14
Sep
The Incredible Years are research-based, proven effective programs for reducing children’s aggression and behavior problems and increasing social competence at home and at school.
25
Aug
25
Aug
It’s been around (i guess) more than six months that I had been called in a certain duty in our Church. Although I had been in various callings before, this one is something new to me. Sometimes, too, the duties we are assigned to is not forever ours that’s why there’s no reason to waste time because eventually people will take our place. And we move on with a different service to render.
For this one, I found it quite hard at first but interesting (maybe for some). But since this is not forever mine, I always try to make it as wonderful as it can be for me and the little ones I am handling. There were times I had five students (happened only once) to teach and manage; but my real and constant students are only three. This includes Sophia, my daughther, and the Sularte brothers. Children should be 18 months up to three years in order to be in my class. In short, they are the toddlers who like to run a lot and can never sit still. They are just so excited to practice their recently developed motor skill. Sometimes, too, they don’t seem to listen at all. That’s why visuals are effective means to manage them. At two years old, their play is solitary. All they think about is ME, ME, ME or MINE, MINE, MINE! But when I read about this poem, this really inspired me a lot. This may not only be for teachers but for parents
as well with toddlers.Please read on. Thank you. 
To A Nursery Teacher
by Leslie Ethington (1981)
The Savior came to me one day
And said, in His kind and gentle way.
“Come, follow me. I have need of you
To do a job only a few can do.”
“Teach them love.”
I followed His footsteps one by one.
The joy I felt made me want to run.
We came to a door and He opened it wide.
He said once more, as I stood by His side,
“Teach them love.”
As the door opened there, I was eager to see
The special call the Lord had for me.
“These precious ones that you can see
Recently dwelled in Heaven with me.”
“Teach them love.”
Sitting there among a few odd toys
Were several little girls and boys.
“But they’re so small, Lord” I started to say.
“What can I teach these children today?”
“Teach them love.”
As I eagerly greet each girl or boy
And help them to share a game or a toy,
As I tenderly dry a little one’s tear
When he misses his mother and wants her near.
“I teach them love.”
As we discover the beauty of a butterfly wing
Or I teach them a little song to sing;
As I set an example and show them the way
The Savior would care if He were here today,
“I teach them love.”
“That’s my teacher,” I heard a little voice say
In a very proud and tender way.
And a tiny hand reached up to mine.
Then I thought, “This is a very special time.”
They teach me love.
“Dear Father,” I very humbly pray,
“Thank you for showing me today,
Through the eyes of this very little one,
The way I can be more like your Son.”
“Teach me love.”
24
Aug
Just want to share what I’ve written last Feb. 25, 2008.
This is about our study and observation on
a particular school praticing
Developmentally-Appropriate Practice.
==========================
On March 3, together with my other 2 groupmates, we will be presenting all the info we have gathered and all that we have observed from Smart Steps Learning Center. We will be basing our evaluation of their curriculum in reference to the position statement of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) on the Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). (FYI, NAEYC promotes excellence in early childhood education from birth through age eight. They’ve been there for almost 80 years.)
The center’s curriculum lies on the premise that everything stems from the child. They believe that each child is unique that has her/his own prior knowledge. They also consider each child’s family, socio-cultural , religion, race etc. background. This statement is in line with NAEYC’s statement.
As I have observed, Teacher Kitten (Kristine Goco) who gained an extensive educational background in early childhood education (with masters degree at Wheelock College, Boston, MA) is very sensitive and attentive to each child. She talks a lot with them and made sure that every conversation is a part of their learning experience. And that’s what is meant with progressivism!
On the other hand, while the center prepares children for the usual traditional schools that we have around they are in a way (as we think) deviates from what NAEYC has stated. Their program instills necessary skills needed for academic excellence. Children would somehow get to see the tip of the rigid and structured traditional environment. According to NAEYC, curriculum expectations in the early years of schooling sometimes are not appropriate for the age groups served. When next-grade expectations of mastery of basic skills are routinely pushed down to the previous grade and whole group and teacher-led instruction is the dominant teaching strategy, children who cannot sit still and attend to teacher lectures or who are bored and unchallenged or frustrated by doing workbook pages for long periods of time are mislabeled as immature, disruptive, or unready for school.
Personally, without being too strict on the NAEYC, I was really impressed about their curriculum as well as for the teachers who have an extensive teaching experience and educational background (here and abroad) on the early childhood education. The teachers are passionate about what they do and they are really nurturing teachers which children need. I was even marketing the center to Chris and even to my sister-in-law because I really like the center for our children.
For more info about this preschool, please visit www.preschoolchoices.com/smartsteps
