Discussing the adoption project

For this semester I will be challenging myself to learn more about the family constellation, children who have been adopted.  The reason I am interested in this topic is because this is such a diverse group and each adoption can be so different.   I myself became an adoptive single parent and as I was going through the process I continually was surprised the state would give me two young children (they were two and four) all by myself.

As far as my beliefs, I always felt that children should have two parents and since I had chosen to do this, I must be selfish.  I had to keep telling myself that one parent was better than no parents.  I think there are so many children who need a home that if you are able you should help in some way.

In many of the centers I have been in, I have seen children adopted as infants and older, across race lines, relative, same-sex parents and international adoptions.  I think if they keep the children's best interest first it is a good head start to combat some of the challenges they may face in the future.

On the darker side of adoption,  are the emotional and behavioral concerns so many of these children exhibit.

I look forward to learning more about this topic and seeing what is new in the research.

Reflecting

During this course, I have further explored the topic of early childhood professionalism but on a much larger scale because it went beyond my own community and the United States where I typically was doing my research.  I found that due to the lack of technology in some countries there are not many studies done resulting in so much of what we read coming only from the point of view of those who have the means to publish.  Definitely, not something I had ever thought about.  Child development and learning looks different all around the world.

In this course we had two texts to read.  One was NAEYC’s, Developmentally Appropriate Practices and the other one was titled, Culture and child development in early childhood programs written by Carollee Howes.  The first I am very familiar with and some in this profession would say they live by it.  The second one was eye-opening to me because it gave me a different perspective about DAP and why it may not always be appropriate.  This was different for me because those who use DAP may feel that it can work in all settings and that may not always be the case.  This said a lot to me about culture and how it is not a one size fits all fix. 

Something I read during this course mentioned contacting authors of articles to discuss things in relation to the articles and most of the authors are interested in discussing their work.  I encourage anyone to do this.  I reached out to a few authors and they not only were able to give me more insight but they have also become a valuable individual in my research.

My biggest challenge has been to find opposition to ideas we believe are best for children.  As I have had many discussions with my colleagues in this class, they also have had a hard time with this aspect of researching their issues.  It is something that I will have to continue to improve on.

New Approaches for Early Learning

As I begun to search for resources fostering early learning I found something that I also have been noticing in the classrooms I work with.  I like when I am able to read something and theorize what it would look like and then see it applied.  It is the CLASS Tool that is widely being used in Head Start classrooms.  I think that is a new approach to learning for early childhood and because of its focus on interactions the outcomes for children are very beneficial.

The CLASS Tool is an observation by reliably trained observers of teachers and it analyzes how they are working with the children.  Through the process of training teachers in this manner they are taught to be more efficient and intentional which results in improving their teaching methods.  This is something that we all know benefits the children greatly.

One reason I was interested in this program is because Head Start programs are putting it into place and they will be and are improving quality for some of our neediest children.  Head Start has put in quite a few mandates over the years increasing educational requirements for teachers and now with this program being implemented in the classrooms the teachers will have more support in their day to day interactions with their children.

To find out more about this program you can go to www.teachstone.org .

Discipline or Logical Consequences

One of the issues I find to be a little controversial is childrearing/discipline.  This topic can be seen in so many different ways and ones views are based on things such as upbringing, parenting and education.  There are many of us that were raised with corporal punishment as a norm.  Those of us who were submitted to harsh discipline either believe in it, (spare the rod, spoil the child syndrome) or feel the opposite and would never subject our children to a harsh punishment.  Once one starts parenting, sometimes they may have a change in their mindset one way or the other.  Then there are those of us in the education field who want to believe and practice what we preach under the idea of what is best for the child. 

Hitting children unable to defend themselves teaches them it is okay for bigger people to hit on them and does little for their self-esteem. 

Last week while speaking with a group of early childhood teachers we discussed appropriate discipline in the classroom as opposed to guidance.  There was a lot of discussion about being appropriate with the children, not threatening them and using logical consequences.  It can be a very hard job for teachers who don’t fully believe that respecting the children and talking with them will work when it comes to guiding them to the right choices.  Not only is it hard to apply, they must also encourage it with their grandparent volunteers to practice while interacting with the children.  Also, they must educate their parents and actively let them know they are mandated reporters and there can be better ways of handling situations than harsh discipline.

So, I wonder which type of adult disciplinarian you are.  Do you believe in punishment, logical consequences, discipline or spankings?  Do you totally think harsh discipline is the worse act to guide a child?  Does your thinking flip-flop depending on who you are dealing with?  Some educators may know all the right things to say, do and teach in an educational setting but do not practice what they preach at home.

I know my work is not over with the center I am working with but I now know they are having second thoughts when it comes to classroom discipline.

About Tracy Lewis

As long as I can remember I have been interested in working with children.  During grade school, I volunteered to spend my lunch periods in the special needs classroom to help out.  When I attended church I helped out in the nursery.  So once I hit college it was refreshing to learn that I would now be able to go to school to learn more about working with children. 

It has been an experience-filled journey to get to where I am today.  All of my experiences weren't wonderful but they all helped me learn what I know today.  One of which is nothing works the way the books say they will, application is whole different animal. When working with children, families and staff you are working with people and this means unpredictability because they are capable of a wide range of reactions to daily plans. 

As a scholar-practioner, as I am able to assist others, provide support and help people find resources in regards to the children they are working with I am constantly learning.  I have to stay up to date on new research and findings so I am able to impart the newest knowledge I am aware of to those I work with.  I want to be thought of as a resource to those I work with.  I find it so rewarding to be able to offer the teacher or director who is becoming burned out a solution to a problem.  I love to see the changes take place in the classroom and with the children as they apply new techniques in the classroom.  I love to help them make their supervision stronger and safer for children. 

One of my overall concerns is that all early childhood professionals are not getting enough support and do not have equal opportunities in education and trainings.  This is very critical when it comes to them recognizing typical development in children and planning for it.  Many early childhood educators are reactionary because they don't have the support to use developmentally appropriate approaches.

In the future, I plan to complete my current degree and continue to be a great resource for those I work with.  I would like to begin educating at the college level so I can share the knowledge I am acquiring with others.

Family is very important to me and has always been.  I have a very close-knit family and we do many activities together.  I believe it is important to expose children to as many experiences as possible for them to learn.  This hands-on experience is one of the best methods for learning.  Play has been a big part of my life as I grew up as well as now providing those experiences for my own children.  My own parents gave us many experiences through travel and allowing us to explore our surroundings.  These are valuable experiences I wouldn't have learned in a classroom or through a book.  This is the type of learning I am trying to share with those I work with so they will offer authentic learning to children.

http://tlewisblogdoc.blogspot.com/2013/03/about-tracy-lewis.html