Quotes by Early Childhood Educators

When looking for quotes, it was very hard for me to narrow down what I was looking for; something meaningful, powerful, and relevant to today. This is what I chose.

Rather than “delivering” education, we are most likely to help children by “providing” experiences known to be beneficial to young children - - Lilian Katz

Some [Common Core standards] make sense for kindergarten. Some don't make sense for kids who are not from affluent, educated families or are English-language learners. Most states have [early-learning] standards and will have to bring pre-K and kindergarten standards into alignment with Common Core. - - Samuel Meisels 

 

Katz, L. Standards of experience. Retrieved from http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/corestandards/standardsofexperience.html

 

Meisels, S. Q & A on early learning challenge. 2011. Retrieved from

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2011/08/q_a_with_samuel_meisels_on_early_learning_challenge_rules.html

Quotes from our multimedia presentation

 

I very quickly got my early childhood degree, started, and absolutely fell in love with 3 and 4 year

olds. It was the most joyful experience where I felt that everything in me was being called on to teach. And also, it was very rewarding as it made me feel whole, it made me feel creative, and so it became my lifelong work with early childhood education.. - - Louise Derman-Sparks

Early Childhood leaves you ready for optimum life experiences. A childhood and education content you experience throughout your life cycle, it opens up the world to you. It gives you the tools you need to ask questions and investigate things.   - - Renatta M. Cooper

multimedia presentation. "The Passion for Early Childhood". Walden University. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2652117_1%26url%3D

Personal Childhood Web

There are a few special people in my life that have helped shaped me to become the woman I am today. The first person is my mom. My mom has loved me, shown me how to be compassionate, warm, polite, and responsible. She has also shown me how to be independent and when to stand up for myself. My mom is the mom of all moms. She takes everybody in. She takes your side when you need it and she always came back to give just one more kiss at the end of the night.   She not only nurtured me at home, but with my outside interests too. My mom put me in dance when I was in Kindergarten - she knew I loved it. Each week just her and I would go to dance class, it was our time. Our time in the car, waiting for class, dinner, and after. I loved these moments of alone time with my mom. Money wasn't always plentiful at times in our home - we lived comfortably but sometimes things were tight... But my mom always made sure my dance classes were paid for and that I could go. Not knowing it then, it was as important to her as it was to me.  When it was time for college, my mom was again supportive. I would be the first of her children to go to a university and the first in our immediately family.  My mom is still my biggest supporter.  She calls to see how my job is going, she buys things for my class when needed, she even supplied the room with gloves and mittens when I told her most were too poor to bring them to school.  My mom influences me to be gracious every day and to give to others.  

 (my mom and I at my baby shower) 

The second person who has had a huge impact on me is my Grandma Diane (mom's mom).  My grandma and I have had a special bond ever since I can remember.   She loved to garage sale - and I was always asked to go along. She would let me pick out a toy and we would go to lunch.  As I got older and so did my grandma, she would ask me to help her clean house. All of the other grand children would complain if she asked them, but I never did. I enjoyed the time my grandma and I spent together.  We would make a whole day of it - cleaning together, eating, watching tv, going for a walk... I am so glad as an adult that my grandma and I had this time together.  Now as adults, I don't clean for her anymore (if she called me, I would be right there!) but we do go to lunch, go shopping, and she loves to see her great grandson!  My grandma has given me kindness and gratitude. She has taught me to ask for help and to give it.  She has 7 children, has 35 grand children, and 4 great grand children - but still has time for me.  She still makes me feel special each day when she calls to see how I am doing.  You could say I am her favorite, but don't tell the others!!

Grandma and my son Collin

The third person I choose is my Grandma Lautner (dad's mom).  My grandma passed away 17 years ago this April.  I only had a few years with my Grandma, but she was the most loving person you could ever meet.  She was always cooking and singing.  She was an amazing woman and taught me patience and tolerance.  My grandma had diabetes and back then, you had to give yourself insulin shots... (not the pumps and pills like today).  Even with her disease, my grandma showed me that you could still do everything that you want to.  She lived right up the street from us so we saw her everyday.  She never slowed down and never stopped smiling.  As she got older and her health started to decline, my grandma moved in with us.  We had a small 3 bedroom house now filled up with my parents, 4 kids, and grandma.   She used to sing this song "go to sleep, my little pickininy" and I would give anything to hear it again because  I can hardly remember the words now... she also always called me her beautiful begonia.  My grandma filled our house with so much love it was pouring out the chimney.  Even the neighbor kids called her Grandma Lautner. Whenever I see her photo, I get all warm and fuzzy.  Those are the feelings I try to give to my child and students.  I want each child I work with to know that there is someone that loves them unconditionally.  Unfortunately, I don't have a picture on my computer of my grandma.  I hope to get one scanned soon!

The next person isn't a person, its is 3 people - my Aunts Denise, Dawn, and Denee (mom's sisters). My aunts are awesome. They are fun, lively, and always entertaining.  They are also great mothers and have always treated me like one of their daughters.  They babysat me as I grew up, and I babysat all of their children as they grew up.  My aunts are the people I know I could always call no matter what - then and now.  I would say they helped me learn to laugh at myself and also to trust.  Here is a picture of my mom and her sisters.  I love them so much!

don't tell them I chose this picture - they had all just finished a 5k! LOL

Quote

They may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel - - 

Carl W. Buechner

I chose this quote because so many times I have walked by the doors of classrooms and heard yelling and screaming coming from a teacher (and yes, I have lost my cool a time or two) but I always remember that words can hurt far more than anything else a child can endure.  Children don't always understand why they do something but they know what hurts them - Even if you must scold or punish, always show love and compassion and let a child know how much you care, how proud you are, and how important they are!

She broke me down and melted my heart...

It was my first year teaching - so I was very green... I was eager, ready and willing to learn. I taught preschool to 4 year olds in an all day program (a challenge within itself!) An all day preschool program is a long day of learning for 4 year olds!!! Her name in this blog is "Red". She had fiery red hair and a temper and personality to match! She was my greatest challenge, the one who broke me in and made me fall in love with her. The first 2-3 months of school went off without a hitch with Red. She was loving, playful, and a typical four year old. She came from a poor family, had several siblings, and around Christmas time, things started to change.  She started acting out, biting children, breaking toys, scratching, kicking, and punching teachers - you name it, she did it.  I first contacted mom and she was disinterested in her behavior and claimed that she does that stuff at home too... She wasn't too concerned. After several attempts with the parent, I went to my director for help and guidance. She immediately helped me with an intervention plan and techniques to help with the tantrums and outbursts Red was having while at school.  Behind the scenes there was a lot going with the family and there were others involved helping them through some other problems... While Red was at school, we had our battles. One day would be awesome and I would think great, we are moving past this - and the next would be twice as bad. This on and off again behavior continued through the spring. After several very bad days and injuries to myself and other staff, we had a meeting about Red. I was asked if I felt like she should be dismissed from the program due to the ongoing behavior problems and dangers she presented in class.  After fantasizing for a minute about how less stressful teaching would be, I quickly responded NO! If I gave up on her now, how could she ever trust a teacher or caring adult again? What would kicking her out teacher her? It would place her 24-7 into the battle zone of a home she went to every night... With my whole heart, I couldn't let this little girl - this child be surrendered to more of what was going on in the home. So we kept consistent with our behavior plan. I still showed her love and compassion and never gave up on her when I was frustrated and angry. It was the last month of school and I started noticing a change in her. She seemed more calm. She greeted me everyday with a hug and a smile. Somehow - our battle had ended and she seemed to now trust and love me back. We had a great end to the school year and I got to see her advance to kindergarten. I no longer teach at the same school but 6 years later I still have a fondness a in my heart for the little girl that made me earn her trust and love. Now when I think back, I smile when I talk about her - she made it and I made it my first year. We didn't give up on each other!

A Favorite Children's Book...

My favorite children's book to read at the beginning of the year is Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus. I love to read this book first to the parents at my open house meet and greet to let them know that their child may not do or say everything just like the rest of class, but in time, when they are ready, they will bloom! I also read this to my class on their first day and tell them as long as they always try and always do as best as they can, that they are doing great! We often refer back to the story about Leo when we think we can't do something.  It is a great motivational piece for all:) http://www.amazon.com/Leo-Late-Bloomer-Robert-Kraus/dp/006443348X