MY SUPPORT

The support that I have on a daily basis is the support from my family. When I need any type of assistance my family is there for me in which I am very grateful for. Another support system I have are my co-workers. My co-workers and I assistance each on within the work place and in our personal lives. For me enrolling into Walden University Master's program have provided me with educational support to further my career in the education field. If I did not have my undergraduate degree I would not have the position as ECE Specialist today. To me, without education your future maybe undetermined. Prior to me enrolling into school I had no support or resources on continuing my education until a co-worker said me to she is completing her Master's at Walden University,
 I do not feel I have support from my community until I disclose my profession then the other professionals start to seek my assistance. Really? Yes, really. I come to terms people have biases and when I have the opportunity to explain how their have no merit and explain to these professionals how to look at situations from a different point of view then my work is complete.

My Connections to Play

Play represented to me in childhood fun and excitement. During play, I had fun with my sister and friends.
People supported me in play by explaining right from wrong. When I had a disagreement with a classmate my teachers would discuss why it important to be nice to our peers. When my sister and I would argue or fight over a doll, my parents would say " You two are sisters. Sisters do not fight or argue-they love each other!
Playtime when I was younger was during the time of innocence. Play was care free and not a worry in the world. Now the play for children is all consumed of ipads, and multiple of electronics, and television raising the children. Play is a time for children to learn self help skills, and adequate peer interaction. It's preparing children how to get along with each other
and to know/understand conflict-basically to work through it.

The first picture is of my cousins, sister, and me when we were little. 
The second picture is how I would play pretend like I am a fire fighter.
The third picture is dressing up in Native American clothing-just trying to embrace my culture.

Relationship Reflection

Interesting assignment tonight. So I have to reflect on relationships which this will be very therapeutic for me.
The first relationship I would like to discuss is my relationship with God. Each day I am trying to be a child of God. I know when to speak, I know when to be quiet, and I know when to speak my mind-their is a difference. I do not question God for my life journey nor path. God has his reason on why things happen therefore I just live and learn.
The second relationship is with my one and only daughter. I love her to the BONES! I was told I probably would not be able to have children and the odds were against me but once again God had his plan for us. I am in love with this little toddler. I love when she ask me , "Mommy, what's wrong? Let me pat your back, and I will make you feel better". Born too early, a month in a half in the hospital with needles and tubes in her, our bond is tight which will never be broken. Being a mother of a toddler and a professional in Early Childhood is an amazing experience. I too, am able to experience first hand her early childhood first years, how her cognitive development and language(oh how her language is expanding) is coming along.
The third relationship was with my grandfather. My grandfather passed away and I feel a avoid in my life. It's not the same. He challenged me in so many ways to literally think outside the box. My grandfather along with my parents, taught me the office politics, the differences on religion, the reasoning of Republican/Democratic. He was Harvard, my grandmother Yale, and I am baby Princeton. My grandfather encourage me to complete school when challenges came to surface. I am grateful he was able to attend my undergraduate ceremony. Yes, my grandfather's love, guidance, encouragement, and wisdom keeps me going in early childhood. Just like my motto "In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time".
As for friends, they come and go. As you get older you out grow friends, so I guess that is what Facebook is for. The friends you meet especially the ones from College of Education will always continue to be by your side-because they understand what you are going through everyday. One time for C-O-E!
Family stays forever, so I will go with family!

When I think of Child Development

In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time..... Brittney Everett

Children are like sponges, they want to absorb everything in their minds......



“Our task, regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more.”
Loris Malaguzzi (20th century), Italian early education specialist. Quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children, ch.3, by Carolyn Edwards (1993).


 Photo of Rich Mtn  North GA MTNS

Testing.....

When students are being assessed, school districts/policy makers should factor in the students’ academic progress. Students are being stressed the months approaching, the week of, and the night before the standardized test are being conducted. Teachers as well are being stressed in regards that the students’ scores must at a certain percentile in order for the district to have achievement in numbers and for politicians (some not all) to brag and say “look what my school district accomplish under my leadership”. The main factor that is being left out in this equation are the students. If the standardized test are going to be conducted then factor in the academics. Some students are not good test takers-meaning some students need more time on standardized test, and students are nervous. A standardized test does not represent the whole child. It’s a test taken by students with a number two pencil, reading questions and filling in holes. Does this represent the hard work, dedication, and effort that the teachers prepared themselves and the students in this one test?  If we as educators are going to measure on assessments, then lets do it right and measure all educational aspect of the students. In Georgia, Atlanta Public School are dealing with the scandal of falsifying test scores. The educators who reported the cheating were fired because they talked, now everyone who was involved are taking their number two pencils and pointing the finger at each other. What does this teach our students, the state of Georgia, and our country? If the academics were being factor along with the assessment test maybe this testing scandal would have never taken place….. food for thought.

As for students around the world, certain groups forbid women/girls to be educated. This week the media has numerous coverage of Malala. Young girl from Pakistan whose voice was heard all of over the world stating all women/girls shall receive an education. Education is the key. Girls/women have to go in hiding to learn, we as here in the United Stated sometime we as the people take the freedoms we have for granted like education. In Pakistan, the sector of spending financial aspect of education is failing their children, the future leaders of tomorrow. The Care Foundation assist with funding and educating the children of Pakistan.  “501 million children in Pakistan- who are school age children are out of school”(www.carepakistan.org)

So as we are deciphering if our schools should measure or assessed certain areas of the students, we should always remember the children of the world who aren’t able to receive an educations. (cressettech.com, 2013)

References

cressettech.com. (2013). The State of Education in Pakistan. Retrieved from www.carepakistan.org: www.carepakistan.org/the-state-of-education-in-pakistan.html#

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

I wanted discuss racism but I rather discuss the violence that will cause consequences of stress on children's development. Violence is the root of all evil. Too much has happen within the past year of violence in the United States of America and around the world. Violence comes in many forms from gangs, terrorist groups, or individuals. Society is trying to understand the mind set of these people or individuals who demonstrate such horrible acts. The part of violence that is harmful are guns. People have a right to carry but be responsible. Too many guns are now in the hands of the wrong people who have mental medical issues that weren't diagnosis in due time. As a result of falling through the cracks, we had horrible shooting such as Newton, Washington DC Navy Yard, and the potential school shooting outside Atlanta GA where the school secretary talked down the shooter. 
Being raised in NYC, I was taught by my parents to be aware of my surroundings. I was raised in a middle-class area of the city with my parents. Great community including neighborhood watch.
There were certain areas of the city I did not want to go to unless my parents or an older adult  was with me. The era of my high school years, NYC was placing metal detectors in the city's high school. Yes, major uproar about this but now many years fast forward it wasn't a bad idea.
As an adult, and thinking of my childhood,  NYC has prepared me to handle whatever situation comes my way. By living in the South, I observe people being really laid back but I am still a product of my environment (NYC). Psychologically- I am always keeping my guard up not matter how urban, rural, or upper class the area is. We watch the news and hear the famous statement "Things like this just doesn't happen here".
An area that has violence around the world are various areas of the Middle East. Children and women re being caught up in the violence protest pertaining from religion, equal rights, and freedom. Recently, the Syria citizen died from nuclear chemicals which the USA, and United Nations are involved. Before the USA take actions, all MUST know all the information because if not more innocent children will suffer. Lord only knows how these children will be when they become adults with all the violence around them. Growing up in today's Middle East will affect the children's stress on child development.  
  

Breastfeeding

Doctors encourage new mother's to breastfeeding even Mayor's want mother's to breastfeed in certain areas because the cost of formula in the hospital is expensive. Breastfeeding should solely be up to the parents- let the parents make the decision. Here, in the states some areas are nervous when women breastfeed in public. Its a nature bond between mother and child. If our society was not so politically correct all the time, breastfeeding atmosphere would be in the norm, right?
Breastfeeding in Germany is natural. Women do not use the cover ups- this is their norm. The majority of the women breastfeed in Germany and the parents make the decision to do so.

IT'S A GIRL

On Christmas Eve in 2010 I gave birth to a 3lb 2oz baby girl. Baby girl had to be delivered early because I was had pre-eclampsia. So the doctors or my medical team felt the pre-eclampsia would go away! Wrong! My blood pressure would not go down and then two weeks after the New Year's I was re-admitted back to the hospital for kidney failure. During this time, baby girl was in the NIC Unit, gaining weight, and breathing on her own but was so tiny. I asked the doctors questions all the time. Premature babies have a hard fight when they are first born. Baby girl had numerous tests being conducted such as eye exam (which I was not allowed to be in the room), and ultrasound of the brain to name a few.
This was my first and last pregnancy. I learned a lot of information about premature babies such as their vital signs, breathing methods, actually visualizing the development of the babies which plays a major role in child development. Baby girl (Rose-Malia) is a well rounded,  two year old toddler. This birth of my daughter will always play a major role in my life. The sad part is that I was unconscious during her birth therefore I did not hear her cry. 


Thirty-five years ago China has a one child policy. Now, a city in China will implement fining women if a child is born out of wedlock or if a women is a mistress.  In my opinion, I am so grateful that I am from the USA because I can not image how government imposing laws on how many children you can have or fining women if children are born out of wedlock. The similarity with this article and my experience with birthing is that I do have a one child policy because I was told if I were to give birth again I will not survive the birth (trust me the doc's didn't have to tell me twice about that). As for the financial aspect, my insurance rates increase. The differences is that women in the USA have more freedom of making decision when it comes to birthing children.



(Cruz, Michelle). (06-05-13) Chinese City Could Start Fining Women Who Give Birth Out of Wedlock
http://www.ibtimes.com/chinese-city-could-start-fining-women-who-give-birth-out-wedlock-1293401

Personal Childhood Web

The people in my life who cared  about me is my family. The family members that stood out in my life are my grandparents. Yes, my parents were there and still are  but my grandparents had/have a everlasting profound impression on my life. While attending undergraduate school, my grandparents mentally nurtured me. They challenge me  to think outside the box, explore new ideas and options. My grandparents nurtured me to have a thrive for life, be successful and determine. When I had difficulty in school, my grandparents, along with my parents, encourage me not to give up. Learn from the life experiences, of what not to do again.

My grandfather said to me, the conversations you do not have with people(especially at the work place) are religion and politics. I never understood why, but now I understand his philosophy on that subject.

My grandmother's Nick name is Sophia Patrillo from The Golden Girls. Never know what she might say, but she always supported my dreams. My grandfather was always sharp. He can tell when a person was trying to get over on you, -can't pull a fast one on him.

My grandparents were divorce for over 23 yrs but still lived together. LOL

I had the privilege to live with my grandparents for 10 years. I learned about their life experiences they went through from the depression , and segregation. My grandfather served in 761st Tank Battalion. He was very proud for the time he served for his country, and I am so grateful to have those meaningful conversations with him. 

Unfortunately, in March of 2013, my number one fan passed away . My grandfather was 90 years old. He lived a great full life. The best moment of all was for my grandparents to see me graduate undergraduate school because all their support, love, and round the clock nurturing totally shaped me of who I am today.

The best playmate who always supported me was my friend Brandy. We met when I was 6 years old and she was 4 years of old. We always did the usual girlfriends stuff like going to the mall, movies, and best of all EAT! We I moved  to Florida, Brandy wrote me letters because social media wasn't as popular back then. Brandy always called on birthdays and we always had Thanksgiving together. Brandy was my little sister I never had. I remembered when we were planning my wedding , we were both excited. Brandy was also going to sing at my wedding.Whatever I needed she tried to help me, even if was just to listen how my day went.
 In July 2008, Brandy passed away at the age of 27 years old  from complications due to child birth. Her son is 5years old now and I doing what a best Auntie would do for her little sister.
This assignment was very therapeutic for me. I have so many people who nurture me in my life but my grandparents and little sister Brandy are my top three people.

Brittney's Life Journey

Welcome to Brittney's Early Childhood.

My name is Brittney Everett. I was born and raised in Queens, NY. I live in the North GA Moutains- basically less than two hours from Atlanta, GA.

I received my B.S.in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University. I am currently working for a nonprofit child care resources and referral agency.

I have a daughter who is two yrs old who loves to read, talk, dance, sing, and bite her classmates in child care. :)

I am very excited for this new journey in my life.

All the best to my new classmates!



"In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time"-Brittney Everett

A quote that is meaningful to me is , "It's for the children". This quote is  meaningful to me because at the end of the work day, everything I do is for the children. I am not in the education field for the financial aspects. I decide to pursue education for the love of the children.

One of the best children's book I read is Hellen Keller. I read Hellen Keller when I was in second grade and for some reason her life story was very interesting to me. Maybe because she was a young girl who was blind and I could not understand how a child can not see. The more I read her stories, the more I understood her life.

A story from a child that touch my heart:
My PreK class from 2009-2010 impacted me very much. It is not just one child it was the entire class. The majority of the class were ESOL students and I was the only teacher onsite who spoke the fluent Spanish. This was my test. In order for the students and I to relate to each other, I had the classroom displays representing their culture, along with my culture as well. The children taught me fluent Spanish as I taught the children English. We had a successful year. The children are now seven yrs of age and I do see some of the children in the neighborhood.