Notable Quote about Children

"Safety and security don't just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear." Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa

Assessing Children

I feel children should be assessed because there are many benefits to a child being assessed. Assessments provide us with information to help us determine where a child stands in his or her development. This information can be used to put together activities that can help the child’s progress and it also helps educators see the child’s strengths and weakness. Not only does it help with children’s development but it also helps teachers in their teaching practice. These assessments can benefit teacher by helping them evaluate their own teaching skills.

Children in Italian schools are tested on average about one test per subject per term, which goes towards the continual assessment of their performance, but does not count all that much. GCSE-type, make-or-break exams, from the age of 13 to 18 Italian students enjoy a long exam holiday, all the way up to the maturita exam which they take at the end of liceo, the senior schools in the Italian system. The continual assessments can be rigorous, and if students at the top high schools score less than six out of 10 in two or more subjects they run a serious risk of having to take the year again.

The Impact of Domestic Violence on Child Development

The Impact of Domestic Violence on Child Development

Every year it there is an estimated 3.3 to 10 million children being exposed to domestic violence in their homes. The effects of domestic violence can lead to behavioral problems, developmental issues or even relationships. Children exposed to domestic violence have been found to be four times more likely to develop internalizing or externalizing behavior problems than children who are not exposed to violence. I remember a close friend of mine was shot and killed by her fiancé who then took his own life with the two children in the house. The children were emotionally damaged for a few years because they could not get the brutal image of their mother and father lying dead in their home from the minds. At the funeral I could hear one them crying and asking “why did daddy do that to mommy?” I heart want almost burst as I cried heavily, not only for the loss of a friend but for the children who had to endure this pain. It is always sad to see a child lose their parents but when it is a situation where one parent kills another it is ten times worse.

Domestic violence is a global problem of enormous proportions. The first study was done to estimate the numbers of children who are exposed to domestic violence globally. The data is from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children (forthcoming, 2006), which reviewed existing studies that measure violence in the home in various countries.

Domestic violence can happen anywhere but certain factors seem to increase. One study in Canada found that women who lived with heavy drinkers were five times more likely to be assaulted by their partners than those who lived with non-drinkers.

The single best predictor of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic violence later in life is whether or not they grow up in a home where there is domestic violence. Studies from different countries show of abuse are higher among women whose husbands were abused as children or who saw their mothers being abused. The cycle must stop.

Immunizations

For many years children have immunized to prevent diseases beginning at birth to prevent infectious diseases. Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease.

Immunizations and vaccinations is a safe and effective way to prevent these diseases. According to the World Health Organization, 6.6 million children under the age of five died in 2012. More than half of these early child deaths are due to conditions that could be prevented or treated with access to simple, affordable interventions. Leading causes of death in under-five children are pneumonia, preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, diarrhea and malaria. About 45% of all child deaths are linked to malnutrition.

In Australia, the last ten years more than 137 people have died and many more have become ill from contagious and infectious diseases. This is a tragedy because all these diseases are preventable through immunizations.Children in sub-Saharan Africa are about over 16 times more likely to die before the age of five than children in developed regions. A child's risk of dying is highest in the neonatal period, the first 28 days of life. Safe childbirth and effective neonatal care are essential to prevent these deaths. 44% of child deaths under the age of five take place during the neonatal period.

Immunizations are important to me because I am working with children. I have had a few parents that do not immunize their children for religious reasons or the fear that these immunizations may cause some type of disability. When children are not immunized they are likely to spread diseases such as whooping cough or measles or they more prone to diseases that may lead to death.

Advocacy for immunization is essential to raise awareness on the role of immunization in improving the health of individuals throughout the world.

http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/advocacy.shtml

http://www.world organization.org

My Birth Experience

My Birth Experience

I remember on Sunday March 10^th, 1991 I was 8 months pregnant when I started to have pains in my stomach. My auntie told me it was probably something I ate but I said, “I think it’s time”.  Half an hour later the pains were 2 minutes apart and I was in the back seat of my auntie’s car moaning and groaning, trying to keep calm. One month prior I had packed a bag for my hospital stay and headed to the hospital. We then arrived at the hospital at 11: 30 pm and they took me back and realized I had dilated 3 centimeters but my water had not broken. The midwife told me my little bundle of joy was ready to make her grand entrance. At that moment I was full of different emotions, crying, screaming, laughing etc. They induced my labor and broke my water. Twenty one hours later on Monday March 11, 1991 at 9:05 pm, my beautiful little baby girl was born. She was taken from me immediately because she had jaundice, a yellow-colored pigment of red blood cells. The nurse later broke her to me so I could feed her and bond with her. I went back the next day and spent the day and on Wednesday I took her home.

I chose my birth experience because it was one of the most painful yet beautiful things I have ever experienced. When I saw her head popping out, I was so amazed. She was so tiny and all I wanted to do was hold her close to me because she so special. She was so perfect.

I feel child development is very important because my daughter was born with low birth weight. I did not gain any weight instead I loss because I was sick for the first seven months. I was depressed and I never knew what I was going through would affect my daughter’s development. Even though I went to my regular doctor’s appointment I didn't always follow what the doctor said nor did I always eat healthy.  It's important to keep yourself with information about the many ways to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.

Births in Holland

Births in Holland are a little different from births here in the United States. Women in Holland do not use obstetricians they use their family doctor refers them to a local midwife and doctors only intervene if there are complications. Women also choose between home birth and going to a hospital and over half of the women give birth at home. 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)

Reference

Schalken, L. (n.d.). Birth customs around the world.

Thank You Note

Thank You Note

During this eight week journey I have encountered classmates from different parts of the world and I am grateful for all of you. In this class you have shared experiences, knowledge and dedication with me. It has been an amazing yet challenging journey. With all of your patience, creativity, and love for children each week that we shared, I have learned so many different ways to help children even more. As educators we must motivate each other as well as listen. Each time that I read your post I instantly became motivated to do more and to learn more. This experience has broadened my path to becoming one of the best educators ever. Your input has helped guide me to develop my potentials and embrace my strengths. I am truly thankful to have had this experience with you. Even though we all came from different walks of life, we all shared a common goal and that was to help children and their families. I wish all of you much success in all your endeavors and maybe one day we will share more experiences and knowledge. Thank you all for being a great inspiration to me.

Naeyc

Code of Ethics

 

I-1.10—To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.

 

This is significant to me because it is our duty to understand a child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are all intertwine  and it is what makes them who they are.

 

 

I-2.3—To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.

 

When families are involved in the child’s education it promotes positive outcomes and we as educators should work collaboratively to ensure that parents have the necessary skills and knowledge to support their children’s learning.

 

 

DEC

 

We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to

provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.

 

 

It is our duty to learn, implement and adhere to as much knowledge about children and their development to insure that all children are getting the proper skills needed to be successful.

Early Childhood Resources

Early Childhood Resources

Position Statements and Influential Practices

 

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://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf

 

Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being

 

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

 

Early Childhood World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us

http://www.omep-usnc.org/
Read about OMEP's mission.

 

Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/

Early Childhood Organizations

 

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/

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/

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.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067

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

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

 

Professional Journals

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

 

Additional Resources

 

 

                                             American Scholar

                                             American Journal of Education

                                             Southern Early Childhood Association | SECA

 

 

 

Motivational Inspiration

Quotes by: Edward Zigler,Ph.D. and Susan Bredekamp,Ph.D.

 Louise Derman-Sparks

"I have a passion to create a safer and moe just world for all kids."

Louise Derman-Sparks

Edward Zigler, Ph.D.

"Schools of the 21st Century and other community schools can be the salvation of schooling in America. These schools are working toward increasing student achievement, which is first and foremost a function of whether children have had proper supports from early in their lives to promote their optimal development."  

Susan Bredekamp,Ph.D.

“Developmentally appropriate practices are ways of teaching that vary for or adapt to the age and experience of the individual learner. So fundamentally the definition has not changed. Instead, it has been expanded to include the fact that not only do you have to consider children as individuals, but you also have to consider children as members of groups with their own cultural identities”.

http://news.yale.edu/2002/07/12/experts-share-strategies-responding-needs-children-and-families

 

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/ect-interview-sue-bredekamp-susan-neuman-learning-read

http://www.waldenu.edu/about/who-we-are/accreditation

 

MyFamily System

I would have to say my mother Pattie and her sisters, school and church family make up my childhood web. To start my mom was one of the best moms a child could have. She played the role of mom and dad. She provided a roof and worked two jobs and went to school while raising my sister, brother and me. She instilled great values in us as well as the will to survive. She gave sound advice and always listened to me. She raised us to be independent and to never settle for less. I remember  Saturdays were our clean the house from top to bottom and get your hair washed then later go to grandma's house. Our summer's were spent canning vegetables for the winter. Next there was school. School was where I was able to make friends, play sports, and learn from the best teachers ever. My favorite teacher was our spanish teacher Senora Berry. She was from Chile and she is the reason I'm so intrigued with the spanish language. She taught me so much and we became very close, If I had a problem I could go to her. I was sadden a few years ago when I found out she had passed. Last there was my my church family. There I was on the usher board, sang on the choir and was a part of the youth missionary. We were an African Methothist Epistopal Church so to this day I still sometimes recite the Apostle's Creed. The older ladies within the church gave us advice and the pastor would counsel me as well. We had dinner occasionally or the pastor would have dinner with a church member it was great having the pastor over sharing stories and and wisdom. I feel I had

My favorite book is  "Who Moved my Cheese?" by: Spencer Johnson. When I first began as a early childhood teacher I had a little trouble adjusting to change and so my director suggested I read this book. After reading the book,  I learned that when I am put into a situation that in unfamiliar I must  learn my surroundings so when the situation changes I am adaptable.  My favorite author is Eric Carle. I love his books because they are fun to read and they build language, courage and they help with building character. His books also enhance math, and social development. I hope someday to visit his museum in Boston. One of my favorite quotes is “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” 
Benjamin Franklin.

Teachers open doors

Hello Classmates, "Teachers open doors" is a phrase I used a few years ago with my toddler friends to keep them from opening the clasroom door. Well, months later a parent gave me a plaque with that same inscription on it. He also gave me a card that said, "thanks for opening the doors to Annabel's early education. We appreciate all you do." I was so touched by that. I had no idea her dad would use that phrase to show my impact on his child. It makes me proud to know something I said can make a positive impact a family's life.