Chapter 7 / New Possibilities for Early Childhood Education
"I suddenly froze in seat, the teacher was walking up to the front of the room holding the leftover pieces of my blue ashtray. She sternly announced, one person did not make her ashtray as instructed, and it blew up in the kiln. I thought of my fifth-grade teacher who had taught me more than ceramics. I remembered the feelings of shame and inadequacy. I felt misunderstood, defeated, or rejected as a student.” (Bernheimer)
While reading this chapter I remember feeling insecure with myself too, while being in the 6th grade. I’m not going to go into details but here’s something to think about. What if I didn’t go through this experience? Would I be the person I am today? Or the teacher I am today? I feel that we need to go through bad encounter in our lives to be the person we are today. I can tell you this but, as a teacher I will never put any of my student through what I went through. I will be understanding and take the time to explain my instructions to them.
As a teacher we need to reconsider our priorities, think about our students first, making a difference in their world, and giving their assignments for a greater meaning. Reading this chapter was interesting, this gives me something to think about while being a teacher.
Rethinking Early Childhood Education
“Child care – is an umbrella that overarches licensed and unlicensed family childcare homes, childcare centers, and a plethora of informal arrangements among family members.” Is it enough for our child before going into elementary school? “NO!” Early childhood education is the foundation to a child learning education. How can we change the discussion about the purpose of early education?
hi gary!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, it's nice to see another guy in our field, YAY:) At Honolulu Community College, I remember participation in an activity, where we had to write down the qualities of teachers we liked and things we disliked about teachers from our past. I thought this was an "eye-opening" activity, to make myself realize some of the things that maybe young children don't like. For example, when we embarrass them in front of the class, or when we rush them to hurry up and finish an activity. Maybe one day, you can try this activity by yourself or your co-workers if you are currently working in a classroom setting.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by your discussion in regard to the Rethinking text -- you state, "Early childhood is the foundation to a child learning education." Then you ask about the purpose of early education. I wonder what you think the purpose currently is (Looking at the statement you quote, what do you think you are assuming) and what you believe it should be. I think this could also relate to your own experiences as learner and teacher. What assumptions are you making? Do these assumptions reflect a certain belief?
Jeanne
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see men in the field of ECE. I think it is important to have the inclusion of men, especially because many children are missing a male figure in their lives. This gives children the opportunity to connect. I think children need to have life experiences. Children learn from others. For instance in my own classroom the girls are taking over. They already write and talk about pictures the have done. The boys are trying to interact wanting to know how to you write your name. The girls reply use your name cards. They help eachother. We don't focus on academics at our center it just kind of comes out on it's own. Learning to interact and function in a group is just as important as book knowledge. Children remember and learn through experiences. It is our job to create possitive learning experiences for our children.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteInteresting how our past experiences shape who we are as people today. Experiences have made who I am as a friend, worker, son, boyfriend...everything. I am sorry that your 6th grade teacher had given you such a negative experience but it may, in retrospect, have changed your life for the positive. As men in this female dominated field, we have a lot to offer through our experiences. I wish you all the best this semester.
I think knowing a lot of us have had horrible experiences in the past with teachers at such early ages, we all have that reminder in the back of our minds to help guide us to do better when it comes to our own approach. I think some of us can agree we have those nasty teachers of our past to thank for our sensitivity to our future...which are the children :)
ReplyDelete