NAEYC and DEC

NAEYC Ideals: 

I-2.3—To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.

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

I-2.9—To participate in building support networks for families by providing them with opportunities to interact with program staff, other families, community resources, and professional services. 

DEC Ideals: 

We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and families to enhance their quality of lives. 

We shall continually be aware of issues challenging the field of early childhood special education and advocate for changes in laws, regulations, and policies leading to improved outcomes and services for young children with disabilities and their families. 

We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture. 

All of the ideals listed above are important to the early childhood field and my focal point on early childhood. It is important to reach out to families and make them aware of the resources they have readily available because I feel as though most people do not know of the resources they have around them that are waiting to help. It is also important to help them understand that the services we are able to provide are of the highest quality and it is to ensure they have the highest quality of life as they are entitled. 

It is heartbreaking to say the least when a family cannot provide for one another because of a lack of resources. As a professional, I would always want to provide help when it is needed. To be able to build a relationship with family members and give them what they need in order to live how they want to. 

http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

http://www.dec-sped.org/uploads/docs/about_dec/position_concept_papers/Code%20of%20Ethics_updated_Aug2009.pdf

Course Resources

Walden Resources: 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/

• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

Additional Resources: 

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/resources.htm

TUFTS University

http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/?/category/young-children/17/

Zero to Three

http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/military-families/

Ann Turnbull & Bill Clinton

Ann Turnbull's interview with Lynn Neary. 

"..you make a good point, that the more that there is exposure, the more that people with intellectual disabilities are living in typical neighborhoods and going to typical schools and working in typical employment settings and hanging out in the community where other people without disabilities experience recreation, the more acceptance there's going to be, relationships,"  (Turnbull).

Bill Cinton speaks on the Headstart program

"Individual character involves honoring and embracing certain core ethical values; honesty, respect, responsibility… Parents must teach their children from the earliest age the difference between right and wrong. But we must all do our part," (Clinton). 

“The saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there's nothing to make it last.” 
― Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

“When someone tells me "no," it doesn't mean I can't do it, it simply means I can't do it with them.” 
― Karen E. Quinones Miller

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” 
― Oprah Winfrey

Quotes from:
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag?utf8=✓&id

Personal Childhood Web

I can definitely say there has been people in my life that have influenced me in ways that have been extremely beneficial, but out of all the people that have influenced me, there were 5 that I hold dearest to my heart and created the base in which I learned all my morals and values. 

The 5 people are listed as: 

Herman Blas (Uncle) 

Herminia Blas (Aunt) 

Thomas Aguon (Grandfather) 

Pedro Aguon (Father) 

Teresita Aguon (Mother) 

Herman Blas, my uncle, would do simple things like take me to go shopping with him, go on little trips around Guam, or even go out together to get ice cream. He taught me how to respect my elders and the importance of being respectful as a person. He also taught me about the world and the people in it and how I have to be careful and observant of my surroundings to make sure nothing bad happens. He was able to instill values in me that I still have today, which is the most beautiful part.  

Herminia Blas, my aunt, showed me the importance of responsibility. She married early and didn't finish school, and she didn't have the lifestyle she wanted because of that. She always mentioned how important schooling was and how important it was to be smart about my choices and to think about the bigger picture in life. 

Thomas Aguon, my grandfather, enjoyed the little things. He would always call to check on me and give me candy when I was feeling a little down. He always took me to church and instilled the importance of believing in God and how in some situations, my faith will be tested, but I shouldn't lose any hope for the future. To this day, I remember to always look to God when my faith is tested. 

Pedro Aguon, and Teresita Aguon, my father and mother, showed me the importance of family. Family has meant everything to me and the reason behind that is because of the 5 people listed above. My parents especially always made sure I had a roof over my head and food on the table. They showed me the beauty in having a family and how important it is to pass on my values to my children. 

Hopefully, my children will be able to write a blog like this and share the same experiences. 

A Story about a child that touched my heart

The Miracle of Jay-Jay

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age. - Jeanne Moreau

"He doesn't look like the other boys," Grandpa said as he viewed the blanketed bundle I held in my arms. He was right. James Ryan, whom we called Jay-Jay, with his skinny little legs, almost bald head, and tiny, slanted eyes, bore little resemblance to my other chubby babies with their full heads of hair. But I knew the comment went far beyond looks. Grandpa couldn't accept the fact that Jay-Jay had Down syndrome and had mental retardation.

On subsequent visits, Pa-Pa, the name the other children used for their grandpa, ignored Jay-Jay. He picked him up once at a family reunion when it seemed to be expected for a family picture. Other than that, he never touched him, and looked upon him with something between pity and displeasure.

Then, one day, a miracle began. We were once again at a family reunion, and Jay-Jay, being the outgoing little boy he was at three years old, walked over to his grandpa and crawled onto his lap. Pa-Pa was a little shocked, but what could he do in front of all these people? This was his grandson. How could they understand that he hardly knew Jay-Jay?

Jay-Jay took his grandpa's glasses out of his shirt pocket and placed them on his own face, upside-down, precariously perched on his short, pudgy nose. He looked at Pa-Pa and giggled, making Pa-Pa laugh, too. Soon, they were walking around the room, Jay-Jay leading Pa-Pa, a little smile on the older one's face.

Their next encounter came months later when Pa-Pa decided to visit. Jay-Jay played the clown, making his grandpa laugh, and pick him up and throw him into the air.

Pa-Pa turned to my husband and said, "Why, he's just like any other kid."

We had tried to tell him, but Pa-Pa's preconceived ideas and fears of the disabled had kept him out of his grandson's life. But Jay-Jay, being an effervescent little boy, would not let him remain in darkness. With his love and actions, he showed Pa-Pa and others that they were missing out on some of God's greatest blessings by not loving and caring for him.

After that day, a strong bond began to form. Pa-Pa found that Jay-Jay loved balloons and would have one waiting for him each time we came to visit--visits he now welcomed. Then he discovered that Jay-Jay was not only sweet, but ornery, and he loved pillow fights. So each visit would end up with pillows flying across the room. I never figured out which of the two enjoyed it most. Soon Pa-Pa began to telephone--supposedly to talk to my husband, who was now glowing in the new relationship between his father and son--but always insisting on speaking to his youngest grandson.

Although Jay-Jay has a severe speech articulation disorder, he can understand most of what is said to him. Yet he finds it difficult to form the words he wants to say, making communication difficult. Nevertheless, Pa-Pa always wanted to speak to him by phone, and Jay-Jay would laugh and talk in words that neither his dad nor I understood. Pa-Pa swore he understood every word.

The phone chats became a weekly ritual. Every Saturday morning, Jay-Jay knew it was the day to talk to Pa-Pa. Since it was long distance, they took turns calling. One week, Pa-Pa would call. The next week, all excited, Jay-Jay would make the call and talk until we made him hang up.

Through the years, Jay, as he is called today, and Pa-Pa continued those weekly phone calls, along with letters, cards, fishing trips, and frequent trips to Wal-Mart. They became "best buddies."

When Jay was nineteen, his beloved Pa-Pa died unexpectedly. One of the hardest days of my life was watching Jay stand at his Pa-Pa's graveside as he was presented the American flag that draped the casket. But one of the things I cherish most is knowing that Jay's unconditional love built a bridge to his grandfather's heart and changed both of their worlds forever.

Story Author Louise Tucker Jones

Louise Tucker Jones is a vibrant speaker and award-winning author of Extraordinary Kids (co-author, Cheri Fuller). Her son, Jay has participated in Special Olympics Art for most of his 31 years and has won numerous ribbons and trophies for his photography. Louise resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband, Carl and son, Jay, the youngest of their four children. Contact Louise at LouiseTJ@cox.net or www.LouiseTuckerJones.com.

Title of Children's Book

Where the Wild Things Are

Children's quote

When kids hit 1 year old, it's like hanging out with a miniature drunk. You have to hold onto them. They bump into things. They laugh and cry. They urinate. They vomit.” 

― Johnny Depp

Welcome everyone to my blog! 

This will be a very different yet exciting experience. 

I hope we can all get acquainted by the end of this class. 

Thanks everyone!