I have finally finished my word cloud for adolescents! For those of you that haven’t read the other posts I put up in this vein, here is the gist of this exercise:
I have constructed, with the help of others, word clouds depicting words that represent needs in the life of a growing child. Not just what they need from adults specifically, but an overall view of concepts they need to grow up healthy and happy. I am posting here all 4 of them, working backwards, with adolescence at the top and then working back through childhood, the toddler years and finally infancy. Let me know what your thoughts are about the progression, and each word cloud. And don’t forget to check out www.movetheory.com!
ADOLESCENT WORD CLOUD
CHILDHOOD WORD CLOUD
TODDLER WORD CLOUD
BABY WORD CLOUD
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March 26, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Megan Rosker
I like how you are giving people the tools to be responsible for themselves, rather than leaving parental tasks and care to others. Each word cloud, forces readers to look at themselves to see if their life is functioning in a way that is healthy for the child. In the examination the opportunity arises for the reader to become more responsible in their role as a caregiver.
March 26, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Dr. Kwame M. Brown
Yes! You are the first commenter (maybe not the first reader, who knows) to completely get that intention! Thanks Meg. My goal is to create an environment of constant discussion through which we ALL become more intuitive and informed to make decisions WITH each other and WITH the children we guide.
March 26, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Mary Rivkin
Kwame–Hi. How about adding “secure relationships with caregivers” for infants and toddlers at least?
March 26, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Dr. Kwame M. Brown
Hi Mary! I am so honored that you would come here and comment! For anyone reading this comment, Mary Rivkin is a renowned expert on the field/idea/practice of exploratory scientific learning in early childhood. Any educators, of young or older children, should check out some of her books here. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mary+rivkin&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3532394417&ref=pd_sl_6wgd0gs5l3_b
Mary – I may have not thought this through enough, but I was thinking that “secure relationships with caregivers” would be covered by Safety, Familial Love and Affection, and Attentiveness combined. What do you think?
March 27, 2011 at 4:35 am
josh
Great clouds Kwame!
Seems like you’ve covered all of the bases!
Here are a couple that I think are likely by-products of things you’ve already listed, but may provoke thought or be worthy of adding:
Diversity
Imagination
Curiosity
Coaching/Guidance
Opportunity for Practice
Persistence/Determination
Humor and Laughter
Keep it up man!
Josh
March 27, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Dr. Kwame M. Brown
Josh, this has been such an interesting process to go through with my colleagues and fellow thought leaders. Not only for the additions and branch offs people make, but also for the differences in terminology and the micro vs. macro question regarding what to include. In other words, some things appear to be made up of other things. Examples below:
1. Play = Diversity, Imagination, Curiosity
2. Coaching/Guidance = Familial Love & Affection + Attentiveness (but I could also see coaching / guidance on it’s own – or implied by an inverse relationship with varying levels of independence)
3. Persistence / Determination = Self-Efficacy + Play + Safety + Independence (possibly)
4. Humor and Laughter = THIS MAY BE A GOOD ADD!!! I don’t think this is represented here at all, except implicitly through play. It may deserve to stand on its own, let me think on it. Ummm….LOL?
March 27, 2011 at 11:26 pm
josh
Hahaha…ok! Great equations! Those might be good to hang onto…x+y=z…
March 28, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Brian Grasso
I adore both the concept and execution of what you’ve done here, Kwame. The concept of this being a user friendly, guiding reminder to parents/caregivers (etc) is truly a work for genius. I can see these on the walls of daycares and schools worldwide. My 2 favorite ‘words’ you used (on the adolescent cloud) were – (1) Independance & (2) Touch… Don’t fight young adults as they walk towards independence; remember that our job is to guide them into adulthood and understand their trials/need to growth, experience and learn. And ‘touch’… How critical!! The “I don’t hug my kid anymore because he’s 15 now” is just so silly. TOUCH IS HUMAN NATURE!!!!! Absence of is a conditioned response (among many other potential issue). Dr. B… You complete me, son
March 28, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Dr. Kwame M. Brown
Guided Discovery, my brother, guided discovery! We are and always will be kindred spirits!