Quotes

After reading an article on Lilian Katz, I found at the end "Last Class Notes", which had some inspiring advice for those working in the early childhood field. She states, "The goal of education is not enjoyment; that is the goal of entertainment. The goal of education is to engage the mind of learners so that their understandings of significant phenomena and events become deeper, clearer, and more accurate." I love this because it is so important to remember that while I am passionate about my profession, and enjoy every single moment, the goal is to keep students engaged so that they enjoy education and learning. In turn, hopefully it will spark a love of learning about something for each of them.

Another piece of advice she gave was this: "each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must come to see that the well-being of our own individual children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people's children." She goes on to explain that in all, we are helping to shape and mold our future, whether these children are our own, or our students and that it is just as important to care about them in the same way that we care about our own. One day they could be our surgeon, saving our lives, or unfortunately harming others. "to strive for the well-being of all other people's children is also right." I think it is important to remember that we should care for other children just as we would our own, because one day they will be adults, making positive and/or negative impacts on our world.

There is a quote from Louise Derman-Sparks in the Passion for Early Childhood media presentation that has stuck with me since I saw it. She says, "The passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and to develop to their fullest ability."  I feel that it sticks with me because I believe in my heart the same thing. It is so important for students to be taught and cared for in the most nurturing ways so that they can grow to their full potential. 

Reference:
 Rothenberg, D. (2002). Issues in early childhood education.curriculum, teacher education and dissemination of information, 7-11.