Tracy: Sharing Web Resources

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Sharing Web Resources

I really am glad I began receiving the email entitled "Pre-K now!" It is full of valuable documents that I have used to complete homework assignments and for work. Currently my district is struggling with pre-k being a part of the k-12 mindset and am really anxious to change that. The email I receive provide me with research data that supports my mission.

I have received many articles on the importance of early childhood education and the benefits to children as well as the financial benefits to the community. One issue I found controversial was that fact that Lansing just received state money to open 7 new preschool centers to bring it to a total of 28 making it the 2nd largest district in the state behind Detroit. There goal is to be able to provide free preschool to all 4 year olds in Lansing. In addition all Lansing students pre-k to 12th grade receive free breakfast and lunch. My question would be is this available to all of the state? Why would Lansing be the only one that had access to these funds?

When I visited the website I found lots of valuable information from public-private partnerships to
governance to head start partnerships. It is really a valuable tool that will I will reference in future Walden courses and my work place. There is a lot of data and useful tools in helping to design and implement and effective pre-k program.

1 comment:

AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Tracy:

It is definitely difficult to balance providing needs services such as universal preschool during an economically trying time. There are European countries that have made a commitment to such programming for children and families, including Switzerland. Those might be sources to gain ideas of how to offer services at no cost to all families. At the same time, I believe part of the reason they can offer programming is that they have a different mindset on public services and funding than we do in the U.S.

Thank you for sharing,
LouAnn Rhodes
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"My Connections to Play"

Two quotes:

Vygotsky - "Children use private speech in play to regulate behavior"

"Creative play is a central activity in the lives of healthy children."
Almon, K. (2002) The vital role of play in early childhood
education. Gateways, 43.

My family, especially my mom, was very supportive of play. She recognized its importance. My sister and I loved to play with our friends. She would take us to the community pool and parks and we would play all day. When we got a little older we got a trampoline and jumped on it for much of the day. We had a playroom above our garage in Tennessee and we played there for many hours even though it got very hot at times. My sister and I loved to play with dolls. My mom always said she would be my best friend and as we got older did not encourage many outside friendships. I think that hurt our social skills a little. Now we talk every once in a while, have very different lives and see each other about 2-3 times per year. Even though we are still very close and had many years of play as children, we have drifted apart. My dad was really good at playing with us also. He took us on our boat all the time and encouraged more of the rough and tumble type of play. Both my mom and taught us to be resourceful and take care of ourselves, almost to a fault.

As I attempt to write my blog assignement I feel play has changed a great deal since when we were younger. We would go all day without seeing the inside of our house and find things to play with. All three of my boys are sitting around my table asking me questions and saying they are bored. I live about 2 blocks from one of the most beautiful lakes and beaches in the country and 1 block from an elementary school playground. There are children all over this neighborhood to play with and they are asking me what they can do. Where have I gone wrong in this scenario? They have come to rely on me as their "social director" and I have probably enabled that. Play is very different. I am going to cancel cable and hide the playstation and nintendo ds's for the summer. My kids are older and possibly beyond help. I hope that young children will be pulled away from the computers, tv and other electronic devices. I hope they will be in a safe place to be able to venture out and make friends. Parents need to be more confident in their childrens ability and need to become independent players. I think sometimes parents protect their children and don't let them make mistakes at an early age.

I have included pictures of my boys below at the beach. This is what we love to do these days. This was on a spring break vacation. My youngest sons favorite toy was a palm branch he found the first day. Again, an item from nature that I didn't have to purchase that entertained him. Nice!!