Quotes by Janet Gonzales-Mena and Stanley Greenspan

"Part of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena


"The moment I decided to follow instead of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world."  
Janet Gonzalez-Mena

“We really need to change that historic dichotomy of cognition on the one hand, emotions on the other hand, and realize that our emotions are the fuel that gives rise to social behavior but also to different levels of intelligence,”

Stanley Greenspan

“If you do a little bit of looking at books with your children and inspire them to be curious about the pictures and ... what the word means, but don't get into very structured systematic teaching at too early an age, ... and you also interact emotionally and have fun with pretend play ... then you have the best of both worlds.”

Stanley Greenspan

Quotes (From video segment)

"There's more to life than just what's in their neighborhood" By Raymond Hernandez in regards to parents realizing their potential.

"My passion comes from wanting to make a difference" By Raymond Hernandez.

"I'm not here to save the world, I'm here just to make a difference in the community where I'm working" By Raymond Hernandez.

"You care about them enough to help them transition to what's next, and what's best" By Renatta Cooper.

"It opens up the world to you" By Renatta Cooper

"Were not there yet" By Renatta Cooper.

"Families need support" By Leticia Lara.

A Child That Has Touched My Life......

I work in a state funded program and because of this i work with low income children and their families, as well as many foster children. I have had many experiences that make what i do on a daily basis very fulfilling, but there is one particular child that has truly touched my life.


This child began in my class shortly after he turned 2 years old. He was in his third foster home and his current foster parents did not know how long he would be with them. When he started he was very quiet, didn't interact with the other children, didn't speak much, and didn't want myself or the other teachers to hold or touch him. It took a great deal of encouragement to get him to play with the toys/materials, and to come to the table for meals or any other activities. We worked with this child daily on his social skills, his verbal abilities, and just getting him comfortable around us. He slowly began to open up, and every now and then we would catch him playing and laughing with the other children. Now this little boy comes in with a smile on his face, hug's the teachers, plays with the other children as well as the toys. He participates fully in small and large group activities and has a large vocabulary. The way he has grown, and the child he has become has really opened my eyes to how important the little things we do as caregivers really is. 

My All Time Favorite Children's Book.....

 I have always enjoyed books by Dr. Seuss, but Green Eggs and Ham has always been my favorite. I enjoy the rhyming words, the persistance, then at the end the willingness to try something new and actually LIKING it. The illustrations in this book are well done, and there are many activities that can be done along with this book to encourage literacy and a love for books.