Early Childhood Development: ECD 51
Informal writing/reflection on a film
Assignment: After viewing the film "Safe from the Start" about the social fabric in which children live, the students were asked to name and explain three things that they could do to improve or create social fabric for children in their lives.
[Instructor comments appear in bold, italic font within brackets below.]
The First Three Threads
After watching Dr. Bruce Perry in, “Safe from the Start” I began to rethink the way I existed in this world. When Dr. Perry talked about “social fabric” and how our communities need to weave a better one, I thought, “How can I create or improve myself to help out in my community?” I thought of a couple of ways to begin simply and easily. First I would start in my home with a more stable routine for my son and family. For example, dinner at a regular time each night, a night time routine just before bed, and last, being a less aggressive driver. [Three specific, measurable ways. Excellent!]
Although we always have dinner at the table together our dinner times vary. I feel that if we eat at a regular time everyday then my son will get used to the routine and feel more stable. Dr. Perry says that for an emotionally strong child to develop, there needs to be stability and routine in the household. And I feel a set meal schedule will help as well as a steady bedtime routine.
When I was growing up my parents always had a routine for me when it was time to go to bed. For instance: put on my pajamas, brush my teeth, and wash my face, then into bed at 8:30pm with a bedtime story read to me by one of my parents. I remember feeling comforted by this regularity. It was a ritual that was something that was silently understood that once my parents said, “ok, get ready for bed,” I would automatically jump into bedtime mode. I want to start that with my son. He is two now and I believe that at this age it is a good age to start his bedtime routine. [Oh yes, it is high time!]
The last thing I plan to do to help out our social fabric is when I am driving I plan to be more courteous and let people merge. I noticed that I do not really help out when it comes to driving. I think of myself just as many people do when they drive. If I am a pleasant driver then maybe it will rub off on someone else and so one and so on, then the road will be less aggressive and safer. [Wonderful.]
I know that these changes are not huge and drastic, but I wanted to start out simple: start with something I know I can do, and start today. [Yes, those end up being the most meaningful.] As time goes by and my new goals become old ones, I will try three more and eventually one day I will be a generous contributor to this community. But first I am taking just one step at a time.
** Minor mechanical errors/typos have been corrected by the creators of CHARLIE