Quotes about Child Development

If kids come to educators and teachers from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important. Barbara Colorose

A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. Frank Howard Clark

It is with children that we have the best chance of studying the development of logical knowledge, mathematical knowledge, physical knowledge, and so forth. Jean Piaget

School-Age Assessment

School-age assessments and testing is a controversal topic.  I believe that testing, assessments, and benchmarks are a framework for what children should be obtaining from their school.  It also helps to hold teachers accountable.  However, I believe test scores should not be the only source of academic and social competency.  A more holistic approach, including academics, social, developmental, and cultural aspects should be considered.  Schools should assess children in the beginning of the school year, adjust their teaching to meet individual needs and continue in this manner. 

The Danish school system traditionally had no formal assessments.  Assessment was informal, formative by nature, and directed towards students and parents.  They valued inclusion, partricipation, and dialogue between teacher and student, and a sense of community.  Students were motivated and confident in academic ability.  However, as the world is becoming more complex, standardized testing is making its way into the Danish school system (Dolin & Krough).  The PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) takes into account literacy skills, sets benchmarks for educational improvement, and notes strengths and weaknesses of the educational system.  This assessment has noted that Danish children are the most motivated to learn, however academically fall below the norm.  Even though PISA makes changes to traditional priorites in the Danish setting, formal assessment has made its way into the school system.

Dolin, J., Krough, L.B. (2010),  The Relevance and Consequences of PISA Science in a Danish Context. International Journal of Science and Math Education.

How poverty affects children's development

Working for a Head Start program, I see daily how poverty can be a stresser in a child's life.  President Johnson talks about poverty being like a family birthmark that is passed down from generations (Johnson, 1965).  With poverty can come unsuitable housing, lack of nutritious meals, lack of medical attention, and minimal educational support.  These stressors can cause caregivers to abuse and neglect their children, which will have negative effects on a young child's development.  Biosocially children may not grow properly or may not thrive if proper nutrition is not available.  Lack of medical attention also negatively impacts a child's biosocial development.  Language development may be delayed if parent do not see the benefits of quality interactions with their children in their youngest years.  Early childhood is a prime learning period (Berger, 2009).  Programs, such as Head Start, help parents to understand the importance of quality interactions, medical attention, proper housing, and nutrition and exercise. 

I chose to research how poverty affects Haiti and how natural disasters, like hurricanes, are a direct result of poverty, in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  With oil too expensive for this poverish country, the people have resorted to using charcoal from burnt trees for energy (Masters, 2011).  Large amount of cut trees have left empty mountain slopes that allows rainwater to wash down unimpeded.  In 1980, Haiti had 25% of its forest remaining and the country was able to withstand a category 3 hurricane with no lives taken.  However, only 1.4% of the forest remain and only heavy rains from a tropical storm are enough to take thousands of lives (Masters, 2011).  Children are affected as their families are torn apart from death and disaster.  Education and poverty eradication are necessary for improvement.  Reforestation efforts and promoting of alternative fuels is necessary. 


Berger, K.S. (2009).  The Developing Person (5th edition).  New York, NY:  Worth Publishers.

Johnson, L. (1965, May 18).  [Project Head Start speech].  Speech presented at the White House, Washington D.C.

Masters, J.  (2011).  Hurricanes and Haiti:  A Tragic History.  Retrieved from:  http://wunderground.com/

 

Mental Health of mothers, fathers, and families

Mental health of mothers, fathers, and families, is key to a healthy development of young children.  These members are the child's immediate environment, and the more stable families are, the better chance a child will have a more positive mental health.  This is meaningful to me in my current position of working with children of poverty and their families.  I assist families in receiving the proper interventions so they can provide for their children.  For young children, mental health of mothers can affect a secure mother-infant attachment.  A fathers involvement with the mother and family can either strengthen or deprive the child of a healthy development.  If a father also has a mental health disability or is the cause of the mother's negative mental health, this can negatively impact the positive interactions.  These conditions have been found to encourage behavioral and psychological problems in the child (Alvarez, Hosman, Walraven, Doesum, & Hoefanagels, 2010).

In developing countries, 12% to 15% of urban adults suffer from depression (Montgomery, 2009).  Mental health of the mother can affect the ability to deploy in seeking healthcare for her children and other family members.  This can become a vicious cyle.  Mental health interventions are only beginning to be studied in developing countries (Montgomery, 2009).

"Happier husbands tend to be more involved fathers" (Berger, 2009).  With this statement, I see in my future work, strongly encouraging fathers to get involved with their children and families.  If parents can work together to solve problems and provide effectively for their families, children will reap the benefits.

Montgomery, M.R., June 2009.  Urban Poverty & Health in Developing Countries.  64(2).  Retrieved from http://www.prb.org/

Alvarez, L.E., Hosman, C.M., Walraven, J., van Doesum, K., & Hoefnagels, C.  (2010),  Long-term effects of a home-visiting intervention for depressed mothers and their infants.  The journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.  51(10).

Berger, K.S.,  2009.  The Developing Person (5th Edition).  New York, NY.  Worth Publishing.

Personal Birthing Experience

I chose the birth of my last son to write about.  First, because it was the most recent and also because it was my last and a bit different than my other two.  This birth was planned and scheduled, due to having gestational diabetes.  From the moment I knew I was pregnant, I was careful to receive the best prenatal care, from vitamins, eating healthy, exercising, and keeping scheduled appointments with my doctor.  It was this pregnancy that I ended up with diabetes.  Besides regular injections and sugar checks, all was well. 

The day of my scheduled delivery, my husband, mother, and I were welcomed by caring nurses and doctors.  They explained how inducing my labor would occur and that they would monitor my blood sugar, as well as the baby's upon delivery.  Once the petocin was increased, labor moved quickly, and the epidural had no time to begin to work.  Our third son was born healthy and with no effects from the diabetes.  My pregnancy and delivery were fairly stress free.  I trusted my doctors and nurses and felt confident in knowing they would help me to care for me and my child.  This trust and healthy prenatal care, has had a positive impact on my now wonderful two year old.  He is a "normal", curious, toddler that was born into a relatively stress free home, which I believe has a great impact on his relaxed personality. 

I wish I could say the same for children born in other countries.  I chose to research births in Liberia.  This country interested me because I have a cousin that adopted two children from Liberia and their development is not typical of a healthy developing child.  I found that Liberia has one of the highest mortality rates in the world.  Most deliveries are at home because women are afraid of health centers, they are a 7-8 hour or more hour walk away, some continue this behavior due to respecting their culture.  Most do not realize they are risking their lives.  Liberia is one of the top 15 countries for maternal mortality, mainly from hemorrhage, where transfusions are impossible.  Most give birth at home with a family member.  There are only about 400 trained midwives with 3.5 million people.  The country has a high rate of rape, and abortion is illegal and not socially accepted.  In Liberia, $22 is spent a year per person on healthcare, compare to the U.S. at $6.697 per person per year.  That amount astounds me!  Because of the women's inability to make decisions in their culture, many have no other choice but to continue this cycle.  From the beginning, these children are at a disadvantage for a healthy physical, cognitive, and social development.

Lori, J.R.  (2009).  Cultural Childbrith Practices, Beliefs, and Traditions in Liberia.  Retrieved from http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/

The time is drawing near...

Thank you all.  As my title states, I feel that our first course has really been about taking the first steps in educating ourselves, but we have also educated each other during our discussions and blog postings.  We are on our way to better educating our future.  I look forward to the next courses with each and everyone of you.  Good luck!

NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics

I-1.1- To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
*Every day research and science are being done, not only in the education field, to improve our society.  I would want a doctor that is up to date and current with new research, and I would want my children's teacher to understand child development and be current with new research, technology, and data.  So I feel that is my duty as an early childhood professional, to give our children and families the best care and education for children and families.

I-2.2- To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.
*Families are the first person that we encounter and they are the consumer.  If we do not build trust and partnerships with families, then whose children will we serve?  If we take the time to build those relationships and partnerships with families, they will come to us for advice, they will visit their child's classroom and get involved, and they will take what they learn in the classroom home and provide their children with the best care and education possible.

I-3C.3- To strive to secure adequate and equitable compensation (salary & benefits) for those who work with or on behalf of young children.
*Often times our work and time with young children is not given the amount of appreciation that is deserved.  With this ideal, employers must strive to conpensate its workers for their work and dedication.  This helps to cut back on turn over as well.  However, I feel that salary should be based on performance and dedication.  Not only the degree you hold.  You should be able to apply what you learned into a classroom and with families and be compensated in such a manner.

Additional Resources related to Young Children, Families, and/or the Field of Early Childhood

http://www.teachingstrategies.com/
This website provides information about creative curriculum, assessments, professional development, and family connections

www.northampton.edu/Early-Childhood-Education
This section contains a selected list of special education resources about universal design for learning, inclusion, early learning, early intervention, disabilities, and the BICC project.

David Elkind, PhD
Building on the theories of Jean Piaget, Elkind has done extensive research in the areas of perceptual, cognitive, and social development.  He was a past president of NAEYC.  Some of his book titles include:  The Hurried Child and The Power of Play

Quotes and Excerpts in Early Childhood Education

"Five and six-year old children are inheritors of poverty's curse and not its creators. Unless we act these children will pass it on to the next generation, like a family birthmark."
-Lyndon Johnson

"Respect for a diverse community begins with teachers willing to build upon the uniqueness of each and every one of their children."
-Ann Turnbull, Behavior Concerns within an Inclusive Classroom

"We, as professionals in the early childhood field, have the opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."
-Sandy Escobido, Los Angeles preschool advocacy initiative


"When getting bogged down with paperwork, take 20 minutes to go see the children so you don't forget what
you are doing all this for."
-Raymond Hernandez, Executive Director School of ECE

My personal childhood web



My grandmom



My dad

These are the people that have been in my life as a child, and still are a huge part to not only me, but my family as well.  My memories of my dad as a child include playing tea parties, playing card games, and helping me to learn how to drive a three wheeler, I know, old school right, which he still has today and is teaching my sons how to drive it?!  He did not show emotions or affection often, but I could just feel the love in his heart.  Now that he has three grandchildren, he is forced to SHOW his love.  They don’t let him forget to give hugs, play basketball, drive the three- wheeler or say I LOVE YOU! 



Pop & Gram



My mom was always there for me as a child.  She was there to make sure my needs were met, help me with homework, listen to me, encourage me, and help me through tough times.  Today, she continues to do all of that and so much more.  She was there for the birth of all three of my children, and is able to care for the youngest one while I am at work and helps to be sure my other two are off to school.  She is always there to listen and never judges my decisions. 

My grandparents are another part of my web that I consider amazing.  My gram was the care taker.  She would babysit me when I was little and I would often spend many sleepovers at her and my pop’s house.  As an only child, I was yearning for someone to always play with.  When I would come over she would also arrange for cousins to stay as well.  My pop was a man of few words, and still is.  His actions showed it all.  He would be the one to take me fishing, allow me to help him in his workshop, and take me to flea markets to sell his woodwork, and even give me a few dollars to spend.  He taught me about the simple things in life. 

Last, but not least by any means, my grandmother.  She was always energetic, loved to play games and go places.  She would often pick me up on the weekends and take me to amusement parks.  Or we would go to the store and buy lots of snacks and stay up to the wee hours of the morning playing games.  No worries with grandmom, just fun.  She was always so relaxed and anything that I would do would seem ok with her.  As you can see in the picture, she still enjoys being active and being with her great grandchildren.

All of these family members still play a part in my life.  I grew up with a family that worked for everything they have and appreciate everything they were given.  It was a simple life, and I am thankful for that.  I want the same for my family and for them to know their grandparents and have the simple life as I did, with little worries growing up.

 

My mom



busy times, but keeping up

Where did the week go?  I hope the weekend doesn't go as fast!  I am feeling that the more that I have on my plate, the more organized I become and the more productive.  Managed to meet with most of my new protege's this year that I will be mentoring and the relationships seem to be buiding nicely.  They are motivated to learn and gain new skills and you can see the passion in their teaching as well.  I thought, how appropriate for this week and our application paper about passion, motivation, and wisdom. 

I managed to complete my assignments in a timely manner for the first week, and am keeping up with that schedule for the second week.  I realize that there is much more to come, as I look at  next week's assignments, but these first two weeks were great to get accustomed with all of the requirements and technology.

Even with work and school, I am finding time to spend with the family.  Last night was a great night at the ball field where my 7year old son had a baseball game.  And tomorrow is a day to visit with my grandparents.  So, off I go to finish my application paper...  busy times ahead.

Childrens' Quote

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.  ~Stacia Tauscher

I found this quote and thought about how well it corresponds to my childrens' book, Leo the Late Bloomer. 

A Childrens' Book from the Heart

 

This is a story that I read a few years ago, for the first time, to a group of children in my head start classroom.  After reading it through alone first, it really touched my heart.  Often times parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, and even with ourselves, we want to compare one another and even “rush” children or ourselves to learn a new skill, so we can be like others.  And as Leo’s mother explains, it will happen when we least expect it and in its own time.  I want to be that parent and teacher that can accept our children for where they are in their development and give them that time that they so desperately need in our fast paced world. 

This is the beginning...

Well, as my title states, this is the beginning of educating myself about Blogs.  I have already reviewed other's blogs to help with starting my own, so that means others have already educated me!  Not only is blogging new to me, online courses are also new.  Together, it is my hope that we can collaborate to increase our knowledge in the early childhood education field so we are best prepared to educate our future...the children.