Notes of Thanks and support

Think Bigger. Reach Farther. Try Harder...with Confidence.

As my first course in my Master’s Degree program for Early Childhood Studies comes to a close, I would like to share my gratitude and support.

I feel my professional and personal lives have been enriched by each and every one of my classmates/colleagues in this initial course.  We’ve shared different viewpoints, diverse backgrounds, and professional goals through this term.

I feel my colleagues in this course supported me with their experiences and attitudes of perseverance.  I felt like giving up this past week or two as my personal life collided with my studies. The experiences one of my colleagues were going through made my adversity seem negligible. I hope that my own perseverance will serve as an encouragement to others that “You -CAN- do this!”

I pray that each of my colleagues in this course will persevere through their own adversities and strive to complete their programs.  It only takes small steps to accomplish big things.  Let each assignment be a milestone to success. We all can do this. Believe.

 

 

You are only as great as you believe you are.

Code of Ethics

As a person of integrity, ethics are crucially important to me. This stands true in my professional life also. I’ve selected three codes of ethics from the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) (2005) Code of Conduct that I feel everyone working with children needs to review at the start of every day…

I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities,
abilities, and potential of each child.

I never want to lose sight of this. I have found that its easy to do when all the children are working on the exact same project, activity, or lesson. Working with a set curriculum does not mean we have a “cookie-cutter” daycare. We need to foster individuality, personal differences between each child, respect their strengths and weaknesses (some just don’t like to color or draw), and give opportunity and encouragement for them to reach their potential within the activity.

I-1.4—To appreciate the vulnerability of children and
their dependence on adults

Children have little choice but to trust the adults in their lives due to their dependency on them. Sadly, there are adults who take advantage of children’s vulnerability as well as this dependency in ways harmful or detrimental to the children. However, within the norm, there are also ways in which we inadvertently lose sight of this dependence.  It is easy to pass off the requests of a 4-year-old for assistance with something when we’re overwhelmed with something else. It is also easy to lose sight of their vulnerability, especially boys, when rugged, strong, or advanced for their age.

I-1.9—To advocate for and ensure that all children,
including those with special needs, have access to the
support services needed to be successful

As the parent of a child diagnosed with a learning disability, advocating for her success is a daily venture. Without such efforts, and Individual Education Plan (IEP) would not have been adopted for her, nor would she know the confidence and self-worth of ending the school year with A’s and B’s on her final report card. Every child needs that, thus we need to advocate and provide support for all children, not just those with special needs.

Resources:

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved August 4, 2011, from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf