“I had a built in passion that it was important to make a real contribution to the world; to fix all the injustices in the world. I wanted to do that as a teacher.” ~Louise Derman-Sparks
Archives for the month of: May, 2013
~Samuel J. Meisels, Ed.D
“Most school districts put a premium on success at third grade, when high-stakes tests are first administered. It’s a strategy very much like waiting until you’re 60 before getting serious about retirement savings.”
~Samuel J. Meisels, Ed.D
Words of Inspiration and Motivation
“Parents don’t make mistakes because they don’t care, but because they care so deeply.”
~ T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.
My Grandmother Helen, was always there to listen and give advice. She was very loving and candid. Her plight in life at 5’4” tall was to advocate for children and to ensure that education was accessible to everyone. Soul food Sunday’s were always at my grandmother’s house. Every aunt, uncle and cousin were in attendance at the big pink house. She impacted my life by establishing the unique concept that no matter how young or old a person was they should always be respected. Her desires for me were happiness, love and a bright future.
My Mother Gwen, was always very opinionated. Raising 9 daughters, she was not only a disciplinarian, she was a protector. She encouraged me to try my best at all times and to never give up on myself. Her aspirations for me were that I live my life in a positive manner and respect not only myself but others too. According to my Mother, “having an education was the key to unlock any locked door.” Some of my fondest childhood memories were centered on my mother’s baking, there was always a special aroma coming from the kitchen and our friends would sit on the porch waiting for the warm treats.
Portia was my best friend growing up. She was a very good listener and her personality was very energetic, she was always ready to climb trees, run and ride bikes. She was a very caring, supportive and trusting friend. What she wanted for me when we were younger was for me to stand up for myself and not be so trusting of everyone. What I gained from our friendship was strength to stand alone and the desire to be adventurous.
Connie is one of my oldest siblings. As a little girl I looked up to her because, she was very affectionate and attentive to my needs, she was nurturing, witty and very outgoing. What she wanted for me was a future of happiness and security. Connie inspired me to read, she was always reading and for my 10th birthday she bought me my very own book: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. The bond that my sister and I establish as children is still very strong today, she still listens when I need her and she still provides sound advice; our relationship is a lifelong friendship. The values that she instilled in me as a child have assisted me throughout my life in many ways.
My Aunt Jean “Koolaide” is loving, caring, nurturing, trustworthy and always honest. She would take me for long rides in the summer and we would go to the park, the zoo and out for ice cream. Whenever we went to Belle Isle in Detroit, MI, she would pay $0.25 and we ride the giant slide. Riding that slide helped me overcome my fear of heights. Koolaide has an infectious smile and loves to entertain others. In life, she was an example of the perfect humanitarian in my eyes because she was always helping someone. Her hopes for me was that I was successful no matter what I decided to do in life as long as that success did not cause me to be unhappy. Koolaide’s motto “leave all negative energy at the door and never let it cross her threshold.” She taught me that life no matter how complicated did not have to be miserable.
Why does my preschooler purposely bang his head?”
Head banging is surprisingly common. Up to 20 percent of babies and toddlers bang their head on purpose, although boys are three times more likely to do it than girls. Head banging often starts in the second half of the first year and peaks between 18 and 24 months of age. A child’s head banging habit may last for several months, or even years, though most children outgrow it by age 3.
I opened with this small excerpt because, a case of head banging changed my perspective about one of my students. This persistent behavior was/is very scary. My first thought was a referral for Infant Mental Health but, something in me told me to research the child’s behavior and this site assisted my efforts to understand the child and to help the family find a new approach to redirect and curtail the child’s actions. Looking for specific triggers and adjusting my daily classroom routine to accommodate the child was minor. Ultimately, the lasting outcome is a loving child that was misunderstood for a very short period of time. I am wiser and more knowledgeable after this experience and I will never forget the impact that it has had on my life.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_head-banging-why-it-happens-and-what-to-do-about-it_63575.bc
My favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I love this book, not only for its wonderful illustrations but, for the different concepts and lessons that can be taught, e.g. counting, sorting and science.
“For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play. ~ Penelope Leach
Research on Head Start has shown that participating families are more likely to invest time in literacy
activities with their children, both while enrolled and years after their children graduate from the program.5 Over Head Start children’s lives they are less likely to need special education services6 or engage in
unhealthy behaviors7 and are more likely to achieve success in school and in life. The Head Start investment pays off: for each $1 invested, Head Start yields an annual ROI ranging from 7 – 9%
http://www.NHSA.org
Lighting the path to a brighter future. Helping children reach for the stars!
janellamalonebarnes 