Thanks to the Early Childhood course that this week I was encouraged to know more about the professionals who have been dedicating their whole life in this field. I am also been motivated a lot by knowing their accomplishments. Here are some quotes from Lilian G. Katz, one of the outstanding educators I choose to introduce this week.
‘When children are investigating something around them in great detail, they get so interested in it because they’re naturally nosy.’
‘We are doing earlier and earlier to children what we shouldn’t do later.’
‘As you consider whether to move a child into formal academic training, remember that we want our children to do more than just learn how to read and write; we want them to learn in such a way that they become lifelong readers and writers. If we push our children to start learning these skills too far ahead of their own spontaneous interest and their capacity, we may sacrifice the long-range goal of having them enjoy such pursuits.’
‘Of course children benefit from positive feedback. But praise and rewards are not the only methods of reinforcement. More emphasis should be place on appreciation–reinforcement related explicitly and directly to the content of the child’s interest and efforts.’
‘Experts generally agree that taking all opportunities to read books and other material aloud to children is the best preparation for their learning to read. The pleasures of being read to are far more likely to strengthen a child’s desire to learn to read than are repetitions of sounds, alphabet drills, and deciphering uninteresting words.’
Another educator I intend to introduce is Prof. Alice Chiu Tsang Hok Wan, she is a tireless educator and fund-raiser in Hong Kong and the Mainland China. I get to know about her from my current coordinator who used to work for her several years ago. According to her accomplishment, Ms. Alice Chiu is more active in practical affairs rather than academic theory studies. Therefore, I know about her mostly from the conversation with my coordinator, who introduces Ms. Alice’s idea on Early Childhood education. For instance, Mrs. Alice considers ‘Environment and equipment for Early Childhood and Preschool should be built purposely. ’
Besides, I would like to share the other professionals’ views on having passion in Early Childhood field. These professionals are introduced by my learning course multimedia resource.
Louise Derman-Sparks (Professor Emeritus, Pacific Oak College, CA):
Louise’s willing as a teacher was simply influenced by her childhood experience she was encouraged to play a role as a teacher at home. When she grew up she considers being a teacher is ‘the ability in passion that was important to make a real contribution to the world to fix all the injustice that exists in the world and I want to do that through teaching.’
She also believes, ‘I felt that everything in me was been called on to teach and also it was very willing it just made me feel hope. Maybe feel hope, maybe feel creative and so it became my live on work…’
Sandy Escobido (Deputy Field Director, Los Angles Preschool Advocacy Initiative, California Community Foundation):
Sandy comes from a multicultural family and immigrated with her family to the United State for better life and study opportunities. From her life experience she understands ‘we as professionals in the Early Childhood field have an opportunities to shape the child’s life for the better so that’s makes me passionate about this field.’
Raymond Hemandez MS Ed (Executive Director, School of Early Childhood Education, University of Southern California):
Although Raymond is not directly responsible for the first-hand teaching on children, but according to his position he truly believe that ‘I am not here to save to world, I am here just to make a different in the community that I am working. And to me making a difference may sometimes mean helping one child to be successful in the classroom. One little sparkle would make a difference to me throughout the whole day. Whenever I have a lot of paper to day I would take 20 minutes to see the children so you don’t forget what you are doing this for. ’
Leticia Lara LCSW (Regional Manager, Outreach and Professional Development):
Leticia comes from an immigrant family, in her childhood she spontaneously take the responsibility of helping translate for her mother. She deeply understands the challenge on people who need help from the language translation, and similar to the situation happen between teachers and parents. She indicates ‘when I think of the word “passion” and the meaning to the word “passion”, what comes to mind are what of my value, what of my beliefs, what are the ideas that lead me to action, what do I do so naturally that perhaps seems nature but maybe challenge to others.’
I’d also like to share some other lovely quotes as follow:
“To reach real peace in the world, we will have to begin with the children.” – Gandhi
“It takes a village to raise a child.” – Nigerian proverb
“We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the time his bones are being formed, his blood is being made, and his senses are being developed. To him we cannot answer ‘Tomorrow’, his name is today.” – Gabriela Mistral
“In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.”
– Lydia Sigourney
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
– Frederick Douglass
“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” – Jim Henson, It’s Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider
Refenrence:
As_you_consider_whether_to_move_a_child. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved September 28, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/As_you_consider_whether_to_move_a_child
Experts_generally_agree_that_taking_all_opportunities_to. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved September 28, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/Experts_generally_agree_that_taking_all_opportunities_to
Early Childhood Education Pioneer Lilian Katz (2013, Sep. 12, on Will-TV). Retrieved September 28, 2013, from Will radio.tv.online website: http://will.illinois.edu/illinoispioneers/program/730-pm-thursday-sept.-12-early-childhood-education-pioneer-lilian-katz
Of_course_children_benefit_from_positive_feedback_But. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved September 28, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/Of_course_children_benefit_from_positive_feedback_But
Words of wisdom from Dr. Lilian Katz (2011). Retrieved September 28, 2013, from Empowered by Play website: http://www.empoweredbyplay.org/2011/06/words-of-wisdom-from-dr-lilian-katz/
Walden University Multimedia Presentation, The passion for Early Childhood. Retrieved Spetember 28,2013 from: http://feedreader.com/online/#/reader/category/125496/feed/4423191/
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