Child Development To Me

I love studying child development because it takes every single one of us back to where we became who we are.  I love the raw potential that every child has before life circumstances shape them and change them.  As a teacher and mother I love having the opportunity to provide an environment that nurtures that potential and values every child's individual personality, development, culture, family, and history.

One of the major reasons I love early childhood is that there are fewer years of life experiences that you have to deal with.  I like working with young children that are still innocent regardless of their home life.  My husband works with at risk high school students and I see how much harder he has to work to earn trust and break through built up barriers.  All young children love to learn while playing, want to love, and have someone love them, it is instinctual!   

I believe that all children should be given opportunities and experiences to learn at their own time.  I see my role as an educator to scaffold them from things they know to things they don't.  If we started assessing children's progress instead of comparing what they know and do to set standards, we could celebrate this constant growth instead of focusing on unlearned skills.

Finally, young children are just funny!

A special thanks!

I would like to say that I have enjoyed the many personal experiences and insights that everyone has offered during this course.  I have learned so much from reading all of the blogs this course!  I would like to give a special thanks to Kiendra Leonce for sharing so much about your home country of Barbados.  I really enjoyed your blogs that gave a different cultural perspective to that of someone in the United States.  I enjoy learning about education in different countries, but it is so rewarding hearing about it first hand.  Thank you for sharing your perspective.  I would also like to thank Tanya Meridith for your very clear and factual blog posts.  Your posts were very thoughtful and informational!  Thanks again to everyone and good luck in the rest of your courses!

ASSESSMENTS

Assessments are a good tool for teachers to evaluate what skill level some students are at.  For this reason assessments can be very helpful to the individual child.  National and state standardized testing, however, has very little if any information to offer about the individual child.  These tests are used to determine the lucky schools that deserve to have funding continued.  The major problem with this system is that we know low test scores are connected to poverty.  Therefore, low income communities end up defunded and/shut down.  The worth of the assessment, to me, is only as great as the information it tells you about the child…so most are not that great.

As educators we must ask ourselves what the purpose of the assessment is.  How can this assessment tell us what a student knows and what a student still needs to know?  According to Concept to Classroom (2004) students can “demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways, including essays, oral presentations, and/or a portfolio of work.  Then teachers can use this information to inform instruction for the things that the students still need to know.

References

How does constructivism align with state and national standards. (2004). In Concept to

Classroom. Retrieved December 7, 2013, from

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/explor_sub4.html

We Should All Move to Finland!

“Teachers learn how to create challenging curriculum and how to develop and evaluate local performance assessments that engage students in research and inquiry on a regular basis. Teacher training emphasizes learning how to teach students who learn in different ways, including those with special needs. It includes a strong emphasis on “multiculturality” and the “prevention of learning difficulties and exclusion,” as well as on the understanding of learning, thoughtful assessment, and curriculum development. The egalitarian Finns reasoned that if teachers learn to help students who struggle, they will be able to teach all students more effectively and, indeed, leave no child behind.” –Linda Darling-Hammond (2010)

In Finland in the 1970’s there was a huge overhaul of their education system.  One of the key changes made was the education of their teachers.  Teachers began to go through a rigorous education program and then had to qualify for a fully funded program.  Education programs went from 3 year programs to 5 year programs.  Most Finnish teachers have a Master’s in education and their core subject.  This had a huge impact on changing education in Finland.  The most significant impact was how it changed assessments in Finland.  With highly educated and qualified teachers in the schools the government turned student assessments over to the teachers and the schools.  They trusted their teachers to accurately evaluate their students’ needs and implement appropriate curriculum.  For this same reason national standards decreased significantly as well.  The education of teachers was standardized and therefore curriculum didn’t have to be.  More power was put in the hands of local government, schools, and teachers.

One of the most intriguing aspects of assessment in Finland is the emphasis on student self-evaluation.  The curriculum focuses on critical thinking and problem solving in all subjects.  Children are taught how to think critically and evaluate whether they are meeting set goals.  Education like this is more about the process than the product.  Children are rarely if ever tested on standards, but instead have to show and explain their knowledge.

The government also supports equality in education.  They do this by providing small schools (300 pupils), and small classrooms (under 20) with teacher assistants, and equally equipped schools.  They also provide free meals, free health care, and counseling equally in all schools across the country.  With these basic needs met children come to school on a level playing field.

The following references and resources are well worth your time!

References

Darling-Hammond, L. (2010, November). What we can learn from Finland’s

successful school reform. In NEA. Retrieved December 7, 2013, from

http://www.nea.org/home/40991.htm

Resources

Student Assessment in Finland-Basic Education:

http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/34520105.ppt

Hackschooling makes me Happy: (This kid is amazing and it will change your whole perspective on education!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11u3vtcpaY

On November 7, 2013 typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines.  With many dead and many more still missing, people are homeless and without food.  Aid is now arriving to help the people, but delivery is slow because they are ill-equipped to receive it and distribute the donations. According to Ramzy (2013), "Of the estimated 13 million people affected by the storm, five million are children."  



Concerns for Children include:

Malnutrition-People are without food and clean water.  For children malnutrition can interrupt major brain and body development.  If prolonged malnutrition occurs it can cause stunting, children fail to grow to average heights, which might also affect the brain (Berger, 2012).  Malnutrition also depletes a child's body reserves making them more susceptible to diseases (Berger, 2012).

Grief-With so many people missing or dead children are highly likely to know someone who is gone.  In some cases they might be orphaned.  High levels of emotional and environmental stress can cause defects in the brain and negatively affect development.

Medical Needs-Children are without medical supplies for regular health and wellness and for diseases.

Schools-It is vitally important to retain any kind of normalcy for children and going to school is one of these normal activities that would help.  However, many schools in the Philippines were built sturdier than housing and therefore are still standing and being used as refugee centers.  

The following is an excerpt from the NASP Resource website:

 To the extent possible parents and other caregivers should:

• Provide opportunities for children to see friends.
• Bring personal items that the child values when staying in temporary housing.
• Establish some daily routines so that the child is able to have a sense of what to expect (including returning to school as soon as possible).
• Provide opportunities for children to share their ideas and listen carefully to their concerns or fears.
• Be sensitive to the disruption that relocation may cause and be responsive to the child’s needs.
• Consider the developmental level and unique experiences of each child; it is important to remember that as children vary, so will their responses to the disruption of relocation,

References

Berger, K.S. (2013).  The developing person through childhood.  New York, 

     NY: Worth Publishers.

Lazarus, P. J., Jimerson, S. R., & Brock, S. E. (2003). Helping Children After a 

     Natural Disaster: Information for Parents and Teachers. In NASP 

     Resources. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from 

     http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_ho.aspx

Ramzy, A. (2013, November 19). For Young Typhoon Survivors, Return of Play 

     Is a Sign of Hope. The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2013, 

     from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/world/asia/children-philippines-

    typhoon-haiyan.html?_r=0

O  Other Helpful Websites

    United Nations Children's Fund: http://www.unicefusa.org

    Save the Children:  http://savethechildren.org

U

Breastfeeding

After three children and collectively 6 years and still counting of nursing, breastfeeding is very important to me.  I feel that there are so many health and psychological benefits to breastfeeding for the mother and child.  I chose to breastfeed simply  because it was as nature had intended, but I had no idea that I would love it so much.  It was such an intimate and special moment with my child that no one else could provide!  The health benefits were a bonus!

These are a few of the benefits according to the following website:

https://www.text4baby.org/index.php/miscellaneous/357-breastfeeding?gclid=COvK5faN07oCFY5AMgodPTkASw

BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS 

FOR CHILD

• Colostrum- early milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies so babies get sick less often.
• Breast milk has all the perfect ingredients: fat, sugar, water, and protein
• Easy to Digest
• Breast milk helps fight disease in older children because of continuous antibodies
• Physical contact helps build secure attachments for babies

FOR MOTHER

• Life is easier- no sterilizing, measuring, mixing, or warming
• Save $- formula and feeding supplies can cost over $1500 each year
• Physical contact helps mother bond with baby
• Can reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression
• Working mother's miss less work because babies are ill less often

BREASTFEEDING AROUND THE WORLD

All around the world women are breastfeeding for a number of reasons.  Some of the major influences for nursing are health benefits, economics, and culture.  Since we are focusing on health issues I chose to investigate the Philippines.

The Philippines is one of the leaders in international efforts to promote and protect women’s right to breastfeed. The country has implemented laws to control aggressive marketing by formula companies and their false claims that formula makes babies smarter. The WHO estimated that the nation’s total lost wages from caring for formula-fed children with diarrhea and acute respiratory infections during the first six months of life was 1 billion pesos ($23.4 million). Eighty-eight percent of Filipino babies are breastfed at birth and 34% are exclusively breastfed up to five months of age. Source: Time, ChildInfo and Le Leche League Image Courtesy: © Jojo Pensica Jr.

 *This information and image was taken directly from http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world/#slide1 .

It is easy for me to talk about my love for breastfeeding, because it came so easily to me.  I never had any soreness, latching problems, thrush, yeast infections, and the many other complications with breastfeeding.  I feel sorry for women who want to breastfeed and can't or are discouraged by society, friends, family or work.  As breastfeeding becomes more and more acceptable in the United States again, there are many more resources for women to use when having difficulties.  The following are a few websites that help educate and encourage healthy breastfeeding.

La Leche League - http://www.llli.org

WIC - http://www.wichealth.org

         http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/breastfeeding/mainpage.HTM

Office On Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human 

Services - http://womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/

Breastfeeding Support Consultants - http://bsccenter.org

Attachment Parenting International - http://attachmentparenting.org/

Nick in Portland, Oregon prefers breastfeeding his baby to his Buzz Lightyear toy. Image Courtesy: © Sean Dreilinger

*This information and image was taken directly from http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world/#slide1 .

References

In Culture Parent. (2012). Breastfeeding around the world. Retrieved from 

     http://www.incultureparent.com/2012/03/breastfeeding-around-the-world/#slide1

Text 4 Baby. (2013). Breastfeeding protects babies. Retrieved from 

   http://text4baby.org/index.php/miscellaneous/357-breastfeeding

My Birth Experiences

I have been very fortunate with my pregnancies and my birth experiences.  I have two children that are 4 years apart, now 14 and 10.  They were both born in St. Louis, MO at home with a doctor.  My first labor experience was very long, 22 hours, followed by a quick birth.  Two things I remember most is the moment my daughter was born I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love that I had never felt before, it brought me to tears!  Secondly, I remember when Shea was born her little lips were already in sucking position.  She latched on to nurse right away and we were instantly bonded!

Cody's labor was quicker and I remember being much calmer and in control during his labor.  The nurse that helped with his delivery gave my husband ways to help support me through labor pains that made me more comfortable.  Shea was not present during delivery, but came within the hour to share in the joy of her new brother.  Cody's personality showed through immediately as he was wide awake and checking the world out for almost 6-8 hours after birth.  He latched on and was another happy nurser!

 


Our experience was so wonderful that when my 30-something friends started having babies we got the baby itch and we decided to have one more baby.  Lucas was born on my son's birthday exactly 8 years apart.  Because we are now in Michigan we had to find a new doctor.  There are no doctors who do home births in our area so we started to go the hospital route.  Being our 3rd pregnancy the doctor offices expected us to be well informed and I found them rude and harsh about my previous home births which they thought were reckless.  My first appointment ended with me in hysterics!

That was when we found our birth center.

There were 3 nurse midwives that we alternated visits with so that we could get to know each of them before delivery date.  I chose a center birth instead of home birth because there would be two midwives present at birth and because I wanted access to the many labor and birth options that they had, including the giant birthing tub.

Throughout my pregnancy I looked forward to my visits to the birth center.  We drank tea and chatted about how I was coping with work and other children and being in my 30's versus my 20's.  I got to know each of the midwives very personally.  They were more like friends.  We felt comfortable making individual choices about tests and birth options.

On May 30, 2011 I woke up around 7:30am to watch Cody open his presents that we leave at the end of his bed.  Hard labor started quickly.  I can't tell you how far contractions were apart because I never really understood how to determine.  We left by 8am and dropped my son off with my Mom who lives with my sister and picked my sister up.  The birth center is a about an hour and a half away.  We arrived around 10.  The midwives had a warm tub ready for me.  After a quick check by one of the midwives they determined that the baby was facing the wrong way.  They had me go through several contractions on the bed alternating between on my side, on my knees, and then on my other side.  I did this cycle maybe twice and the baby rolled over!  Then I had to go to the bathroom.  When I went my water broke over the toilet and I had extremely painful contractions, around 11am.  This is when I decided I wanted to get in the tub.  My contractions were instantly easier in the tub!  I could breath and relax my shoulders!  I was not comfortable on my knees in the tub though.  When I moved onto my back I was supported by a large bath pillow and my bottom was able to float.  I was able to start pushing.  No one told me when to push or not to, I was following the leads of my body.  I stopped and breathed after he crowned and waited for my body to tell me to push again.  Then he was born at 11:22am.  It was such a gentle birth and I was blessed a third time!  Lukey instantly started rooting for milk and nursed like a champ!  I held him in the tub while I delivered the after birth.  He stayed connected to the placenta for almost an hour getting all the nutrients that other babies don't when they are cut so early.  He was examined by the midwives mostly while being held, with the exception of being weighed.  We were given warm towels to exit the tub and had a comfy bed to snuggle in with the whole family.  When we were ready after lunch another herbal bath was drawn and momma and baby washed off to go home.  This was my favorite delivery experience, because it was like delivering at a spa.  Our 24 hour and 4 day check up was done at home with a midwife visit.
 
 

I only needed a few stitches with Cody's delivery and one with Luke's, I never needed my water to be broken, I didn't need drugs, and I never needed an episiotomy.  I am very proud of my experiences, but I was never considered a risky birth.  I was always very close to a hospital in case of emergencies and I trusted my doctor and midwives to be aware of complications.  I realize this is not for everyone, but I would recommend it for those who are able.  We are learning more and more about the hormone oxytocin and it's affect on bonding with our babies after birth.  Oxytocin is a natural pain reducing hormone during labor and birth and the production of it can be interrupted with epidurals and cesarean births.  I approached my birthing options with the comfort that women had been doing this forever and that it was meant to be a natural occurrence.  Research is showing that many times we interfere with this natural process when not necessary especially in the Untied States.

According to an article on parents.com (Schalken), "Birth Customs Around the World," birthing practices are on various points of a large spectrum.  The article discusses Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Turkey.  In the Netherlands and Germany midwives are encouraged and nearly half of births are at home.  Women in Japan tend to be more in the middle of the spectrum, giving birth in hospitals, but refusing drugs such as epidurals due to customs.  Brazil and Turkey are at the other end of the spectrum with 25% in Brazil and nearly 75% in Turkey opting for planned cesareans. Incidentally, in Turkey the maternal mortality rate is higher than in other countries with low numbers of c-section surgeries.

I believe that labor and birth is very personal and individual.  It should meet the needs of the mother, infant, and family.  For this reason a woman should be well informed of options and supported fully in her decision.

references

Schalken, L. (n.d).  Birth around the world. Parents. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com on November 1, 2013.

NAEYC Code of Ethics

The following three ideals are taken from the NAEYC code of Ethics.  This is a valuable resource for all people and families in the field of early childhood.  Although all ideals and principles are important I have chosen these three to be particularly meaningful to me and I explain why.

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.

I have learned in my experience that the field of education is ever changing!  It is important to be aware of new trends and research when trying to provide the best for the children we work with and their families.  I also love the renewed excitement that I feel when I learn a different way to teach a particular lesson in the classroom. 

I-1.5—To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.

 Too often as teachers we get caught up in our agenda and forget to include our students’ input.  It is important that we include our students’ in the process so that the lessons we teach are relevant to their lives and experiences.  We are more like to have teaching moments that respect their individuality and stick with them long term.

I-2.2—To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.

We cannot truly impact the children we serve without valuing their families.  We have to build strong relationships with the families to create open communications between home and school.  This will help strengthen any lessons learned at school by reinforcing them at home and vice versa.

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

PASSION, WISDOM, and MOTIVATION

"It was like the most joyful experience where I felt everything in me was being called upon to teach."

"The passion to make sure that all children were taught in environments and in ways that truly nurtured their ability to grow and develop to their fullest ability."

Louise Derman-Sparks

Professor Emeritas

Pacific Oak College, CA

"We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better, that's what makes me passionate about this field."

Sandy Escobido

Deputy Field Director

Los Angeles Preschool Advocacy Initiative

California Community Foundation

Multimedia Program: "Sectors of the Early Childhood Field" 

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6005/04/mm/Sectors/Main.html

EXPERTS in EARLY CHILDHOOD

"While children with language delays or emotional disorders have been long thought to benefit from play interventions, typically developing children are usually expected to develop play skills on their own. This approach, while valid in the past, may no longer be sufficient because of dramatic changes in the culture of childhood have resulted in a situation where an early childhood classroom may be the only place where many children have the opportunity to learn how to play."

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. (2010). Curriculum and Play in Early Child Development. 

Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development. retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

"Our research shows that an emphasis on play does not detract from academic learning but actually enables children to learn.  In classrooms where children spent 50-60 minutes of a two-and-a-half-hour program in play supported by teachers' use of Vygotskian strategies to enhance play, children scored higher in literacy skills than in control classrooms (Bodrova & Leong 2001).

Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. J. (2003). Chopsticks and Counting Chips. Young Children.

retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

 

"Parents can't afford to pay,

Teachers and providers can't afford to stay,

Help us find a better way."

Worthy Wage Campaign Jingle, 1992

Whitebook, M., & Eichberg, A. (2002). Finding a better way: Defining and assessing public policies to

improve child care workforce compensation.

 retrieved from http://scholar.google.com

Pics of my Family System

3 generations-2001

Mom and me 

Uncle Tony and me

Grandma Vee and Rhonda

Family Picture 1976

Rhonda and Me 1976

Grandma Vee, me and Aunt Patty 1998

Aunt Patty, Me, Rhonda, Mom at my wedding reception 1998

Rhonda, Aunt Patty, and me 2011

PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

MOM:  My mom was a single, working, parent raising two daughters at a time when it was not widely accepted to do so.  She was my strongest role model growing up.  I always felt extremely loved and supported in everything that I wanted to pursue.  She made me feel whole when outside sources tried to tell me I wasn’t because I did not have a relationship with my dad.  She was an amazing role model being such a strong and independent woman. 

SISTER:  My sister is 6 years older than me and she was a huge influence in my life.  Because my mom was a working mom, my sister had the responsibility of taking care of me a lot of the time.  She made me feel like I was included and “cool” when she would take me with her to hang out with her friends while my mom was at work.  Because of this bond she was the first person that I turned to when I was an adolescent and needed help or guidance.  She is still my best friend to this day.

GRANDMA:  My grandma never needed to do much to make me feel special.  Her every action told you she loved you and supported you.  Her love language was food.  She always had my favorite treats at her house, she made my favorite foods at family meals, and we always went for ice cream when I would stay the night.  I miss her very much and still remember the way she smelled when I hugged her!

AUNT and UNCLE:  My Aunt and Uncle were special because they were my role model for a relationship.  My Aunt was very fun and active and we did a lot of fun things when we were together that I didn’t do with my mom.  My uncle was my positive male role model.  He gave me the fatherly relationship that I didn’t get from having a dad in the home.  

PLAY!

One of my favorites!

Hug, written by Jez Alborough, is one of my favorite children's books.  I like this book because it grows with children as they grow. Infants like it because of the beautiful illustrations and simple text.  Toddlers begin to understand the emotions behind the monkey's different expressions even though he is saying the same word, hug.  My preschoolers like this book because the simple text allows them to memorize the words and read the text independently.  Reading this book to children gives room for a lot of open ended questions.  This is a must have in your early childhood library!

Welcome to the Blogger world!

This is the first of many new experiences I am sure I will have starting my new classes for my Graduate studies in Early Childhood.  I am excited to see where this new path will lead me. I am sure that it will provide many funny stories to reflect on and share as I figure all of this out!