Thursday, January 29, 2015

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

                                       
 Early Childhood Professionals...Words that Inspire & Motivate...
 
This week's blog represents individuals that I have chosen as activists that have inspired and motivated me and many others with their words of inspiration, passion and commitment to the cause of education...all in the name of children...
 

 

                              Marian Wright Edelman- President and Founder of the CDF, Activist
 
 
If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.”
Marian Wright Edelman 
 
 
 
President Lyndon B. Johnson 

President Lyndon B. Johnson- 36th President.  Has made a huge impact on legislation during his presidency. He declared the "War on Poverty" in 1964 & 1965, passing laws that were focused on education and implementing Head Start programs for children and families that were disadvantage. As a result of his passion to "make a difference", numerous programs for children have evolved. 
    
 Lyndon B. Johnson 


Louise Derman Sparks: On Passion & Motivation

"kids need the tools to know how to thrive and strive in the public schools system. it was a joyful experience...

"the passion to make, gave and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and to develop to their fullest ability that the preschool years are critical, they are the first most influential period". 

"the passion to create a safer, more just world and I suppose will be there until I die".  



 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Personal Childhood Web

Barbara's Personal Childhood Web
'Special Me" 
Pop-Pop & Mommy 
Gammy & Missy
Me 
Daddy, Me & Bobby   
My siblings-Gordon, Missy & Ceil

 


Here is my collection of my Personal Childhood Web and photos of individuals that have encouraged me as a young child and into my adult life. They have been a part of my life since my birth into this world. Although a few have passed on, their love, their legacy, their teachings and life deposits have been etched on my heart and has helped me to evolve into the woman that I am still becoming. There has been other positive influences that have come in and out of my life and there are many that have not been mentioned. But, my gratefulness for them taking an interest in my life will always be remembered. 

Photos:

(Top-left)

My mom, whose name is Barbara Brown-Anderson has always been the strongest voice speaking into my life and has been my biggest supporter of anything that I set out to accomplish. She is an amazing woman who has had to endure many trials but has persevered through it all.  Growing up and watching how she handled life’s situations with courage made me strong and wanting to emulate her. She has always encouraged me from the time I could talk and always said, “You can do it”. Those words have stuck with me for a life time and have carried over to raising my own children. She always guided me in the right direction, and even allowing me to make my own choices, which at times, was not the best choices, but she has never said, “I told you so”.  She was always nurturing by showing lots of love, gave hugs and lots of kisses and just spending time with me. Even now, as an adult with children and grand children she still has a strong voice in my life. My mom also showed me what family meant and how we should treat each other. Most importantly, my mom has shared her faith. I thank her for this because that foundation of faith that was introduced to us many years ago as small children has now carried over to my adult life.
 
(Top-right) 
My Gammy, or grandmother whose name was Christine Herbert. She was my mother’s mother and taught me what family was all about. She opened her home with many family gatherings and always had goodies for us when we visited. She instilled in me the value of laughter. As a serious child, my grandmother always said something that was funny to get us to laugh.  She also showed us how to make sure we cleaned up after ourselves and that everything had its proper place.  Although she is deceased at this time she will forever be in my heart. 
(Top-right)
My oldest sister, Dawn, was an inspiration to me because she was the older of my two sisters. She was much older but would come and always take me to the basketball games on the weekend and made sure I was having fun. My favorite thing to do with her was to make bologna and pickle sandwiches. She made sure that as the baby of the family that I was always taken care of. She was always wise and giving me advice on life.   
 
(Bottom-left)
My dad, Charles Brown was also a great influencer in my life.  Although my dad passed away at the age of 46 due to an illness, he has also been an inspiration to me. He was a great provider but mainly had a strong work ethic that was instilled in me and my siblings. We were taught that hard work and being diligent at working would benefit us later in life. Although he had flaws, and some of the negative influences affected each of us as children, we knew that he loved us and we all  pushed to overcome those obstacles.
 
(Bottom-right)
 My brother, Gordon was my oldest brother, and best friend. Being the youngest of five siblings, he was always over protective and just so loving, and patient with me. He took the time to make sure I was noticed and spent extra time with me whether it was playing board games, watching television or just sitting and talking. He was always teaching me something new. He also taught me how to drive at the age of 15. He inspired me because he was the first of the 4 siblings to graduate college and land a professional career. He was always considerate of others and treated all of his sisters like queens. He was also an example later in life as to how men should treat ladies. He had a love for learning in which he always encouraged me to read books which is why I do to this day. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Barbara' Favorite Things


Sharing a picture of me and my friend, Thing 1, during our annual Dr. Seuss week.  The only thing missing is my hat.  




Here is one of my favorite children's books written by Robert Kraus, Leo the Late Bloomer. I absolutely love this story as it tells about a lion named, Leo who was delayed in his blooming. Leo couldn't read, write, or do anything right. But his mother encouraged him and said he was just a late bloomer... This is an encouragement to all parents that may have children that are delayed in some way to know that their child will bloom in his own time. 



Here is a framing of a children's quote that is near and dear to my heart. I actually have the framing hanging on my office wall. It was given to me some years ago by a very special friend who recently passed away of cancer just before Thanksgiving.  I love what the words say about the superficial things that are so unimportant. But life is much more meaningful when we give ourselves and impact a life of a child/children. 

 
Here is another one of my favorite inspirational sayings... There is purpose and destiny in every child's life!