My Supports

     I depend on many supports to get me through the day.  My biggest support emotionally is my husband.  He helps me get through the day and is a good sounding board to bounce ideas off.  He is someone I can always depend on.  My kids also give me support.  They make me laugh, think, and keep me going!  During work, I depend on the other teachers for advice, ideas, and support.  Starting the morning I depend on my alarm clock and coffee to get me up and going in the morning.  I would not wake up on time if it were not for my alarm clock.  I depend on my car to get me to places I need to go.  I depend on lists to help me stay organized and not forget things.  I also depend on my phone.  I use my phone to check the weather, e-mails, find contact information for my family and friends.  I keep my calendar on my phone.  I would be so lost without my calendar.  I can make appointments and make sure I do not have any conflicting appointments.  I can set reminders so I remember where I need to be and what I might need to bring.  I can set the timer to keep me on schedule.  I use my phone to get directions.  I use these many supports through the day.  My phone, alarm, lists, and car all make my life easier.  I am very thankful for them and the support they give me.  If I did not have them things would be challenging but life would go on.  I can’t imagine life without my husband, kids, and other family and friends.  They give me the greatest joy and peace in life.  A piece of me would die if I did not have these wonderful people in my life for support. 

“My Connections to Play”



 

 

 

 

 

     Growing up I had three siblings to play with as well as tones of neighborhood kids to play with.  I remember my summers spent outside on swing sets, blow up pools, bike rides that took us on adventures all over, sandboxes, sprinklers, and of course fort making.  After dinner we would go out and play games of ghost in the graveyard or bloody Mary!  These games would include a wide age range of kids and would include anywhere up to 20 kids.  My aunt gave me her beloved Schwinn bike and I put many more miles on it.  Our adventures would take us through the woods and down to the river or over to a friend’s house to play.  On days that we could not be outside to play I loved to play with my dolls.  My grandma would make clothing and bedding for my dolls.  Dolls of all kinds were my favorite toy as a child.  Play has always been enjoyable for me!  I still enjoy playing today!  Today I enjoy playing and watching my own children play.  I enjoy when we get the opportunity to play and ride bikes as a family. 

     Play has changed in some ways.  When I grew up we had a neighborhood community, all the backyards were open, and we ran through them all as if they were our own.  If you wanted, someone to play with you just went outside and found someone or went to the neighbor’s door and rang the bell.  It seems these days many people have fences or are not home to play.  If you want a friend to play with you have to call and set up a play date! In addition, there is way more entertaining things on TV and video games to suck you in to screen time.   

     In some ways, play is the same.  I love to watch kids get swept up in their imagination and pretend play.  I wish for kids today that they had more time to play that their time was not so scheduled either at home or in school.  I also wish that there were not so many concerns for children to play outside.  These days children cannot go out and play for hours without their parents seeing them.  There are too many concerns about strangers to allow children the opportunity to wander to far from home without an adult.

Relationships

     Relationships are the spice of life.  Relationships are crucial to life.  I have been very blessed with relationships in my life.  First off is our creator God himself.  It goes all the way back to Adam and Eve.  God knew we needed relationships that is why He created Eve. 

     My parents would be the first relationship I had.  If it were not for them, I would not be here today.  They taught me how we need relationships and the importance of having friends and living in a community.  My two sisters and one brother also have taught me a lot and have showed me the power of being a family.  Grandparents who have been involved and supportive through my whole life.

     My school friends that I have met along the way some are still in my life others have I lost contact with but are still grateful for the time they were a part of my life.  My many teachers through the years that have helped me to grow and learn.  They have been role models and inspiration for me.

     My husband who is there for me through everything.  I have been blessed to be married to him for 14 years and to know him for 22 years.  He is the one I laugh with and cry with.  He is there during the good times and the bad times.  We are blessed to have two children that are amazing.  We have grown with them and learn from them.    Life is not always easy but with family and friends by your side, it sure is easier. 

     Relationships take time that is why some people pass through our lives.  When things change in our lives usually relationships to do.  It is easier to keep a relationship going when you have contact with the person.  I do have some friends that I only get to see a couple times a year and when we see each other it is as no time has passed others when a long time has passed it can be difficult to pick up and feel connected with.  Relationships take time to develop and nurture. 

 

 

Thank You

Walden Classmates thanks for a great 8 weeks.  I have learned a lot and have enjoyed reading your posts and discussions.  Thanks again and I wish you the best on your journey. 

 

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided But for the feeling that you cherished them.

-         Richard L. Evans

 

The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children

 

There are two gifts we should give our children; one is roots, and the other is wings.

 

Children are great imitators.  So give them something great to imitate.

 

No one would expect a child to learn to ride a bike by showing the child a drawing of a bicycle and by discussing the laws of balance.  The child learns by riding the bike.

-         Lewis

Testing in schools

    
    Most the testing done in schools are measuring a child’s ability to do math, reading, and writing.  IQ test are measured to test intellectual aptitude or ability.   Can any single test really measure a child holistically?  I do not believe so as we have many intelligences and abilities beyond are math, reading, and writing.  So many times kids feel they are good at something because of what a test says.  I do not like that kids get so wrapped up in tests and grades.  I know for many years I felt that these scores defined me as either smart or dumb.  When we look at these scores, we miss seeing the whole child and a child can miss out at being the best person they can be.  Test do not look at children’s ability to move, socialize, create, and many more areas.

     I looked at New Zealand schools.  I have enjoyed reading how they do literacy in their schools.  As I was researching it sounds like they as well have many assessments but I like that they do not use one assessment to base a child’s grade.  Their assessments include what the teacher sees in the classroom, how the student rates their own progress as well as the formal tests.

The other thing that really impressed me was that the children have a part in evaluating and setting goals and the teacher helps facilitate this process.  The teachers even go over there standard tests with them.  I liked this as I think real learning takes place when you learn from your mistakes and you take time to evaluate what you have learned.  Also setting goals and being supported toward your goal is a huge life skill and accomplishment that children can feel good about.  Information taken from the website below:

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/Parents/YourChild/ProgressAndAchievement/AssessingYourChildsProgress.aspx

Childhood Stressors

     Chaotic Stressors

     I have a friend that grew up with an alcoholic father.  She would describe her childhood as chaotic and unpredictable.  She talks about how she was always trying to make peace in the family and found it her job to be the caretaker especially to her mother.  She also found that she would try to excel at every area to try to make everything better.  Living in this chaotic environment, she found safety in routine and schedules.  To this day, change can be hard and cause her anxiety.  She also felt ashamed and embarrasses of her father.  She was worried what he would do next and did not want him to show up at school functions.  She loved her father so she then felt guilty for having these feelings.  She learned at an early age that you do not talk about it and you always smile and act like everything is okay.  According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Buddy, 2013) one in five adult Americans lived with an alcoholic while growing up.  The effects of living with an alcoholic can last through the adult years.  As a child, my friend did go to counseling for a time and as an adult she has seek out counseling for herself.  She has worked very hard to not take responsibility for her father’s actions and not being responsible for her well-being. 

Hunger in El Salvador

     El Salvador has held a special place in my heart since I had the opportunity to visit the country during my college years.  Child malnutrition is a serious problem in El Salvador.  Two out of five children in El Salvador are likely to suffer from malnutrition.   This is a serious problem as malnutrition can case permanent cognitive, psychosocial and biosocial consequences.  There are organizations that are trying to help fight the problem of hunger.  One organization is Pizza Hut how teamed up with the United Nations World Food Program that runs Nourishing El Salvador .  They held there third marathon to raise funds and awareness for nutrition in El Salvador.  They even had local children participate in the event (Martinez, 2013) .  Another organization that is helping is  World Vision.  They are helping  25,000 girls and boys and this is through sponsorship provided by people in the United States.  The problem of nutrition is still a real factor with things like earthquakes, drought, and hurricanes affecting the availability of food (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/6d1210430917461d8825735a007e2f2b/sponsor-el-salvador).

Reference

Buddy, T. (2013).  The effects of parental alcoholism on children. Retrieved February 1, 2014, from About.com Web Site: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/effect/a/The-Effects-Of-Parental-Alcoholism-On-Children.htm

El Salvador (n.d.) Retrieved February 1, 2014, from  http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/6d1210430917461d8825735a007e2f2b/sponsor-el-salvador

Martinez,E. (2013).  4,000 children join the Puch Marathon to support “Nourishing El Salvador”  Retrieved February 1, 2014, from http://www.wfp.org/stories/4000-children-join-puch-marathon-support-%E2%80%9Cnourishing-el-salvador%E2%80%9D