# data[].attributes.body
Your assignments look great. I especially enjoyed reading your very thoughtful family of origin reflection. It looks like you're still missing the practice "elevator speech" for your director/supervisor. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! :)

# data[].attributes.body
1.  Why are the early years particularly important for all learning and development? What is the difference between a sensitive period and a critical period of development?
The early years are crucial to learning and development. During the first 5 years of life, the brain grows to 90% of its adult size. Scientists refer to the ability for the brain to change with experience as "plasticity". Research shows the brain "has most plasticity during the early years, and it decreases with age" (P26) This shows how flexible and malleable the brain is during those years.
A sensitive period is when the brain is most susceptible to learning and development. For example, the sensitive period for language learning is thought to be between birth and age 6. This means that past this period, language development will be more difficult, and won't follow a typical trajectory. A critical period of development is a period of time when specific stimulation must take place for certain skills to be acquired. I remember learning that if an infant were to be blindfolded during the first few months of life, they would never develop vision. To develop vision, a child's eyes and brain must be stimulated.

2.  Why do you think poverty has such a profound impact on children’s development?
Children who grow up in poverty are exposed to many risk factors. These can include malnutrition, depression, exposure to environmental hazards and toxins, substance abuse, trauma and many others. These factors can hinder healthy development, causing long-term cognitive, social and emotional effects. Children who grow up in low socioeconomic environments experience a reduction in learning opportunities, which will affect their academic achievement. If children's basic needs aren't being met (such as nutrition and medical/dental needs), they can struggle and fall behind.

# data[].attributes.body
1. What are some of the cognitive, socioemotional, and academic consequences of learning more than one language during the early childhood years?
One cognitive consequence to being bilingual is an improved ability with executive control tasks, such as attention and memory. They display more mental flexibility than children learning one language. A socioemotional advantage to being bilingual is having a strong cultural identity and a strong sense of self. Being a dual language learner seems to make children better able to regulate emotions and get along with others This ability to make relationships with peers and adults also correlates to academic success later in life.

2. Identify two myths about dual language learning during the early childhood years and explain why they do not reflect current research.
One myth about dual language learners is that learning two languages will confuse and/or delay the acquisition of English.
Research shows there are no negative effects to learning two languages on the cognitive, social or language development of young children (Bialystok, 2002; Genesee, Paradis, Crago, 2004). Some research shows children are better at learning languages than adults are (Kuhl, Tsao & Loi, 2003)
Another myth is that Spanish-speaking Latinos show social as well as academic delays when entering Kindergarten. One study showed Spanish-speaking Kindergarteners were more socially and emotionally competent than their peers (Crosnoe, 2005). This could be because of strong values, both in the family and in the general culture, as well as parenting styles.

# data[].attributes.body
There are many values I hold dear. They include honesty, responsibility and humility. I was raised to value community over individuals, that the good of the whole must supercede the good of the one.
During my childhood, I did not receive a lot of emotional support. Emotions were not discussed in my family, or at school. I had to learn to deal with my emotions on my own. This influenced me to be a very resilient person.
I was raised in a low socioeconomic family. My parents did not graduate college, they both worked to support the family. This has lead me to value hard work and independence.
I spent a lot of time socializing in school and afterschool programs. I believe my peers were a bigger influence that the teachers in my life.
My ethnic background is caucasian. I was born and raised in France, by French parents. I immigrated to the US when I was 11 years old. I consider my culture to be European, but also American since I spent the second half of my childhood (adolescence) in the US. Being an immigrant has made me more compassionate towards immigrants, because I can relate to the experience of leaving your home country. This also makes me a more understanding and tolerant person. I have experienced very little discrimination based on my cultural background, especially compared to other minority cultures who experience discrimination on a systematic level.
All of my personal and childhood experiences will accompany me into the classroom because they make up who I am as a person. I have tried to be a better teacher by learning from my own experiences, and using those lessons to become a better person. Both positive and negative experiences can teach us lessons, as long as you look at them positively.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Family Language and Cultural Interview (English) copy

# data[].attributes.body
I am strong and fierce
I wonder what my purpose is
I hear the sounds of children playing
I see magic
I want peace for everyone
I am strong and fierce

I pretend I am not stressed out
I feel the stress of all the people in the world
I touch everyone I meet with love
I worry people are hurting
I cry tears of sadness
I am strong and fierce

I understand love is real
I say I love you
I dream about peace and love
I try to manifest peace and love
I hope the Earth isn't destroyed
I am strong and fierce

# data[].attributes.body
A.B. age 2 years 5 months
Home language: Arabic
Exposure to English: in Early Head Start program since 18 months old

# data[].attributes.body
English Learners in Sacramento County