My Thank You to you guys for your support and I wish you LUCK!

During the past weeks, you and your colleagues forged a collaborative learning community; you shared information and insights with each other and supported each other. As you prepare to move on, take a minute and think about how your colleagues have supported you, how you have supported them, and what you wish for your colleagues as they continue on their professional path.

I can truly say that during this past few weeks it has been rough. I have had a real challenge with this class, but it has only made me stronger. One challenge that I had was that I was so use to the same schedule my other Kendall classes was on, that I got thrown off with this schedule, because it wasn't the same as my other classes. So, some of my assignment would get turned in late. Then I also was having family issues, so that affected me as well. But, I'm a fighter and I don't give up easily, so I pray that I, as well as you guys pass this class. I hope to see you guys at graduation, even though we haven't met face to face.

Another challenge I had was my advocacy paper. I just couldn't understand why she was grading so hard and expecting so much. But, I finally realized she did this to make us stronger and better. She also did this to let us know, we will be entering into the real world with our new degree's nothing will be easy and that we will be in competition right  along with everyone else. My real struggle with my advocacy paper was my punctuation and my format. My formatting was terrible and I was putting my punctuations in the wrong spot.

You guys have supported me through this class by the continous feed back through our communication in our blogs and discussion. It also let me know that I wasn't alone in this and I wasn't the only one that was struggling. This experience at Kendall has definetly been an eye opener and a blessing. That I'm able to complete my degree, work full time, be a mom full time, and take care of my family without lacking. It was always an sacrifice somewhere, but we all made it.

I have supported you guys through my continue feed back and through my blog/discussion posts. I gave knowledge and insights from my viewpoint, as well as you guys did the same. This has truly been an experience. I wish all you guys the best, I hope to hear some of you guys name at graduation, and I wish you guys a prosperous life. Good luck and Congratulations you guys.

Observing and Interacting With Families of the Children in Your Settingf children in

• Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during this module

During this week, I was lucky to be able to interact and observed the children and family within the same setting. The center was having a socialization activity. This is when the home base educator bring in their home based families to interact with the children and teachers at the center. The children was engaging with each other.

 When they first came in it was circle time, so they did there welcome song, finger plays, and then they read a book. Then it was time for free choice, this is when all the areas are opened for example, art, building, blocks, house keeping, sand/water play, science, and reading.The art  activity for that day was dealing with diversity. The children were decorating figures of children in different colors, to represent children from around the world. The children were very actively engaged in this activity. While all this is going on the parent's of the home based children are in the classroom interacting with the children. 

The classroom was pleasant and no chaos, because the children were actively engaged the entire time.  After free choice, then the children clean and get ready to go to the indoor gross motor room, due to the weather outside. The children get to enhance their large gross motor skills, as they run around the room, slide down slides, play with different balls, and exercise as they maneuver through the obstacle course. 

After this activity the children then go back to the classroom and wash their hands to prepare for their lunch. The home based children and families, also get to actively engage with the children as they eat. The children were socializing, as well as talking about their food as they ate.

• Any special learning experiences you may have had or an experience that provided you with insight about children and families including advocacy efforts

Special learning experiences that I had was with the home based socialization that was going on that day. From my observation it seemed as if they children enjoyed being in the setting with the other kids, so I wonder why they are in the home base program. The home base educator, wants to implement the interactions with the home base kids, to get them use to other children, in case they do transiton into the center or when it is time for them to go to school. 

• At least two insights gained from your observations of, and interactions and experiences with, children’s families regarding advocacy efforts and needs related to your area of interest within the field of early childhood

One insight that I gained from this observation is that the home based children and families loved the interaction, engagement, and the classroom flow as their children was in the classroom. Another insight that I gained that socialization bring people together,.In the case of the home based program, it brought the children to the center for a new experience and it brought the families to the center to see how the interactions with other children was like. 

Observing and Interacting With Program Director(s) and Other Administrative Staff in Your Setting

• Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during these 2 weeks

The director that I observed was the Early Head Start director. The early head start director, teacher's and family advocates deals with families who have low income. The teachers/family advocates help these families by any means necessary by helping with early intervention services, referrals for WIC, shelter, etc. While talking to the director, we talked about child abuse within the center or any hands on experience that she might have had. She said to her current knowledge, there hadn't been in child abuse in the center.

And she clarified that she knew child abuse meant sexually, physically, verbally, and mentally. She stated, that at another center where she worked at, a teacher had suspected that a child was being sexually abused. The little girl didn't want people to get too close to her. She brought it to her attention,  but there wasn't enough evidence to bring it forth to the Child Abuse Hot line. But, the teacher continued to document. I also talked to the teacher's about any suspected child abuse within the center or if they had experienced any from somewhere else and they told me no.

• Any special learning experiences insights, challenges, etc. related to your topics/focus questions and/or advocacy efforts in this setting, the community, and/or the field

I learned from this experience, that even if you don't have enough evidence at the time, document until you have enough. As well as always pay attention to other signs of abuse. A child can be abused in more than one way. As a advocate, you are suppose to be there for the children, as well as the families. You try to help and aid them in any means necessary. You are not only an advocate at work, but at home and in your community as well. I learned that child abuse happens everyday, and some time isn't even caught. The child or even adult can hold it in for so long, because they are embarrassed, ashamed, or hurt by what happened. But, the best piece of advice that I learned from this interaction, was to document everything.

Observing and Interacting With Professionals/Colleagues in Your Setting

Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during these two weeks

Any special learning experiences, insights, challenges, etc., related to your topics/focus questions and/or advocacy efforts in this setting, the community, and/or the field

At my site I interacted and talked to the director and vice president of the organiztion. I learned view points from a a business prospective, professional prospective, and educational perspective. I obsered how a class room should successfully be run.But, most importantly I leared that the first impression is the last, but best impression. Greeting your parents, visitors, etc with a confidet smile is breath taking.

Special learning experiences that I learned was how to excel in what i do, run an organization in so many steps, be in control, and never get out of control. A challenege would be how not to give up when your trying to make it to the top, because there is going to be a struggle. Advoacay efforts within the center, was trying to be of value to every member in the commmunity and touching their lives.

Change of topic: New topic "CHILD ABUSE PREVENTIION"

Hi,

I have decided to change my topic to child abuse prevention. I decided to change to this topic, because I have personal knowledge, as well as hands on experience. At one of my old centers, I was suspecting that a little girl was being neglected and abused at home. I didn't have all the evidence, so I told my director about it, and left it in their hands. I would only call the proper authorities, if I saw more visible evidence.

Interview with a professional

• Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood
• How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper
• Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics
• Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics

Insights I gained from talking and interviewing my professional about current advocacy efforts is that there is a strong need children to learn in a safe environment. When I was in highschool in my first year, while in science class, we seen someone get shot and killed right outside our window. Children need to feel safe, that is why a lot of them don't come to school. They fear for their life. The interview with the professional has influenced my decison a lot, I believe their are other's who are interested in making the learning environment safe for the children, but for the teacher's as well.

The teacher I interviewed feels that teaching and learning in a safe environment is very crucial and important. So, the area that I will be working on with be social/emotional development. Learning in a safe environment deals a lot social/emotional development and how the children think and how they will react. Questions I have for my colleagues are do they think this area of interest is strong and important?

Thanks

Edu 450

Hello,

My name is Ramonalisa Parham. And this is my final semester to complete in my Bachelor's program. This experience has truly been a life lesson. I wish everyone the best of luck and I know each and everyone will receive an "A" out of this class. I hope my topic gives me a lot of information and resources. See you guys at graduation.