Words of Inspiration

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot forsee." Marian Wright Edelman.


When I read this quote it really hit home to me. It reminded me of a time when I realized the importance of daily differences. Once, after a tough week at school, I was visiting with a colleague and the subject of our influence on our students lives came up. I shared my concern that I didn't think anything I did was working and the students really weren't getting what I wanted them to get out of my class. I discussed the behavior issues and how sometimes it felt like I was not really making a difference in students' lives. She, being a mentor and motivator of mine, told me that I most definitely did have a positive influence in the lives of my students and that I should continue with what I was doing. I went home that day feeling she had just told me what she thought I needed to hear.
I was still struggling with my feelings when, on Monday ,one of my students from a couple of years past had wrote a Christmas card for some of her teachers and asked that we pass it around. She listed the teachers she wanted to read the card and had  made a signature sheet for us to sign. She had about twelve teachers listed.  In the card, which was more like a decorated letter, she had a general statement to all the teachers thanking us for making a differnce in her life. This would have been enough to bring tears to our eyes, but she went on to write a personal note to each teacher thanking him/her for a time when they had impacted her life.
My message was about the hugs I would give her and the smile that always made her feel better. After her notes to each teacher, she ended the letter thanking us for saving her life because many times she had thought about ending it and stopped herself when she remembered the teachers in her life and knew that she had someone to care about her. None of us had done anything spectacular. We couldn't change her life circumstances. All we did was let her know each day that we cared about her.
I think about this often when I start to get frustrated and don't feel like I am making a difference. I just keep on hugging and smiling.

“I have the passion to make sure that all children are taught in an environment and in ways that nurture their ability to grow and develop to their fullest ability." Louise Derman-Sparks

 I chose this quote because I truly believed that children need to be in environments where they can explore, learn, and grow to be independent without having to many limits. Childen need to be in 'child proof' environments. I love my sister and she is fanatastic mom. She loves her little girl. She plays learning games with her, reads to her, and spends quality time with her. Her little girl just turned one year old and is walking now. Any mom's relate to never being able to sit after their toddler learns to walk?? Well, I was at my sister's house the other day and I got tired watching her follow her daughter around and move her away from places she was not supposed to be. She was constantly redirecting her daughter from cabinets, the trash, the end table, her work desk, out of the master bedroom. I mentioned that when my children were young I just moved everything that they were not allowed to have up to where they could not reach. I told her that I rearranged my cabinets to where the bottom one were things that the children could play with that would not hurt them. My suggestions were not taken amicably. My sister feels that it is important for children to learn limits and be taught that there are some things that they cannot touch. I feel that they should be able to explore all places in their home and as they grow more and mor things can be brought down to their level and they can be taught limits. 

Question of the Week:
What is your opinion: should a house be childproofed from top to bottom  or should toddlers be taught what is off limits?