MY CONNECTION TO PLAY

As a child, I was very happy with  riding a bike and playing football with my older cousins.  Through play I learned what teamwork was and I learned that play helped to build character.  When I was growing up there was things that girls could play and things that boys could play.  I was always getting in trouble because as a girl I was not suppose to be playing football with the boys but I was suppose to be playing with my dolls and girl cousin or watching my Granny make a quilt.   As  an educator I can say that the way things are a little the same is that there are still gender based play.  In our classroom we encourage the children to explore all types of play regardless of gender.  

Here is a quote from The National Institute of Play, that I really enjoyed reading:  " The ability of a young child to create their own sense of their mind, and that of others, takes place through pretend play, which continues to nourish the spirit throughout life, and remains key to innovation and creativity" (2009).

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

As I reflect back on positive relationships and the people whom I had these relationships with, I realize how blessed I am to have encounter such meaningful people in my life.

As always my parents James and Shirley Hines have had a great impact on my life.  They taught me how to be me and alway love me regardless of circumstances that occurs in my life.  Our relationship is a positive in so many ways.  If I want the truth regardless of how hurtful it may be I can count on them to give me that.  My parents are very supportive of all of my dreams and goals.  They are biggest cheerleaders.

The other people who have been positive in my life are my children Taylor and Jaylan.  They help me to push on when I feel as if the fight is gone.  They encourage me to be the best that I can be.  All I do, I do for them.  I think that our relationship is two-sided, they encourage me as I show them that dreams are reachable and that if they are going to dream, dream big and anything is possible.

My sibilings, Scottie, Anthony, and Creshauna are the other people who support me whether or not they believe in what I am doing.  They are a supportive team. 

I have several friends that have I have great relationships with as well.

On my job, I feel that my co-teacher and I have a great partnership.  We feed off of each other.  We have one goal and that is to make sure that our children are learning in a safe and nurturing environment.  We constantly support each other by encouraging each other to continue our education, give advice on raising our children as single mothers, and making sure that our classroom has a positive atmosphere.

Some of the challenges of maintaining a relationship would be lack of communication and not have the same goals or aspirations.

I am grateful for the people whom I have built these relationships with.  They are very supportive and encouraging.

Erica Hines

A NOTE OF THANKS

THANKS TO ALL WHO READ AND RESPONDED TO MY POSTINGS.

I would like to take this time to personally thank all who have read and responded to my blog.  This blog page has helped me to share my thoughts and my understanding of things that I had questions are thoughts about.  To all who have read my blogs thanks for taking the time out to read and comment on my page. 

Thank You for all you do and I hope that your journey on this road to success is accomplished.  Trust in yourself and your abilities and you will succeed.

Thanks to all,


Erica Hines

CONSEQUENCES OF STRESS ON CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT

A stress factor for me as a child was racism.  Growing up in a Small southern town, I had to endure a lot of racism.  I remember being a little girl in elementary school and been told that school was closing early because a fight was going on between the white and black children.  This was stressful for me because as children you don't see the difference, you play with someone because they are your friend not because they look like or different then you.  So as I grew older I realize that Sally and I might have been friends at school but when the school doors closed we were two different people with two different backgrounds.  OUR parents did not support the idea of us being friends because when they were growing up Blacks played with Blacks and Whites played with Whites.  It's funny how racism is something that is learned and people can't understand that if we stop teaching it then it will disappear and then people can be accepted and acknowledge by the content of their character and not their skin. 

In a small town where most of the teachers are not the same color as you are.  Some favoritism is shown.  I know, I experienced it first hand.  I remember having the highest grade in a course but the teacher did not want me to have the award so she marked one of my answers wrong, but me being me knew that my answer was right kept asking the teacher about  the grade. Well after the award ceremony, of course my grade was changed, but it was to late.  She couldn't take the award back from "S" that would be embarrassing and it would be acknowledging that she made a mistake.  SO "S" kept the award and I got a "sorry, everybody makes mistakes sometimes," speech.  Thanks for having parents who always pushed me to be the best that I could be, because they went to the principal, super indent, and the school board members to make sure that I got the award that I worked hard for. 

Dealing with this type of racism has helped me to be a better educator and to make sure that all children feels worthy and capable of doing anything by not showing favoritism but encouraging all students to do their best.

When I think about  my experience with racism, I often wonder how the Jews must have felt when Hitler wanted all people to be blue eyes and blond hair.  Difference makes the world unique and therefore beautiful.

CHILD BIRTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

As an educator, the mental health of the mother, father, and families in general is very important to me. The parents mental state effects the outcome of the child.  It is our job to make sure that our students are receiving the most adequate care that they need as children to be healthy and educated adults.  Most of the time we make assumptions about children who's parents mental state is not the same as ours.  We assume that the child will inherit a mental disorder or we assume that the child will not be taken care of as childrens whose parents do not have any problems.  It is our duty to make sure that the environment in which our students live is one that is safe and nurturing, and if we see that the child's parent mental state is stopping the child from receiving the care that they need then we as educators must offer some type of help.  Now this is just my opinion as to what an effective educator should and would do.
Erica Hines

CHILDBIRTH

I remember the birth of my 18 year old and 13 year old like it was yesterday.  The birth of my first child was not as bad as the birth of my second child.  I was prepared for both by receiving prenatal visit, taking parenting classes, and listen to horrible stories about birth from other people.  The horrible stories helped me to prepare myself mentally for the challenge I was about to endure.  I remember reading to my unborn child like the researchers adviced in their books.  I talked to my children while they were in the wound. 

With the birth of my first child, I remember going to the hospital way to early because my family said that my water had broke and the baby would soon be here (boy was they wrong).  I went to the the hospital on June 26, 2003 at 10:00p.m. and Taylor was born June 27, 2003 at 7:07 p.m.  The only thing I can remember thinking about is I will be glad when I have this baby so I can eat a quarter pounder with cheese from McDonald.  The experiences of giving birth were both different and beautiful.  It is so hard to put in words.

When comparing childbirth with that of the women of China, I realize that we practice some of the same cultures or beliefs.  I know that my mother required me to stay in the house from four to six weeks.  The Chinese also practice this as well.  I would eat alot of eggs and food high in protein and iron because according to my mother you lose a lot of blood during child birth.  In my research I notice that this is also a practice of the Chinese women.  In reality childbirth practices are similar in every country or cultural.

Erica Hines 

A NOTE OF THANKS AND SUPPORT

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support and encouraging words.  We are all trying to accomplish one goal and that is to be better educators that will enhance the lives of the students that we come in contact with.

This blog assignment ask us to thank to colleagues and I would like to thank the following two people with the notes of thanks listed below:

Hi Yolanda,
I just wanted to thank you for always creating positive blogs.  Your blogs are information that make someone think and I appreciate that.  You are such an inspiration and I pray and wish you the best in all of your endeavors as an educator.
Thanks again,

Erica Hines

Hi Susan,

I would like to say that you have been such an inspiring young lady in my life. Just reading your blogs, and corresponding with you through discussion, I feel that I know you.  You are in my opinions an excellent educator who has so much to offer.  Through your responses and blogs I feel that you have a genuine concern for your students and your profession.

I look forward to participating with you in other classes.  Continue to be the best that you can be.

Erica Hines