Words of Inspiration and Motivation

As part of my assignment this week, I have read about the different sectors in Early Childhood- its goals, history, accomplishments and significant contributors to each sector. I was asked to choose two contributors that are of major interest to me and read about them. I chose Janet Gonzalez-Mena and Elena Bodrova.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

Janet Gonzalez-Mena is an early childhood consultant specializing in diversity, partnering with families, and preschool and infant-toddler education and development. She joined Head Start as a volunteer in 1966 and went on to become a preschool teacher and home visitor. She also worked as a director, trainer, and community college teacher. Ms. Gonzalez-Mena is a part-time faculty member in the West Ed Program for Infant-Toddler Care (PITC). She is the author of Honoring Diversity in Early Care and Education and five other textbooks and training guides. She holds an M.A. in human development from Pacific Oaks.

Here is a quote from one of her articles, “When early childhood professionals resolve differences about best practices with parents in ways that discount diversity and impose the dominant culture, they tread on issues of equity and social justice. In my experience, professionals who have conflicts with parents often end all discussion by quoting policy, standards, regulations, or research. Not only is that way of cutting off communication a form of institutionalized oppression, but it harms children and their families.” – Janet Gonzalez-Mena. Cross-cultural Infant Care and Issues of Equity and Social Justice. http://www.wwwords.co.uk/pdf/validate.asp?j=ciec&vol=2&issue=3&year=2001&article

Here is another one, "Child care professionals can play a key role in influencing not only parents’ behavior toward their child but also the picture they have of their child.’’ -  Janet Gonzalez-Mena http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:ZV_BCZwz4KYJ:scholar.google.com/+janet+gonzalez-mena

Elena Bodrova

Elena Bodrova, Ph.D., is a Principal Researcher at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL). She is an internationally known expert in cognitive psychology and child development and has been teaching, providing professional development, and conducting research in early childhood education, early literacy, and assessment in the U.S. since 1992. Dr. Bodrova is also a co-author of "Tools of the Mind," a curriculum for preschool and kindergarten-aged children that promotes school readiness by helping children become self-regulated learners. Self-regulation is the ability to manage one’s behaviour so as to withstand impulses, maintain focus and undertake tasks if there are other more enticing alternatives available. http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Elena-Bodrova

‘’When the learning task is complex and requires a variety of actions, it is usually difficult for the students to develop the correct and comprehensive orienting basis necessary to succeed’’, Elena Bodrova.

“When children assume different roles in play scenarios, they learn about real social interactions that they might not have experienced (not just following commands but also issuing them; not only asking for help but also being the one that helps). In addition, they learn about their own actions and emotions by using them "on demand." (I am really OK, but I have to cry because I am playing a baby and the doctor just gave me a shot.) Understanding emotions and developing emotional self-control are crucial for children's social and emotional development", Elena Bodrova

“As we worked with preschool and kindergarten teachers on scaffolding children's literacy development (Bodrova & Leong, 2001; Bodrova, Leong, Paynter, & Hensen, 2002; Bodrova, Leong, Paynter, & Hughes, 2002), we noticed that teachers achieved the best results when they focused on supporting mature play. Children in these classrooms not only mastered literacy skills and concepts at a higher rate but also developed better language and social skills and learned how to regulate their physical and cognitive behaviors (Bodrova, Leong, Norford, & Paynter, in press). By contrast, in the classrooms where play was on the back burner, teachers struggled with a variety of problems, including classroom management and children's lack of interest in reading and writing. These results confirm our belief that thoughtfully supported play is essential for young children's learning and development.” Bodrova, E., Leong, D.J. (2003, April) The Importance of being playful. Educational Leadership. Retrieved from http://prek.spps.org/uploads/importanceofplayful.pdf