Facilitator: Dr. Sue Eliason

Introduce Yourself!

Welcome to the Early Childhood Book Discussion Group hosted by BAEYC, Old Colony Chapter.  We will start the discussion here. Begin by posting to the "Introduce Yourself" prompt.  In your reply to this subject heading, briefly describe your background, current position, how long you've been in the field, and anything else you want us to know about yourself.

NOTE: To post comments: if you look at the bottom of this paragraph, you will notice the word "comments" with a number next to it.  If you click on that word, a comment box will open and you will see the comments other people have made.  You will also have the ability to comment yourself. In the bottom of the comment box is an option for "choosing your identity". If you click the Name/URL option and type your FULL name in the provided box (shows after you select), your name will show at the top of your comment so that you may receive credit for your post. If you do not, you will show up as "anonymous" and will need to contact Eileen at lestudante@bridgew.edu so that your name can be added.  You can also let her know if you publish something by mistake and need to have it taken off of the blog.  We strongly suggest that you compose your thoughts in a word processing program such as Microsoft Word, and then copy (not cut!) and paste them into the comment box.  This will ensure that if something were to go wrong within the blog comment box by accident, your work is not lost.  If you are unsure how to do this, then please contact Eileen for help.  Each new discussion thread will have its own title, listed on the right side of the screen.  Click on that title, and you can see a complete listing of all the posted comments to date on that discussion topic, in chronological order.  If you wish to view a previous years discussion to better understand what the blog will look like as the dicussion proceeds, please follow this link:  http://baeycbookgroup2010.blogspot.com/ .

Memory

How do children’s’ memories effect learning and everyday experiences?  Relate your response to the book as well as to your real life examples.  

Curiosity

What strategies can you suggest to promote curiosity in the children you teach?  Why is this important? Which essential life skills use curiosity?    

Perspective Taking

What strategies can you suggest to promote perspective taking in the children you teach?  Why is this important? How would understanding clarify a situation?  Relate your response to the book as well as to your real life examples.

Confidence

What strategies can you suggest to for families to promote and encourage confidence?  Why is this important? Relate your response to the book as well as to your real life examples.

Temperament

What strategies have you used or would like to try to identify temperament and individual differences in the children you teach?  Why is this important? Relate your response to the book as well as to your real life examples.

Final Reflection

A response required to receive training credits. The final reflection is in addition to required 8 posts for training credit or 12 postings for those who did not attend one of the face-to-face meetings. All posts and final reflections should be completed by Monday, March 5th. Your final reflection should be the equivalent of one-page, double-spaced paper or about 350–500 words.

In the final reflection, discuss new learning from Mind in the Making and our face-to-face discussions.  What are some new ideas; information; connections; attitudes; and/or priorities? Which idea has the greatest impact on your thinking or feeling?

Also describe specific changes you will make in your teaching practice as a result of this experience. Do you anticipate changing the environment; the schedule; interactions with children; curriculum; and/or communications with families? How will you continue to discuss the seven essential skills?

Feel free to share any other final thoughts.