Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt?

I am the mother of a two-year-old that keeps me busy and laughing! My daughter’s language skills are developing and she surprises me with new words daily. It is a wonderful experience watching her grow and learn. I am glad that she is eager to try new things and want to do things on her own. As an educator I am familiar with this being the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Stage of Erik Erikson’s development theory. During this stage it is important for parents to encourage independence, and be very supportive as the child tries new tasks. It is believed with this encouragement and support that the child will become more confident and secure. The encouragement and support is needed because if the child is frequently criticized they will have low self-esteem, and feel a sense of shame and doubt in their own abilities.

Now that I have a child of my own I definitely know what kind of teachers I want her to have. I want my child to have encouraging and supportive teachers. It brings a smile to my face every time I hear my two-year-old say, “Look at me Ma”, and “I do it”. Parents and teachers should continue to encourage children to be creative and to explore their individual interest. Even in high school students should be excited about accomplishing a task or goal, and in a mature way say “look at me”.

As a high school teacher I really have no idea what kind of encouragement and support my students had as young children. What I do know and understand is that their early childhood experience does have some influence on who they are today. This is what I have observed and learned over the years, that it is never too late to show support and encouragement to a child! I am sure to encourage my high school students daily and it makes a huge difference. My students are more eager to try and learn new things. I have observed that even if my students make mistakes or don’t do well on something they are willing to try again, because of the supportive classroom learning environment. Every student may bring effects of past experiences into the classroom, but it should not be a hindrance to their future and goals in life. Parents and teachers should be supportive and encouraging every day!

McLeod, S. A. (2008). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html 

"It Takes a Village to Raise a Child": Using Your Time, Talent, or Treasure

My high school students recently created a bulletin board titled "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”. I teach Early Childhood Education, and Parenting/Child Development courses, so children are always the primary focus. When I think about the quote it always puts a smile on my face, because I have actually experienced and observed the meaning behind it. Parenting or raising a child is a full time job! There are various needs to be met for a child to be successful. Most parents have to go to work daily to earn a salary and provide for their families, so most parents cannot attend to their children 24 hours a day. Parents and especially single parents need many helping hands to raise a child.  

The “Village” consists of immediate family, extended family, schools, child care centers, neighbors, community centers, churches, recreation parks, libraries, colleges, and community organizations or outreach programs. The term “Raise” to me is helping the child to reach self-actualization or their full potential.  For the educators out there that know Maslow’s theory “Raise” is helping the child to get to the top of the pyramid.

When I reflect on growing up I am so thankful to all the people who made a difference in my life!  I think people should understand that it does not take much to make a difference in a child’s life. Making a difference reminds me of what a good friend of mine would say, “People should use their time, talent, or treasure.” For an example “time” could just consist of having a conversation with a child about their day or something that interest them. Sharing your “talent” can consist of you tutoring children, or teaching them a new skill at an after-school program. Sharing your “treasure” could consist of financially sponsoring a child for an extra-curricular activity, buying a candy bar for a fundraiser, buying school supplies, or giving a coat to a child in need.  These small gestures make a HUGE difference in the lives of children!

I think from personal experiences and observations that the “Village” should do these 10 things to make sure children are successful (no particular order):

1. Ask “What was difficult for you today?”
2. Ask “What did you enjoy doing today?”
3. Donate to a fundraiser or sponsor a child
4. Go to their games and school events
5. Give to a child in need whether it is clothes, shoes, toys, or money for a field trip
6. Congratulate them on their achievements and improvements
7. Tutor a child
8. Volunteer to teach children new skills after school (technology, arts/crafts, sewing techniques, reading activities, or preparing healthy snacks)
9. Ask to see their report cards and discuss with them the steps to take to improve or maintain grades
10. Ask them about their summer plans, and encourage them to do something productive 

Focus on PLACES at the High School Level

I teach Early Childhood Education courses to high school students.  My students have opportunities for internships and work-based learning experiences at a child care center and elementary school. One of the major objectives I have to teach my student interns are the domains, or areas of growth and development of young children.  These domain areas are known as PLACES.

PLACES take in consideration children’s Physical, Language, Approaches to Learning, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social development.  

What I have observed over the years is that ALL teachers should be aware of these areas of development. Even at the high school level teachers should still recognize the PLACES domain areas. I personally implement teaching strategies that are focused on PLACES to meet the learning and developmental needs of my students.  I have noticed that student engagement and academic achievement has increased in my classroom. 

What I have learned is that PLACES is focused on during the early childhood years, but it should continue to be a focus throughout high school. 

Domains adapted from Foundations: Early Learning Standards for North Carolina Preschoolers and Strategies for Guiding Their Success, NC Department of Public Instruction, 2005.

The Joys of Being a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

I have been an educator for over 13 years now.  I also have had the opportunity to be a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in Ohio, Virginia, and now North Carolina. I have taught FCS courses at the middle school and high school levels.  What I enjoy the most about FCS is that there are a variety of courses to teach such as Parenting/Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Foods/Nutrition, Consumer Education/Resource Management, Family Relationships, Career Management, Housing Interiors/Design, and Textiles Apparel/Fashion.

The vision for Family and Consumer Sciences is to empower "individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society". It is great to see students applying relevant life skills. Family and Consumer Sciences allows students to have hands-on experiences, enhances communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. FCS courses are significant in helping students to apply these life skills in their family life, work life, and in their communities.  
I think it is also significant that other subjects are integrated into Family and Consumer Sciences courses, which gives students a deeper and richer understanding of class assignments.

If a Family and Consumer Sciences course had a positive impact in your life please share!

Tarlisa Shaw 
@FCScourses

"Making a Difference"

     It has been 5 years ago that I had the opportunity to go on a missions trip to Uganda, Africa. It was always a dream of mine to go to Africa and make a difference in the lives of children. I had a concern for Africa’s children because of the extreme poverty, health, and educational issues that they were faced with daily. At the time it was kind of emotionally difficult. I had to deal with questions regarding the fact that children across America are facing the same issues. I had been a teacher in my own community for several years and I knew the difficulties and challenges that children in my own country had. Even so what was wrong with caring about children around the World and global issues? As a teacher I know the importance of education for ALL children. As a Christian I know the importance of prayer and having a caring heart. It has taken me a long time to write about my missions experience in Uganda, because it has been an “ongoing learning experience”. 
     While in Uganda I visited the TOUCH (The Outreach to Unfortunate Children’s Hurts) program. At the program children are given the opportunity through sponsorships to attend school, receive a daily meal, and school uniforms are also provided. It was amazing spending time with the children. I got the chance to walk to school with them, observe their classrooms, eat lunch with them, spend time in their neighborhood, and most importantly pray with them. Every child around the world deserves a quality education and opportunities to reach their full potential. The children I met in Uganda were very intelligent and well spoken. Some of the children are even fluent in a few languages. I met several that were talented writers, singers, dancers, and athletes. The missions team and I had the opportunity to sit and listen to what the children had to say about their living conditions, hopes, dreams, and goals in life. 
     I had a dream of making a difference in the children’s lives… but they ended up making a difference in mine. I learned to truly rejoice in the “small” things. I think it is important to be thankful and not to take anything for granted. It was great to watch how the children shared with each other, and helpful to one another. I felt a sense of community while I was there. I learned and it does sound cliché that “children are the future”. These children in Uganda will grow up to be the future leaders and productive citizens some day. It is true that children are the future, and education is the key in gaining valuable skills and knowledge. 
     When I observed the classrooms in Uganda I saw teachers truly with limited resources committed to teaching, and making sure students learned what they were expected to know. I learned the importance of remaining positive and dedicated, even when I experience challenges in my own classroom. I learned the importance of understanding different cultures and global issues. As a teacher it is important that I prepare my students to live and work in a diverse society. I am looking forward to having my classroom connect and collaborate with the students in Uganda. I think it would be a great learning experience for everyone. I have learned that there is something new literally to learn every day! Becoming a teacher is one of the best decisions that I have made, but becoming a life long learner was an even better one. 

Tarlisa Shaw 
@FCScourses

T. Shaw, Uganda 2008