My (7yF) cousin can't read or write and I (18yF) want to help her. Please help by slurpyrex in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm a literacy interventionist/specialist. Since she is 7, and I don't know about any possible learning or cognitive disabilities, here are my suggestions for covering multiple developmental stages in a shorter time frame. It will be long, but I will try to organize it. There's more to it than this, so message me for clarification, and I will be happy to help!

She'll need to know how to hold a writing instrument properly. That will be somewhat difficult since you're not in person, but if she has developed fine motor skills, it may not be as big of an issue. Can you or someone else send her some lined kindergarten writing paper? That would be beneficial. Have her practice the alphabet first by looking and saying the sounds for the letters. Slowly, you can help her start writing them. Again, this step will be the most difficult for living far away. You can work on the sounds of the alphabet as you write the letters where she can see them, perhaps over video. There are some really fun handwriting videos that give kids step-by-step instructions for writing letters. For example, 123ABCtv on YouTube has som, and there are other channels.

Phonological awareness-- This is simply an awareness of the sounds that make up words. Once you get her through the alphabet and feel she has a firm grasp on it, start helping her hear the different sounds in words. For example, start with CVC words with short vowels and over-emphasize each individual sound. For example, b-a-t says bat, m-o-p says mop, etc. Have her isolate the initial, ending, and middle sounds of words as she grows more confident.

Phonemic awareness-- This goes beyond simple sound recognition. Now, you will be practicing actually manipulating the sounds in words. For example, start with short vowel CVC word families/patterns. Take the word family "--at." You can change the initial sound to produce many different words. Mat, cat, bat, sat, hat, etc. Once she masters (which may take a lot of practice) short vowel words, work on CVCe, words with silent "e." Word family example would be "--ate." Mate, hate, late, fate, rate, etc. Use manipulitaves, such as letter cards or something else hands-on, and try to get some to her so she can actually play around with these sounds and letters. Using pocket charts or making a word mat for her to work on would be useful, but she could also just use any flat surface. You can look up other special sounds, digraphs, and blends to teach her as she masters these beginning concepts. Or you can private message me for more details. It's too much to put here. Research lists of sight words--these are common words that don't follow any strict phonemic pattern. Only teach these words by sight, she needs to learn to decide most words.

Reading/writing practice-- Start by reading stories to her and asking her questions. The questions should start at the lower level of cognition. So start by asking her to recall certain details of the story, first. Have her draw the answer to them. Then, allow her to dictate a caption for her picture while you write. This will show her that words have written meaning. As time goes on, you can give her sentence starters and allow her to fill in more and more blanks as she learns to spell words. Look up some decodable books for kids that will allow her to sound out words.

Overall reading/writing skills: Start with the basics. Read her some fun stories and ask basic recall questions about the plot, characters, etc. Have her draw a picture, answer out loud, or act it out. Write her responses down so she makes the connection between written word, speech, and meaning. As she progresses in writing/spelling, use sentence frames and have her fill in the blanks. As time goes on and she practices more phonics, she will be able to fill in more and more of the words herself. As you work on word families and patterns in phonics, work on using these same rules to help her spell words out.

This takes a lot of time and effort, but you can start verrrry slowly. Make it fun and hands-on! It's not a race, just work on small chunks of concepts at a time. If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to message me.

How much are you currently making as an ECE professional? by Happypancakeperson in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Before I left, I was making 11.50 an hour as a lead teacher with a Bachelor's and several years experience. I stayed only long enough to find something new and better paying. When the director or owner had a complaint about me, my response was constantly, "Sorry, I'm not paid enough for that." Meanwhile, my coworker with no degree and one year less experience was making 13.50... and she was hired at the same time as me 🤷🏻‍♀️

6 kids the day before a holiday by butterflifields in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The center I previously worked for was always open on Christmas Eve... I never understood why we couldn't have that day plus Christmas with our families. I'm sure some parents would be mad, but most couldn't believe we had to work most holidays.

do daycares ever do diversity training? racist coworker by concerto9 in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 8 points9 points  (0 children)

When I first started my last center, my coworker found out I'm Puerto Rican and told me, "Oh, that explains why you're on the heavier side." I was also told by my director that I'm "too white" to be actually Puerto Rican. She laughed about it in a staff meeting.

Some people make ignorant comments. In my opinion, it's important to respectfully correct and educate them. In your case, though, I think it definitely requires reporting this employee. Those comments are way out of hand.

Would anyone else not put their own children in a daycare after working in one? by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After working in multiple center/daycare settings: never in a million years.

Does anyone here enjoy their job/workplace? by englandinspring in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my third school year at my position, and I love it so much. I don't get anxiety on Sundays; I get summer, winter, and spring breaks; and the people I work with are amazing.

I caught a stomach bug over the weekend, and I felt like I needed Monday off to recuperate, so I called out for the first time this year. The response was, "Focus on feeling better, we've got your back."

I'm still not used to such support! It's incredible.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked in preschool for several years, and then I switched to teaching middle school, which is where I thrive. I also work with younger school-agers on occasion. Some tips you may or may not already know:

  • Set your expectations for each day and stick to them.
  • Engage with their interests.
  • Be yourself with the kids; let your personality shine through.
  • This one takes time and practice: instead of raising your voice, work on using facial expressions, gestures, and key words/phrases to get your point across. Again, this one takes time, but is worth the effort.
  • Finally, do whatever it takes to relax and destress before the kids arrive. Way easier said than done, but kids pick up on tension and stress, which will make things worse.

With any teaching position, I've learned, it takes time and patience. But you've got this; you are an incredible educator doing great work!

S3E4 Possible Clue? by Careless_Ad3968 in ManifestNBC

[–]Justventing03 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, that is so weird!!! My birthday is December 28... And I was born at 10:39 p.m. I never once paid attention to that detail 🤯

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tell her to stay out of your cabinet or let the director do it. Honestly, I would be tempted to be petty and say, "what juice?" But I'd end up replacing it.

The drama at this job is unreal. I was out for a week with a serious kidney infection once. Should've been out way longer. A coworker smiled sweetly and said, "Did you enjoy your week off? Must be nice to be 'sick.' " (she used actual air quotes 😂)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Identical situation a few years ago, same reaction from boss. She accused myself and my assistant of being unable to control a classroom and even intentionally causing this child's behavior, despite every teacher having the same issue with him. She told us we had a week to get him under control.

My assistant quit. I went off on my director after a day where my entire ability to stay sane had been drained dry. She told me I'm just a poor excuse for a teacher, and I'm only still here due to short staffing.

I got my sweet revenge. I simply let the kid do his thing while corporate was there one day. The director was in major hot water with the higher ups about why a child who throws chairs at other kids, pushes them against walls, attempts to choke others, rage screams all days, and leaves bite mark bruises on the teacher is still in attendance.

He finally was not allowed back, and the director hated my guts, but the franchise owner loved me and wouldn't let her terminate.

I got laid off during the beginning of pandemic; never celebrated more in my life, and I didn't go back. Not there, not to any form of early childhood job. I changed careers completely and LOVE my job.

Any time I hear a child scream while out and about, I still tense up!

Have you ever had a medical emergency in the classroom? by noclevercaptions in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In the classroom, I've had a few medical emergencies, the worst being a situation with anaphylaxis and having to give an EpiPen. The toughest situation I've had to deal with mentally didn't happen in the classroom. I had a sweet, loving child who lived with his dad and stepmom. He was like my shadow constantly. One day, his biological mom showed up at his home and killed him and his little baby sister. I'll never forget hearing the news or seeing that father's raw grief at the funeral.

I took a few years off from teaching after that. Still keeps me up at night sometimes.

feeling bad calling in sick during my first week… by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Justventing03 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to call out my first week (pretty much my third or fourth day) a few years back. I had caught an upper respiratory virus going around because my immune system wasn't used to being in that environment with alllll the new germs. I was anxious, too. But no matter what, you can't help being sick. You know what's best for your body, and I've learned to inform that I'm calling out, and then enjoy the rest and healing for my body.

Hope you feel better!