Early Childhood Resources:

Children Defense Fund https://www.childrensdefense.org

Zero to three National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families https://www.zerotothree.org

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

Council of Exceptional Children https://www.cec.sped.org

FPG Child Development Institute https://class.content.laureate.net/4434b07efb90f822e320c3bcc185f624.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood https://www.dec-sped.org

NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

Additional Resources:

Caring for Our Children: https://nrckids.org/files/CFOC3_updated_final.pdf

Addressing the African American Achievement Gap: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2018/achievement-gap

Reflections from a lifetime fighting to end child poverty: https://www.ted.com/talks/marian_wright_edelman_reflections_from_a_lifetime_fighting_to_end_child_poverty

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

From National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC):

I-1.10—To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program

It is very important that every child’s ethnicity and culture is represented in the classroom.  It’s important to me for them to feel that they have a place to feel where they feel comfortable in their own skin.  A place where their heritage is on display, a place where they can say this person is just like me.

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

This means to be conscious and aware how vulnerable and fragile children are to adults.  Children in the early childhood years are like sponges, they soak up what adults give out.  So, if you give out negativity, telling they child they will amount to nothing, that they are stupid and can’t learn; this is what the child will grow up to believe. But if you speak positive things over them; telling them how smart they are, telling them how much you love them, children will flourish into bright individuals.

From the Division for Early Childhood, Code of Ethics:

We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children’s development and learning.

It is proven that building relationships with children and their family members helps with the all around development of the child.  But making sure that the lesson plans are teachable to all children is important as well. 

Resources:

The Division for Early Childhood. (2009, August). Code of Ethics. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from https://www.decdocs.org/member-code-of-ethics

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

Here are two quotes that I enjoyed from The passion for early childhood series:

“The reason they (low income African American students) weren’t succeeding had nothing to do with their innate intelligence but had to do with the fact that they needed the tools to be able to, know how to survive thrive in public school system”

Professor Emeritus Louise Derman-Sparks

Its’ not all about you.  You have to take your ego out of it and think about what’s best for the child and you care about them enough to help them with what comes next, and what’s best.

Renatta M. Cooper Program Specialist

My favorite childhood book are the Dr. Seuss series.  I didn't have one favorite. Every book is a classic and something you can pass down from generation to generation.

Favorite Quote: “Every day, in a 100 small ways, our children ask, ‘Do you hear me? Do you see me? Do I matter?’ Their behavior often reflects our response.” ~ L.R. Knost