Why Kids Need Recess and Exercise

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43344478 

This article focuses on the benefits of recess for young children. Some schools stopped having recess for six months because of an incident on the playground. Another school restricted recess because students' tests scores did not meet federal standards. According to our Annual Editions: Early Childhood Education textbook, a study was done by (Norvell 2006) where children were given the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Text before and after recess. The study showed that the children that had recess before the test preformed better than the children that had recess after the test was administered. I believe all children should get a break to play; adults have to have breaks, so why shouldn't children get a break. Also, children learn from interacting with their peers and using their imagination. We can make sure that our children get recess breaks; it's important for their overall well-being and academic success. 

Most US Kids get vaccines, but parents still worry

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43342340
  This article addresses the concerns that parents have about vaccinating their children. Most parents are getting their children vaccinated. 2% of parents said their children would not get any of the recommend vaccinations, while 5% said their children would get some of the vaccines. I believe parents' main concerns are:  1. Are these vaccinations safe for my child?  2. Do they really need all theses vaccinations?  3. What are the long term affects of these shots?  I understand parents' concerns. As teachers, we can provide parents with resources and information on vaccinations and those shots that are needed to start school.

Program for Special-Needs Pupils Is Jeopardized

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/us/05cnccenter.html?_r=3&scp=2&sq=early%20childhood%20education&st=cse
Two special needs schools in Chicago, Barbara Vick Early Childhood Center and Fredrik Stock School, fight to stay open despite budget cuts. Joshua, who is three, attends Barbara Vick Early Childhood Center. He has been diagnosed with mild autism. His mom says since he has been at this school he is like a different person. He communicates and expresses himself more. His mother's main worry is where he will go to school if this center closes. Will he get the help and attention he needs somewhere else? I hope the school stays open.

Who's Ready for Kindergarten? The Path to Equity Starts Earlier

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/06/12/whos-ready-for-kindergarten/a-question-of-equity-in-education
This article argues how to tell when children are ready for kindergarten. It is not about at what age children enter kindergarten; it is whether they are getting a good early education program (Head Start) which prepares them for kindergarten. This article states that, "no entry date solves the real problem of ensuring an effective early education experience for all kids, particularly those most vulnerable, whose chances have been disadvantaged from the start." As educators, we need to make sure we are doing the best to prepare children for the future, and that no child gets left behind or an unfair advantage due to uncontrollable reasons. If there is not a set starting date for kindergarten, then teachers would have children of all ages and academic levels in their classrooms. This would make teaching and meeting the needs of all the students much more challenging.  

How to Win Over Stubborn Children

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43344476/ns/today-parenting/

Every teacher has dealt with a stubborn student. This article gives parents and teachers some ways to take control of the situation without having to yell and still gives the child choices and makes the child feel like they are making the decision. For example, when children have been playing with toys and you would like them to clean up they find another activity to engage in. There are several strategies to help them focus and clean up. Make it a game by setting a timer and see how many toys they can pick up in five minutes. Also, use encouraging words instead of saying, "We will not go to the park if you do not clean up the toys." Instead tell them, "As soon as you clean up your toys, we will go to the park."  The article also gives parents ways to get their children to eat healthy foods, choose their clothes and get to bed on time without all the fussing. This was a very interesting article to read and can help parents and teachers gain control of the situation. It gave me ideas to make clean up time fun.

House passes lower school start age

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=14478031

The legislative passed a law mandating that children start to school by the age of six; however, the house amended the bill allowing parents to petition to delay the start of their child's schooling. Teachers will benefit from this because the children will be entering the classroom at an earlier age.  This mandate will ensure that the school is involved in the decision to delay a child starting at an older age. Research shows that children have a better education outcome if they start their education earlier.

Ala. kindergartner's yearbook message forces recall

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=14741869

In Etowah county a kindergarten student was asked what he or she wanted to be when they grow up the student replied, an/a " American solider to beat up all those Bad Muslims!" A third grader was offended and reported it to the principle, and most of the years books were brought back so the quote could be covered up. This poses a new challenge for teachers since we have so many different cultures in our society, and there is a need to start teaching diversity to younger children.