The Wisdom of Early Childhood

This week in my blog I will share a few quotes from some influential people in the early childhood field. I chose these quotes because I really enjoyed them, they inspire me in this field and let me know that I chose the right profession. Enjoy!

Marian Wright Edelman

"Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, not something you do in your spare time."

"Never work for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night."

Lilian Katz

"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 drill, and deciphering uninteresting words."

"Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people's children. After all, when on of our children needs life-saving surgery, someone else's child will perform it. If one of our children is harmed by violence, someone else's child will be responsible for the violent act. The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life also secured for all other people's children."



"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires" -William Arthur Ward

"If kids come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our jobs more important." -Barbara Colorso

"I always felt like I owed the families my best." -Renatta M. Cooper

"You have to take your ego out of it and think about what's best for the child." - Renatta M. Cooper

Personal Childhood Web

 

 

My childhood was influenced by a lot of people, but I'm choosing five people who had the greatest.

 

Daphne is my mother. She is everything I want to be in a woman. My mother has always motivated me to be better and not to settle for anything less than greatness. There is so much I could say about her, but I will keep it brief. She has always been involved in my education. When we use to lay in the bed, she would read her magazines and I would read my Minnie Mouse books. She made me love reading because she would always do it with me. When I had spelling words, she would always make me say the word, spell the word and say the word again. At the time I hated it, but it made me a stronger speller. I remember one day I told my mother that I hated school and she said, "never say that, you always want to be a life long learner".  This has always stuck with me and I long to be a life long learner. She has always been a positive role model in my life.



My father, Ellie, is another positive influence in my life. Naturally, I'm a daddy's girl. I've always been a bit of a tomboy, sort of his fault. He use to take me to basketball practice, girl scouts, and other extra curricular activities because my mom got off kind of late. He's always pushed me to not be afraid and speak up for myself. I always thought that my dad was hard, yet so sweet. I think I have a lot of my dad's traits, the reason why I call him my twin. Our attitudes are so similar; he is a tough one, but he is very giving. He made sure all of my homework was done before bed and really stayed on me about my school work.

 

My brothers, Darren (31) and Brian (26) , were very big part of my childhood. They were my first social interactions.  They are kind of the main reason that I am such a tomboy. Darren is really protective over me, but Brian has always been kind of nonchalant (probably because I took his spot). However they've always showed me love. Because Brian and I were close in age, we spent a lot of time together. My mom tells the story when we were in the car with her, she would point to things and make him spell the object, I was about 3 and he was 5, he could not spell stop, I guess I got tired of hearing stop and I yelled out, Brian, stop, S-T-O-P, stop. After that day she was determined to get me into kindergarten. My brothers have always been there to support me in whatever I have been pursing. I personally believe that I have learned more from them when we were older than back then. I'm blessed that they still pick up the phone when I call and talk to me.

 

The fifth person that had a huge influence on my life and persuaded me to become a teacher is a member of my church, Mrs. Flowers. Mrs. Flowers was over the Easter and Christmas programs every year. I bring this up because since I've been talking, I've been reciting speeches. I would cry every year and she would always say, "that's okay Chelsey, you'll say it next year". She really motivated me to become a better reader and overcome my fears of public speaking. Mrs. Flowers was an Early Childhood educator and she has always told me that I would make a great teacher. She always expressed to the children at our church the importance of an education. She really influence me and advised me to take up this career. (I don't have a picture of her)

 

Even though I have many other people who have been apart of my up bringing, these five have been really supportive of my present endeavors.  

 

 

 

Passion

The picture on the left me in the 1st or 2nd grade and on the right is me on my college graduation day.

The quote below is about early childhood. I came across on Walden's website when I was researching the program. I strongly agree with this quote from Dr. Costner, because children are like sponges in their early years; they soak everything up. I believe that an exceptional learning experience is extremely crucial at the early stages of life. They will take that learning with them for the rest of their life.

“The care, respect, and knowledge adults bring to working with young children and their families can determine children’s later success in school and in life.

 Dr. Kelley Costner
 Associate Dean of Master’s Programs
The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

What really makes my heart smile and fuels my passion for this field is the way children faces light up when they learn something new. It is really a feeling like no other. They get so excited about new things that they learn. If a child does not understand something finally grasp hold to the concept it makes me feel some type of way, like I have accomplished something as well.

I have a 4 year old nephew, who I am just so in love with and I am so amazed by the things that he shows and tells me. Every time I talk to him I can see how he's developed cognitively, linguistically, and physically. I believe since his birth it has really fueled my passion even more for the field.

It is a very rewarding field, I believe, to know that I'm contributing to history in some type of way. It's more than just teaching, it's making a change in the world.

About Me!

Welcome to my blog! I am Chelsey Crawford, recent graduate of Arkansas State University. I graduated with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in Education, Social Work, and Sociology. I am currently enrolled at Walden University to earn my MS in Early Childhood Studies. I have a love for children and want to ensure that they have a strong foundation in education. I believe that an excellent early childhood program prepares children for a great future.