Thought Provoking Quotes

     This week I concentrated on on T.B. Brazeleton MD from the health and well being sector of early childhood and Janet Gonzalez-Mena M.A. from the child care sector of early childhood. The quote that immediately struck me from Gonzalez-Mena was, "The moment I decided to follow instead of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world." (Gonzalez, NAEYC). i feel that it cuts right to the core that we should be supporting children's curiosities and natural skills not telling them how to feel and act.
     "When we strengthen families, we ultimately, strengthen the community." T.B. Brazeleton MD (Brazelton, 2013). I have read Dr. Brazelton's work for years and am still enthralled with what he has to say and am so respectful of his devotion and work. This quote for me reminds me of how much I have grown in my understanding of early childhood development over the years. I am very proud of who I am constantly growing into. That I have grown from my original passion to protect and nurture into someone who is capable of making changes in people's lives so that they too can join in protecting, nurturing and advocating for the young. I have learned to embrace my passion and have learned how to make good use of my drive and knowledge.

Brazelton Touchpoints Center. (2013). Homepage and Touchpoints video. Retrieved from:

     www.touchpoints.org on November 19, 2013.

 (Gonzalez-Mena, J., NAEYC, 10 x Inspiration Article. (nd).

     NAEYC Teaching Young Children Vol 4 No 5 page 6.

     Retrieved from: www.naeyc.org/tyc/files/tyc/file/V4N5/10X_Inspirations.pdf‎

      on November 20, 2013

Passion for Early Childhood

     One of my dearest friends recently posted this quote, "Every Child is Gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times." Anonymous. I had saved it because I intend to add it to the quotes wall in my office when I return. I think it is a great reminder that every child has their own gifts and that we need to teach and respond to where each individual child is at not to where we believe they should be.
     I would encourage everyone to read The Four Seasons (Heathers, 1960). This is a Little Golden Book that I read as a child. I read it until I wore out the pages. I loved this book as a child and as an adult in the child development field I realize what a wonderful job the author did of portraying the magic of growing up. A litter of puppies have their first year of adventures through the four seasons and the reader gets to experience all of their changes and discoveries. At first the pups can not all even get up the front steps. In the fall they experience sadness that the flowers have died, but then they learn about how fun the falling leaves are. Winter finds the puppies discovering snow. At the end of the story, the dogs are bounding up the front steps without a care and are so much more knowledgeable.

          This is a photograph of my youngest grandsons art work. Whenever I travel to see my grandchildren I always have paper, pens, pencils, chalk, markers, and crayons available, I love to collect their thoughts and dreams on paper! I love being surrounded by children's art work, it is so inspiring and honest!

Jennifer Pore`

Anonymous Quote

Heathers, A. (1960). The Four Seasons (1st Edition). Western Publishing Co. WI.