"My Supports"

I can honestly say I have a lot of support from a young child to an adult. Most of the support that I have in my life comes from the people that are very close to me. I talked about these important people during "Relationship Reflection". My family are my greatest suporters. I thank them daily and appreciate them for standing by me through good times and bad times. I don't think anybody could say that their family is no help to them because its not true.I would like to say that my aide in the classroom is a great help and supports me. I like how we work as a team and work hard to help the children in our classroom be successful and reach their highest potential. If its something that I am weak in she is strong and something she maybe weak in I am strong so working with someone in the classroom thats has your back makes everything run smoothly.I also have certain parents that are very invloved in their childs life and eager to be involved in the classroom. These parents are always asking if we need anything or is their anything that I can do to help support the classroom. I really appreciate this and happy that I can build positive relationships with these parents. In addition to, my prayers and walking on faith is my biggest support. Without it and all that it has taught me, I would not be the person I am today nor would I have the relationships with people that I do. My outlook on life and everyday living is different than someone without some sort of faith. The church that I go to our theme is For we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).I try to follow this and make this apart of my everyday life.

My daily life would be very difficult with out the supports that I have. If I did not have a mother, father, and sister who showed me how to be sucessful in life I would not be able to have two jobs,married to my wonderful husband, started in the master's program at Walden University,cook meals for my husband, and live in a safe environment to start a family. I think this is my support to survive any obstacles that comes upon me. I have done my best thus far and excited to see what the future holds for me and my husband hopefully a baby soon. Support is the key and communication in life. It's a blessing when you have a support system that you can depend on sometimes for help to make important decisions on different issues.

My life would not be what it is today if I had taken a very different path had I not had the support that I currently have. If my mom, dad, and sister had not push me I would never have finish school or got out in the world and be successful as I am today. I am so glad that I decided to go back to school and get my master's because their is a job I want and without my master's I can't get it so I am praying that I become sucessful with my master's degree and pursue another job. I have some goals that I am working on now finishing my master's degree, starting a family, and getting a home. I want to obtain all of this by 35 which is very possible. I am happy that my husband and I have the same goals and hopefully these want be goals any longer.

"My Connections to Play"

Here are two quotes that summarize "Play" represented for me in my childhood.

The essence of childhood, of course, is play, which my friends and I did endlessly on streets that we reluctantly shared with traffic. Bill Cosby

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. George Bernard Shaw

As a child, my mom bought me a kitchen set for Christmas and I use to think that I was in a real kitchen until it got too old. I miss those days.

During my childhood, I use to love riding my bike in the neighborhood where I lived. My sister also had a bike,but she was a stay in the house child so I use to ride her bike as well. I was more the outside child and my sister was the child that stayed in the house all the time especially in the summer time.

When I was a little girl, I love playing with dolls this is the reason I am a teacher now. I use to pretend that dolls were real and could actually talk to me and write. I played school with them pretending that I was the teacher and the dolls were my students.I feel everyone should have a doll as a little girl growing up.

Here are some games that I use to play back in my childhood days.

As a young child, we always played outside. I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and lived in a neighborhood that was full of children to play with. We rode our bikes to the park and on different streets because it was safe back then, but I never went to far. I did not want to get in any trouble. I have a strict mom who means business and now I see why she was so hard on me and my older sister. When it got dark, I would go in the house and do the same thing the next day. If my mom wanted me home early she would call for me and I could hear her because she was so loud. I love to play and its a great impact on young children's lives.

Technology is taking over rather than children going outside. I rarely see kids riding bikes any more. If you see children outside they have a phone, head set, or game instead of just enjoying outside play.

Play in the past and play now is totally different because kids are just not interested in outside play anymore because their is so much more thats catching their attention.

Play is a critical part in children's development.Play starts off in a child's earlier life and stays with them to adulthood. Parents and teachers need to make sure that we are encouraging play at school and at home. Play is fun.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships/partnerships are important to me because I like a true partnership and two brains are better than one.I also think when you work together to accomplish a goal thats showing good partnership. Communication is a key part to building a healthy relationship. This is the most part of any healthy relationship between two people who can talk and listen to one another. Communication is base on honesty, love, and trust. Some key words to have to make your relationship stay on target is having mutual respect, trust, honesty, support, fariness, equality,separate identities, and good communication. Healthy relationships bring happiness and joy to our lives. People with more happiness have less stress than people who do not. Healthy relationships are fun and make you feel good about yourself. I feel you can have a healthy relationship with anyone in your life, including family, friends, partners, etc. I know that I am in a healthy relationship because I feel good about myself when I am are around that person. On the other hand, unhealthy relationships make you feel sad, depress,and angry. I have several people that are important to me. These people have helped me grow and be knowledgeable of the world today.

The first person that I have a positive relationship with and has played a great part in my life is my mother (Dorothy West).My mom has been there for me through good times and bad times. I can truly say that I have the best mom a child could ask for. I am bless and I thank God every day for putting this dynamatic person in my life. My mom has always taught me the importance of getting a great education because you need this to achieve any goals that you set. She has provided shelter, food, clothes, money,college expenses, love and support.She makes me feel special because I am her child and the baby out of the two so yes I am spoiled rotten. I appreciate everything that my mom has taught me. I admire her. She is my role model and her job is never finish because as an adult she is still impacting my life as we speak. For example, I can call on her at anytime to just get advice and wisdom about any situation I am going through. I have moved out of my mom house after being there 29 years and it hurted me to leave, but I do not live that far away and I am at her house when I can and it feels like I never left because the relationship is still the same and gets stronger each and everyday. My challenges with my mom have been very teachable because as I go through life I now understand why it was so important to listen rather than not listen. I am glad I had her in my life to give me words of encouragement and just be there for me.

When I Think of Child Development

Early Childhood Quote

“We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the time his bones are being formed, his blood is being made, and his senses are being developed. To him we cannot answer ‘Tomorrow’, his name is today.”

Gabriela Mistral

Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-all/advocacy/global-action-week/gaw-2012/quotes-on-ecce/

Children's Holistically

When considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically a child's "physical health and physical growth" should be assessed. Physical Development& Health refers to physical well-being, use of the body, muscle control, and appropriate nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and safety practices(Berger, 2016). Starting out healthy early lays the foundation for a life long healthy living. This is important because it helps with children's learning opportunities. Physical health can hinder or help young children learn better. For example,childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight and height. Obesity is increassing world wide (Berger, 2016). Being obese for a child also means that they have to take on the emotional stress of being bullied or not accepted by their peers. A child who is obese or malnourished may also be physically unfit to participate in class. Young children learn best when they receive good health care, nutrition, and sleep. They also need to eat well in order to maximize their learning activities. In addition to, ongoing assessment is a responsible form of gathering information on young children's progress. For example, information gained in the assessment process can also be used in the planning of work that addresses the needs of the child as evidenced in the collection of work samples and teacher observations.

In researching ways in which school-age children are assessed in other parts of the world, I chose to further explore the assessment in school-age children in South Africa. All South Africans have the right to a basic education including adult basic education and access to additional eucation. South Africa has one of the highest rates of public investment in education in the world. The Department of Education in Africa has a curriculum which includes learning areas language,math,social sciences, art, culture, orientation,and economic management. All of these have assessment standards.

Here is a link to a video I found on you tube called "Child-friendly schools inspire a brighter future for South Africa's young people" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfRYu5eR9nw

Reference

Atmore, E. (2013). Early Childhood Development in South Africa--Progress Since the End of Apartheid. International Journal Of Early Years Education, 21(2-3), 152-162.

Berger, K. S. (2016). The developing person through childhood (7th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Racism

This week we were asked to choose one stressor from the list that I are someone I know exerienced as a child. I will share how I or the person coped with and compensated for that. I reviewed the list and at first I was going to talk about a natural disaster that I went through on April 27, 2011 in Birmingham, Alabama, but due to I went through this as an adult and not a child I decided not to talk about this matter.I chose to talk about Racism. Race is used to categorize people's outward appearance (Berger.2016.p13). I have never expereince racism as a young child. I guess because I attended all black schools from daycare all the way to high school. Once I went off to college for my undergraduate degree, I was mixed in with other races besides African American which I wanted to do since I had been with the same race for so long. I do not have a problem with people that is the same race as me, but I wanted to go to college with other people which helped me learn how to be social with others that does not have the same color skin as me. I still did not experience racism. My husband shared with me that when he was a young child he did experience being called the "N" word by another little boy. I was very amazed by the information that he gave me and was pleased by the outcome of the story. He said when the little boy called him that he did not know what the word meant. He stated to me that it had to be a bad word because the little boy facial expression told it all. My husband went home and told his mom and dad what had happen and they explained to him that what he was called is a harsh word that blacks were called in the past when racism was a big issue and since that is the past we still have adults speaking this harsh word around their young children who repeated this to you. He went on to tell me his parents went up to the school to speak with the principal to see what could be done about this situation. The principal said that they were going to put a plan in place to talk about racism and how it effects in society. The principal also made the little boy apologies to my husband and she also talked to the little boy parents about eliminating the use of racism and being more positive to others at school. According to Smidt, "As children begin to work out who they are (self-identity) they also try to work out who they are similar to and different from in some ways" (Smidt.2013.p85).

My husband coped with this situation by talking to his parents who talked openly to him about race, ethnicity,and religion. I told him your parents did a great job talking to you about this complicated topic. It's important that young children learn to live and work closely with people whose race, religion, or culture may be different from their own. My husband said this helped him grow up and not be afraid because they were encouraging him to look over racism. Parents who have learned to connect with people different from themselves are likely to have children who develop these immportant skills as a young child. My husband is a product of developing these skills to look over racism and continue being successful.

I would like to know more about the country of Russia. Russians are racist towards the people whom they feel are not ethnically. They are also racist towards Africans. One kind of stressor that impact the development of children is stress plays an important role in russian language. Stress in Russia is not fix, but it is an important part of correct pronunciation in Russian (masterrussian.com).To minimize the harm is to memorize stressed vowel for each Russian word you learn and listening to native speakers, radio, movies, and videos.

This is a Russian Language Alphabet chart that I found interesting becuase it shows you the symbol of each letter.

References

Dolamic, L., & Savoy, J. (2009). Indexing and searching strategies for the Russian language. Journal Of The American Society For Information Science & Technology, 60(12), 2540-2547. doi:10.1002/asi.21191

Berger, K. S. (2016). The developing person through childhood (7th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Smidt, S. (2013) The Developing Child in the 21st Century( 2nd edition)

Child Development and Public Health

Immunization

This week I chose to talk about Immunization. Immunization is the body's immune system to protect a disease.Our immune system helps fight germs by producing some substances to attack them. Immunizations are important for adults and children. I work at a Head Start Center as a Pre-K teacher and all the children that attend the center have updated Immunization records or they can not enter the classroom. As teachers, we have to make sure we have updated physicals and TB skin test. I think this topic is meaningful to me because I work with young children everyday and I do not want any child to miss school due to expired immunization check ups. It is important that parents keep a check on this disease because it protects from sickness and complications in the long run. Parents can refuse to vaccinate their children for different medical issues, but in other states parents are able to not participate with vaccination because of personal beliefs(Berger.2015.p164). Immunization have problems when children get different side effects from the vaccination such as fevers, chicken pox, measles, etc. As a young child in preschool, my mom told me I had the chicken pox and I remember because when I broke out with this my teacher hurried and called my mom to pick me up. My sister had the measles so I have experience this as a young child. I thought this chart might be helpful for parents.

The chart on the below website shows recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth Through 6 Years the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and the Vaccines that Prevent Them it also breaks down the disease, vaccine, disease spread by, disease symptoms, and disease complications. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf

Immunization in the Indian Culture

All countries in the world have an immunization program to deliver selected vaccines to the targeted beneficiaries, specially focusing on pregnant women, infants and children, who are at a high risk of diseases preventable by vaccines(Lahariya, 2014). India has a demand for vaccine now, but back in time there was a short supply.I chose India because I knew that their culture would be different an interesting to do research on. Reading in the text Connecticut and New Jersey require flu vaccination in licensed day care centers (Berger.2015.p164). We require this as well for all staff at my school.

Impacting my future

Immunization affects everyone especially young children in school. There are all kinds of illness for children to get sick thats why parents need to be mindful of keeping everything up to date so there want be any issues with that child. I have a strong immune system so its hard for me to get sick. I am glad because working with children every day you are bound to catch something.I encourage children and families for better health and wisdom.

References

Berger, K.S (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Lahariya,C.(2014, April). A brief history of vaccines & vaccination India. Retrieved December 31, 2012 from http://www.icmr.nic.in/ijmr/2014/april/0403.pdf

Childbirth In Your Life And Around The World!!

For this weeks blog assignment, I was asked to write about a personal birthing experience, my own birth, child's birth, or one I took part in. I must say this is hard for me becuase I do not remember my birth,I have no kids as of yet, and I have never took part in anyone else birth. I only have one sister and she does not have any kids either. I have a huge family, but unfornately I have not took part in their birth or any of my cousins birth. I always come around after the birth has been made. I thought about what I would say and I recently asked my mother to tell me more about my birth so that I could complete this assignment this is why I chose this example. I will attempt to explain my birth.

My mom explained to me that she was 34 years old married to my dad and already parents of one child which was my sister and she was pregnant with me. It was a normal pregnancy,but she gained more weight with me than with my sister. I was born in Birmingham, Alabama at Carraway hospital on January 30, 1985 at 10:30pm on a snowy day. She said their were not any complications, but I took my time making an entrance into the world. I finally came into the world and she said they thought I was a boy because I came out with no hair. I laughed about that because now I have more hair than ever. She also said the special part about me was I was a beautiful baby and my birth mark was on the back of my right thigh which lets her know now that I am grown and she sees me with shorts on and see that mark that I am her child. I thought that was so special. We had to stay at the hospital some extra days due to the weather was so bad because we bascially was snowed in until the weekend. We went home on a saturday and I was wraped in a blanket that my grandmother had made for my mom to put me in as she left the hospital with me. We came home to the house that I grew up in for over 29 years and did not move out until marriage which my anniversary is almost here. She stated that I was a crying baby that wanted a lot of attention, but my sister helped out with her in making sure I was okay. I grew up becoming a wonderful child and by her telling me this story again lets me know how important Early Childhood Development is.

My thoughts regarding birth and the impact on Child Development is that Early Childhood Development is the most and rapid period of development in a human being life. The years from birth to age eight are critical to cognitive, emotional,and physical growth of young children.

I chose to find out how birth happen in Africa. I chose Africa because they have a ceremony after the birth of a baby to cleanse the baby following birth. They do some unique things in Africa that I found intereting while reading and that is the difference between my birth and theirs. The similar things is that from the time I was able to walk my mom told me she had me doing things. For example, I would have to go get my cup, go get a diaper/pull up. In africa their babies have to learn responsibility and independence as well. My experience that i have learned is that child birth is special and its a major change in women lives. I have not experience this yet, but I know it will be important to me when it does happen.

The picture at the bottom is a baby picture of me. I do not remember how old I was and actually do not remember taking the picture. I chose this picture because its one of my favorites and looking at this picture lets me know that I have a loving mother who cares about me and rasied me to be who I am today.

Reference

African tribes.(2012).Birth and Childhood rituals.Retrieved May 2012.africantribesuws.wordpress.com

A note of thanks to all my classmates

Hello class!!! I would like to say thanks to all of you for responding to my discussion and post each week. I enjoyed reading your encouraging words. I have gained more knowledge each week and I am bless to have nice classmates who are supportive. Good luck to every one and lets continue to serve children and families while being a great professional educator in the field of Early Childhood.

I will not say good bye, but I will see you guys in the next class.

Thanks,

Vonecia West

Examining Codes of Ethics

NAEYC Ideals:

I-1.1- To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

This is significant to my professional life because I am a Pre-K teacher and I have to maintain knowledge of early childhood to perform my duties in the classroom. I also have to stay updated on trainings and resources to help support me young children, and families.

I-1.3- To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities,and potential of each child.

This is significant to my professional life because the young children that enter my classroom all have potential,qualities,and abilities in different areas and its my responsibility to recognize this and make sure they reach their highest potential. I love the fact that children are different and each one shows you something different especially with art activities and other things in the classroom. A great teacher first and foremost, sees each child as an individual with hopes, potential, strength, and vulnerabilities. I learn all about their academic strengths and needs, but even more about their interests, fears, hopes, and worries. Children need confidence to succeed and I want to provide this each and every day.

I-1.12- To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.

This is significant to my professional life because young children and families are important in the early childhood field. I communicate with my parents daily to understand thier goals for their children and talk about what I expect as the teacher. I also want to make sure that I teach to the best of my abilities so that the child and parent can move on to the next level knowing the foundation of where they came from early childhood from birth-five. I have been impressed with all my former students because I see them in different locations and there parents always tell me that they are doing so well in elementary school. I love to hear that because it makes me feel special to know that I am doing a great job as a early childhood teacher.

Reference

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

Additional Resources

Child Care Resources www.ccr-bhm.org/

Alabama Department of Human Resources www.dhr.state.al.us/

Alabama Department of Children's Affairs/ First Class Alabama Voluntary Pre-K Program children.alabama.gov/

Alabama Department of Education https://www.alsde.edu/

Family Guidance Center - Family support, parenting education ... familyguidancecenter.org/

Alabama Department of Human Resources - Family Assistance ... dhr.alabama.gov/services/Family.../Family_Assistance_Program.aspx‎CachedSimilar

Early Childhood Organizations - Council for Professional Recognition www.cdacouncil.org/resource-center/early-childhood-organizations

Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) | National Association ... www.naeyc.org/DAP [BOOK][B] Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs

My Course Resources EDUC 6005: Foundations: Early Childhood Studies

Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). The resources for early childhood. Baltimore: Author.

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

•NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

•NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

•NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf

•NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf

•NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf

•NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

•Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

•FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf

•Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

•Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf •Websites:

◦World Forum Foundation http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage

◦World Organization for Early Childhood Education http://www.omep-usnc.org/ Read about OMEP's mission.

◦Association for Childhood Education International http://acei.org/ Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

•National Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.naeyc.org/

•The Division for Early Childhood http://www.dec-sped.org/

•Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families http://www.zerotothree.org/

•WESTED http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm

•Harvard Education Letter http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85

•FPG Child Development Institute http://www.fpg.unc.edu/

•Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

•HighScope http://www.highscope.org/

•Children's Defense Fund http://www.childrensdefense.org/

•Center for Child Care Workforce http://www.ccw.org/

•Council for Exceptional Children http://www.cec.sped.org/

•Institute for Women's Policy Research http://www.iwpr.org/

•National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

•National Child Care Association http://www.nccanet.org/

•National Institute for Early Education Research http://nieer.org/

•Pre[K]Now http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

•Voices for America's Children http://www.voices.org/

•The Erikson Institute http://www.erikson.edu/

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the Journal option under Search & Find on the library website to find journals by title.

•YC Young Children

•Childhood

•Journal of Child & Family Studies

•Child Study Journal

•Multicultural Education

•Early Childhood Education Journal

•Journal of Early Childhood Research

•International Journal of Early Childhood

•Early Childhood Research Quarterly

•Developmental Psychology

•Social Studies

•Maternal & Child Health Journal

•International Journal of Early Years Education

Words of Inspiration,Passion,Motivation,and Wisdom

"We have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society,but upward to the Great Society." (Lyndon B. Johnson)

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose." (Lyndon B. Johnson)

"Parents have become so convinced educators know what is best for children that they forget that they themselves are really the experts." (Marian Wright Edelman)

"If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out." (Marian Wright Edelman)

Media Segement Wk2

"Passion to make sure that all children are taught in environments in ways that truly nutured their ability to grow and to develop to their fullest potential." (Lousie Deman Sparks Professor Emeritus Pacific Oak College,Ca)

"Parents being involved in your child's education sharing your voice is great motivation for children to succeed." (Sandy Escobido Deputy Field Director Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initative California Community Foundation)

"I am not here to save the world,but I am here to make a difference in the community." (Raymond Hernandez MS ED Executive Director School of Early Childhood Education University of Southern California)

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc.(n.d.). Sectors in the early childhood field. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6005/04/mm/Sectors/Main.html

Personal Childhood Web

 

My Personal Childhood Web consist of five people in my Early Childhood life that has been there for me, nutured and cared about me as a child and now an adult. They have made me feel special and I am honored to describe each one of them to my fellow Walden University classmates.

 

 

The first person that has played a great part in my life is my mother (Dorothy West). My mom has been there for me through good times and bad times. I can truly say that I have the best mom a child could ask for. I am bless and I thank God every day for putting this dynamatic person in my life. My mom has always taught me the importance of getting a great education because you need this to achieve any goals that you set. She has provided shelter, food, clothes, money,college expenses, love and support.She makes me feel special because I am her child and the baby out of the two so yes I am spoiled rotten. I appreciate everything that my mom has taught me. I admire her. She is my role model and her job is never finish because as an adult she is still impacting my life as we speak. For example, I can call on her at anytime to just get advice and wisdom about any situation I am going through. I have moved out of my mom house after being there 29 years and it hurted me to leave, but I do not live that far away and I am at her house when I can and it feels like I never left because the relationship is still the same and gets stronger each and everyday.

 

 

The second person that has played a part in my life is my father (Marvin West). My father has been in my Early Childhood life until the fourth grade. He was my go to person when my mom said no, provider, and just a loving father that had hopes and dreams for his baby girl to succeed in life. Unfortunately, my mom and dad got a divorce when I was nine years old. I must say that was a hurting feeling for a young child growing up to deal with and I did not understand why because I was so young. My father and I were close, but due to his moving around phone numbers were hard to maintain. Cell phones were not big back in this time. I always thought why did my father have to leave me and my sister eventhough my parents were divorce that stuck with me for a long time. I was angry because I watch my mom take on the role as a father. I thought I would never forgive my father, but eventually I did. The good news is my father and I were united a couple of years back and we been strong ever since. Although I had a ruff time with him after the fourth grade, I have put that in the past and forgiven him completely because he is my father and I love him dearly. He now tries to make up for the past by supporting me tremendously, but what happen in the past is history and the future is what holds now. I cherish every moment we have together and I am so glad we have reunited so my future children will know there grandfather. The best part of all is I get to see my daddy more than ever now because we work at the same hospital together. I think that was God plan for us to stay in each other life and this is what continues to influence our present life despite the past.

 

 

 

 

The third person in my life is my big sister (Tiffany West). She is my only blood sister and my best friend. As the youngest child, my big sister always have done her sisterly duties. She is my sister, best friend, role model, admirer and supporter. She has always set high standards and I have followed those standards through out my entire life. I look up to her because I know she will never let me down. I love my sister. She has influence my life in so many ways, but the best one is her motivation and encouraging words. In fact, she was one of the people who inspired me to go back to school and get my master's eventhough her highest degree is a bachelors. When I was in high school, my sister was in college and she would send me money to help my mom out with me for expenses. I knew she cared for me because she could have taken the money and spent it on herself. I went off to school a few years later and she still supported me helping me get all my materials I needed for school. She was like my mom assistant. She still makes an impact on my life today because she helps me make positive decisions and help me with things I may not understand for as business matters. My sister is extremely smart and I go to her for help and she never turns me down because she wants me to succeed and thats why she is my big sister.

 

 

 

The fourth person in my life is my aunt ( Clara Struggs). She is the lady in the middle. I miss out on this picture because I was at work. She is one of my mom older sister and also my mom back bone in helping raise my sister and I. My aunt house was a place for me to go and get extra food, a second shelter, and just to hang out. She influence my life because she cared about my well being growing up and still do to this day. She is a person to get updates about the family and a  all around great aunt. I would go over her house in the summer time when I was bored at home and she look after me as if I was her own dear child. She always made me feel special because she made me welcomed at her house anytime. She love for me to come and visited because that was company for her. She loves company. I love my aunt and happy she was there to help support my mom with us growing up. She is still impacting my life now because I can still go to her house and if I am in need she is a person that will loook out for me.

The fifth person in my life is my aunt (Henrietta Torrance). She is the lady behind me and my sister. She is right behind my mom in age I guess thats why they are so close. She also plays an important part in my life and also my mom back bone in helping raise my sister and I. She is full of  fun and her personality is so funny. I think all of my cousins will say she is the most funniest person to be around. She brings laughs to every family gathering and I love her to death. If I need anything she is always there to support me. I recently got married and once my husband and I moved into our apartment she help me un pack and provided funds for decorations. I also have help her out by baby sitting her grand child over the summer which was a way for me to get more expereince with young children. She is still impacting my life now because I can still count on her if I am in need. I thank her everyday for helping my mom raise my sister and I to be the best women ever.

My Favorite Famous Quotes

Education is the Most Powerful Weapon which you can use to Change The World. Author: Nelson Mandela(President OF South Africa AND Political Activist) "The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one." Author: Malcolm Forbes "The secret of teaching is to appear to have known all your life what you just learned this morning." Author: Anonymous My favorite one of all by an Early Childhood Psychologist Jean Piaget (Cognitive Development)"Children have real understanding only of that which they invent themselves."

My Favorite Children's Book

Title: Corduroy Author: Don Freeman I love reading this book every year to my students. I have more than one copy of this book so this book not only sits in the library, but around the classroom. Corduroy is also on the list of our book of the month and we celebrate this book in the month of September. We also use this book to do assessments with students three times during the school year. The part that I love the most is the little girl name Lisa wanted the bear (Corduroy) even though he had a button missing. That teaches children to love others even though they have something special about them that may need additional attention. Lisa mother did not want her to buy the bear simply because he had a button missing. After they left the store, that night Corduroy tried to find a button to fix his overalls, but was unsuccessful. My favorite part that touch me was that Lisa came back to the store and bought Corduroy (bear) and was successful taking him home and sewing a button on to fix his overalls. The part that I loved the most was she told Corduroy that they were friends even making him a little bed beside hers. During shared reading, I also have an actual Corduroy bear that I show the kids and us also do different activities making our own personal bear to show special attention to and the kids love this every year. They get those hands on activity to understand what Lisa was thinking about corduroy.

Introduction

Hello to all my Walden University colleagues. My name is Vonecia West. I am from Birmingham, Alabama where I have been living all my life. I recently got married this past September and we are coming up on our one year anniversary soon. We have no children as of now, but looking forward to some in the near future. On my free time I like to shop, laugh, watch tv, and enjoy my family and friends.I work at Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) as a Pre-K Lead Teacher. I have been working with Early Childhood for over six years including internships, volunteering and summer camps. I love my job and my main focus as a Pre-K Teacher is to make a positive impact for all children so that they can get a headstart in life. I have 20 kids in my class every year and I learn something new daily.I hope to get more advance in The Early Childhood Field and use those practices to better myself as a teacher and to help with my students. I am excited about attending Walden University and starting my first class in the Early Childhood Field. I am alittle nervous I haven't been in school since Fall 2008 with my undergrad degree ,but I have faith and hopefully I will succeed. On December 19, 2008 I graduated with my B.S. in Family Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development. After graduating from college, I started my Early Childhood field at a head start center in Birmingham, Alabama as a teacher aide in February 2009. After working as a teacher aide for three months, I was promoted to a head start lead teacher in the fall of 2009. I worked as a lead teacher until August 2014 and again I was promoted to my current position as a Pre-K Lead Teacher. My professional experience with head start as a Pre-K Lead Teacher has gained me professionalism and knowledge to work with pre-school children. I currently work at Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) as a Pre-K Lead Teacher. I have been with this agency for over six years. My main focus is to serve children and families in my everyday life. My professional responsibilities is to access children using The Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs policies and procedures, access children using the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment, Communicate with young children, develop lesson plans weekly, train and evaluate assigned teacher assistant, administer daily nutritional meals, and supervise young children at all times. I also plan, supervise, and implement the daily program for the class in accordance with Head Start Standards. My interest as a teacher is the children that enroll in my class every school year. I want to be able to give them that foundation and to make a positive impact in their lives so that they can get a head start in life.

ALL ABOUT ME