Open House

                  Has the environment been really a matter?

The Children are blanks, the society who fills the blanks.  Children are unique individuals who stimulate by the environment. Even though human has the same body parts, same shape of the brain,  responding and think in a different ways. Children take a long time to be independence but it needs to start from the childhood with a step by step process. Family and community influenced their developmental patterns.  Every person has their own developmental pattern. We can't get the same result still giving a same education to the same age group  because of the varying developmental  patterns.  For understanding our responsibilities and duties as an educator, caregiver and a parent it is very important to recognize the child in context of family and community, How socialization and the family relate to the child and issues of bias and understanding attachment, trust and parenting.

Children  like  blank papers . Society  (environment) filled the blanks. Children have no idea  about the world and around them. They build with others beliefs and thoughts until becoming independence.    Child's  name  , last name where to live, what culture and how they raised, What religion to believe this all decided by the environment (Parents/ Relatives and society around him). Parents  and the community around us who decided to pierce the girl's ear.  Children who died from the war has no idea what is it and why they fight. Children are absent minded and slowly believe what's around them. Societal change the man. It's similar to having an empty glass filled with different colored water . What is good &bad explain by the culture, ethnicity and country etc. Ecological theory successfully describe how micro system directly influences child life. Once a child grown up Mesosystem will directly influence and Exosystem and Macro System will directly effect in adolescence. I agree and am fond of how Gonzalez Mena  wrote on her book child,family and community how child influence on adult"As people affect the child, so the child has an influence on them". Today family centered programs are more widespread as author address the customer in a child care setting is family. Parents are more educated than before and they are expecting best for their children from child care setting. Therefore developing parent interactions in schools are helping to build a healthy , better learning environment for all parties. It is very important to understand  deeply  their family environment to find out child development needs. As author state children below poverty or low income has a right to receive equal quality education. California has many programs for low-income families and also provide money to pay for child care. Once teacher -parent identify their roles and solve issues calmly and respectively support to receive emotional security and help children to develop and learn. Parents need expert help for parenting. As how hospital provide how to care their newborn child, preschool teacher support parent to be a child's first teacher. NAEYC standards described  Building family relationship is greatly support to find out child's behavior, viewpoint and his ability. Teacher supposes to understand child culture and the family custom to give better result. Therefore understanding their families , communities and involving all family for learning environment can prepare children for a better future. In my child care setting I educate parents and ask them what they expect from me. I also make sure not to offend their parenting practices but respectively discussed certain matters. Maslow hierarchy of needs very important to me as a caregiver and a business owner. Without complete Level1 it  is impossible to state self esteem.

Socialization through family and community build a strong person to the society. The Microsystem to macrosystem directly and indirectly effect to socializing. As address in book. Do you think human action reflects their family background , culture and social class? Somewhat true but I have personal experiences human change through environment and create totally different person beside  his class. The culture's effect of being socialized in a family and community. Also parent thinking patterns , who are the people and network family tied to , Family class and states cause in child growth. Therefore I agree how the author writes about classism and Racism. I have many experiences about racism and I think it drives me to think differently. But my educational background held me back being racial and discriminated. I think overcome racism is the education which build healthy, valuable interpersonal skills. Therefore I always teach my children not to address people by their color. furthermore, The community/family - child relationship is more significant because of the  strong influence on the child character (quality of the relationship) rather than the technical and educational background of the person. The importance of interpersonal relationship is an association  rather than persons knowledge, specialty or techniques (Boltan 1989). The caregiver who connects with the child perspective/needs will  improve cognitive development, self awareness and phychosocial development. Learning is processed through the sharing of concern. The activities what build interpersonal relationships between child will develop a protective bond . When the caregiver aware and respond to child concern , trust will  develop. Therefore caregiver should express love, caring and a strong relationship with the students are more vital. Attachment behaviors indicate signs between parents and infants. We believe in obstacles to attachment for the child and parents have communicated since pregnancy. If there are any unhappy moments during pregnancy period, it reflects from the child. Therefore it is significant to understand every parent and child and their attachment pattern. It helps me as a caregiver to identify which area child needs to develop and his capacity. Also attachment style differs in different cultures. Some culture identifies children needs to be independent soon and some think parent need to support children in every way. Also Parent is unlike caregiver , caregiver has to have equal attention to every child.

Now you know how import child to grow in an appropriate environment. The development theories to create a supportive environment for children as a caregiver. Therefore every person has a responsibility about our future , our children. Parents need to pay more attention to children. Being independence  is not children to grow however or do whatever. If we plant a good seed we can get a valuable harvest. Parents have the primary responsibility about their children. Community pressure their position.

                             Ending Aggressive Behavior

Children need to express their feeling such as Happiness and sadness.  This is very Important to their development. They used different method to express themselves Feelings, crying is a one method. Destroying toys, Ripping books & Magazines are very important to develop their anger management. Kids doesn't Know how to handle a book even though they like to see the pictures. Destroying Items are normal process & that's how they discover the world. Aggression Is different than these activities of showing their feelings. According to my Point of view If anyone aggressive means no flexibility and hurting others and Their feelings. Why children been aggressive? Some kids are passive aggressive Who is pretending they did not hear us. Also there are many reasons why children are aggressive. Specially their environment, Is it unsafe, Aggressive ?There is disorders cause of aggressive behaviors such as attention deficit disorder or lead poisoning . As a primary caregiver parent has a major responsibility to give support their children to be a good member of the society. As a caregiver I also have a huge responsibility to help the child and the family to correct these kind of behavior. Aggressive behavior can harm to the child, family, others and overall to the society. The child must reflect the underlying condition. In some cases, aggressive behavior is caused by a traumatic event in the child's life, such as abuse or losing a loved one. To treat the child caregiver need to identify correct causes to their aggressiveness. Positive parent involvement and caregiver positive and never give up attitude can help the child to come to normal behavior. Most of the school and daycare do not like to allow these kids since they will lose business after these kids hurts anyone else. But I am thinking who else will support them . School or a Caregiving place is the place, teaching and supporting children and make them a useful individuals. I think none of the kids are perfectly well behave since they all in a process of behavior. Therefore teachers need to support them with a good attitude. Find the cause to treat the situation. Aggressive behavior can only treat with love and patience. Aggression is never ending with an aggression. As a teacher, first I admit the truth of "this child is aggressive and I have to give him special attention". I start monitor him to find his environment. If there is anything beyond my controls such as therapy or medical treatment I address it to the parent. I am trying to become someone special in their life, that way he opens his mouth to tell me the background. Every child is a creation of adults and the environment around him. Therefore giving a positive environment rather than drop the child from the program we do our part of them. Instead of being stereotyped we can involve parents to resolve these problems and  educate them. I suggest  being  their friend and explaining the situation positively. I do not like sending them to authorities right away. This cause to build boundaries in between the child and the teacher. Forgiving and caring is the first step and I also do not want to happen it again.

Review Punishment by reward by Alfie Kohn

                                                            Punishment by reward

Just finished professor Alfie Kohn Article about Punishment by rewards.I am a person who believes motivation comes with an appreciation. Appreciating what other party do is the greatest way to higher achievement. When I think about punishment ,it modifies through decades and now it's time to end completely. A decade ago overall punishing was more harsh ,such as executing, punish civilians and domestic punishments. It's slowly changing during past decades such as my parents' time had more physical punishment , a decision made by parents etc. When I was a kid more verbal punishment and less physical punishment. Today more rewarding and no verbal or physical punishments at all. Most parents used to do Logical consequences.  I do agree some of professor's ideas also perplex and self arguing for another. What I understood? And does it really work for all the kids and parents? And how the journey /his opinion begins.

"Rewards are most damaging to interest when the task is already intrinsically motivating. That may be simply because there is that much more interest to lose when extrinsics are introduced; if you're doing something boring, your interest level may already be at rock bottom."

I agree with him, If the environment is motivating nobody else want to double motivate them , but someone can motivate with given environment and someones choice may be different. Also if kids are happy and satisfied we do not want to punish or give rewards. Punishment will come with were a child and the adult is not content. At the school and workplace the authority can support them to engage with the environment instead of giving bribes of A', Food or object. I agree as he state here some rewarding programs are definitely discouraging other children. When I was a child I never became forward than the others so I always lose. I came to one point  I have no luck to win. I gave up many opportunities instead of  trying, But when I was older I realized what is the life is and keep tried and win. These reward systems are harmful to kids since every parent wants their child to be a hero in the school. Since I had a hard time winning my mind build to push my children to win and learn more what they want to know. Also label begins such as "this child is bright, She is a failure".These label for sure effect to all the grades and other activities. Even after school it follows us. Therefore rewards for motivating is not really work well but advises and support for sure to help the child to motivate.

"What kids deserve is an engaging curriculum and a caring atmosphere so they can act on their natural desire to find out about stuff. No kid deserves to be manipulated with extrinsics so as to comply with what others want."

Yes exactly kids need engaging curriculum and supportive environment. But need to have skillful teachers to do so. Do we have skillful teachers, and how do we evaluate their backgrounds. Even state required certain credit units, there are high quality and low quality teaching institutes who feed different level of skilled teachers. We all raised with rules and regulations, the engaging environment he is talking about  having rules and regulations? If so children are content. Some reward  giving negative impact and why not appreciate a child who behave well in class. During my childhood, get on with bright kids definitely help me to successful with my exams. "You can't motivate another person, so framing the issue that way virtually guarantees the use of controlling devices." How can I be agreeing on this..If we can't motivate a person why we have the word motivation. The motivation comes with the situation of the person. Such as a worker who is under economic hardship will definitely motivate with salary increment. I believe we can motivate a child with many ways, Supporting them, encourage, appreciate. I agree with him about giving rewards to motivate a child but motivation is an important thing and everyone can motivate. Therefore his ideas fighting inside me and I am trying to see this positive article.

Rewads doesn't work at all the time. As a parent I never used rewards to discipline kids but explain cause and effect. Because I thought if I gave rewards one day , they will expect it every day. But I always appreciate their academic work with a star. She is definitely becoming happy and motivate to do another page. How I can prepare a curriculum with 3Cs.This is the only question I have in my mind. Can all parents support their children with their busy work schedule. But that is what children need, support and love. I know personally some parent have not time to give a wash to their child. How to start, educating parents and teachers. We all behave through spanking ,rewarding and motivating. Can parent and teachers change their family style.

Ultimately I would think rewarding is somewhat giving bribe to a child to become my way. I agree with him on that. But appreciating a person in a class,motivating a child with loving word is not a bribe. This article changed my attitude about how to behave children and definitely something to think about. 

How I See

What do you see in your mind when you think of an early childhood teacher?

Early Childhood teacher has an enormous responsibility. The child's  first organizational environment after his home is  the preschool.  The ECE teacher should be an optimistic character who has a positive point of view about the life. Additionally she must have a vast understanding about the main domain of human development such as Biosocial , Cognitive and Phychosocial. Also the appearance , purity and high-quality performance  attract students and parents. The teacher is a role model  and her ideas and beliefs circulate faster than anything. The most important factor about a child's life is significant others. The teacher - child relationship is more significant because of the  strong influence on the student's character (quality of the relationship) rather than the technical and educational background of the person. The importance of interpersonal relationship is an association  rather than persons knowledge, specialty or techniques (Boltan 1989). The teacher who connects with the students' perspective will  improve cognitive development, self awareness and Phychosocial development. Learning is processed through the sharing of concern. The activities what build interpersonal relationships between teacher-child will develop a protective bond between them. When teacher aware and respond to child concern , trust will  develop in the child's mind. Therefore Teacher should express love, caring and a strong relationship with the students are more vital.

 What do you see when you think of the children?

Children are blanks, the society who fills the blanks.  Children are unique individuals who stimulate by the environment. Even though human has the same body parts, same shape of the brain,  responding , think in a different ways. Children take a long time to be independence but it needs to start from the childhood with a step by step process. Most of the time children have failed to face new challenges since their  personality development decrease. The main reason  parents are not providing opportunities  and support to  explore the environment . Every person has their own developmental pattern. We can't get the same result still giving a same education to the same age group  because of the varying development  patterns.  Therefore every person has a responsibility about our future , our children. Parents need to pay more attention to children. Being independence  is not children to grow however or do whatever. If we plant a good seed we can get a valuable harvest. Parents have the primary responsibility about their children.

What do you envision when you think of an early childhood classroom?

The colorful welcoming environment with full of  hands on activities where children can learn. The organization what has equal rights among children. Every child expects their teacher's attention , love and caring. The environment where children can improve in physically and mentally, emotionally and socially and academically. The outdoor activities , play time is the most important for their development in every way. Therefore clean outdoor environment with safe play materials and proper attention. Water/sand for children 2 years up & it's helped them to learn about levels, amounts. This is their very first math lessons. They also can feel water weather it's cold or hot , what will happen when it spill on the ground, what happened to the water after it absorb. Theses are their first science lessons. Curriculum needs to include Music, Dance , Reading books, Art other than academic. This is building a balanced routine of learning other than forcing the child. Environment is the major influence of human growth. The culture , discipline , Learning & future begins with their playtime, once they demonstrate different characters , waiting for their turns, obey to the rules, respect to each other, express feelings  &  verbal & non verbal communication maturity. Colorful poster bring visual education in the class and pictures can talk more. Reading corner that kids can relax and choose books. More than everything the kind character who can understand little mind and can build a positive relationship between the children.

  

Playtime is the Best Time

It is natural parents notice chid play time is not a valuable time at schools. But Play time teaches them everything they need to know rather than let them explain  and teach in the traditional way. I will explain the parent what is the value of play and we are already starting teaching. Teaching is included in their play activities. This is where the teacher has to act as a guide. One of the responsibility of the teacher is to update parents. Sometimes parents don't like  someone offense them. But  as a teacher i should explain them the value of play and play is more than just running and jumping. I will also invite parents to spend one day in a preschool environment and understand what is playing really is. A parent can observe the benefit of themselves.  Play is the primary context in which young children learn and grow according to the NAEYU standards. Everyone in this earth eventually turns to play. From an insect to large elephant they all naturally intend to play. Play time is the Most favorite things for kids. During play time they develop their emotional , physical , Creative and social skills. The culture , discipline , Learning & future begins with their playtime, once they demonstrate different characters , waiting for their turns, obey to the rules, respect to each other, express feelings  &  verbal & non verbal communication maturity. The play is very important to develop their Nerves & Muscle . Muscle movement begins when a  nerve cell receives an electronic message from the brain known as an "action potential". Also it has helped to digest foods & to develop blood circulation. Moreover  they are expressing their feelings such as anger, happiness these are important for their emotional maturation. Creative play helps them to identify different roles, using brushes & puzzles, sand & water grow their motor skills. It is always better to find matching playmates for kids  since every action they take help their cognitive development. Taking leadership, sharing, being generous is the shadows to their adolescence. At this time parents need to identify the importance about active play & supply them age appropriate materials. Buying expensive toys for kids is not a good idea since they will do an experiment with them & this will stress out  parents. At this stage we can provide them papers to tear/cut/past, food cans , balls, large pieces to small kids since they put everything in their mouth, Water/sand for children 2 years up & it's helped them to learn about levels, amounts. This is their very first math lessons. They also can feel water weather it's cold or hot , what will happen when it spill on the ground, what happened to the water after it absorb. Theses are their first science lessons.  3 year old loves to do sculptures therefore clay, play dough are the best option for them. Going further different age group need advance method of these materials for them to play & learn. When I was a kid we were playing all day long. We made food out of sand and water, we were singing poems, songs about the nature and practical life. We were very relaxed and Stressless. The play built a strong relationship with nature and human. All our sibling and cousins played together. It's made our relationships very strong & we learn from each other. We learn how to respect each other. Common sense has built when we struggle with the environment. As a teacher all the things I explain is very important to me. It has helped kids to be happy and smart. Our future depends on their creativity therefore playtime is equally important for their development.

Jean Piaget

                                                                Jean Piaget

        

What is intelligence? It is impossible  to  give an exact definition but experts have a variable opinion of it . Jean Piaget made a systematic study of  Intelligence in a child & cognitive development. He describes  there is a growing structure from childhood to adolescence & has a different cognitive abilities.  He was employed at the Binet Institute in the 1920s to develop french version of the question on the English intelligence test. His job was to discover  at what stage child could answer these questions correctly. But he discovered the wrong answers children gave has a logical pattern.These logical patterns of thinking made him to believe that there are significant differences between the point of view of  adults and children.

Jean Piaget(1896-1980), a Swiss scientist who originally studied Molluscs. The short notice he wrote about Albino Sparrow at age 11 made a great scientific career of over sixty books and several hundred articles. He obtains a P.H.D at university of Nchatel. Before Piaget, supposition of psychology was children thinking pattern same as adults & they all had an identical theory of development regardless of age.  They believed "child is a small adult" and the perspective about the environment (the world) was same among children and adults . Piaget's question was how does knowledge grow. Primarily he observed his own three children & later other children such as his friends & families. He has recorded their intellectual development from infancy to language. According to him there was a reorganizing mental process due to the environment and biological maturation experiences. He explained these patterns cognitively develop and has a flexibility. Intelligence grows when these patterns called schema become complex and expand. Result of  Biological development and social development, experiences of the external environment and maturation of the child, develop the quantity and quality of intelligence. Moreover he described  intelligence has a  two basic which are biological and logical. It's begins with a biological background and  continuous interaction with environment build a logical thinking pattern. Maturation and the movements with environment build a deep cognitive development.

Piaget theory of Cognitive express child development is the interaction between a child and the environment. Every child has periods of cognitive development without any cultural effect  & every period has a progress of early stage. Children have a unique pattern of developing these stages. But the age to start these periods differ from each other. In his research at Binet institute he realized one age group has same wrong answers. Then he stated we need to worry about the quality of child intelligence instead of how many questions he answered. They have their own logical patterns of solving problems. His research pattern differed from others, instead of  researching preset  hypothesis he observed the natural behavior and asked open questions. It is concerned about children rather than all learners.

There are three basic components to this theory

·         Schemas

·         Adaptation , Assimilation, Accommodation

·         Stages of  Development

Schema

Piaget called the schemas the basic building block of intelligent behavior. It is a linked  mental demonstration  of the world. It is controlled External behaviors and thinking pattern. New born baby has a some natural talent to solve some problems. These interaction happened due to an external environmental behavior. Respond to these circumstances  build a unit of knowledge. This is a process of developing schemas. The first stage of the schema is an individual unit of knowledge. Ex: Schema of sucking milk. By progressing this action permanent the schema in his mind. Then the child could find what is the difference between sucking other object such as a finger or bottle nipple. Now he knows the difference between object. In second level child identify which one is taste better. In third stage different schemas now set together. This is a special development of  the Schema. Now he identifies the bottle and has a knowledge how to hold it and drink it. Three Schemas put together. Repeating these activities build intelligence & expand it to other activities. This is cognitive development.

Adaptation, Assimilation and Accommodation.

Once the child had a new experience he coordinated his schema with the previous one. If it is close to the previous schema he assimilates new schema. Assimilation refers to using existing mental patterns in new situations. Ex: Child has a schema of a Monkey and once he saw a gorilla he realized this is a Monkey but a mother can  describes he is a gorilla little different than Monkey. Teaching them help to develop new schemas. In Accommodation, Existing ideas modified to fit the new requirements. Equilibrium occurs when a child's schema can deal with the most new information though assimilation.

Stages of Development

·         The Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 Years)

At this stage intellectual development will be largely nonverbal.Infants leaning to coordinate her movements with information from their sense.Also object permanence ,understating that object continue to exist when they are out if sight.Child formation are becoming more stable at this stage.

·         The Preoperational Stage (2-7 Years)

 During this stage children begin to think symbolically and use language. But still his thinking is intuitive. Children think magically and poetically. The child is quite egocentric.

·         The Concrete Operational Stage (7-11Years)

 The important development during this stage is mastery of conservation. Children understand and apply logical operations or principles. They begin to use the concept of time,space and number. They have an ability to reverse thought or mental operations.

·         The formal operational Stage (11years and up)

Children begin to break away from concrete objects and specific examples.Thinking is based on "democracy"," honor" or "correlation".This can think about their thought & become less egocentric.They can think about hypothetical possibilities.

Today Piaget theory using for most educational institutions. His theory guide to a parent not to force the child since there are specific stages of development. Piaget has been widely influenced in developing educational policy and Teaching. As an example- According to the publication of the Plowden report(1967) a review of primary education by the UK government in 1966 was based strongly on the theory. There are some weaknesses in his theory such as stages , an age group which are not described by other theorist. The concept of every child develops in a same order regardless of cultural setting (social setting).

His research method more open to have false factors. His researches based on a few participations such as his three infants.

Today Piaget theory help to determine how children think. But  Piaget underestimate infant's thinking pattern. There is a gap between Piaget theory and present learning theories. Some children answered questions correctly before the period he explain. This because of the environment where the child lives. Infant also can understand , memorized certain concept & people.Anyhow Piaget cognitive theory highly influence to change the assumption  of children's thinking pattern. Child is not a small adult anymore.

References

Ginsburg H.G.A Sylvia -Piaget's theory of Intellectual development,Englewood Cliffs-Prantice Hall 1963

Coon Dennis -Psychology a modular approach to mind and behavior 2006

 McLeod, S. A. (2009). Jean Piaget | Cognitive Stages of Development. Retrieved  fromhttp://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html

Keystone childcare & Learning center offering quality, a fascinating, friendly childhood program beyond excellence.

Mission

To create a well decent member to the society

Description

Teaching Philosophy

Significant in child's life...

I believe every child is a unique character who bring natural intelligence. They need a secure, caring and inspiring atmosphere in which to grow and mature intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially. As an educator it is my responsibility to challenge and support to bring their fullest natural potential in every developmental area by providing safe, supportive, challenging and inviting environment. Furthermore, as an educator I will optimistically build a healthy relationship since learning is processed through the sharing of concern. While the importance of interpersonal relationship is an association I provide varied opportunities to communicate and to use their aptitude. I presume people should learn to respect, accept and embrace the differences between us to make the world so fascinate.

Let them cultivate their own seeds of knowledge

As a guide, researcher and a close friend I would listen to the each child inner background. The child will bring a message with their every action. As an educator my role is to determine the child's ability to grow in each developmental area and provide the precise environment to build their skills. Give access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space to use materials that emphasize the lesson being studied creates an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge. My teaching theories will inspire with RegioEmillio and the combination of other theories. Therefore instead of being an information provider I will act as a researcher and using short and long term project goals according to students' ideas. The student learns best when they construct knowledge through their own inspirations and ideas. Parent involvement is welcome to support children work and to make a safe and supportive environment. Children take a long time to be independence but it needs to start from the childhood with a step by step process. Lesson plans will build as themes and every theme will connect to previous one. Once curriculum builds children's ideas they are more responsible and concern about their work. The lesson plan will include play time since during play time they develop their emotional , physical , Creative and social skills. The culture , discipline , Learning & future begins with their playtime, once they demonstrate different characters , waiting for their turns, obey to the rules, respect to each other, express feelings & verbal & non verbal communication maturity. Furthermore student's development will evaluate and observed by effective methods to consider individual strengths and needs.

Build a self-awareness and self-confident....

Helping student to develop self awareness, Love , respect, and confident help to open a respectful conversation, supportive environment , significant others and positive approach to discipline. Once classroom welcomes open conversation, they will encourage for such dialogs and lesson presentation. I believe children have greater respect for their teachers, their peers, and will have a safe environment. Ultimately respect each other and build a better surrounding for themselves.

Teacher as a Lifelong learner....

As a teacher I also a student. I am a lifelong learner and will learn many lessons from my own students. I would love to collect ideas and listening to others advises be successful as an educator. Also creating a fresh and an exciting environment for all and be a professional member in a child's life. More than everything thing I would love to be a kind character who can understand little mind and can build a positive relationship between the children. School is the first systematical environment they will attend after their home. Therefore provide a safe and creative environment to develop their cognitive, Physial, Socio-emotional skills in my main priority. Ultimately my goal is to offer a successful human being to the society....