The Jamaican Early Childhood Curriculum Education Essay

The Jamaican Early Childhood Curriculum Education Essay The Jamaican Early Childhood Curriculum was recently crafted. The curriculum is built on the principle that children learn best when content from various disciplines along with skills from the developmental domains are integrated in line with the childrens holistic view and experience of the world. These principles are learning through play, sequenced learning, individual learning, the practitioners multiple roles, inclusion of all learners, integrated curriculum and the domains of development, the learning environment, assessment in early childhood, involving parents and community (Davies, 2008). While the curriculum address various objectives that need to be met in fostering Early Childhood learning and outlines the requisite instructions, there are challenges to the implementation of the curriculum. Broadly speaking, these factors are usually internal and external. These factors reduce the effectiveness of the curriculum and weaken the chance of effective learning at the Early Childhood Level. The factors occur as challenges when there is a mismatch between the situation that the curriculum was designed to target and the reality. This difference causes the actual learning outcome to deviate from the intended learning outcome. The curriculum is normally assume that the student is operating at a particular level, the students parent and environmental background offer a certain level of support, and the teacher operates at a certain level. The real problem occurs when the curriculum does not cater for the majority case of students. Internal factors usually include teachers, students, school infrastructure and resources. Teachers are the driving force of implementing the curriculum effectively. A teachers creativity, capabilities and qualification enables him/her to transfer the content of the curriculum in a meaningful way that will connect with the diversity of learners. According to Jalongo and Isenberg (2012) a teachers knowledge of the children and the content of the curriculum will enable him/her the ability to provide for the childrens strengths and weakness, their interest and to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions they will need to become productive members of the society. Hence the teachers role in developing the curriculum is to shape what children should learn and how they should learn it. In doing so the teachers methodology is essential in brining the curriculum alive. Jalongo and Isenberg (2012) posit that the teacher strategies and plan for learning is the thread that weaves t he curriculum. This they say is what of teaching and the how of teaching. Its therefore, imperative that teachers plan for the students learning so as to cater for the diverse learning styles in their classroom. The methodologies that the teacher employs should fit the students ability to gain knowledge and develop the necessary skills. Teachers should therefore choose content that are developmentally appropriate to achieve required learning outcome. On the other hand a teacher should also be competent and acquire keen insights on the capabilities that children posses in order to cater for holistic development. If this is not achieved then the implementation of the curriculum would have fails to cater for the children needs and development. The key ingredient for any curriculum is always the learner (Jalongo and Isenberg, 2012). They posit that a curriculum should focus on what a child know and can do and what a child should know and can do. Hence the content of the curriculum should take into account the needs, interest, age and stage of development and the social and cultural context if the child. The child as the learner possesses the ultimate success of the curriculum. This takes into account the abilities, skills, background knowledge and exposure /experience that the child acquire before entering the learning environment. According to Puckett and Diffily (2004) being aware of the differences in childrens development, strengths and challenges will allow curriculum planners and teachers to plan effectively in order to meet each childs developmental needs. Jalongo and Isenberg (2012) stated that a curriculum should consider the following, Child development and learning, Child needs, abilities and interest and Social and cultural context in which children live. The considerations of these will enable the teachers to perform effectively within the teaching and learning environment. The school infrastructures and resources play a vital role in the delivery of the schools curriculum. External factors usually include parents, home and community. This is another driving force in the implementation of the curriculum. The importance of parental involvement is key in the success of academic achievement. This sets the foundation of the learning attitude that children carry to the learning environment. Support from parents increases the academic achievement in later years. Burke (2010) concurred children whose parents are actively involved in their education at an early age aids the nurturing of a childs education and overall development and is one of the core indicators of later achievement. It is through this involvement that children understand and appreciate the importance of a solid education. The involvement of parents can break or build the implementation of any curriculum. Parents are unaware of the powerful effect that have on what and how the content of a curriculum is designed and implemented. I strongly believe that parents are the first line of support for all children. They are the primary source of socialization and set the foundation for formal learning to take place. The home is the initial environment for optimal nurturing and it ideally creates a sense of belonging. Acknowledging that meaningful parental involvement is need its not a one-size fits all. We have to take into consideration the socio economic status of these parents as well as their educational background. The background of these parents especially in urban environs allows for limitation on the input they can offer to the implementation of the curriculum. Hence, few or no involvement occurs and the inability to hold teachers accountable for poor curriculum implementation is poor. Burke (2010) states that when parents are involved in the educational process of their children and, as such, they will be able to include or add additional information and insight from their own personal experiences to teache rs in order to support their childs learning and development. The community is seen as the secondary source of socialization.

During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar Essay

During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Thorough out the kingdom of Nepal the goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual holy bathing, thus drenching the goddess for days in blood. Dashain commemorates a great victory of the gods over the wicked demons. One of the victory stories told is the Ramayan, where the lord Ram after a big struggle slaughtered Ravana, the fiendish king of demons. It is said that lord Ram was successful in the battle only when goddess Durga was evoked. The main celebration glorifies the triumph of good over evil and is symbolized by goddess Durga slaying the terrible demon Mahisasur, who terrorised the earth in the guise of a brutal water buffalo. The first nine days signify the nine days of ferrous battle between goddess Durga and the demon Mahisasur. The tenth day is the day when Mahisasur was slain and the last five days symbolise the celebration of the victory with the blessing of the goddess. Dashain is celebrated with great rejoice, and goddess Durga is worshiped throughout the kingdom as the divine mother goddess. In preparation for Dashain every home is cleansed and beautifully decorated, painted as an invitation to the mother goddess, so that she may visit and bless the house with good fortune. During this time the reunion of distant and nearby relatives occur in every household. The market is filled with shoppers seeking new clothing, gifts, luxuries and enormous supplies of temple offering for the gods, as well as foodstuffs for the family feasting. Thousands of sheep, goats, ducks, chicken and water buffalo are prepared for the great slaughter. All types of organisations are closed for ten to fifteen days. Labourers are almost impossible to find; from the poor to the rich, all enjoy the festive mood. Anywhere you go the aroma of ‘Vijaya Dashami’ is found. The first nine days of Dashain are called nawa ratri when tantric rites are conducted. In Nepal the life force is embodied in the divine energy and power of the female, depicted as goddess Durga in her many forms. All goddess who emanated from goddess Durga are known as devis, each with different aspects and powers. In most mother goddess temples the deity is represented simply as a sacred Kalash, carved water jug or multiple handed goddess holding murderous weapons. During these nine days people pay their homage to the goddess. If she is properly worshiped and pleased good fortunes are on the way and if angered through neglect then misfortunes are around the corner. Mother goddess is the source of life and everything. The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana, which literally means pot establishing. On this day the kalash, (holy water vessel) symbolising goddess Durga often with her image embossed on the side is placed in the prayer room. The kalash is filled with holy water and covered with cowdung on to which seeds are sown. A small rectangular sand block is made and the kalash is put in the centre. The surrounding bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The ghatasthapana ritual is performed at a certain auspicious moment determined by the astrologers. At that particular moment the priest intones a welcome, requesting goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence. The room where the kalash is established is called ‘Dashain Ghar’. Generally women are not allowed to enter the room where Dashain puja is being carried out. A priest or a household man worships the kalash everyday once in the morning and then in the evening. The kalash and the sand are sprinkled with holy water everyday and it is shielded from direct sunlight. By the tenth day, the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass. The sacred yellow grass is called ‘Jamara’. It is bestowed by the elders atop the heads of those younger to them during the last five days when tika is put on. The jamara is taken as a token of Goddess Durga as well as the elders blessing. As days passes by regular rituals are observed till the seventh day. The seventh day is called ‘Fulpati’. On this day the jamara to be used by the royal household is brought from their ancestral royal house in Gorkha about a hundred and sixty nine kilometres away over the hills north west of the valley of Kathmandu. A parade is held in the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace. The fulpati, i. e. the procession bearing the jamara and other items necessary for the tika, is brought from Gorkha after a three day walk and most of the government officials are eagerly waiting for the fulpati parade to arrive at Rani Phokari in the afternoon. Rani Phokari area is filled with hundreds of government officials meticulously attired in the traditional formal dress. In fulpati, the royal kalash filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara and sugar cane tied with red cloth is carried by Brahmans from the ancestral royal house on a decorated palanquin under a gold tipped and embroidered umbrella, led by the military platoon of the royal priest. The government officials also join the fulpati parade. Whilst the fulpati parade is heading towards the old royal palace, His Majesty the King observes the ceremonies taking place in Tundikhel, the army parade ground in the center of the city. There a majestic display of the Royal Nepalese Army is held. Guns are fired and the entire valley echoes with the resonance sound of it. The firing continues for ten to fifteen minutes to honour the fulpati. By the time the function ends the royal fulpati is already taken inside the Dashain ghar in Hanuman Dhoka Palace. With this the Dashain feasting starts. The eighth day is called the ‘Maha Asthami’. The fervour of worship and sacrifice to Durga and Kali increases. On this day many orthodox Hindus will be fasting. Sacrifices are held in almost every house through out the day. The night of the eighth day is called ‘Kal Ratri’, the dark night. Hundreds of goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed at the mother goddess temples. In the darkness of the night Durga temples, army barracks, and old palaces all over Nepal hold sacrifices for the mother goddess. The sacrifice continues till dawn. The old palace in Basantapur Hanuman Dhoka, is active throughout the night with worships in almost every courtyard. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people where large amount of meat are consumed. The ninth day is called ‘Nawami’. The Taleju temple at Hanuman Dhoka is opened for the public only once a year on this day. Thousands of people go and pay their respect to the goddess day. Temples of mother goddess are filled with people from dawn till dusk. On this day the official military sacrifices are held in the ‘Kot’ courtyard at Hanuman Dhoka. The government allows foreigners to witness this function so hundreds of tourists and diplomats eagerly gather here. Animals mostly black buffaloes are slaughtered by hundreds to honour Durga the goddess of victory and might and to seek her blessing. Military bands play war tunes, guns boom and officers with beautifully decorated medals in full uniform stand there. When the function ends the courtyard is filled ankle deep with blood. On this very day the god Vishwas Karma, the God of creativity is also worshiped. All factories, vehicles, any machinery instruments and anything from which we make a living are worshiped. We also give sacrifices to all moving machinery like cars, aeroplanes, trucks etc. to get the blessing from goddess Durga for protection for vehicles and their occupants against accidents during the year. The entire day is colourful. The tenth day is the ‘Dashami’. On this day we take tika and jamara from our elders and receive their blessing. We visit our elders in their home and get tika from them while our younger ones come to our home to receive blessing from us. The importance of Dasain also lies in the fact that on this day family members from far off and distant relatives come for a visit as well as to receive tika from the head of the family. This function continues for four days. His Majesty also receives tika from the royal priests and then gives on tika to his loyal subjects. Thousands of loyal Nepalese people as well as foreigners also receive tika from His Majesty the King as this is said to be auspicious. After four days of rushing around and meeting your relatives Dashain ends on the full moon day, the fifteenth day. In the last day people stay at home and rest. The full moon day is also called ‘Kojagrata’ meaning ‘who is awake’. The Hindu goddess of wealth Laxmi is worshipped. On this day the goddess Laxmi is given an invitation to visit each and everyone. After Dashain the nation settles back to normal. After receiving the blessing of goddess Durga, people are ready to work and acquire virtue, power and wealth. Dashain thus is not only the longest festival but also the most anticipated one among all the festivals of Nepal.

Legal Safety, and Regulatory Requirements

LEGAL, SAFETY, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 1 Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Requirements Tara Thompson HCS/341 October 1, 2012 Norman Greene LEGAL, SAFETY, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 2 According to Peterson, (2012), â€Å"The Human Resource Department is responsible for compliance of a multitude of employment- and workplace- related laws. Human resource managers are also responsible for training other resource personnel to ensure that the laws are abided by throughout the organization.There are some common laws that affect HR decisions and actions which involve equal opportunity employment, discrimination, labor laws, and medical leaves of absence. † Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Requirements does have an effect on Human Resource in regards to the statement: â€Å"Common Sense and compassion in the workplace has been replaced by litigation† I disagree, I believe there has to be a balance of Common Sense and Compassion while adhering to the Federal Laws that have been se t in place by the Department of Labor which has an impact on the Human Resource department.Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Requirements does have an impact on Human Resource, employees and employers have a contractual relationship and this contractual relationship can be comprised of a few laws that both employee and employer have to abide by in the workplace and Human Resource sees to it that these laws are carried out. These laws were put in place within organizations and businesses by the United States Government to be able to protect the employer, employee and the rights of the public in any situation that may occur on either part.People that work within Human Resources they have to be competent and knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that the Federal Government of the United States have put in place. Federal Laws According to  United States Department of Labor  (n. d. ) â€Å"The Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces more than 180 federal laws. These ma ndates and the regulations that LEGAL, SAFETY, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 3 implement them cover many workplace activities for about 10 million employers and 125 million workers. Some of these Federal Laws that are implemented in the workplace are: Occupational Safety and Health Administration- Safety and Health conditions in most private industries are regulated by OSHA or OSHA-approved state programs, which also cover public sector employers. Employers that are covered under OSHA have to comply with the regulations in regard to the safety and health standards that have been set forth by OSHA. Organizations have a legal duty to provide their employees with workplace conditions that are free from serious hazards.OSHA enforces these regulations through workplace inspections and investigations. (United States Department of Labor,  n. d. ). Employees tend to work at their best when they have sense of security that they are safe in the workplace when performing their work duties. Acc ording to Gomez-Mejia, Balkin, and Cardy  (2010), â€Å"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides legal protection for people with physical or mental disabilities. Under the ADA employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees whose disabilities might prevent them from performing essential job functions adequately, unless it will create an undue hardship for the organization. It is ok for an employer to ask an applicant if they can perform essential job functions, hiring a person with disabilities can also be contingent upon the results of a medical examination. Statement â€Å"Common sense and compassion in the workplace has been replaced by litigation† is a statement that I do not agree with.Common sense is something that we are born with, but at the LEGAL, SAFETY, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 4 same time it may not be so common, â€Å"We define compassion as an empathetic emotional response to another person’s pain or suffering t hat moves people to act in a way that will either ease the person’s condition or make it more bearable. † (Lilius, 2003). In any type of organization situations can occur that can have just cause for litigation.This is why it is critical for Human Resources to enforce and carry out the laws that the Federal government has put in place to ensure that employers, and employees are using their common sense and compassion and no one’s rights are being violated in anyway. Regulations and laws were created and put in place to make sure that people civil rights are not violated and they are treated fairly. Having common sense and compassion allows people to work together, relate to one another and in return they are satisfied with the work they do and accomplishments they make on the job.Working with common sense and compassion also decreases litigation from being in the workplace. Conclusion Human Resources have a multitude of responsibilities and it’s up to the Human Resource managers to carry them out and make sure they are adhered to. There are many Federal Laws and regulations that Human Resource managers should have knowledge about so when a situation occurs they will be able to handle it the right way.Human resource and The Department of Labor work hand in hand in the workplace OSHA guidelines should be adhered to because safety is critical and it is not just the responsibility of Human Resource but the responsibility of administration as well as all employees in the workplace. Everyone has the right to feel safe and work in a safe environment. American Disabilities Act is another law among many that Human Resources must adhere to. There should be a balance of common sense and compassion so that there is little to none litigation in the workplace.LEGAL, SAFETY, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 5 References Gomez-Mejia, L. R. , Balkin, D. B. , & Cardy, R. L. (2010). Managing Human Resources  (6th ed. ). Retrieved from https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/secure/aapd/cwe/citation_generator/book_04_01. asp. Lilius, J. M. (2003). Compassion lab. com. Retrieved from http://www. compassionlab. com/docs/whatgoodiscompassion. pdf Peterson, J. (2012). What Are Various Employment Laws Which Affect HR Decisions & Actions? Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/list_6814373_various-affect-hr-decisions-actions_. html

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Essay - 1901 Words

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie relives the horrors of the Great Depression and the effects it had on many peoples lives. The story is in many ways about the life of Tennessee Williams himself, as well as a play of fiction that he wrote. However, the story is based on Tennessee and his familys struggle to emotionally deal with the harsh realities that followed the crash of 1929 (807). He says in the beginning, I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion (695). The characters Tom, Laura, and Amanda are very much like Williams, his sister Rose, and his mother Edwina. The characters lives seem to avoid reality more than facing it. Each character changed their†¦show more content†¦For Amanda, Toms mom, the fire escape allows Jim to come into the apartment and prevent Laura from becoming a spinster. For Laura, Toms sister, it is her door to the inside world in where she can hide. It is ironic that when Laura does leave the security of her apartment, she falls. This symbolizes Lauras inability to function properly in the outside world. Another major symbol is the title The Glass Menagerie, which represents Lauras hypersensitive nature and fragility. Laura is just as easily broken as a glass unicorn and just as unique. When Jim accidentally bumps into the unicorn and breaks it, the unicorn is no longer unique. When Jim kisses Laura and then sh atters her hopes by telling her that hes engaged, she becomes broken hearted and loses her innocent being, which made her unique. Both Laura and her glass menagerie break when they are exposed to the outside world, represented by Jim. When Laura gives Jim her broken unicorn as a souvenir, it symbolizes her broken heart that Jim will take with him when he leaves and it also provided her with a new confidence. Now the unicorn is no longer unique, like her, but rather as common as a horse, like him. Therefore, she gives the unicorn to Jim, giving him a little bit of her shattered hopes to take with him. The Glass Menagerie also uses a rainbow to symbolize hope and each mention of rainbows in the play is associated with a hopefulShow MoreRelatedThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams985 Words   |  4 Pageshardly catch it going. ¨ This quote by the author of The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams, describes both The Glass Menagerie, a memory play, and the life of Tennessee Wi lliams himself, for whom memories played a large role in his life. Within the play, many parallels can be drawn between the life of Williams and the life of Tom, the main character, such as a disdain for factory work. In addition, several characters in The Glass Menagerie have a difficult time fitting into the roles that theirRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams Essay940 Words   |  4 PagesTennessee Williams was a renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning playwriter for his numerous plays throughout his career. One of such plays is The Glass Menagerie. After perfecting his play for many years, The Glass Menagerie was first introduced to Broadway on March 31, 1945. As a young writer, Williams lived vicariously through his plays. Throughout this play in particular, there are several allegories that pertain to Williams life. Although Williams had a relatively happy childhood, his life changedRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams986 Words   |  4 PagesTennessee W illiams’s The Glass Menagerie, is a classic drama about a young man who is tired of his dull and boring existence. Tom, the main character, struggles to deal with his family, who is apparently holding him back in life. 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LifeRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams1249 Words   |  5 Pagesthe outside world The Glass Menagerie is very interesting because William s play relates to alot of people and their situations, people can learn alot from it alot whether they connect to Amanda and her past or to Laura and her lack of confidence and being in a world of her own or to Tom and his internal conflict about abandoning his family or staying with them. Laura s life is all about her glass menageries what happens when her glass unicorn breaks? What happens when a gentlemanRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams1619 Words   |  7 PagesIsolation is prevalent in â€Å"The Glass Menagerie† by Tennessee Williams. This is presented in symbols such as blue roses and the glass unicorn, for they are imagined objects and only existent in another fantasy world. Williams incorporates such arcane symbols to draw out his characters, Amanda, Laura, and Tom, and how they cope with confinement. Most importantly, the symbols of the play represent how isolation debilita tes them psychologically in an attempt to connect with reality. The jonquils representRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee William1014 Words   |  5 PagesIn the play â€Å"The Glass Menagerie† of Tennessee William, he wrote a drama play to emphasize readers about the life is at a standstill the Wingfield family. Through of the Wingfield family, he uses many symbols which represent many things, but the important main symbolization is fire escape that shows three main characters; Tom Wingfield, his fire escape is the way out of Amanda and Laura. Amanda Wingfield, hope gentlemen callers to enter their lives, and Laura Wingfield, who wants in her own worldRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams1534 Words   |  7 PagesThe Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Tennessee Williams, born Thomas Lanier Williams, wrote The Glass Menagerie, a play which premiered in Chicago in 1944. This award winning play, autobiographical in nature, represented a time in which Williams felt the obligation of his responsibilities in regards to the care of his family. Robert DiYanni, Adjunct Professor of Humanities at New York University, rated it as, â€Å"One of his best-loved plays...a portrayal of loneliness among characters who confuseRead MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams Essay876 Words   |  4 PagesIn Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, there is a collection of glass animal figurines that belong to Laura. Laura uses those figurines to escape her reality. The â€Å"glass menagerie† is also a metaphor because all of the characters have a metaphorical glass menagerie that they use to escape their reality. Tom escapes his reality by going to the movies, drinking, and writing poetry. Tom says, â€Å"I go to the movies because – I like adventure†¦ something I don’t have much of at work† (Williams 33)Read MoreThe Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams867 Words   |  4 Pagesdraw the line between getting what you want and doing what you are obligated to do? In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, the main characters are torn between fulfilling their desires and aligning with their role in society. On the surface, Amanda Wingfield plays the role of a caring mother that would do anything in her children’s best interest. However, according to the play, â€Å"The Glass Menagerie†, you should never be fooled by the â€Å"Illusion of the truth.† She indeed values her children’s