Establishing Professional Contacts

I am in the process of trying to make contact with at least two international early childhood educators. Because my mother is from Israel, I decided I will focus on early childhood education in Israel and I am in the process of making contact. So far, I have three contacts, none of which are early childhood educators, however, one is a female microbiology professor, another woman is a pharmacist, and the last is a retired teacher. I have sent emails and I am still waiting for a reply, however, I have had one phone conversation in order to try and learn more about early childhood education in Israel.

My Supports

“A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

Grace Pulpit

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”

Eva Burrows quotes

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”

Elisabeth Foley quotes

My Connections to Play

Playing in Sand

 My fondest memories of childhood are visits to the ocean, playing in the 

sand and searching for seashells. My daughter loves playing in sand, and 

we love to search for "buried treasure." There is something magical about 

digging in sand and searching for magical seashells and buried treasure.

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Riding my bike was a form of relaxation but also a way in which I started learning independence.

 Playing in the park is the universal memory that I share with my children. There is something so amazing about being a child and playing in the park, my favorite times is watching my children run around the park in excitement, it never gets old and they always have the best time!

 “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”
~Kay Redfield Jamison 

“It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.” ~ D.W. Winnicott (British pediatrician)

Relationship Reflections

“Relationships matter critically. Consistent relationships with caring
adults are essential for healthy development” (National Scientific
Council on the Developing Child, 2004, p. 5).

“All learning takes place in the context of relationships and is critically
affected by the quality of those relationships” (Norman-Murch, 1996).

“Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships,
are the building blocks of healthy development” (National Research
Council, 2000, p. 4).

Throughout my life, relationships with my family have been at the cornerstone of my foundation. As a child growing up, my closest relationships were with both my grandmothers. I had two grandmothers, my paternal American grandmother and my maternal Israeli grandmother. Although my grandmother lived in Israel, I learned that relationships can still grow and thrive despite being thousands of miles apart. I remember saying goodbye to her when I would leave Israel, and I remember the agony I felt driving away watching her wave and cry goodbye as I sobbed. While I was growing upI have always searched for that closeness and unfortunately have never found it in my own mother. I also have a strong relationship with my father, he was more nurturing than my mother and really cares for his family. Today, my strongest and closest relationships is with both my children. They are my whole life and no other relationships can compare to the depth of love and dedication I have to them. Every relationship that matters to me today is because that person is somehow connected to my children. My father, who is an author and written many books is the most amazing grandfather. He has even written a book he dedicated for them, "Gathering Sparks." He is so devoted to them and inspires me to try and be the best daughter I can. Besides my children and family, I feel a closeness to my son's teachers and therapists who have worked with him since he was three and diagnosed with autism. Every person who has touched our life, and helped him learn and grown is a part of the fabric of our family. I have a few close friends that I have had for many years, they are very important to me. The main criteria I have for a "true" friend is the ability to be myself and know that I am not being judged. And the last and final important relationships is with my brother and sister. Although they both live far away in California and I hardly ever see them, I know that the three of us are bonded for life. My sister is six years younger but she has blossomed into a wise and spiritual adult. She gave me a very strong insight about my relationship with my mother. She said, "Shira, you have the power within you to change the dynamics of your relationship." I really have been meditating on that, and deep down, I know she may be right.
One of my main goals as a parent is that my children always know that they are truly loved, and supporting and nurturing their self-esteem and a feeling of self-worth and self-love. As an early childhood educator I realize the amazing power that a great teacher has to positively impact the life of a child.

A Note of Thanks

I want to thank all my Walden University colleagues and Prof.Kien for offering such an interesting and challenging course. Thank you for helping me grow and learn in this program, I look forward to more classes with you all! I hope you all have the best holidays with family and an amazing New Year!

"Love your child for what he is, not for the prizes, medals, or marks he gets for you. Love is unconditional, conditional love is business." ~Dr. Vinay Jain

Diagnosing Possible Learning Disabilities

In the United States we often take many things for granted, and having the ability to have our children diagnosed with possible learning disabilities and treated in public schools is one of those things we just take for granted. However, in many countries, there are no laws which require that children be diagnosed with disabilities and be provided special services to help with these disabilities. For example, in Israel,"there is no law obligating the schools to identify students with learning disabilities and to design programs for helping them." (1) In 1964, a non-profit called Nitzan which stands for the Israeli Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, was founded by parents and volunteers who wanted to help provide an assessment tool which could be used to diagnose those who struggle with learning disabilities. According to Nitzan's website, their goal is to "assess and assist individuals with learning disabilities, adaptive problems and functional difficulties and to enable Israelis with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential." This important non-profit also provides employment assistance to adults with learning disabilities as well as "improving the social status of children and youth with learning disabilities." Although it can be difficult to believe, there is actually quite a stigma that comes along with a child having a learning disability. Programs that create awareness about learning disabilities is very important to helping children and adults achieve their potential in life and not be held back by what others consider a disability.

References:http://eng.nitzan-israel.org.il/