How do you define ‘culture’? I find that conversations about culture invariably evolve into a conversation about diversity and vice versa. I suppose that both of these words conjure images of and about differences. Those images may be both negative and positive which is bound to have an effect on the communication between and among people. 
 

Change and early childhood

Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana is the chief advisor for the U.S. Education Secretary, Arne Duncan. In her post, she advises Secretary Duncan on preschool, elementary and secondary education matters.
 

Last week was a difficult one for me being away from home for an extended period of time since the birth of my daughter, and at the same time exciting to meet with my Head Start counterparts and other federally funded program staff in Washington DC for Early Childhood 2010.

The Lenawee County Fair 4H clubs focus on quality. The Lenawee County Fair just ended and I was reminded how important training is even for the youngest children at the fair. The 4H clubs require the children who show pigs at the fair to take a class on Pork Quality Assurance. Children who complete the Pork Quality Assurance class learn how to tell when the pig is sick and how to give a shot if the pig is sick. The children learn how to identify one pig from the other and how to care for their pigs. Simple things like not to keep them outside too long because they

I am the mother of two boys, ages 7 and 4. Both have had the benefit of quality child care since they were three months old and quality preschool beginning at age three. We are blessed to have the resources and many child care/preschool providers in our town that allows our family the ability to have choices. It also doesn’t hurt that I have been working in human services for over 10 years with connections to key agencies and staff who have helped me inform these decisions. 
 

The importance of diversity
 
We often hear that diversity is important in our work. 
 
Have you stopped to ponder why? I have given it some thought and have more to ponder. I believe that reflecting on the value of diversity is a first step in opening up for personal growth. It provides an opportunity to learn in a very different way than how one has learned in the past.  
 

They are just baby teeth! 
 
I have long been a fan of the television show Myth Busters although I rarely have the opportunity to watch, but one myth that could be dispelled is that of “baby” teeth. 
 
They are just baby teeth! 
 

 
In simpler terms one in 50 children will experience homelessness and the adverse risks associated such as developmental delays, domestic violence, and health conditions.
 
Before I share a few links with you it is important to make a clear distinction about homelessness.  Close your eyes and take just three seconds to picture what “homeless” looks like to you.
 

The ALIA Institute ended a week ago today and I am still pondering and stirring all that I heard, saw, felt, experienced, and learned while I was there. It feels a bit like when one pans for gold; a meditative, swirling, refining process that slowly, slowly reveals the gold nuggets. If I go too fast, I might actually miss the real gold and if I stop too soon, I might be satisfied with the fool’s gold.  So as I step through the daily activities of my work, practicing mindfulness in my choices and interactions, I am noticing what is ri