“When early childhood professionals resolvedifferences about best practices with parents in ways that discount diversity and impose the dominant culture, they tread on issues of equity andsocial justice. In my experience, professionals who have conflicts with parents often end all discussion by quoting policy, standards, regulations, or research. Not only is that way of cutting off communication a form of institutionalized oppression, but it harms children and their families.” – Janet Gonzalez-Mena
The moment I decided to follow instead
of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming
part of a small child’s world.
—Janet Gonzalez-Mena
"Every
time you give a parent a sense of success or of empowerment, you're offering it
to the baby indirectly. Because every time a parent looks at that baby and says
'Oh, you're so wonderful,' that baby just bursts with feeling good about
themselves."
- T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
- T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
"Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but
because they care so deeply." - T. Berry Brazelton
"We as professionals of an early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, that's what makes me passionate." - Sandy Escobedo
"It's not all about you, you have to take your ego out of it and think what is best for this child." - Renatta Cooper
Children need models more than they
need critics.
—Joseph Joubert,
French essayis
The question is not whether we can
afford to invest in every child; it is whether
we can afford not to.
—Marian Wright Edelman,
U.S. children’s rights activist
Hi Kiendra,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your quote from Marian Wright Edelman. We must make sure we invest in every child so that they may grow up to be a strong contributor to society. I believe in universal preschool. What are your thoughts on it and how it should be funded?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKiendra I love your quotes about parental involvement. I think parents play a vital role in how their children lives are shaped. Its true that sometimes as educators we tend to be set in our ways instead of becoming more flexible to our parents. Its true as Ms.Gonzales-Mena said you will end up cutting off communication and create barriers.
ReplyDeleteHi Kiendra,
ReplyDeleteI love the second quote from T. Berry Brazelton. As educators we often believe that some parents behave in certain ways because they are carefree. However, more often than not, parent do care and love their children but lack the necessary skills and tools to express these feelings. It is our responsibility then to understand the parents and help provide them with these tools.
I really like the first quote by Janet Gonzalez-Mena, as it resonates with an unfortunate level of truth in most child care settings. I think it is as equally frustrating for early childhood teachers when administration recites a policy from a handbook, because sometimes the solution is beyond what's in the fine print. Sometimes the parent just wants to express their thoughts or concerns without looking for a solution. Sometimes they just want to be heard. Sometimes saying nothing at all speaks volumes.
ReplyDelete