  Ms. "O" informed me of the parent being an advocate for early childhood literacy and how she goes out to the different hospitals and read to children that are less fortunate.  I asked Ms."P" (the parent), "What made her get involved in literacy? and Why?".  Ms. "P" shared her reasons.  She stated that this ha always been an interest to her, because she remembers being read to as a child and having a food foundation that was laid in her early childhood years.  Because of that, it inspired her to give that which was given to her back to those she feels are less fortunate.  She went on to say that doing her early childhood years, she learn from being read to that her ability to focus while being read to helped her to succeed in school.  In addition to that, she is able to identify what reading and writing skills look like and being able to read fluently.  Al of the help me to interact, self regulate, gain ability to focus my attention, socially interact and gain control over my action.  I know that sounds like a lot, but it is true.  Because of that, I felt the need to reach out and give back to others what was given to me.  For me, that was a WOW!!! moment.  I thanked her for her insights and giving me the opportunity to talk with her.  

     Ms. "O" then took me to my home room teacher Ms."S".  She was standing and doing instructional activities with the children.  Ms."S", asked if I wanted to talk to one of the parents in her room;.  I replied yes.  As she was talking, the doorbell ranged.   It was a parent.  I asked if it would be okay to talk to her regarding early childhood literacy.  I shared my reasoning for being at the center.  She welcomed me and sat down to talk.  I asked her, "What are some concerns you have as it relates to early childhood literacy?"  She looked at me and hesitated for a minute or two and then replied.  As a parent, I can see why literacy is not to be taken lightly.  As I watch TV, read different articles as well as in my child's school all I hear is "school readiness".  It is understood, that children must be able to read and write at a level to be successful in today's world.  I'm preparing myself and my child to succeed in school.  I'm teaching my child the sounds of the alphabet to become fluent for reading in the future, because this is a must and it is very important.  I want for my child to be able to make sense and know that letters can be put into words and that words means something.  Words convey meaning.  I want for my child to know and mean what he say.  I want him to make sense out of what it is he is trying to convey as he interacts with others as he exchanges dialogue.  I take it serious and that is why I do a lot of one-to-one correspondence with my child.  This is to equip him to be literate as he learns to read and write.  This was another WOW!!! moment for me.  I was so amazed with the response I got from the conversation with the parents.  I wasn't expecting her to be as detailed and in depth as she was.  I walked away feeling so enlighten with the thoughts and response I gained from the parents about the way they felt about early childhood literacy.  From the beginning of the conversation to the end, I have gained another level of respect for parents and their thoughts.  

     Observing and interacting with parents that close, I had the opportunity to learn and gain insights that they to have a voice and that their voice needs to be heard.  As an advocate, they to are advocating for their children and their children's needs.  They care about empowering themselves and the future of their children as it relates to literacy. 

Literacy

I’ve always enjoyed reading especially books that had a lot of repetition.  It helped me to think about what the reader was trying to convey.  When I asked the interviewees; “What are some current issues related to literacy?” It was stated to me that literacy is not seen as having much affect in the early years of life.  It’s something that happens when the child gets older round about the age of five and six.  A lot of times, upon entering school, children lack pre-literacy skills.  Pre-literacy skills are vital in the early years because it sets the tone for the child’s future in a positive and productive way.

Literacy

What are your feelings about teaching literacy?