A Note of THANKS

Dear Walden Colleagues,
This note is to thank each of you for your shared talents, wisdom, and knowledge.  I have enjoyed your comments and blogs.  It was great having you all to learn from.  I pray God's best for all of you and may we all achieve our goals and ultimately change the world of early childhood for the better.

With Sincere Gratitude,
Linda Ferdinand

Examining Codes of Ethics

All ideals within the NAEYC and DEC codes are meaningful as well as very beneficial to the early childhood arena.  The three I chose encompasses some of the others.  The fact that I serve children and families I find it crucial to advocate for and ensure that all children including those with special needs have access to the support services needed to be successful, as stated in NAEYC Ideal 1-1.9.  It is equally essential that I be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and stay informed through continuing education and training, which reflects NAEYC Ideal 1-1.1.  More so, it is imperative that I help family members enhance their understanding of their children and support the continuing development of their skills as parents, in accordance with NAEYC Ideal 1-2.8.  These ideals are meaningful to my personal life for several reasons.  I am indeed accountable to the families I serve; I have a responsibility to be the voice for the children in my community; I must continue building my knowledge base to share my expertise, wisdom, and information with staff, parents, and colleagues.  This is personally important to me because I frequently experience parents that have no idea how to raise their children or teach them good values, positive self-esteem, and character traits, simply because they have not been taught themselves.  It is my deep desire to do what is in my power to ensure a change for the betterment of all involved in early childhood education, and ultimately bring about positive developments in families, communities, societies, cultures, ethnicities, and the world at large. 

It is important that parents, educators, leaders, politicians, and lawmakers realize that children are our most important asset.  They are our future leaders and it is our obligation to help transform them into effective progressive citizens.  Therefore, all people need to be enlightened concerning the magnitude of schooling our children early on.  Children want to learn and grow; we should be there to ensure they do it the positive way.  No child should be excluded.  Every child deserves the right to an education, it is a civil right. 

Additionally, many parents need to be educated, because they are their child’s first teacher.  They can only teach them what they know.   Sadly, if parents know nothing, then that is what they teach their children, and that can be devastating.  Education is undeniably expensive, but ignorance is far more costly and must be eradicated.  That is my passion, which is the essence of building better lives and communities.   This is worth remembering, because it keeps me motivated to continue working to impress lives at the most crucial and moldable stage for positive change, which is early childhood.   

Course Resources

• 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://www.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://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.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. 

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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Walden University). (2011). Sectors of the Early Childhood field [Video webcast]. http://www. http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6005/04/mm/Sectors/Main.html

• Websites:
  • World Forum Foundation http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage 
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP’s mission. 
  • Association for Childhood Education Internationalhttp://acei.org/about/
    Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statements.

• National Association for the Education of Young Childrenhttp://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhoodhttp://www.dec-sped.org/
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Familieshttp://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTEDhttp://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
• Harvard Education Letterhttp://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
• FPG Child Development Institutehttp://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conferencehttp://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/
     

Professional Journals 

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

 Three Additional Resources

                                                

Book:  Increasing Power of Instruction  by Judith a. Schickedanz

The Southern Early Childhood Association  (SECA) 
http://www.southernearlychildhood.org

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/family.html

Inspiring Quotes

“The best economic development strategy is investment in early childhood.”
-- Art Rolnick, senior vice president, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

“The highest stake of all is our ability to help children realize their full potential." ~~Samuel J. Meisels Ed.D. President Irving and Neison Harris President's Chair.

“Passion is like a ripple, it grows.” ~~Laticia Lara

“It is not all about you, think about what is best for the child and help him transition to it.” ~~Renatta Cooper, Program Specialist Office of Child Care

“ All education is a civil rights issue.” ~~Renatta Cooper, Program Specialist Office of Child Care

“Built in passion causes us to make a difference in the world.” ~~Louise Derman-Sparks, Professor Emeritus

“Children lose out when they are taught they are better than others because of their racial, ethnic background, economic class, or gender identity.” ~~Louise Derman-Sparks

“We have a unique opportunity in working with children.” ~~Sandy Escobido, Deputy Field Director, Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative

“I am not here to save the world, I am here to make a difference in the community I am working in.” ~~Raymond Hernandez, MS.Ed. Executive Director, School of Early Childhood Education

“If you think education is expensive try ignorance.” ~~Unknown

“We must educate to eradicate ignorance.”  ~~Linda Ferdinand, Student Walden University

Personal Childhood Web

My Mom was a loving homemaker and greatly influenced my life with her care and words of wisdom.  My mom valued education and respect for others.  She wanted me to accomplish the best.  She taught me to obey rules and encouraged me to do my best in school.  My achievements made her very happy, and I enjoyed making my parents happy.  She praised my accomplishments.  I never wanted to hurt or disappoint my parents.  So, I was sure to obey them and do my best.  Mom made me feel special when she affirmed her trust in me.  Nurturing to my mom was protection and security.  I felt special when she told me stories while she combed my hair.  I learned so much from her during those tender moments. Never will forget Mom’s proverb, “treat people the way you want to be treated,” that is my motto, I live by it, I teach my children and students to live by it.  It is truly the golden rule.  Sadly, my mom passed 3 days before my daughter was born.  I miss and think of her most every day.

Daddy operated his own roofing business.  He was the sole supporter of our family.  He and mom both valued education.  I loved sitting on my dad’s lap listening to his stories.  After Sunday’s church service dad would take us sightseeing to show us pretty houses he had installed roofs on.  He did the same at Christmas time to see the beautiful decorations and lights.  These activities were very nurturing and I continue to do them today.  I remember, during the commencement of integration, many families’ boycotted schools and resisted busing, but my dad would load us into his work truck and take us to school.  We were not allowed to miss school except for sickness.  Having furnished us with a library of books and encyclopedias, he would say, “You can travel anywhere in the world by reading, so keep reading.”  I couldn’t help but read.  My siblings and I often reminisce and remind my dad how he encouraged us academically. 

My maternal grandparents were phenomenal.  I was exceptionally special to my grandparents.  I spent lots of time with them.  My grandfather was a driver for the Mayflower Moving Company; sometimes he would let me travel with him.    This made me feel like I was on top of the world sitting up so high above all the traffic in the big-semi trailer he drove.  He always urged me to read signs even though he could not read.  Once, while traveling, he asked me to pronounce the word Kissimmee posted on a sign.  I pronounced it kiss-a-me, he laughed and laughed.  The word is actually pronounced kiz-sim-mee.  It is a small town near Orlando, Florida.  Whenever I am traveling that way I remember him and laugh too.  This event encouraged me to strive to pronounce words correctly.  I still feel as though he were alive.  My grandparents loved, respected, and supported each other.  My grandmother always said, “One hand washes the other.”  This was evident in their relationship.  She started me to reciting poems on church programs.  I love poetry and I sometimes write it too.  They loved me and wanted the best for me.  I miss my grandparents and I sometimes feel as though I can call and talk with them.

I am he youngest of 5 children.  My siblings were protective of me.   I was excited when they returned home from school because they would teach me what they learned.  My brother taught me to swim and trusted me enough to let me play with his animals.  My siblings and I share a special bond.

In 3^rd and 4^th grade my teachers shared the same last name, Williams.  They were very kindhearted, generous with knowledge, and very inspiring.  My 3^rd grade teacher invited me to join the reading club which I thought was awesome, I felt so special that she chose me.  I was inspired to do my best.  Mrs. Williams, my 4^th grade teacher always encouraged me to take parts in plays which I had to learn and recite poems.  She would say, “I know you can do it Pompey (my maiden name) and I did.  To this day I am reassured by her words.  Consequently, I tell my students the same.   

A Few Of My Favorite Things

My favorite children's quote is: “Children spell love T- I - M - E.”

This quote is meaningful to me because children grow up so fast and time not spent with them can never be recounted, whereas time spent with them can be counted forever.

I personally love many different children’s books for different reasons.  However, I will use my  favorite children's book entitled Grandma Says Our Hair Has Flair  by Sandy Lynne Holman, because it has a personal story of triumph behind it.

I love this book because it is fun to read, it rhymes which creates enthusiasm, and the children just love it.  I also love it because it helped reveal and heal an identity crisis in one of our families.  I enjoy sharing this story with all children, because I want them to love and accept themselves for who they are, which is truly the beginning of becoming who they want to be.  Life is not all about outward perceptions, but rather the beauty that comes from the inside out.

I used this book to help solve a problem that really touched my heart.  Once there was a child who’d go to school crying and complaining that her classmates were teasing her about her kinky short hair.  Her classmates always denied the accusations and the teachers never witnessed the teasing.  Nevertheless, the accused children were directed to apologize, and they did.  Bottom line is that the children she accused had lengthy hair, and the accuser’s mother wore a long hair wig as well.  It became apparent that the accuser did not like her short and kinky hair.  As a result, she sat out to change it by manipulating her mother with untrue stories of other children making mean comments about her hair.  In order to solve the problem her mother straightened her hair!  Did it solve the problem?  No!  Staff members took time to give positive comments to the child concerning her pretty smile, face, clothes, etc.  This did not work either.  Finally, the mother had long braids weaved into the child’s hair!  Yes, it worked, but only as long as the braids lasted.  Once the braids were out the lies began again and again.  I purchased this book while attending a conference.  I shared it first with the accuser and then with all of the children.  I shared it with the parent too and invited the parent to read it with the child.  Consequently, over time the lies stopped and the child looked really cute wearing her own short kinky hair.  The positive results of this story gave this family good self-esteem.  To me it was a triumph that touched my heart and reinforced my belief that there is a solution to every problem.