Inspiring Quotes from Janet Gonzalez-Mena
"Routines should be anything but routine except in the sense that they happen over and over. Instead of putting yourself on automatic pilot and getting the job done, you should view these special times every day as opportunities to interact with each child on a one-to-one basis" (Gonzalez-Mena, 2002, p. 11).
"The ideal is for the caregiver to use feeding, napping, and toileting or diapering routines as opportunities to build a close personal relationship with each child while the caregiver attends to the child's individual physical, emotional, and developmental needs" (Gonzalez-Mena, 2002, p. 11).
Inspiring Quotes from Lilian Katz
"You've got to get it right in the first six years."
"Rather than “delivering” education, we are most likely to help children by “providing” experiences known to be beneficial to young children" (Katz, 2010, pp. 3).
"Take other's views seriously — there may be much to learn from them — but not more seriously than you take your own; for that is the essence of self-respect, and I believe that children benefit from being around self-respecting adults" (Katz, 2009, pp. 4).
Inspiring Quotes from Other Early Childhood Professionals
"I see adults finding their voice as a result of doing this work; it's like they reclaim and heal" Louise Derman-Sparks, on anti-bias education (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).
"It's not all about you; you've got to take your ego out of it and make it about what's best for this child" Renatta M. Cooper (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).
References
Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2002). Infant/toddler caregiving: A guide to routines. San Francisco, CA: California Department of Education.
Katz, L. (2009, May 13). Insights from Lilian Katz [Electronic newsletter article]. ExchangeEveryDay. Retrieved from http://childcareexchange.com/eed/issue/2256/
Katz, L. (2010, May 01). Standards of Excellence. Retrieved from http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2010/standards-of-experience
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThese are great quotes. They guide how our work with children should be focus driven with them in mind and being true to ourselves. I also believe that the experiences that we allow children to experience for themselves are the true opportunities of learning that will last for a lifetime.
Thanks,
Tabitha Abney
Thanks, Tabitha!
DeleteI've posted the past two weeks to your blog but it looks like you still have your comments set to moderated. You might want to change that so you can see our responses. : )
Renatta Cooper's quote stands out for me. So often in schools we look for ways to TEACH, rather than ways to help our children learn. We use Collaborative Learning Communities to focus our efforts on the students only. We don't look for new activities, we simply ask
ReplyDelete1) what do want the children to know
2) how do we know if they "know" it
3) how do we re-do it for those who didn't learn it
*It keeps the focus off of teachers and on the students.
I love that your focus is student-centered rather than teacher-centered. Is that true of the higher grades in your district, as well?
DeleteGreat quotes, it is always inspiring to have people to share the same passion. If all educators had this same passion I think our children would more successful.
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the quote by Renatta Cooper. Often in my classroom I have made it about a power struggle with my students. This quote identifies that my problem was my ego.