."My Connections to Play."


Some quotes that help express what play meant to me as a child are:

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.” – Carl Jung

“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” – Mr. Rogers



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As a child, play had an integral role in my development. I have learnt how to be creative, imaginative and understand and relate well to my young students because of my play experiences.
During my early and middle childhood years my family lived close by the sea, so my parents took my siblings and I regularly to the beach. The bucket and spade represent my memories of my dad and I building digging and playing in the sand and counting the amount of spade full of sand it took to fill my bucket. My siblings and I would each try to out do each other in gathering shells and smooth rocks, some of which I took for my science corner at school.

Well, I was quite obsessed with barbie for most of my childhood. I thought that she was the most beautiful doll in the world. Actually I think she still is. I remember how happy I was when I finally got my own. She helped me build my imagination and also I used her to learn real life skills such as how to sew, braid hair, and a few others. These skills also helped with my fine muscle development.

Sometime around my later childhood, I was given a pack of Jacks. I practiced playing this game, which requires excellent coordination if the eyes and hands. When I went into high school I was very shy. However, I was able to use my excellent skills in Jacks playing to make friends. Everyone wanted me on their team. Some of those frienships I still value unto today.

I think the face of play is changing for this new generation. They see play as sitting before the television with a nintendo or going on line to video games as play. So if a six year old is asked if he plays, even though he does not engage in outdoor play, he is likely to answer yes. However, the consequences of engaging only in such play is evident. Many children are obese, have pent up emotions and struggle with self regulation, just to name a few. My hope for the children of this generation is
that they will experience the true joys of play. That they too will be able to develop their imagination, creativity, and excetra. Almost all aspects of their development depends on play. As an early childhood professional I will always advocate for play, because I know the benefits that are derived through play and each individual deserves those benefits in childhood and beyond.

Relationship Reflection Relationships are important to me because they help to validate me and motivate me grow and achieve my goals. I am also given the opportunity to express what I feel with those significant others. Caring for others motivates me to work as hard as I do. They push me to overcome obstacles and take on challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming. My Family/i>.

My relationship with my family is very important to me. They have inspired me to be the the person that I am today. The values that are upheld are passed on to the younger generation both implicitly and explicitly. These include values of integrity, education, respect, etc. Today I hold these values very dear and I plan to pass them on to my children. Sister/Sister My sister Esther is one of the warmest persons you will ever meet. Her calm personality helps to cushion my feisty over the top own. We relate easily to each other.She is my best friend. We are just three years apart so we are able to talk about almost anything. My Friends Though I could not find a photo of the us altogether I must include them in this reflection. They are warm and loving and they help to keep me grounded. Most of them are Christians so we encourage each other to keep the faith in God alive and to make decisions that are most beneficial to us. Keeping partnerships going requires open communication and trust. I think that without these qualities they will not last.

THANK YOU!! To all my colleagues whom I was privileged to connect with during this course, thank you. Your comments and posts were inspiring and motivating.The knowledge and I wish you all the best as you continue along this academic journey.

The Child Is A Rich Mine The child is a rich mine abounding with precious gems. This mine is to be explored for its potentials. The precious stones are to be drawn from the darkness of the soil where they are buried and hidden. They should be brought out to light. In the open, polish, cut and shape them into exquisite pieces. Until they are polished and shaped then they can benefit the human society. Children are like diamonds. Raw diamonds are dull. They have no lustre. They do reflect light. But when it is cut and shaped into many facets and polished, it sparkles and becomes highly priced. Shaped and polished diamond makes a lot of difference. A child that is well-educated and trained becomes a brilliant star in the firmament of humanity and becomes a guide to the wayfarers who are in darkness. ALLURA TOLOUEI

ASSESSMENTS The early school years are an important phase in children's education, as they lay the foundation for their learning.It is also the time when they are most inquisitive – what they asks and how their questions are answered will be crucial to their development later on in life. During these formative years,it is important that we build their confidence and desire to learn, and expose them to different aspects of learning, in both academic and non-academic areas, so that they will have a well rounded early education. It is also important that we give children broad exposure to a range of activities so that he can discover his talents and interests. Assessment is an important aspect of teaching and learning. It should be used to support the holistic development of our pupils.When children are just beginning school, a key focus should be on building their confidence and desire to learn. Thus, assessment should focus more on providing information on the learning progress of each child.Teachers should use a range of assessment tools, including written and performance tasks to enable them to provide feedback to pupils on their mastery of concepts and skills as well as their strengths and areas for improvement.Holistic Assessments allow schools to move beyond tests and examinations and use assessment to provide useful information that supports your child’s learning and holistic development. I believe that we should formative assessment should be used to monitor student performance and move away from the traditional forms of assessment which do not cater for the different types of intelligence of children. More alternative forms of assessment usually assess a wider range of intelligence of students. These include role plays and dramatizations, displays on specific themes, etc.I believe that assessment should involve quality interactions, careful listening and reflective responses.When this is done it will be more meaningful to the students. ASSESSMENTS IN GUYANA In Guyana, the traditional paper and pencil tests are mainly used to assess students progress. These tests are administered at different grades beginning at grade two. One can imagine the stress that is experienced by such young children and their parents as they prepare for the National Grade Six Assessment Exams. These exams are set by the state and are used to measure how schools and districts are performing when compared to the national standards and benchmarks. At the primary level, children are also required to write the national exams at grades four and six.The results of the grade six exams is used to determine which high school the child will attend. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON ASSESSMENT 'Formative assessment describes all those processes by which teachers and learners use information about student’s achievement to improve their achievements. So it’s about using information to adapt your teaching, to adapt the work of your pupils to put the learning back on track … to make sure the learning is proceeding in the right direction and to support that learning. Assessment for learning shifts the emphasis to enable a better balance between summative and formative assessment - from making judgement to engaging in ongoing activities that can be used to support the next stages of learning. Formative assessment provides teachers with information with which to modify or change the teaching and learning activities in which students are engaged.The teacher is then more able to tune into the learner’s progress, picking up on emerging understandings and difficulties.Formative assessment focuses on how a young person is learning as they undertake the task.

Violence against Caribbean children

Violence Against Children In The Caribbean Region The nations of the Caribbean are an eclectic set: including small islands as well as quite substantial continent-bound countries; countries independent for over 40 years, some still dependents of the colonial states; middle-high level incomes to the poorest state in the Western hemisphere; some with rates of violence among the highest in the world, and others fairly idyllic with crime almost non-existent. The Caribbean presents a unique case with respect to research on child rights and child rights issues. It has been found that the legacy of slavery may help to explain the social and cultural traditions that have hindered acceptance of the child rights revolution. The widespread use and subsequent acceptance of physical punishment as a suitable form of disciplining and punishing children, and even to some extent adults, is undoubtedly a legacy of slavery. It has also been suggested that the emphasis on criminal sanctions as a means of solving social problems rather than more passive alternatives such as conflict resolution or mediation evident in much of the new legislation concerning the protection of children, may also reflect the continued influence of values associated with the period when the institution of slavery was central to Caribbean societies.The legacy of the colonial period has proven to be a barrier to the child rights revolution. Physical Violence The use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline is common in the Caribbean region and is used to discipline children from very young ages.There is widespread support for the use of corporal punishment by parents in the Caribbean although severe forms of punishment leading to injury are generally not condoned. Similarly, surveys of children’s views report that the majority of children themselves believe that physical punishment is a valid and necessary form of discipline. Sexual Violence In the vast majority of reported cases of sexual abuse, the victims are girls.There is a general belief in the Caribbean that girls in single parent households are most at risk and that the perpetrator is most often the stepfather or mother’s boyfriend.The under reporting of sexual abuse is reported to be partially due to the condoning of the abusive sexual relationship by other household members due to financial dependence on the perpetrator. Even in cases where the perpetrator is reported, the legal procedures can prevent prosecution. For example, children need to be able to give credible evidence and the defense lawyers are often so intimidating that the child becomes upset and confused and the evidence is declared not credible. A matter of concern in the Caribbean is the limited provision of services relating to family rehabilitation. A focus only on the victim leads to the child’s life being disrupted and the perpetrator often being left to victimize other children. Efforts to address violence against children require better coordination, reporting procedures and management. This includes a specific and documented budget focused on the plight of the children. Greater participation of children in addressing the issues must be observed. In addition, further studies must be commissioned to unearth and understand the extent of the problem before policies can be formulated to adequately and efficiently address the issues. Reference UNICEF(2006)VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION: A REGIONAL ASSESSMENT Retrieved on March 27, from http://www.unicef.org/lac/Caribe_web(1).pdf

A survivor's story

The Resilience of Kristine. Kristine is the fictitious name I have given to child who lived in my neighborhood when I was growing up. She endured severe violence as a child.Kristine was the only child of her mother that I knew of. Her mother was a trader so she would travel to various countries very often to buy goods and return to sell them. Kristine was left in the care of an uncle and his two teenage daughters. They treated Kristine most unkind. She was just about seven years old and was forced to clean the house and wash the clothes. Whenever she refused she was beaten mercilessly by her two cousins. I remember sometimes they beat her all the way up the road if she decided to run away. They would starve her and tell her all sorts of abusive words. When Kristine was about twelve her two cousins plotted with a younger cousin from their mother's family to rape Kristine. Then, they told all the children on the street what had happened to Kristine. She was terribly embarrassed. Most of the other children laughed at Kristine but I remember feeling sympathy for her. The adults in the neighborhood tried to get help for Kristine but the welfare kept sending her back. When she was old enough she left that home and for many years I did not see her. Her cousins said that she had gone in search of her mother. Several years later Kristine returned. She said that she was living in Barbados. She had met someone special who was taking good care of her. She was back in school and had a bright outlook for the future. Most importantly she had met God and was back to let her cousins know that she had forgiven them. I am not sure what process she went through to get her where she was, but I was happy to see her happy and looking healthy and successful. I was truly amazed at her resilience.