As I continue to review the Prek Now website and read their newsletters I am gaining lots of beneficial information.  Specific information that seems particularly relevant to my current professional development is information about the race to the top challenge.  The county where I teach has decided to pilot this program for the next two years.  I am eager to see how this is going to work since I believe that prekindergarten programs are always overlooked.

A statement in an e-newsletter that I found to be controversial is how many states are facing budget cuts and the programs that are suffering the most are prekindergarten programs that serve at-risk children.  Research has proven over and over again that a strong foundation is necessary for future academic success, so it doesn't make sense that these programs are the first to get cut.

The prek now website provides information that adds to my understanding of how politicians support the early childhood field because there is an entire section dedicated to policy makers.  Some of the information in this section includes federal initiatives, fact sheets, policy maker profiles, advisory councils, and governance.

Some other insights I gain from the newsletters are policy makers are trying to do the right thing by doing what ever it takes to make sure prekindergarten programs do not get cut so every child has the opportunity to be provided with a good education by qualified teachers and other professionals

Sharing Web Resources

The website I chose it PrekNow: A Campaign of the Pew Center on the States.  The web link is www.preknow.org

The main focus of this website is to inform everyone the importance of Prekindergarten and how investing early is the best way to go.  Children who attend Prek are more likely to be ready for Kindergarten and are less likely to repeat a grade.  The website offers information for parents and educators.  I did subscribe to their newsletter and the most current issue that is being discussed is The Race to the Top.  Many people are concerned that creating assessments for such young children is unhealthy since Prekindergarten is supposed to be a hands-on and holistic learning experience.  The assessments are not paper/pencil, but based more on observations.  The assessments are designed so teachers can enhance individual students learning experience and will not be used as a reward or punishment in any way.  Even if students do not perform up to expectations they will not be denied entrance into Kindergarten.

This website has been very helpful to me because the county that I teach in is piloting these assessments in the upcoming school year.  No one has provided teachers with any information, so I feel that I know have somewhat of an understanding of how the assessments are going to work.

Establishing Contacts

In order to establish contacts with early childhood professionals outside of the United States I used the websites provided and decided to e-mail a couple of people to see if they would be willing to keep in contact with me.  I have not heard back from them yet, but I am hopeful that they will get back to me soon.  If not, I guess I will have to use the alternative assignment. 

When reviewing the different websites I decided to study the website titled PreK Now.  I chose this website in particular because it provides fantastic information about Prekindergarten.  Since I am currently a Prekindergarten Teacher I feel that this website will provide me with the most up to date information in the field.  Some of the information provided on the website is how to adhere to best practices, how to engage parents, and how to meet standards.  The website is also designed to help families of young children.  It includes a checklist that parents can use to help them select a good Prekindergarten program for their child.  I signed up to get their monthly newsletter and I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge within the field.

My Supports

When I look at my life I have many different support systems.  Those systems include my mother, grandfather, sister, and a few friends.  My grandfather was the male figure in my life when I was growing up.  Everyday he would pick me and my sister up from school and take us to his house.  He would make sure dinner was on the table when my mom would get home from work.  He was the one who would attend all of the school fieldtrips, take me to my dentist, and doctor appointments.  Since I was a young mother he was also there to support me financially.  When I was in need of a car or money he was always willing to help me out.

  My mother has always been there for me emotionally.  As a young mother my life was extremely stressful.  I don’t know where I would be today without the support of my mother.  She has always been there for me to offer advice and support to me.  When I decided to start college I knew it was going to be a struggle.  I had two young children and worked full-time.  Through my mother’s support and encouragement was able to obtain a teaching degree.

My sister has always been a support system in my life.  She has helped me tremendously with my children.  She would babysit for me whenever I needed her too.  She also helps me with getting them to and from school.  She always teases me by saying “When I have kids you owe me unlimited babysitting.”  It has been a joke for years.  She is also there for to support me emotionally as well.  Sometimes my mom gives me her opinion about something and if I don’t agree with her I will ask my sister’s opinion.  She is the only sibling I have so we have a very close relationship.

Last but not least I have a few close friends.  Some of these friends I met when I started college and we have remained friends.  We helped each other get through school and are still supporting each other as we having started our teaching careers.

I would not know what to do without these support systems in my life.  I think that support systems work both ways.  I may support my systems differently then they support me.

My Connections to Play

A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard. – Benjamin Spock

When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero. – Fred Rogers

      

When I was growing up I was always encouraged to play either by myself, with my sister, or with friends.  I typically was engaged in outside activities such as playing in my friends’ tree house, riding bikes, playing tag, exploring in the woods.  If I did play inside it was either house or school.   I don’t recall adults playing with me.  I don’t know if it was because I always wanted to be outside or that my family viewed play as a child’s activity.  I do believe that my family wanted me to use my imagination and engage in lots of activities.

Play is very different today then it was when I was growing up.  For me I was always outside.  Sitting in front of a computer or video game system was not what I wanted to do.  Instead I preferred to explore the woods that were next to my house, or play games such as cops and robbers, or go bike riding.  I was free to engage in these activities without an adult right by my side.  In today’s word I feel that parents allow children to get so involved with video game systems, and watching t.v. because it is too scary to just send your child outside to play.  Parents have extremely busy schedules and find it difficult to watch their child play.  It is sad but it is the reality of today’s world. 

I think that being active as a child and having the opportunity to explore the world around me freely has really shaped me as a person.  Engaging in free play allows us to use our imaginations and be creative.  Now that I’m a teacher I feel that the way I played when I was a child has been able to help me be creative with my students by creating activities that they might not get to engage in when they are at home such as exploring outside.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important because they can be used as a support system and are necessary for our own well-being.  Relationships can be joyful or stressful. I try to only build relationships with people that are going to bring me joy.  Negative relationships cause stress and I try to avoid that at all costs. 

I currently have positive relationships with my mother, sister, children, and a few close friends.  I have always been close to my mother.  We have a great relationship that allows me to talk to her openly about anything that I may be going through.  She raised my sister and me all by herself and I feel that she has been a great role model for me.  My sister is a couple of years younger than me, but we have always been close.  Don’t get me wrong we have out moments when we argue like children, but when it comes down to it, we are always there for each other.  I have both a son and a daughter.  I currently have a great relationship with both of my children.  I encourage them to talk to me whenever they feel the need, even if it is maybe a difficult topic.  I believe that making them feel that they can come to me and I won’t judge them has allowed me to have open communication with them thus far.  I wouldn’t say that I have a lot of friends just a few that are dear to my heart.  My best friend has been friends with me for 30 years.  That is amazing.  We have been friends every since we were little girls.  She is always there for me when I need her and I do the same for her.

Maintaining relationships is difficult.  As you get older your views of life change and the people who you choose to associate with change.  Establishing new relationships occurs all the time but only the important ones can be maintained. 

Everyone establishes relationships differently.  As an educator it important to be able to reflect on the relationships that you have established within your personal life to help you establish relationships in your professional life.  If you have only had negative relationships it is going to be quite difficult to establish positive relationships with families and children.  I always remember that some relationships have to be maintained for a brief time, and after that time if the relationship is negative then you can let go of it and move on. 

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.  ~Clay P. Bedford