“What we live through is who we become” Oprah Winfrey The Dignity of Children

A Reflection of My Past On the mirror describe an event in your life that has shaped who you are, impacted your beliefs, changed the way you look at things, etc.

Great Beginnings Project Create a timeline to represent your life from the day you were born to the plans you have for the future. You will need to use several timelines to complete the project (at least 3). This can be presented in any format (Powerpoint, Word, etc.) You may use online templates as long as they have presentation capability. Use pictures (downloaded photos, clipart, images, etc.) to represent the important events, meaningful experiences, etc. Select 5 personal items to bring to class to share about yourself from your past, present and/or future. 2-3 in-class work days next week (computer labs)

Great Beginnings Presentations

Great Beginnings Presentations

Great Beginnings Presentations

The Dignity of Children Documentary Provides living proof that childhood has a lasting impact on our lives Features children from all over the world as they talk about love, spirituality, and their parents; and they relate their struggles with being the victims of childhood insults, like being called a nerd or going through a teenage pregnancy. Reminds us that children are, without a doubt, so pure and innocent, that our interactions with them can have a profound impact on their lives

THE DIGNITY OF CHILDREN What we live through is who we become. Good parents will never let the dignity of their children suffer – dignity is like fingerprints, different for everyone but in the long run, the same thing. What’s the hardest things for kids? I think we can only achieve perfection with groups…the greatest things we achieve are with someone else’s help. If I could ask my dad one question it would be “Where have you been all these years?” My single greatest feeling of growing up was being alone. It would be wonderful if we could begin with pride in who we are (originality) “Sometimes I don’t think I look like what I look like in the mirror.” When you humiliate a child you are taking away their dignity. I’ll always be your daughter but [David] will be my dad. I’m done growing up. Sorry. Who is going to hold back my hair when I get sick? It’s hard to be a kid and a mom at the same time. HOW DO WE BEST LOVE THE CHILDREN?

LEARNING ABOUT CHILDREN

License to Parent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9xklAjvHSw It takes some time to load so you may want set it up early. I used this show as a lead in for a discussion about why we need to learn about why we need to learn about parenting, children, etc. If people have to get a license to fish, hunt, drive, etc. why not require it for raising children. I have sometimes had the students write a job description/resume for parenting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9xklAjvHSw

PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE Row 1: What in your past has impacted who you are today? Row 2: What in your past might impact your future plans? Row 3: What in your present might impact your future plans? Look at each set of drawings. Which ones might impact the decision to become a parent or what type of parent you might become?