My reflection on : Getting ready to read and the NAEYC joint position statement.

These two articles are both very important and relate to and support each other.

In the NAEYC position statement we look at how we as early childhood educators can encourage and support, parental involvement and interaction, retention of the home language and culture as well as promote better communication between the parents, the child and the educator. Better communication will result in a better experience for all involved.

In "Getting ready to read" we look at and get a general over view of just how important linguistic interaction is between parent and child, the age of the child does not impact the importance, but rather the use and application of the knowledge gained from the linguistic interaction with the parent. For instance, a six week old infant will not gain the same depth of knowledge from the song "the wheels on the bus", but that does not diminish the importance of singing to that infant, they will learn an instinctive knowledge of cadence in language and music, etc... . The knowledge these children gain might not be readily apparent, but down the road it will become more and more prominent.

When parents are encouraged to keep up communication with their children, regardless of the language with which they are communicating, it helps the child to understand language in general (written and spoken) better. Every child is different and has their own learning style and rate, when the teacher has good communication with the family, as well as the child, they all have a better idea of that learning style and rate.

I really appreciate it, that in both articles different scenarios are used as examples that are everyday happenings that most would write off, they encourage us to look at those situations and instances in a new light.

Teaching Tolerance : Mix It Up

I have just finished an initial exploration of tolerance.org, and here are my thoughts on one of the small pieces that I read and the corresponding video.

I really appreciate the video about the Mix It Up Lunch Day, up to now I had no idea about the 

Mix It Up Lunch Day, or what it is. It is very exciting to me that there are these types of social       movements in school, I feel that people in general unconsciously separate themselves into groups, no matter where they are. It is a default, we automatically default to what we and who we know best, we are creatures of habit, and it takes a great deal of self awareness to break any habit. 

I appreciate this Lunch Day idea, because it promotes better social awareness and social comfort, no matter what kind of situation you might find yourself in. If our young people learn consciously, that they may step outside of their social bubble, and that it can and will be (in most instances.) a positive experience, and and opportunity to learn and make further meaningful connections. 

http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/what-is-mix

Responding to linguistics and cultural diversity recommendations for effective early childhood education.

Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Recommendations for Effective Early Childhood Education. ( A position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. )

So, this is what I have taken away from this particular article.

  Being aware and respectful of a child's home language and culture, as well as being open-minded and encouraging of that home language and culture, promoting the sharing and understanding of different home cultures and languages.
  This does not only refer to those children who speak a language other than English, there may be children whose primary language is English, but they originate from England, thus their language and culture will be vastly different in some respects. That home language and culture still needs and deserves respect.
  The second a child's home language and culture is devalued, that is when they will start to disconnect from their home language and culture. This is extremely detrimental to the child, the family, and to the educators. There will be a barrier between the child's family and their education. 
  When a child "loses" their home language and culture, they lose a part of their identity. Learning will become difficult, the communication barrier between the child and their family will hinder the sharing of knowledge and information.
  Children who are encouraged to embrace, hold on to, and share about their home language and culture, will value their home culture and those of others, more. They better understand how important their home, and the homes of others are. Also, children that gain mastery of their home language, will be better equipped to gain mastery of English. It is also important to remember that every child will absorb English in a different way, as well as at a different rate.
  Encouraging respectful curiosity is of the utmost importance. By sharing cultural information we realize how we are similar, and also how we are different. Sometimes our differences are minor and relatively unimportant, and sometimes they are huge differences,  and those differences both big and small are chances to learn from each other.


  Everyone's culture is deserving of respect.

My introduction.

Hello all,
 My name is Grace, and I am not altogether sure as to how this will go, and I am pretty much winging everything right now.
...well, I've never had a blog before...so that's something about me, for a start. I am in my first quarter at Bates Technical College in the Early Childhood Education program, and so far I am really enjoying everything. I will hopefully continue to enjoy everything.
 So, a little more about me. I am a married mother of two, an artist, a baker, a nature enthusiast, and now a blogger, etc... the list could keep going on forever really. I am almost constantly finding something new to learn and enjoy, and I love to share the things that I learn and do. I love to help others, I hope that through sharing the things that I learn about and that I love to do, that I can make someone else's journey that much simpler if not easier. Life is short enough and difficult enough, if I can ease my own and others burdens and journeys I will.
 I honestly am not sure what else there might be to say, so I will leave it at that for now.

Until next time,

Grace.