Who are YOU? What do YOU Believe?

LEARNING WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE TAKES TIME, PATIENCE & GOING WITHIN TO LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!!

REFLECT; BE STILL; GO WITHIN; RESPECT; TRUST; LISTEN; AFFIRM

"Every single adult, whether conscious of it or not, has an overarching theory that drives hiw or her childrearing practices. This organizing - or "meta" theory greatly influences how each of us relates to and cares for children". J.R. Lally, Concepts for Care, West Ed, (c) 2006

When you were young, you developed relationships with your parents and other family members. They influenced who you were and what you believed. Then you went to school and learned from your peers and teachers more about who you were in the bigger world and were told what you were to believe. Hopefully by this point in your life and professional development, you have taken all of this information and put it together to create your own ideas!! This is NOT about only sharing the words that you have learned from others, but it is about YOU and your own personal beliefs. Take a minute and reflect on these questions:

What do you know about how the young children in your care grow & develop?

What do you believe about how they must be treated for them to grow into healthy individuals with a strong sense of identity?

How do you use these beliefs to build relationships and dance with children & adults in your life?

When Allison and I do training we work not only to present information but to CREATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO. YOU, the caregiving adult, are at the heart of quality care and we choose to always respect, affirm, value and nurture YOU. Do you take the time to do that for yourself??

Spanish...French...English

Outside of Borders in Stanton, DE, carrying books to show to anyone who would listen, was the cutest two year old you would want to see. He was dressed in a NY Yankees outfit, complete with buttons that looked like baseballs. His shoes has velcro closures and these too were like the binding on the seams of the baseball. I couldn't help but notice him. "Hey good looking," I said to him. He immediately began to point to the buttons on his outfit and talk to me in a language that only he could understand. I responded to what I thought he might be saying and he continued. My first instinct was to be concerned that his language expression was anything but clear. His mom was standing nearby, and she explained so much to me. It made me realize that we often see or hear and jump to conclusions. What is the truth is this. In the home they speak Spanish and French to the little guy and some English as well. He can jump back and forth between them all often using words from any of the 3 languages. She said he was speaking "Spanglish" to me. When I realized that, I said a few words to him in Spanish. It was about Mickey, Minnie and Goofy on the cover of the book he was carrying. We immediately began to understand each other in Spanish and his language was clearly understandable. I asked his mom if she was at home with him or if he attended child care. I was curious what his language would be like in that situation and how everyone communicated. No, she was a stay at home mom, lucky to be with him. So, I saw a first hand demonstration of what I mostly read - young children and their dual language learning. I read that if one parent speaks in one language and the other parent in the other language, the child will understand and speak both. Yes, it is true from first hand exprience.
I write this today to recognize the lesson I learned about not "assuming" and also about the comfort and openness of his mom as she talked with me about her son and what he was doing. All it takes is an opening statement, affirmations and time to listen.

Theresa the Collaborator

Meet Theresa Caputo and see her many faces!! Behind them all is a heart of gold, a wisdom and understanding that can only come from years of experiences, and a sharing and giving spirit that is her gentle nature. Yesterday we met for lunch at The Painted Cottage in Collingswood, NJ. The outdoor setting was perfect for a "chat and chew". There was quiet conversation all around, light shining "just right" on the plants and a listening presence - a give and take - and true communication. What I saw as I watched and listened, was an individual who is insightful and thoughtful AND a person with a dancing creative spirit that permeates her way of being. It is almost like you can sit and watch the breezes flowing in her mind as she visualizes what she is listening to. It is a treasure and a pleasure to be with her. Theresa is working with Professional Impact New Jersey. Within this organization, she has many opportunities to be the diplomat and collaborator that defines who she is. She creates programs and then finds the perfect people and places to make them happen. The early childhood field is lucky to have Theresa there as an advocate for change.
Today I choose to present her and affirm and value all that she does for the world!! Thank you Theresa!! You are a joy!!

Always Remember...Affirm and Value YOURSELF! as well as Others!

Often we are so busy spending our time affirming, valuing and empowering people in our workshops that we forget to acknowledge ourselves!! I wanted to stop for a minute and reflect on what Allison and I are doing with DARE to AFFIRM and to acknowledge ourselves and our work. We have FUN!! Participants have FUN! Everyone is engaged and our training is interactive. Someone said the other day that we are like "an old married couple" - whatever that means. We role model how we want others to dance. We are always recognizing and reading each other's cues - getting our steps moving to the same music. Sometimes it works incredibly well. Sometimes it is a challenge. No matter what, we are out there, we are together, and we are empowering people. As we guide others to recognize their strengths and hot spots, so do we continue to grow ourselves.
Yeah for US!! YEAH for all who dance with us...and welcome to all of those yet to come.
We love catching people...and ourselves...doing something right!
My point?? In your days filled with "busyness", "crazies" and those who might be less than kind, always remember to stop and BREATHE.
Another lesson...
Q.T.I.P.: Quit Taking It Personally!