Work it OUT!

In the world of early childhood education (ECE) there is an imaginary controversy between the role that genetics play in the development of a child's behavior, personality, skills, etc. and the role that the parents and caregivers play.  It's called "Nature vs. Nurture" and it is simply silly!  It also shows the need for a higher level of professionalism, education, and critical thinking in the world of early childhood education.  Biology, for example, is always called "Biology".  Early childhood educators, however, can't agree on something as simple as a name; therefore, the field is sometimes referred to as "child development".  Which one is right?  Who cares?  We just need to find ONE name and stick to it!  Doing so will allow us to differentiate between daycare, pre-school, and other education categories.  Today, you can go to college for biology and become a biologist.  You can go to school for ECE and open a daycare, work at a daycare, teach pre-school, work with developmentally disabled students, work in public schools, etc.  The field doesn't differentiate between the drastically different jobs that educators who work with young children have, which means that we can't "specialize" and must, therefore, use whomever we can find to work with children, regardless of special gifts, needs, challenges, or situations.  What this means is that the lowest paid, least educated and least experienced employees are usually placed in "one on one" situations with the children who have the most diverse and challenging needs.  This is like having the least experienced, lowest paid nurse in a hospital working with the critical care patients.  It has a severe impact on the children and families who are expecting the best, but getting the worst.  There are times when a "Special Needs Aide", earning just over minimum wage, has a "natural talent", or experience with his/her own child(ren) that allows him/her to provide high levels of service, but that is the exception, not the rule.  These disputes over ECE or Child Development, nature or nurture, and other ridiculous tiffs that educators won't find the middle ground on, leave the field in a crisis and those affected are those whom we all care for the most.  In a world where we teach "cooperation over competition" we also argue over nature vs. nurture, a competitive name for two factors that must, do, and always will cooperate with one another.  ECE instructors, daycare providers, child development professionals, pre-school teachers, and others who fall under the gigantic umbrella of ECE (or child development) must learn to do the same.  Nobody's perfect, but let's at least agree on a name, put the most educated/experienced with the children who have the highest needs, and reach the next level of professionalism.

Time to Make Time

I'm back in the blogosphere!  Our daughters are growing up fast!  The oldest is bi-lingual and learning numbers and letters in English and Spanish.  The youngest is beginning to talk and walk.  It's so exciting!  We live in a beautiful, tree and animal filled, rural community.  Sarah, our three year old, told me that we have "sparkly nights".  Brilliant description, no?  Also, a perfect reminder of why it's so important to actually slow down and listen to our kids.  One of my coworkers mentioned that parents are always in such a hurry that they don't seem to have the time to do positive guidance and/or discipline.  I'm glad that she brought that point up.  We talked about the world being able to "wait", but that the child can't wait.  The T.V. can be turned off without any major consequences.  Dinner can be 15 minutes late and people won't starve.  90% of whatever people are doing can be "put off" for a few minutes so that the child's need for guidance can be met.  Your T.V. will not suffer without your eyes and ears, but your child will; which will you choose?

Fall, Beautiful Fall!

The trees are changing color, the sky clouding up and the temperature is fluctuating.  Fall has risen and it's a perfect time to discuss seasons with your kids.  Collect beautiful leaves, make things with them, draw them with your kids, welcome the abundant harvests, go to a local Farmer's Market and talk to your kids about the hard work that goes into producing food.  Ask the farmer's to explain what they have to do to get food from the earth to the market.  Make pumpkin, zuchinni, and other "breads".  Let them "stir" the batters, pour them, and eat them!  The melons are ripe and delicious ritht now, acorn squash can be almost as sweet and soft, and tree-ripened apples are just around the corner.  It's also a good time to talk about the importance of corn, cultivated by the Native Americans, in our world and give thanks to the Native cultures for sharing it with us.  That gift saved many lives and continues to be an important part of our world.  Let your kids know about the many contributions of Native cultures like corn, archery, basketry, pottery, games, and respect for the land and all of the critters who live amongst us, among other things.  Take the next few weeks to enjoy feeling the "chill" in the morning air, to watch the world transisition into winter and teach your children how important the seasonal changes are, the harvest is, and the pleasures of being alive!