My supports

At my job my co-workers support me during my daily work, questions I may have, and when I need help in my classroom. My mother supports me by accepting and helping me with life decisions I have made and she gives me support in my choosing what career path I want to take. I believe it is important to have people support you in life. Life is challenging and when we have to face things alone, we become afraid and unsure of what to do. Having someone there to support you gives opportunity to advice, answers, suggestions, and or problem solving. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have support in my life.


I face many challenges at my job; working with special needs children is not an easy job. These children will cuse at you, hit you, kick you, spit at you, and destroy your personal things. Having co-workers who support and help gives a calming feeling, because they go through the same thing. So basically, we help each other, because we know what each of us are going through. Having supports at my job helps keep me calm and peaceful. When I child does something that could potential harm or really hurt another child, supports help to give patience. If I didn't have supports I am sure I would be okay, but it is so much better having co-workers support and help out.

My connections to play

“If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!”
― J.M. Barrie (goodreads.com, 2012).

Children have always learned and created places for themselves through play.

Donna R. Barnes
Contemporary American psychologist (thestrong.org, 2012).

   

My mom supported my play by allowing me to express myself in play and not sheltering me from interacting with others. I often played alone, I didn't have any siblings in the house and the few friends I did have left after a while.

Play today from what I can remember from my childhood has some similarities and differences. Children have the freedome to explore and be creative, toys such as the barbie head are coming back for children to enjoy. The only sad part is more children are involved in violent play or imagination. There are more violent cartoons and toys for children nowadays. Back when I was growing up we played and fought, but we weren't violent. I hope that children can learn to play without being so violent. I personally don't like my students to play superhero's, they become so involved in the character, they hurt one another. I also hope children can learn to enjoy one another's creativity and explore the world of play as they learn.

I believe play has a major role in childhood and adulthood. Play never grows old, it doesn't matter how old one is, it never grows old. It seems the older one gets, the more important play becomes.

References
The goodreads. (2012). Quotes about growing up. Retrieved from   http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/growing-up.

The strong. (2012). Play quotes. Retrieved from http://www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because it keeps me whole and connected. When I have people in my life that I have a relationship with, whether friend or companion, I feel complete. There is nothing better to me than having people to share your life with, your downs with, your joy with, and your disappointments with. They are the ones to keep you strong and encourage you to not give up. Right now in my life I have my family and three very very close personal friends, that I share my life with. We are honest with each other, that is what keeps our relationship positive. We truely care for one another and help each other in hard times. It is not easy developing relationships or partnerships, there will always be mistakes and let downs. I see mistakes and let downs as a chance to do things better the next time around. I would not be where I am today, without these special people in my life.

Children's Quote

"I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!"-David Vitter, U.S. senator

Thank you to all my colleagues for your advice, support, and participation in discussion in this course. I wish you all much success in future courses and in your career. I know you all will make awesome educators and show how much you care for your students. Once again, thank you.

Reference
Compassion. (2000-2012). Famous quotes about children. Retrieved from http://www.compassion.com/child-advocacy/find-your-voice/famous-quotes/default.htm.

INTELLIGENCE&TESTING

I believe that a child's intelligence and development should be tested and assessed. Children today are very intelligent, yet some have developmental delays, such as speech. A child can be academically intelligent, but lack what some call, "commen sense". A simple direction as, "go and get the pen off the table" can be confusing to some children, especailly if there's more than one table. I experience this daily with my students, more so with the ones who are academically intelligent.

Several examination systems in Africa have introduced, or are planning to

introduce, an element of school-based assessment in their public examinations (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). Indeed, some would hope ultimately, especially at the primary school level, to replace external examining completely with school-based assessment, perceiving that to be the only way in which the range of competencies specified in curricula can be validly assessed, and in
which the negative effects of external examinations on teaching and learning can be
removed (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). However, the implementation of school-based assessment as a component of public examinations has proved problematic (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). While the aspiration and motivation to introduce it have been high, practical difficulties have on more than one occasion resulted in failure, postponement, or the limitation of the school-based element to a minimal, almost token, amount (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). The assessment of students’ learning in the classroom (both by teachers and by students themselves) is an integral component of the teaching-learning process (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). Much of this kind of assessment is subjective, informal, immediate, on-going, and intuitive, as it interacts with learning as it occurs, monitoring student behavior, scholastic performance, and responsiveness to instruction (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003). Its role is to determine students’ current level of knowledge, skill, or understanding, to diagnose problems they may be encountering, to make decisions about the next instructional steps to take (to revise or to move on), and to evaluate the learning that has taken place in a lesson (Greaney & Kellaghan, 2003).

Reference
Greaney, V. & Kellaghan, T. (2003). Monitoring performance: Assessment and Examinations in Africa. Retrieved from http://toolkit.ineesite.org/toolkit/INEEcms/uploads/1089/Monitoring_Performance_Assessment_Examinations.pdf

Stress on Child Development

From the list of stressor given, the one that come close for me is violence. In my line of work I hear about this way too often and sometimes see it. The program I work in deals with children who are diagnosed with either reactive attachment disorder, general anxiety disorder, etc. There are children who live in foster care that have dealt with abuse or neglect from their parents or friends of their parents. Many of these children have a hard time accepting affection, engaging with peer; however, on the other hand some can be too affectionate and display indiscriminate affection to strangers, calling them daddy or trying to leave with them. We are trained to allow them to take time to adjust to their new environment and give comfort.

Africa has the youngest population in the world. Today, Sub-Saharan Africa's 130 million children below six years of age (20% of its total population) are seriously at-risk (web.worldbank.org). Families are devastated with the AIDS pandemic, which left 10.6 million orphans as of 1999 (UNAIDS 1999)(web.worldbank.org). Wars and civil conflict within states increased the number of African refugees to 35 million in 1999 (those internally displaced as well as those who fled their countries), 85% of whom are children and women. Infant mortality has declined to 105 per 1,000 live births in 1997, but is still the highest in the world (web.worldbank.org). Of the African children who survive through age six, nearly 30-million (or one-third) are chronically malnourished, weighing only three-fourths of the weight standard for their age, largely due to inappropriate child feeding practices, high morbidity and poor child caring practices (ACC-SCN 1999)(web.worldbank.org). About 35% are stunted following persistent malnutrition before they reach the age of three; a situation that can hardly be reversed (web.worldbank.org).                                                                     Reference Retrieved from http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/EXTECD/ 0,,contentMDK:20426142~hlPK:547714~menuPK:1114015~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:344939,00.html

Breastfeeding

I have not had the opportunity to have children yet, but I know it is important to breastfeed. Women I knew that have had children complained a lot about breastfeeding. Many said it hurts and or that it takes a while for the child to latch on. I want to know how important breastfeeding is compared to formula.

Breastfeeding in China

• Better breastfeeding rate than US and Europe
• Less support from the hospitals
• Hospitals pressure mothers to formula feed
• High formula rate
• General attitude is pro Breastfeeding
• Formula feeding is only used when needed
• Mothers told to stop breastfeeding by a health professional (Wiens, 2012).

Breastfeeding can lead to some health issues such as anemia (Wiens, 2012). Babies who were breastfeed for the proper amount of time of six to seven months, can have a lower risk of anemia (Wiens, 2012).

Working with such young children I notice/see many problems witgh academia or health. All that could be linked to being breastfeed or formula fed. From the women I knew, those who breastfed their babies did not gain a lot of weight and the women who formula fed their babies gained serious weight and fast.

Reference
Weins, V. (2012). Breastfeeding a baby in China. Retrieved fromhttp://www.havingababyinchina.com/reference/breastfeeding-a-baby-in-china/

First birthing experience

I experiened my first birthing 5 almost 6 years ago. A friend of mine was having her second child and she allowed me to be in the room with her. I had just met her earlier that year, so I was excited she allowed me that experience, but I was also nervous. I had heard some crazy to disgusting stories about the childbirth process. It was so amazing to see how the baby comes out, I was shocked. I have not had any children of my own, so of course I had questions about how it all worked. As she pushed it seemed the baby was just gliding out, as if she wasn't pushing at all. Seeing a birth on television has no comparison to a live birth. That was a beautiful sight to see and the doctor held on to that baby so firm but gently. I believe having a natural birth vs. a cesarean can determine complications upon the baby's arrival. I have two friends who had cesareans and both babies had to be in a incubator for a period of time and my friend who had a natural child birth didn't have any complications. A lot has to do with the health of the mother prior to birth.

In Holland Netherlands, most expectant moms don't see an obstetrician, but are instead referred by their family doctor to a local midwife practice (Schalken, 2012). Doctors only intervene in high-risk cases or if complications arise during delivery (Schalken, 2012). All expectant mothers in Holland are required to pick up a kraampakket that includes all of the medical supplies necessary for a home birth (Schalken, 2012). If you choose not to deliver at home, your midwife will make a house call to check on the progress of your labor and determine the ideal time for you to go to the hospital (Schalken, 2012). Giving birth naturally remains the ideal for the vast majority of Dutch women; if a mother gives birth early in the day without complications, she and the baby may go home in as little as two hours (Schalken, 2012).

I was in a hospital when my friend gave birth, it's not necessary for Dutch women to give birth in a hospital. Most dutch women will have natural child births, like my friend in the story above did.

Reference
Schalken, L. (2012). Parents: Bith customs around the world. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2

Reflection

I have enjoyed this course, it has opened up a new knowledge base for me. I am beginning to broaden my areas of research and have a open mind about what I am reading. Going into this course I figured I knew just about all there was to know, little did I know I needed to learn a lot more. I am greatful for Dr. Kien who gave great feedback on my assignments and challenged me to push harder and my colleagues for giveing support through discussion or blog.

Code of Ethics

P-1.1

—Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall

not participate in practices that are emotionally

damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading,

dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to

children (NAEYC, 2005,p.3). 

This principle has precedence over all

others in this Code
The significance this Ethical code has to my professional life is my values and morals. Children need to be loved and not harmed. As educators we are here to protect, teach, advocate, and help them in anyway we can.

P-1.9

—When we have reasonable cause to suspect child

abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate

community agency and follow up to ensure that

appropriate action has been taken. When appropriate,

parents or guardians will be informed that the referral

will be or has been made (NAEYC, 2005,p.3).

The significance this Ethical code has to my professioal life has to do with my job. I work with children who are in foster care and some are not, but I hear and see cases of this matter more often than I like. As stated above, our job is to protect and advocate for the children.

5. We shall use individually appropriate assessment strategies including multiple sources of

information such as observations, interviews with significant caregivers, formal and informal

assessments to determine children’s learning styles, strengths, and challenges (DEC, 2000,p.2).

Educating to me means using all available resources accessible. Making sure children receive appropiate education, means being able to comprehend their needs. All children learn in different ways and test differently, so using available resources to aid in teaching children, will be benefical to the educator.
References

The Division for Early Childhood. (2000, August). Code of ethics. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.dec-sped.org/

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

Resources

Class resources

NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf

NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf

NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf

NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf

Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

Websites:

• World Forum Foundation
  http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
  This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
  
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education
  http://www.omep-usnc.org/
  Read about OMEP's mission.
  
• Association for Childhood Education International
  http://acei.org/

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
  


• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
  


• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
  


• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
  


• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
  


• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
  


• Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
  


• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
  


• Children's Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
  


• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
  


• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
  


• Institute for Women's Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/
  


• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
  


• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
  


• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
  


• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
  


• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
  


• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/
  

My Three resources

NCCF. (n.d.). Advancing policy, education, and development. Retrieved July 28, 2012,  from
http://ccf.tc.columbia.edu/

CFW. (2010). Expert reviewed sites on children and families. Retrieved July 28, 2012, from
http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/?/category/young-children/17/

Young Children. (2012). Fun facts. Retrieved July 28, 2012, from http://youngchildren.com/

Passion, motivation, and wisdom

"Teachers should have the passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments and ways  that truely nurtured their ability to grow and develop to their fullest ability" (Laureate Education, Inc). ~ Louise Derman-Sparks

"Passion comes from wanting to make a difference" (Laureate Education, Inc). ~ Raymond Hernandez

"Create opportunities for parents and children to have opportunities presented to them and also helping them learn about the resources for their children to be able to go to school, that theres more to life than just whats in their neighberhood" (Laureate Education, Inc). ~ Raymond Hernandez

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2012). The passion for early childhood [video webcast]. Retrieved from http://waldenu.edu.

Quotes by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lilian Katz Ph.D.

"We must open the doors of oppourtunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors" (thinkexist.com). ~Lyndon B. Johnson


“The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods” (thinkexist.com).
 ~ Lyndon B. Johnson

Thinkexist. (2012). Lyndon B. Johnson quotes. Retrieved from http://thinkexist.com/quotes/lyndon_b._johnson/.


"We overestimate children academically and underestimate them intellectually" (Curtis, 2009).
~ Lilian Katz

Curtis, D. (2009). Seeing children's lively minds at work. Exchange, 24-28. Retrieved from
http://www.dpi.wi.gov/ccic/pdf/weekly_articles/seeing_childrens_lively_minds.pdf.

Childhood Web

I don't remember a lot of my childhood or who was there for me while growing up. One person I know for sure that was there was my mother. My mother helped me and supported me in my education. She made sure she knew who I was around and kept me protected at all times. She helped me with my school work and made sure I gave my all in my education. She has shown her love to me everyday and continues to show her love by supporting by decisions. She helped instill values and morals, as well as respect. In my current life I continue to keep my values and morals.

A chid's Story

Working in mental health, you hear stories all the time of how kids were abused, neglected, or abandoned. If I had to pick one story to tell that touched my heart the most, it is the following story.

I work with older 2's and 3's in mental health, which makes it even more despairing when I hear these stories. There was a 3 year old boy who started coming to my class, he's scared/afraid and hesitates to accept me. It took him a while to warm up to his classmates and myself and to feel comfortable. One day he lifts up his shirt and there is a big scar on is stomach of a grill mark. He touched it and said "ouch" as if it just happened. Everyday he would do the same thing and he looked so sad. He was in the foster system, but now he's with his biological grandmother.

A child's drawing

I choose these two drawings because it speaks the heart of a child. These drawings are from a former student when I worked at a school for mental health in California. We bonded quickly, she was like the daughter I never had. Drawing these pictures was her way of expressing her feelings. I thought it was funny that she drew us in a car driving to McDonalds.

Favorite children's book

I like this book because it tells how to accept those around you and not think so highly of yourself. Children are unlearned, it is up to teachers and their parents to teach them respect for others and themselves.

Favorite quotes

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”
― Margaret Mead

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.”
― Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home

I believe in helping children to be independent and strive to be the best at all they do.

Very first time

This is my first time using a blog and it has been very frustrating. I can see why I haven't tired to do a blog in the past. Although it seems really interesting, if it wasn't for my class I probably would not have created a blog. I have spent 2 1/2 days trying to figure it out and not only has it been frustrating, but also exhausting. Plus I'm still not sure if I've figured it out, so please bare with me as I figure out how to blog. Thank you