pictures to go with quotes

Quotes

I chose these three quotes because I feel they describe my view of child development because

1.       We worry about what a child will become tomorrow yet we forget that he is someone today. By Stacia Tauscher ~ this quote makes me think of the psychosocial development of a child. The parent sometimes gets wrapped up in the child “growing up…” they forget to enjoy the moment. They don’t take time to see what is developing right in front of them.

2.       Imagine with all your mind. Believe with all your heart. Achieve with all your might.                        I know that in children ages 2 to 5 they spend most of their awake hours creating, imagining and learning new skills. They are always curious and wanting to learn something. They imagine it, they believe that they can do it. And they will achieve it if not told they cannot do it.

3.       Only a child sees things with perfect clarity, because it hasn't developed all those filters which prevent us from seeing things that we don’t expect to see. This quote makes me think of emotional development; how children learn to express themselves. They come with a clean slate and don’t judge. They put everyone on an equal playing field. They do not judge, and as adults we sometimes put our feeling and prejudges on children.

Just stop taking it all at once…..Take it one day at a time…one action at a time!!! 

Testing for Intelligence~

Do I believe children should be measured or assessed? ~~~Young children are exposed to a variety of test from the moment of birth. The infant is given a test to see how they are within a minute or two after birth. This test will determine if the child stays with mom or will go to the NICU. The infant then begins going to the doctor and again more test; every time their height and weight is taken. This will go on until death. I believe that assessments are important. I believe they show us where we need to be, show progression, regression and finally be able to put in place, if need be, assist the child with what they need to achieve their very best.

As I have stated many times before, I am an Early Head Start Educator, as educators, we assess the child to see if they fall within the “norm” of development. If the test indicate there is a delay the teacher/educator will encourage the parent/caregiver to seek medical advice and receive services for the child.

Assessments are given to “assist” the child. But with every test there is also a degree of error. That is why it is so important to consider multiple sources of information, and only act after there has been a full and complete picture presented. As an educator, the test is given and staffing with supervisors are all put into place before anything is stated to the parents, if a delay is found.

Assessment of school aged children in other parts of the world~                                    I chose to learn more about Poland. The Polish school system is divided into the following stages: Kindergarten (for children ages 3-5/6 years of age)                     Primary School (6 years; for children ages 6/7-11/12)                                Gymnasium- Lower Secondary School ( 3 Years; for children 12/13- 15/16 years of age)                                                                                                                   Secondary School (different types, education 3 or 4 years depending on school type)

Education in public schools is free of charge. Public Kindergartens are opened Monday to Friday and closed on the weekends. Usually children are there about five hours a day. Staying in Kindergarten is mandatory for children above the age of 5.

Kindergarten is a way of preparing the child for school where attendance is important that is why it is mandatory. Enrollment begins in March for school that starts September 1.

Primary school is next; Children learn in an integrated learning environment. There is no clear division into subjects such as Polish, mathematics, science, etc. Most of the subjects are taught by one teacher. The child will learn German or Russian, and English, this is taught by different teachers.

During their primary school education, the children take a nationwide examination in the form of a written test in April, on same day and at the same time in whole Poland. In some schools, students also take the national competence test, taking place at the end. However, this test is not mandatory, but remains voluntary, and parents must agree for their child to participate in it.

The score received on the test also has no impact on whether the child completes primary school, it can be taken into account during admission to the next schooling stage, which is the gymnasium. The test assesses reading, writing, reasoning skills, use of information sources and use of knowledge in practice.

Sitting the examination is mandatory and a precondition for the completion of primary school. If a child is unable to take the examination during this time, they will have to retake it the following year.

After finishing primary school, all children are required to continue their education in Gymnasium. Gymnasiums specializing in foreign languages or sports. The examinations that are given are nationwide written examination consisting of three parts: the humanities, Mathematics and Science and language. Taking the exam is necessary to complete gymnasium, but there is no specified minimum of points required to pass it. Possible support if needed; these are such things as extending time, separate classroom, use of modifiers. After completing this; I feel Poland takes a Big infancies on assessments.

I work with Early Head Start in Vigo County. We are in the state of Indiana, and we complete an assessment called ISTAR-KR (Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting of Kindergarten Readiness).

This assessment measures skills in children from infancy to kindergarten. The assessment focuses on the areas of English/Language Arts and Math as well as three areas; physical, personal care and social-emotional skills. The data is inputted to the computer three times a year and it goes to the state. This follows the child to Head Start, then on to public school, Kindergarten and then ends at first grade.

I personally think that assessing our children in our program is a great tool. I know many, many times I get asked by parents, “Is my child doing okay.” This assessment will show the parents the progress on the child. I know as a parent, it was hard to not see progress on paper. I feel like if it is presented to the parents in a positive, caring way they will understand and be willing to work with the child to progress more next time.

References:    http://migrant.info.pl/Types_of_schools_in_Poland.html

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Poverty

I grew up in a town called Terre Haute Indiana. We are located 77 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. Terre Haute is known as the cross roads of America because, it is at the intersection of two major roadways: US Hwy 40 and US Hwy 41. There is a spot in our town where if you traveled from California to Maryland and Michigan to Florida connects. This is why we are called the cross roads of America.

The current federal poverty level is approx. $23,000.00 annually for a family of four, low income is defined as having a family income below 200 percent of the poverty threshold, or $45,622.00 for a family of four. (Tribune Star Sept 2012). These are statistics from today, and I grew up in Terre Haute in the 1970’s. I was born in 1966, and poverty was very much a part of my life growing up.  

I was the middle child of three children and both of my parents worked full time jobs. We were known as latch key kids. For those who are not familiar with this saying Latchkey kids were children who came home from school to an empty house because parents worked; we were also left unsupervised many times.

My family lived in a small house which was originally a one bedroom home and basically they built walls in between the rooms for our bedrooms. We never really had enough to eat. When we had something put on our plate before us we were expected to eat it. Leftovers were leftovers until there was nothing left. We (my siblings and I) were given hand me down clothes, we rarely got new clothes. I was made fun of for having “old clothes”. My siblings and I got used to the hand me down clothes and not having enough food, it was part of our world.  The neighborhood that I grew up in was just as poor it really wasn’t until I started attending middle school did I realize how poor I was. I realized through the friends I made that there was really a lot I didn’t have growing up.

“Coping measures reduce the impact of repeated stress. One factor is the child’s own interpretation.” (Berger 2012) I believe this statement. I have taken what I grew up with and brushed it off, I have become a better person for it. I am able to relate to my families I work with and am able to have empathy for the low income. I have taken the way I grew up and use it as an example for my families. I show them with hard work and patience you can make a new life for yourself.

Rural Turkey is number one ranked lowest poverty county in the world. Rural Turkey’s has experienced more poverty over the last ten years as in the prior years. Turkey has experience extreme low income and very low poverty levels throughout the county. The problems are contributed to large family sizes, twice the national average. The adult literacy rates are far lower than the national average. Turkey has very few doctors. There are very few women that are employed in Turkey as well.

Turkey has a lot of remote mountains and areas where the poor people tend to be isolated from the rest of the nation. Turkey’s rural people are self-employed and the family is sometimes not paid for working, they are farmers and household people who live in these remote isolated areas. Poverty is not just something we can brush aside. We as a whole need to work to bring everyone, worldwide, out of poverty. 

Public Health

Public Health ~

Breast feeding 

Why should you breast feed? Breast milk is sometimes called liquid gold. This is called liquid gold because the colostrum  is the thick yellow. It is the first breast milk that the body make during pregnancy and just after birth. 

This milk is nutrient rich and the antibodies protect the baby.The  baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding,but their tiny stomach can hold about a size of a walnut. 

The breast milk changes as the baby grows. The colostrum changes into what is called " mature milk". By day three to day five the mature milk  fat, sugar, water, and protein in it. This will help the baby to develop and grow.

Breast milk is easier to digest . For most babies, especially premature babies,formula is harsh for premature babies so  breast milk is easier for them to digest. The formula is made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs.

Breast milk fights disease in the baby and the antibodies that the breast milk produces helps to protect against certain illness. Formula has tried but it can not reproduce equal to breast milk. There is a lot of reports of formula fed babies getting ear infections and diarrhea. 

Breast feeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Reducing Type 1 diabetes, and childhood leukemia are two other possible things that can be lowered if the mother breastfeeds. 

Mothers benefit from breast feeding too; life can be so much easier when they breast feed. The breast milk is always ready. There is no bottles and nipples to sterilize. You don't have to mix and measure anything in the middle of the night. It is there and ready to go. The baby's hunger is satisfied right away and you can go right back to sleep. 

Breast feeding can save money. Breast feed baby's are sick less, and most important breast feeding is mom and baby getting physical contact. The contact of the mother can help the baby to bond with mom. Mothers also benefit from breast feeding; they lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Postpartum Depression.

I found an article that stated Norway is doing a wonderful job of supporting breastfeeding mothers. “Norway tops the Breastfeeding Policy Scorecard ranking." They contribute this to  Norwegian mothers being given one of the most generous parental leave policies in the developed world.

After the mother gives birth," she can take up to 36 weeks off work with 100 percent of pay, or they may opt for 46 weeks with 80 percent pay (or less if the leave period is shared with the father)". "Norwegian law provides for up to 12 months of additional child care leave" The fathers take advantage of this time off as well. . When moms return to work they are given nursing breaks as they need." Norway also has nearly 80 percent of hospitals that have been certified as baby-friendly and enacted into law many provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Norway is a very supportive environment for  breastfeed: 99 percent of babies there are breastfed initially and 70 percent are breastfed exclusively at 3 months.” I found a study that said in Norway 96 percent of babies was getting fed breast milk. What am amazing number.  

Compare this to the USA:“The United States ranks last on the Breastfeeding Policy Scorecard." The US is just one place where it is not required by employers to provide any paid maternity leave. Breaks are unpaid, and this is usually for the mom to pump breast milk. "Only 2 percent of hospitals in the United States have been certified as baby-friendly and none of the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes has been enacted into law. While 75 percent of American babies are initially breastfed, only 35 percent are being breastfed exclusively at 3 months.”

The differences between Norway and the United States amazed me. In the US we talk about “Breast is best”, The US is doing a very poor job of providing parents with the support they need to actually give their babies the “best”.Most mothers want to breastfeed and usually breastfeeding is initiation high but it soon drops off within a few weeks. There is not any support to help the mother continue to breastfeed.  Breastfeeding is natural, but community support is needed for the mothers to continue. In the US we need more Baby Friendly hospitals and support for the breastfeeding mothers. 

The reason why I chose to do this blog on Breastfeeding is I feel strongly about it. I feed my children breast milk and I work with prenatal mom's and I do my best to educate them of the benefits of breast milk. I also will continue to support mothers who do breast feed and if once I get into a position where I have staff that are breastfeeding I will support them. I will make sure there is a room in which they are allowed to breast feed. I will be an advocate  for my female staff that want to breast feed.  

REFERENCES: 

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/int-comp-whocode-bf-init~int-comp-whocode-bf-init-ico~int-comp-whocode-bf-init-ico-norway

http://nurturedchild.ca/index.php/2012/05/11/the-best-and-worst-places-in-the-industrialized-world-for-breastfeeding-support/

Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). Chapter 1, “Children  and Childhoods”, New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

week 2 6160

This is me: Diana Cox ~ This is what I look like sitting at my computer doing my homework. I know it is not a great picture but that is me. :)

QUOTE

The quote i chose to use what one by Robert Shaffer: 

We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit. 

CHILDREN'S BOOK I REALLY ENJOY

is the book I chose to talk about, the creative kid paints on the walls, floors, everywhere and then paints himself. It is a great book to talk about colors and body parts. And it is great to see the look on the children's faces know what he is doing is wrong. Very cute! I recommend for young children. 

A STORY ABOUT A CHILD THAT TOUCHED MY HEART 

As many of you know I work at an Early Head Start Program in Terre Haute Indiana. We work with children ages 18 months to 3 years old. Sometimes these children are fine, just qualify do to low income. Other times they get into our program do to a disability. 

Well the child that touches me is an autistic child. She was 3 when she came to our program. Z. had never been in any other program and was very scared and timid and did not want to be touched or play with the other children. We continued to encourage her to play and encouraged her to use sign language. It took months for us to break down the wall she had between us and her; but finally those walls were broke down, she is now laughing and smiling and playing with the other children. She is participating in circle time and using sign language and even giving hugs and playing with the other children. 

Child birth Experience

The birth experience I would like to write about is my own. My daughter was born 23 years ago September and the following is why I remember this event like it was yesterday.

My husband and I was married for over a year when we got pregnant and we were so excited. My first 7 months of my pregnancy went as planned. I gained the appropriate weight and exercised and watched what I ate and everything was perfect ~ until my seventh month. My blood pressure began skyrocketing and swelling and I was put on complete bed rest. The doctor told me I was going to lose the baby if I did not rest and keep my feet elevated. I had to go on long term disability and struggle through migraine headaches. I was at the doctors 2 to 3 times a week checking to make sure toxemia was not setting in. I then was told the baby was due on September 4, the doctors induced me on September 5^th, and I was sent home late that evening. The doctors induced me again on September 12, and again I was sent home after a long day of induction. Then finally on September 18^th, and l laid there all day, being induced and then the nurses began to ask if I needed to push. I asked what they were talking about and they began to explain…..I said that I did not and after examination the doctors determined I was only dilated to 1 ½ cm. I needed an emergency c section. I was then rushed into the emergency delivery room and given a vertical incision and delivered a 9 lb. 1oz 22 in baby HEALTHY girl. I had only gained 18lbs with her so I was completely all baby.

The region of the world I chose to write about was Niger, it is officially the most dangerous place on earth to have a baby. It was reported that in Niger childbirth was “likely to end badly. Dahara is the lady I read about, she was 26 years old and she being from Niger, “had a one-in-seven chance of dying during her reproductive years as a result of a pregnancy-related complication or infection.” The newborn in Niger has a very great chance of not reaching their first birthday and if they pass that there is a one in six chance that they will not make it to age 5. After birth Dahara will only stay for a few hours and then will tie her son to her back and walk approx. one mile to her village and will receive no after care for the baby or herself. The father will not likely be involved in with the child, since “in Niger, birth is considered to be women's work and fathers keep their distance.”

Berger (2012) states that “in the poorest nations, almost all babies are born at home; Doctors are called only for emergencies. This is why I chose to write about someone who had her child in a hospital yet the survival rate for this  child was still very slim.

                                                                  References
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). Chapter 1, “Children  
            and Childhoods”, New York, NY: Worth Publishers. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/oct/03/healthandwellbeing.health