Saturday, March 24, 2012

Childhood Stressors

This assignment was difficult for me in that I have never experienced any of those stressors listed growing up as a child.  It was not until college where I heard my first stories of people growing up poor.  I remember the story my friend told me of her experience.  Her, her mom, and her brother lived in a 1 bedroom apartment.  They received public assistance to pay the rent, get food, and pay bills.  They all slept in one bed in a rodent infested building.  On morning she was sleeping and woke up to a dead rat in her bed.  She said she was forced to work as soon as she turned 13 to help bring income into the house.  She said there were many days were they had limited food and many times she went to bed hungry.  Her mother worked but did not make enough to fully provide for the house.  Her experiences with poverty are her driving force for the work she does today.  She is a member of many organizations that empower girls and help guide them to make the right decisions.  She is extremely money conscious, ensuring that she and her son would not fall into the situation she was raised in as a child.

There are many stressors children face in Brazil.  Poverty and drug use are very common among children as more than half of the countries population lives in extreme poverty (Children  of Bahia, 2005).  It is estimated that 8 million children are living on the streets.  Brazil has one of the highest populations of AIDS in South American, which effects families and children (Children of Bahia, 2005).  Last year the government implemented a program called Brasil Sem Miseria (Brazil Without Poverty).  This program is designed to provide health and education programs as well as giving money to the poor (BBC, 2011).  In return for some of the services, guardians must ensure their children attend school and are vaccinated (BBC, 2011). 


Resources

Children of Bahia (2005). Child Poverty in Brazil. Retrieved from http://www.childrenofbahia.com/childpoverty.htm

BBC News (2011).  Brazil launches scheme to lift millions out of poverty. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13626951
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Sunday, March 11, 2012

Child Development and Public Health- Malnutrition

As I work in different areas and schools, I understand how important proper nutrition is to the development of young children.  Many school districts are beginning to implement healthy breakfast for all young children at no additional cost.  I can be honest and say I had reservations around breakfast being served to children in school, as it is one less responsibility parents will have.  However I know in low income areas, children do not have access to healthy meals and snacks and developing healthy children is the responsibility of everyone who functions within the society.   Malnutrition causes 30% of deaths in young children from birth to age five (WHO, 2012).   Malnutrition can effect proper brain development, stunt physical growth, and increase acceptability of diseases (Berger, 2009, p.157).  Malnutrition is affecting almost 195 million children around the world.  An insufficient amount of essential nutrients, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, is the main source of malnutrition, not just a minimal amount of food (Doctors without borders, 2012, para. 1, 3).

 There are the “hotspots” for malnutrition which includes Sahel, South Asia, and the horn of Africa.  In some South American countries, the implementation of nutritional programs has begun to decrease malnutrition rates among young children (Doctors Without Borders, 2012, para. 5, 7).  In South Asia, malnourished children have high deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, and iodine.  Poverty is the main cause of malnutrition, although status of women in society, low birth rate, poor hygiene, and poor child feeding practices also contribute.  Approximately, 1/3 of children are malnourished and over 1/3 of women are underweight and malnourished (The World Bank, 2011). 

It is important that parents and teachers are educated about nutrition and the effects of proper and improper nutrition.   I will include such information as part of my advocacy work with parents in efforts to increase their support for healthy development for their children.  In my work with teachers, I will begin to include more nutritional pieces as it is vital to the development of the “whole child”.

Resources

Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Doctors Without Borders. (2012). Malnutrition. Retrieved from http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/issue.cfm?id=2396

The World Bank. (2011). South Asia. An urgent call for action: undernourished children of South Asia.  Retrieved from http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/0,,contentMDK:22264595~menuPK:158937~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:223547,00.html

World Health Organization (WHO). (2012). Promoting proper feeding for infants and young children. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infantfeeding/en/index.html


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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Birthing Expereince

It is difficult for me to write about a personal birth experience.  Of course I do not remember my own, I do not have any children, and I have not been in the delivery room for any of my friends (only 3) who have had children.  What I can say is that of all my friends who have had children, all asked for assistance from pain medicine, and 2 of the 3 were vaginal.  The cesarean birth was not by choice but a choice made by the doctors.  When the time comes for me to have children I would like to explore the process of natural birth with the assistance of a midwife and doula.  I think the birthing process is amazing.  The impact of the process on child development for me focuses on the parents and how the birthing experience can enhance, change, or deepen their feelings around the freedom and exploration they give their children has they grow. 

In Japan, the birthing process is different than that in the US.  Many women choose to not use pain medicine as representation of suffering in the Buddhist religion. Enduring pains through labor is a representation of the pains and challenges a women will endure during child raising.  This practice of not using pain medication is slowly beginning to change as the use of meds can allow for a more pleasurable birth experience.   During labor in the US, fathers are often the labor coaches and/or present during delivery but, that is not common practice in Japan.  Fathers are only allowed to be present if they have taken prenatal classes with the mother.  Also in Japan women stay in the hospital much longer than women in the US after giving birth.  My friends who had vaginal births were sent home in 3 days and my friend who had a cesarean delivery was sent home after 7 days.  In Japan, mothers stay at the hospital for at least 5 days after a vaginal birth and a minimum of 10 for ceserean birth.

Resources

Schalken, L. (n.d.) Birth customs around the world. Parents. Retrieved on March 3, 2012 from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=4
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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Code of Ethics: 3 important ideals

I-3C.2- To create and maintain a climate of trust and candor that will enable staff to speak and act in the best interests of children, families, and the field of early childhood care and education. (NAEYC)

III. 3.3- We shall recognize and respect the dignity, diversity, and autonomy of the families and children we serve. (DEC)

II.2- We shall continually be aware of issues challenging the field of early childhood special education and advocate for changes in laws, regulations, and policies leading to improved outcomes and services for young children with disabilities and their families. (DEC)

As I am growing in my profession and as a leader within the field of early childhood education, it is important to stay aware of all the current policies, developments, and changes within the field.  In doing so, I will become a better resource to those who have limited access.  Staying up to date will also enhance my performance as an advocate and it will position me so that I will always be able to make intelligent choices and decisions; knowing, it can be backed by resources, data, policy, research, and experience.  In efforts to serve families and children, the value of trust is vital to my success.  It is important for me to be truthful and honest but also humble when working with families and children.  Honesty and truth will help to form relationships and show dedication and commitment which are important qualities for families to feel from ECE professionals.  Trust and honesty are also important for me to possess as I build and maintain relationships with colleagues and other ECE professionals.  In order for me excel I have to have a wide resource pool which includes professionals, and without the support and contribution of others it would be impossible to move forward within the field.  Aside from trust and truth, I should always have and maintain respect for families and their children.  With such a wide array of cultures, diversity, economic statuses, and family compositions, no family is alike.  As I continue to flourish within the field, keeping these 3 ideals close to heart will allow for continued success; as education, respect and honesty are fundamental qualities of success in life and prosperity.



Resources

NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May       26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.dec-sped.org/
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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Course Resources

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices


Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations


Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to “How Do I...?”, select “Tips for Specific Formats and Resources,” and then “e-journals” to find this search interface.)

  • YC Young Children
  • Childhood
  • Journal of Child & Family Studies
  • Child Study Journal
  • Multicultural Education
  • Early Childhood Education Journal
  • Journal of Early Childhood Research
  • International Journal of Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Research Quarterly
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Studies
  • Maternal & Child Health Journal
  • International Journal of Early Years Education
Part. 5 Additional Resources

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
http://www.nectac.org/topics/menhealth/menhealth.asp

PBS Teachers: Early Childhood Article Archive
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/articles/archive.html

Book: Literacy and Young Children: Research- Based Practices.
         Edited by Diane M. Barone and Lesley Mandel Morrow
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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

“We don't think about child care properly. We continue to think about it as a service that lets mothers and fathers go to work, which of course it is, so it's easy to think about it that way. But it's also the environment that determines a considerable part of the growth and development of children. And once you start thinking about it that way it's a different ball game.” ~ Edward Zigler, 2002

“You have to shoot for two things, to make sure that everything you do is quality and that everything you do is true to a model that includes parents, addresses the whole child and is of appropriate intensity.”~Edward Zigler, 2004
"If you as parents cut corners, your children will too.  If you lie, they will too.  If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either.  And if your parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out."~ Marian Wright Edelman
“Somehow we are going to have to develop a concept of enough for those at the top and at the bottom so that the necessities of the many are not sacrificed for the luxuries of the few.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman

"Working intently with children and families was almost like earning a doctorate because every year there was always a specific challenge."~ Renatta M. Cooper



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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Personal Childhood Web

1. My dad is the most amazing person in the world.  Every day as a child, I was told how beautiful I was, how proud he was of me, and smart I am.  He still tells me those things every time I talk to him or see him.  He believed in me before I did.  My dad was invested in my education (PTA president many years) and me.   He cooked dinner daily and was with us at the table almost every night.  He did homework, projects, hair, shopping, everything.  Daddy exposed me to everything in his reach; including a lot of outdoor things (I think he wanted a boy, lol).  I really learned the value of having an active dad when I went to college and many people didn’t have a dad in their lives.  I am grateful and blessed to have such an amazing man as my dad. 

2. My mom taught me what it was to be a loving mother, wife, and lady.   As a child she was nurturing and loving; accepting of the person I was growing to be.  She was aware of my insecurities and helped me to work through them.  My mom taught me about manners, posture, tone and language, and how to dress for my body size.  My mom supported my decisions to not play sports but to be in girl scouts, yearbook (in hs), and my 2 year affair with the saxophone.   Exposure to the arts at a young age helped to develop my appreciation and understanding of the influence of the arts.  My mom is a classy woman who balanced family, work, and herself.  I learned, and am still learning, how to balance life from her.  As an adult I appreciate her more (as most children do).  I call on her for advice and sometimes just to talk.   I understand the choices and sacrifices she made for me as child now that I am an adult.  Although we are total opposites I love her and would not ask for anyone else. 

3. Danielle and I have been friends for 18 years.  We met when I moved into her neighborhood when I was 10 years old.  Her mom Loretta Ford, made her come down to my house and introduce herself to me, hoping to ease my transition into the new neighborhood.  Needless to say we have been friends ever since.  She is one of the most caring, supportive, honest people I have ever met.  She holds me accountable for my actions; she is my mirror, making me see the truth even when it hurts and my cheerleader.  She will cry with you, yell at you, and fight for you.  She is trustworthy, loving, caring, and sometimes mean, lol.  She is truly one of my best friends, seeing me through every direction the wind blew me.  She supported me and never judged.  She helped me to love myself.  She helped me to believe in myself.  She taught me about friendship.  Like she has always been to me, she is my supporter, cheerleader, mirror, voice or reason, and sister.  I am blessed to have found an awesome friend; people like her are hard to come by. 

4.  My Aunt Yvette was one of the most fabulous people I have ever met.  She was a plus size woman, like I was going to be, and she was “bad”!!!   Her hair was always sharp, clothes were fly, makeup on point and she was always in a good mood.  She enjoyed life to the max.  Concerts, shows, dinner, the beach, camping, nothing stopped her from doing what she wanted to do.  She was a big music fan, as I was growing to be, and I loved spending time with her.  She was surrounded by loving friends and was always laughing.  I learned confidence from her.  I learned how to enjoy life and to focus on what made me happy not others.  I learned it was ok for me to be plus and fabulous and that plus did not mean frump.  She taught me never to let things get in the way from doing what I enjoyed.  I miss her.  I wish she was here during my college and adult life. 

5. Mrs. Ford, Danielle's mom, (from above) is the mom everyone wanted to have as they were growing up.  She was cool although we knew there was a line not to cross.  She was the mom everyone told their business and secrets too.  She was the mom that knew about the abortions, shoplifting, alcohol, boyfriends, sex, school problems etc.  She never judged me or any of Danielle’s friends.  Mrs. Ford and I became teachers on a team in the school we taught and she is still the same person to me as she was when I was 10 yrs old.  When I having a hard time with things I talk to her and she helps me to work it out.   Like my mom, she pushes me to be better and to make positive decisions.  She had helped me to become the woman I am today. 
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