Three deeply felt learning
concepts
My coursework re-enforced for me the
importance of play in the lives of children and even some risky play that is critical
to their development. We are actually
harming our children by taking play away from them at earlier and earlier
ages. Play is how children learn to use
their mind and body together to solve dilemmas, mysteries, and engage them in how
to think not necessarily what to
think.
Our society is becoming more diverse all
the time. It is critical that teaching
children strategies for celebrating this diversity as a benefit rather than
seeing it as something to fight. This is
easy to say but hard to implement. Due
to the many stereotypes, the amount of hate, and the insecurities globally,
there are many who see diversity as something to fear rather than something to
embrace and use to our benefit. Children
pick up on their parents’ and teachers’ biases.
It is critical that we know ourselves inside and out so we can address
any barriers we might be guilty of putting up or supporting through a lack of
response.
It is my job as an adult educator to
provide meaningful professional development that facilitates the growth and
learning of my students. I need to
understand that while content is important. The methods of teaching or
facilitating the learning are just as critical.
Creating trainings that are filled with important content but carefully
planned so that adult learners can take a new nugget of information and play
around with it. Examining it from many perspectives; and then facilitate a
discussion around their findings, this process is the best way for adults to
learn and make new meaning out of something.
I need to be prepared for push back because change is hard, especially
for those who have outdated practices engrained in their brains. I need to guide these adult learners
carefully so they can discover for themselves how the new practices could
benefit them and the children they serve.
Long-term goal
I want to refine my skills as a
facilitator in a variety of situations.
I think in my new role, as a Child Care Recruitment and Retention
Specialist, I will be given many opportunities to practice my facilitation
skills. This is a skill needed in most
system building work. I want to impact
EC policies in my state so I will need this skill to move initiatives forward.
Farewell to my instructors
and fellow students
I am not a fan of hearing my own voice or
seeing myself in pictures so I will have to say good-bye through my words. I cannot express fully in words my gratitude
for every instructor and every student I have encountered within this program. My instructors have given me quality feedback
and provoked me to think harder about some things, perhaps expand my thinking
around others. My fellow students, you
have taught me as much as the course texts because you brought the topic to
life by sharing your perspectives and told about how you are going to implement
the new information. This helped me to
see the EC field as much bigger than only teaching, but in support services and
advocacy work as well. My peers who have
offered a world-wide view were especially appreciated as I have never traveled
outside the U.S. and have much to learn
about EC around the world. I have listed
a link below which is a short three minute video of inspiration from Kid
President.
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