Quotes on Passion, Motivation and Wisdom

"It's not all about you. Take the ego out of it. What's best for this child. You have to care and want what's best for the child."

~Renatta M. Cooper, Program Specialist, Office of Child Care,

Los Angeles County Chief Administration Office

 

 

 

"It's Equity Work"

~Renatta M. Cooper, Program Specialist, Office of Child Care,

Los Angeles County Chief Administration Office

 

 

 

 

 

"Passion to create a safer and more just world for all kids."

~Louise Derman Sparks, Prefessor Emeritus

Pacific Oaks College, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I have the opportunity to shape a child's life for ther better."

 

~Sandy Escobido, Deputy Field Director ,Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative

California Community Foundation

Quotes from ECE Professionals

"If formal instruction is introduced too early, too intensely and too abstractly, the children may indeed learn the instructed knowledge and skills, but they may do so at the expense of the disposition to use them."

 

~Lilian Katz

"As you consider whether to move a child into formal academic training, remember that we want our children to do more than just learn how to read and write; we want them to learn in such a way that they become lifelong readers and writers. If we push our children to start learning these skills too far ahead of their own spontaneous interest and their capacity, we may sacrifice the long-range goal of having them enjoy such pursuits."

 

~Lilian Katz

 

"The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to."

~Marian Wright Edelman
 

"Children cannot eat rhetoric and they cannot be sheltered by commissions. I don't want to see another commission that studies the needs of kids. We need to help them."

~Marian Wright Edelman

"People's beliefs about their abilities have a profound effect on those abilities. Ability is not a fixed property; there is a huge variability in how you perform. People who have a sense of self efficacy bounce back from failures; they approach things in terms of how to handle them rather than worrying about what can go wrong."

~Albert Bandura

Childhood Web

As a child it was unfortunate for myself that I did not have access to a loving web of support. Dr. Kien has advised me to interview someone and use their web. I have used the director at my center, Josh.

Josh's mother, Cynthia Johnson-
Growing up I think we had a very unique relationship. We had our mom son moments and as I got older I realized she was doing the best she could to prepare me for the "real world". She taught me a lot about being perceived by the world.  She wanted me to understand the value of not being labeled or grouped in a pack. She definitely taught me the value of hard work and working hard for the things that I want in life. She has taught me how to be a man with morals and values and to never settle. My mom made me feel special by encouraging me in everything I did growing up. She made me feel like there was not anything that I couldn’t accomplish in life if I worked hard enough. My mom to this day is very down to earth and light hearted and is always willing to help me when in a bind. She still encourages me to go for the things that I want and don’t stop until I get them.  I thank my mom every day for making all the right choices and saying the right things and giving me those talks when I needed them. I look back and I appreciate everything she has done for me and continues to do for me.

Andrew Richardson – Uncle
This is by far my favorite uncle. He is an amazing man. To this day he still hugs me like he has for the last 30 years. He is a very emotion driven person that embodies the phrase “hard working man” He has started his own business that is very successful. It was at his house that we spent most summers where he taught us how to be tough and not take crap from anyone no matter how big. I think that has stuck with me. No obstacle is too large for me to conquer; and I think that is how he has lived his life. He has always been a provider in every sense of the word, working three jobs at times just to make ends meet. He was and still is the king of his castle but treats his wife like a queen. He has always had open doors if we ever needed anything; and treats me like one of his own children. To this day I look forward to seeing him whenever we do visit and we always find time for me and him just to get away and catch up on life.


Charlie Donald- My best friends Mom (2nd Mom)
This lady is amazing she can do just about anything she puts her mind to. Growing up she was always that fun mom that would take us places and do things with us. She, I would say, almost over cared if there is a such thing (there isn’t by the way). She is very creative and loves to decorate (hence why I am such a great decorator)  She has taken me in on several occasions and has treated me like I was one of her own children. She has opened my eyes to the value of family and being there when you are needed. She has also taught me what it means to share things.  She still calls and will check up on me and I still find time to go over and just have a movie night and just hang out.


 Josh is a very outgoing individual who is very confident in himself. 

As a child I grew up in a home with a single, very bitter mother. She constantly belittled and ridiculed her children. Our extended families were nearly non-existent. We would see them mostly at holidays, but my mother's children were virtually invisible. Teachers, Girl Scout leaders and the like always seemed to appreciate my cooperative, quiet demeanor and never stepped up with attention or support.
I have grown up to be quiet, shy and timid with a very low self-esteem. I do not do well in new situations or in groups of people. I am very unsure of myself and always second guess myself. 

I think the difference between the way Josh and I were raised and how we turned out is a direct reflection on the way we were raised; and the differences of having a loving, supportive childhood web and not having a web at all.

Favorite Book Title

Just Like You, written by Jan Fearnley has become one of my favorite books because it is one that my children love having me read to them.

It is a story of a mouse who's mother reinforces her love for him on their journey home. As they pass the other animals in the forest Little Mouse hears the parents of other animal children telling their children what they will do for them (to show their love). Little Mouse is in aww of what these parents are willing to do for their children. He tells Mama Mouse how special he thinks these children must be. Mama Mouse confirms his beliefs and adds, "Just like You". As Little Mouse is getting ready for bed he asks his mama what she can do for him. He tells her she can't fly or jump high, or dig or dive, she can't run fast as a fox. He wonders if he is not as special as those other babies. Mama reassures Little Mouse of her love telling him she can read to him, play with him, find him nice things to nibble on, hug him and keep him safe, and when he is naughty she will be very, very cross. But most of all, she promised to always love and for him and do that with all of her heart.

This book reaffirms a parent's love. It tells the child that no matter what a parent can or cannot do like other parents, they will always do what they can and will always love that child unconditionally. Each parent has different talents and goals, but each parent loves their child with all their heart.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.   Proverbs 22:6


"In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.   - Lydia Sigourney

Early Childhood Education

Welcome to my blog spot!
I am new to blogging, but look forward to sharing my views, ideas and opinions throughout the Walden University coursework with my fellow classmates.