Personal Childhood Web

This page is dedicated to the people who nutured and cared for me when I was a child! I love you guys sooooo much!

My mom has to be the first person that I talk about. She informed me that I could not put her picture on the internet and said she would be upset if I did. Good thing she does not know how to work a computer..lol! My mom was the nuturer. She was always there for me when I was growing up. We did not have a lot of money but she had more than enough love. She never withheld it from me, she always showed and told me. My mom is the type of person that does not often get upset. It takes a lot to push her to that point, but if you do... OMG... and yes I did one time. I watched my mother put herself on the back burner to make sure her children had everything we needed in life. We might not have always gotten what we wanted but there was not a need that went unmet. My mom made me feel special, beautiful, and loved when I was growing up(she still does to this day). She always told me that she was proud of me when I did something that made her proud. Even when I fell short of accomplishing something she knew exactly what to say to make me feel good about myself. She always encouraged and supported me. She never took up for me when I was wrong( I did not like this growing up).  My mom was and still is the sparkle in my eye, she is the reason I can smile and smile from the heart. She taught me to love myself and if it was not for her I would not today. My moms influence stills continues to impact my life. I call myself LiL Linda. I always said I was going to show my children the same love and affection that she showed her children when we were younger. Even now when I am going through hard times or have a tought situation with one of my children I can call her and get advice and wisdom.  I can remeber my mom always coming to anything I had at school(not just me but my brothers and sister) and she always made time to come outside and interact with us. She still does when we go to the house but now she includes the grandchildren. I really love my MOMMY and she taught me how to love!

I have an aunt named Sharon, OMG she was always there when I was younger. She showed me that she cared about me by letting me come stay at her house and by helping out my mom whenever she needed her. I would consider her my provider. (yes my dad was in the picture) I can remember in school, whenever I was going on a trip I would always call my aunt. I thought she was rich when I was a child because she always had money or anything I needed when I was growing up. She stepped in and helped my mother and that meant a lot to me.  She was always my favorite aunt. She came around on the holidays and would spend the nights at my house. She was always an active part of my life. Even today she will call me once every other week just to check on me. Every holiday she still comes around and spends time with us. She showed me that love does not have to stop for a person just because they get old enough to take care of themselves. She has influenced me to always be there for other people when they are in a need.


I had a lot of people in my life when I was growing up, but not too many that I can say left a major impact or was there for me like that when I was younger.

Personalized to suit Me!

                                                   I was 4 or 5. Graduating from Headstart   

"Education is a journey, not a race!" - Author: Unknown
I really love this quote. I fell in love with it when I first heard it. I was at a head start meeting with one of my children years ago and the teacher quoted this. At the time it really hit due to the fact I was already thinking about how I could cram two to three years of knowledge into my five year old (due to him having to start school late) so that he could catch up with my sister's son. At the time I just wanted to show everyone that he could be on the same level if not in front of his cousin. My sister and I began to drill knowledge into our boys trying to out due the other. My son was slowly turning off from school because of this. Academic wise my son was on the same level but my nephew was more mature and fit for the higher grade. I was proving to my sister that although my son was younger he could grasp any knowledge her son could have. ( We both found out we were wrong).  It was after hearing this quote that I understood that academics should be tailored to the child. It was a process my son would have to go through not a race to the finish.
In case you are wondering what this have to do with early childhood I'll explain. It's at the early stages that we educators began to teach our students. If we forget that each child is different and will get from point A to point B through out the journey. As a parent I did not have to push my son just to race my sister's son. While doing so I was turning him off from school, taking something that he once enjoyed and turning it into a competition. All to see which child would finish the race the quickest. The goal was jumping a grade. We did not realize that in each grade it's something very fundamental for each individual child.




My 4 year old son just started school. He brought home a picture (I tried to upload it but I could not get the scanner to work) in the picture was grey lines all over the paper. I asked him to tell me about the picture, He told me he drew waves. I asked him why the waves were grey and not blue. He said because he could not find the blue crayon and the teacher told him to use that one. I was waiting for him to tell me something else. I laughed after her told me only because he did not use the wrong color trying to make a statement or for any reason he knew the waves should have been blue but he used what he was given and used his creativity to draw his picture. The next day he said it was something else..LOL.. With a paper completely covered in grey, my guess is it can be whatever you want the picture to be at any given moment. Way to use the imagination.  Things like this remind me of why i fell in love with early childhood. Children keep you happy.

Something to think about

In my childcare center I provide assistance for individuals who can not get help from DSS and can not pay for childcare. One of my parents asked today "Why I care so much, she wanted to know what I was profiting by helping her since I am not making the money?" I asked her which is worst... To see someone with a need and not help them or be the person with a need and to prideful to ask or take the assistance? To have a true passion for something is based on what you get from it... The joy you get from knowing you made a difference in some one's life! I explained to her that I do what I do because I care not because of the money!!!

Thoughts on Early Childhood

Hello Everyone! My name is Crystal Riddick. I created this blog to allow you entry into my mind regarding my thoughts about early childhood studies.The most important stage in life is early childhood. I am honored to be able to assist in the shaping and molding of the children in my care.  I received a degree in social work from Elizabeth City State University. After obtaining my degree I worked as a case manager. I assisted individuals with emotional, social, and behavior disorders. I am currently a Sunday school and bible class teacher at my church. I work with teenagers and young adults. I enjoy working with them as well as working with the younger children. I really love advocating on behalf of young people. I think it's very important to be a positive voice for individuals with out a voice. I really love what I do. It's more than a job, it's truly a passion. I'm helping change some one's today for a brighter tomorrow. I am looking forward to interacting and exchanging thoughts with you.