Relationship Reflection

The relationships I have in my life are important to me.  They have contributed to the person I am today.  I have 5 siblings.  I value the relationship I have with each one of them.  Our father became ill 3 weeks ago and is in the hospital.  The positive relationship my siblings and I have has been beneficial during this time.  We have all been able to come together and take on the responsibility of caring for our dad.  I am the youngest.  My oldest sister and I are his financial caretakers.  She and I have similar fiscal ideas.  My other sister is a great communicator.  She has been extremely helpful communicating with my dad's insurance company, doctors, and medicare.  My three brothers have stepped up also.  They are in constant contact with the nurses and doctors as well as taking care of my father's physical needs (bathing, shaving, etc...).  We all have maintained constant contact with one another even before our father became ill.  We never really email to communicate.  We still call each other and have long chats about current situations and things we remember growing up.  One reason why we all get along so well is because of our mothers.  My older four siblings are by my father's first wife.  My mother, father, and his first wife always made it clear that even though we have different mothers' we still need to respect them, their house rules, and get along because at the end of the day the kids are siblings and we are going to need to each in the future.   All my life, I remember hearing this message and that positive message still resonates with all of us today.  Even though everything is not always perfect in a blended family, if the parents can put their differences aside for the children, it will benefit the children and the adults they will become in the long run. 

Alyssa

I have a new bundle of joy.  Alyssa was born on March 28. 

Any Day Now

I am on my way to the hospital to have my baby girl.  Wish me luck.  Hope to update everyone this week and have pictures ready :)

Birthing Experience

Eight years ago I gave birth to my son Allen.  I had to have a c-section because my son was breech.  I had a wonderful doctor, Dr. Faizon.  His bedside manner was the key to getting me through this experience.  My husband was in the AirForce and he was stationed overseas during my whole pregnancy.  He was allowed to return to the states for 30 days.  He arrived at the hospital 3 hours before our son was born.  I remember my husband coming into the hospital room minutes after I was given an epidural.  I told him that he missed out on all of the fun.  When I was a teenager, I had my appendix removed.  My appendix surgery was more painful than my c-section.  The previous surgery prepared me for my post-pardom recovery.  I believe that my positive attitude throughout my pregnancy and wonderful doctor impacted my child's birth and development.  My son Allen has a wonderful personality and he was a wonderful baby.  When he was a baby, he rarely cried unless he was wet or hungry.  He was always happy and smiling.  Now that I am due to give birth in a few days, I remembered to have a positive attitude throughout this pregnancy.  I would love for my daughter to have the same disposition as her older brother.

Thanks from Amanda

I would like to thank everyone who has read my blog and/or made comments about my blog posts.  I appreciate your insight.  I work in a school where I am the only Early Childhood Teacher.  It has been nice being able to communicate with others who are just as passionate about Early Childhood education as I am.  Good luck in your future classes and endeavors.  Remember that if you want happiness for a lifetime, help the next generation.

Amanda

Code of Ethics

The NAEYC has three code of ethics policies that impact my professional life:

I.1.7 
To use assessment information to understand and support children's development and learning, to support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional services.

I.2.4
To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strength and competencies, and learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children.

I.2.8
To help family members understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents.

These policies are significant to my professional life because I perform these duties at work on a daily basis.  I enjoy being a teacher but I love being a parent advocate.  I love being able to encourage parents to learn more about their child's education and facilitate and participate in their child's future.

Early Childhood Resources

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/main/about.cfm

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//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Institute for Women’s Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm

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.preknow.org/

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

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

3 Additional Resources

Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/

StarFall
http://www.starfall.com/

Preschool/Pre-K worksheets
http://www.tlsbooks.com-kindergartenworksheets.htm/