Understanding Childhood...in Germany

I've been a student since January, learning about Early Childhood Education/Development. I'm not used to semesters, but I've gotten used to the length and the sometimes monotony of 17 week classes instead of a sheer 10. An undergrad student last Spring and a post grad and flux of other things for this one. I enjoy my schedule. I'm lucky that it's fairly flexible, and it ends up being a bit different every day which is also a rare luxury. I'm trying to appreciate all that I have now, the benefits even if they are not the monetary kind, for now.

My classes are now begging the question of what I have to take from the knowledge I've inherited these past 4 months. It isn't easy, but I think it's worth it. I will try to sum it up for you here.

I've learned about toddlers and their needs, and why they love the word no. The importance of developmentally appropriate practices and what they look like, as well as the quality of a center as well as the teachers and educators. I very much learned about the great impact of media and commercialization and socialization on children and how this impacts them, their thinking, behavior, future and everything else that surrounds them. Speaking of surroundings, Bronfenberner has a theory that various things affect and influence a child such as family, their environment, their friends, their school and teachers, their religious activities, sports and so on. Oh, and there are also other theorists such as Piaget, Erikson. And Frobel created Kindergarten, which is a German word and was started in Germany. Interesting, right? Many things influence the molding, shaping and learning of a child. I've also learned that the ECD field is very important, and interesting, fun, rewarding and becoming more respected as well as diverse in our society.

Whew. That was a lot. And that was just a (very) brief summary.

Some other things that have related to this specific and interesting field of study is a book I'm reading. Achtung Baby is a fluid read. I've only just started and it's hard to put down. The author is a Mom and has moved to Berlin, Germany with her husband and talkative 2 yr old daughter for her husband's schooling and job status. Sara (the author) learns all about the culture differences of German culture and how American she really is! Deutsch parenting styles are very independent and free roaming other than the well known 'helicopter parenting' where the parent literally hovers over their child watching their every move on a constant basis. Germans are not like that, and it's a very think for yourself and be responsible type of culture when handling the art, if you will of raising children.

Sara's daughter goes to a German preschool, known as a kita. It's a free roaming type program where play is the main and most important aspect. Sara has qualms about the kita but becomes calmed and soothed learning about the pros of a play based program instead of a solely academic one in America. Her daughter even becomes fluent in German! Herrlich!

Another topic pertaining to ECD is one that is personal. I will be seeing my sweet 4 year old nephew's school, and I know that he is excited and proud to show it off.  I am also excited to see it and get a tour. It will be cool for him to share this with me but also for me to learn more about it and add to what I've learned throughout this semester so far.

Arab April

April holds some special memories for me. It's the start of Spring and although it can still be rainy, the thought of sunshine, and blossoming of flowers gives me hope. Just two years ago, I was blossoming in my own way. I was dealing with some hard times and depression and was looking for waves of inspiration and sheer distraction from my deep melancholy blues. I had ideas for studying Arabic a few months prior from April 2016 but never got around to it. This creeping and cloudy depression took a turn and needed something to keep me motivated and for the creative juices to continue flowing. Arabic became a strong force for me. I jumped into a new endeavor, and experienced a wave of excitement with this language. Arabic helped a lot in terms of my dark mood which put blinders on my eyes and perspective. It didn't cure me since only God can fully do that, but it helped me in moments of pain and despair.

April 2017 wasn't a breeze or a piece of cake either. I had my share of suffering and growing pains in various ways. It was a waiting game, in terms of graduating, and figuring out the next steps as well as looking for volunteer work and ways to give. I was getting frustrated with the results of how these two waiting situations made me feel since it was difficult not to focus on them.There was a day in April last year when I didn't have class and really wanted to see a Israeli cooking documentary. It was only playing in the city and I persuaded my mom to come see it with me. Luckily, she was open and interested enough so we made a day trip of it. It just so happened that it was the last day of showing, so we were extra lucky. This Israeli cooking documentary ('In Search of Israeli Cuisine') gave me a strong power of inspiration and conviction of my interests in Israel, the Arab world, cooking and especially Middle Eastern cooking and how the surrounding regions are influenced by the food. I recognized a good amount of the food being mentioned in the film and it made me excited that I was in the know of this rich culture of food and cooking. My spirits and hopes lifted and I knew my path was somehow, somewhere linked with Middle Eastern cooking, the Arabic language and all that relates to it.

A year later, I have gotten more comfortable with Arabic cooking and only more inspired to learn more and try out more. I have also been keeping up with my Arabic language learning and only want to improve! I now have 3 Middle Eastern cookbooks and love looking through them and using them. For Christmas this past year, I got the large textbook- like cookbook by the director of the documentary film, In Search of Israeli Cuisine who also has his own restaurant. His cookbook inspired by his restaurant makes me reminisce about the day I saw his film, and also how much I still have to learn about the incredible and influential food in Israel.

So, what's next? I guess more discovering and learning which is always exciting! Here is my other blog that goes through everything Arabic and a challenge and learning process for me.
hummusha.blogspot.com

Right after seeing the film, In Search of Israeli Cuisine