This week we are exploring the concept of the childhood web and the systems that affect and influence young children and their families. Often educators take a limited look at the child's current levels of performance without identifying the culture from which they come or the environment in which the child lives. We fail to recognize that children are part of a larger whole and should be looking at the present level of performance of that whole instead.
In my own childhood, there was a strong web of individuals that formed and shaped my perception of the world and how I interacted with it. My mother and father were well educated and that allowed them to gain employment to provide a safe and secure home and necessities for my sister and me. We did not have everything we wanted, but certainly had what we needed. We both attended private Catholic school until college, as these values were important to our family. We were raised to respect others and to always to our best in anything we attempted.
My father worked for the same company for over 20 years and he worked long hours and days. However, he made time at night and on weekends to be with us and do things as a family. When I started softball, he came to games when he could, but always made time to play catch on the front sidewalk before or after dinner. When we traveled to Wisconsin to visit my grandparents (my mom's side), he would spend most of the time checking the maintenance of the house, cutting and stacking wood for their fireplace, and tuning up my grandma's car. Since my grandpa had a stroke when I was about 5, he knew it was important to care for the house and car in his place. My dad also loved being with kids of the family. He would take us into town for a pop at the local tavern and let us play pool or pinball. I learned work ethic from him, and the importance of taking care of those around you.
My mother worked off and on during our childhood. She was home for part of my elementary school days and I loved walking the 4 blocks home for lunch. She would have it ready for us and we would sit and eat together. She taught me how to ride my bike, but before that she would take me on errands on the back of hers, where I would say to myself over and over "It's ok, Mommy won't spill me." My mom was my cheerleader and when my grandparents (my dad's side) bought us a piano and I decided I wanted to take lessons, she was right there with me, playing "Chopsticks" and listening to me practice. She and my dad loved each other and I was one of very few in my class to have parents that were not divorced. I now know how much I appreciated that and how significant it was!
My sister is 4 years older than me, and extremely bright. She played the protective sister in school until it became "uncool" for her to do so. I always knew she was looking out for me. We fought terribly as kids and I know it drove my parents crazy. Today we have a great relationship and I can talk to her about anything. In school, I was always working hard to live up to the reputation she had as a star student. It was frustrating then, but now I admire her for her knowledge and willingness to help anyone with just about anything, and believe I am the student I am in part because of her.
The last person in my web is a woman named Mary Neuenfeldt. When I started preschool, and intermittently through middle school, my mom returned to work full time. We found a wonderful family child care just a block from our house. Mary ran it and she made a lasting impact on my sister, me, and dozens of other children in the neighborhood. She taught us the importance of caring for others, getting along with others, and having fun! I will never forget the concept of "Warm Fuzzies and Cold Pricklies". I think it was an early version of social-emotional curriculum that she adopted! She was a strong influence in me becoming an early childhood educator because she would let me help with the babies and toddlers that came to her house for child care. I would help feed them, rock them, and play with them when I was only about 6 or 7 years old.
Katherine, you seem to have been blessed. The number of warm and important relationships surrounding you seem to have certainly contributed to your success. It seems that your parents were very hard workers and that their hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed!
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle when you talked about your older sister and the point where it was "uncool" to protect you. Growing up, I was not very close of any of my sisters. Although my parents always thought of us as blood related, we never had the same feeling. It wasn't until we were grown and had families of our own and have gone through hard times that we've realized that we need each other and need to depend on each other. How has your relationship with your sister evolved as you are grown ups?
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