Relationships/partnerships are important to me because it helps strengthen my physical, emotional, and mental health. There is strong evidence that supports that healthy relationships or partnerships are related to people's health. Those who are alone and/or isolated from people tend to have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diseases and illnesses.
I have positive relationships with my 3 year old son, Gabriel. I have relationships with my extended family. I am now developing a relationship with my birth mother. I have good relationships with my college friends as well as my childhood friends from my hometown. I talk to my college friends almost everyday, and I try to talk to my childhood friends at least once a week. I keep in touch with the people in my life through phone calls, texts, social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
I believe to keep any type of relationship or partnership together, there has to be some type of communication. You may not always agree with the people that you have relationships with, but with communication compromises can be helpful for any situation.
I believe that communication is essential when working in early childhood education because as an educator, much interaction will be done between teacher-child, teacher-parent, and parent-child. With good communication, as a future educator I can help those families and children who need the resources to achieve their long and short term goals.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1
I haven't heard anything back from my international partners so I decided to complete the alternative assignment which was to gain 3 insights or ideas on childhood poverty. I went to the website http://www.childhoodpoverty.org to gain information on childhood poverty. I learned some very interesting facts that I had no clue about.
The first insight I learned which was appalling to me
1) Over 600 million children world-wide live in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4. In many countries, rates are much higher with over 60 percent of children living in households with incomes below international poverty lines. Over 10 million children under five still die every year from preventable diseases - the vast majority of them in developing countries. As one of the most powerless groups in society, children often bear the physical and emotional costs of poverty in the US.
The second insight I learned:
2) Today's poor children are all too often tomorrow's poor parents. Poverty can be passed on from generation to generation affecting the long-term health, wellbeing and productivity of families and of society as a whole. Tackling childhood poverty is therefore critical for eradicating poverty and injustice world-wide. Poverty denies opportunities to people of all ages. Lost opportunities in childhood cannot always be regained later - childhood is a one-off window of opportunity and development. Poverty experienced by children, even over short periods, can affect the rest of their lives. Malnutrition in early childhood, for example, can lead to life-long learning difficulties and poor health.
The third insight I learned was about the purpose of the organization:
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre is a collaborative research and policy programme which involves Save the Children, the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) and partners in China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Running from 2001 to 2005, it aims to contribute to global poverty reduction efforts by:
• Deepening understanding of the main causes of childhood poverty and poverty cycles, and increasing knowledge of effective strategies to tackle them in different contexts
• Examining economic and social factors at different levels - international, national and local - which contribute to poverty in childhood
• Informing effective policy to end childhood poverty, communicating research findings to policy makers, practitioners and advocates
• Raising the profile of childhood poverty issues and increasing commitment to tackling them through anti-poverty policy and action.
I thought it was such a shame that this website only ran from 2001 to 2005. This research and policy program should be a continuous effort to battle poverty in the US and across the globe.
The first insight I learned which was appalling to me
1) Over 600 million children world-wide live in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4. In many countries, rates are much higher with over 60 percent of children living in households with incomes below international poverty lines. Over 10 million children under five still die every year from preventable diseases - the vast majority of them in developing countries. As one of the most powerless groups in society, children often bear the physical and emotional costs of poverty in the US.
The second insight I learned:
2) Today's poor children are all too often tomorrow's poor parents. Poverty can be passed on from generation to generation affecting the long-term health, wellbeing and productivity of families and of society as a whole. Tackling childhood poverty is therefore critical for eradicating poverty and injustice world-wide. Poverty denies opportunities to people of all ages. Lost opportunities in childhood cannot always be regained later - childhood is a one-off window of opportunity and development. Poverty experienced by children, even over short periods, can affect the rest of their lives. Malnutrition in early childhood, for example, can lead to life-long learning difficulties and poor health.
The third insight I learned was about the purpose of the organization:
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre is a collaborative research and policy programme which involves Save the Children, the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) and partners in China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Running from 2001 to 2005, it aims to contribute to global poverty reduction efforts by:
• Deepening understanding of the main causes of childhood poverty and poverty cycles, and increasing knowledge of effective strategies to tackle them in different contexts
• Examining economic and social factors at different levels - international, national and local - which contribute to poverty in childhood
• Informing effective policy to end childhood poverty, communicating research findings to policy makers, practitioners and advocates
• Raising the profile of childhood poverty issues and increasing commitment to tackling them through anti-poverty policy and action.
I thought it was such a shame that this website only ran from 2001 to 2005. This research and policy program should be a continuous effort to battle poverty in the US and across the globe.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Sharing Web Resources
Here is the link that I received from one of the ECE world representatives from Nigeria. Her name is Margaret Akinware. She works closely with other world representatives through the World Forum Organization and Early Education for Every Child Foundation (EEECF).
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1frlRbeH0yKVn7M8RCuT8KHDxTVtc_xkZ9BC68lIWbISxQFMn05IyOrEuq8pr/edit?usp=sharing.
The World Forum Organization and Early Education for Every Child Foundation goals are to encourage initiatives through volunteers and ECE professionals to foster a global collaboration among the nonprofit, government, and private sectors to reach out and assist those children and families with the tools to building literacy for the children and adults and to help improve families lives. Their main focus is to reach out to families who need help the most.
Check out
www.worldforumorganization.org and www.eeecf.org for additional information.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1frlRbeH0yKVn7M8RCuT8KHDxTVtc_xkZ9BC68lIWbISxQFMn05IyOrEuq8pr/edit?usp=sharing.
The World Forum Organization and Early Education for Every Child Foundation goals are to encourage initiatives through volunteers and ECE professionals to foster a global collaboration among the nonprofit, government, and private sectors to reach out and assist those children and families with the tools to building literacy for the children and adults and to help improve families lives. Their main focus is to reach out to families who need help the most.
Check out
www.worldforumorganization.org and www.eeecf.org for additional information.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Getting Ready-Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources
Part I: Establishing Professional Contacts
I didn't realize that it would be so difficult and time consuming to contact someone out side the United States who works in the Early Childhood Field. I attempted to contact Mrs Eva-Hammes-Di Bernardo from the German National Committee for Early Childhood Education and Blesilda Rios from the Philippines National Committee-Center for Early Childhood Care and Development. I hope to hear back from them soon. If I am not able to get in contact with them, then I may result to completing the alternative section instead.
Part II: Expanding Resources
The website I chose to research and require information from regarding the EC Field is http://www.zerotothree.org/. This website shares some valuable information ranging from behavior and development to care and education and public policy. Each section is broken down with subtitles such as Play, School Readiness, Child Care, and Federal Policy. Each subtitle provides a summary of what the title is and how affects early childhood. I believe this website is great for those who want to acquire basic information.
I didn't realize that it would be so difficult and time consuming to contact someone out side the United States who works in the Early Childhood Field. I attempted to contact Mrs Eva-Hammes-Di Bernardo from the German National Committee for Early Childhood Education and Blesilda Rios from the Philippines National Committee-Center for Early Childhood Care and Development. I hope to hear back from them soon. If I am not able to get in contact with them, then I may result to completing the alternative section instead.
Part II: Expanding Resources
The website I chose to research and require information from regarding the EC Field is http://www.zerotothree.org/. This website shares some valuable information ranging from behavior and development to care and education and public policy. Each section is broken down with subtitles such as Play, School Readiness, Child Care, and Federal Policy. Each subtitle provides a summary of what the title is and how affects early childhood. I believe this website is great for those who want to acquire basic information.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Relationship Reflection
Relationships/partnerships are important to me because it helps strengthen my physical, emotional, and mental health. There is strong evidence that supports that healthy relationships or partnerships are related to people's health. Those who are alone and/or isolated from people tend to have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diseases and illnesses.
I have positive relationships with my 3 year old son, Gabriel. I have relationships with my extended family. I am now developing a relationship with my birth mother. I have good relationships with my college friends as well as my childhood friends from my hometown. I talk to my college friends almost everyday, and I try to talk to my childhood friends at least once a week. I keep in touch with the people in my life through phone calls, texts, social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
I believe to keep any type of relationship or partnership together, there has to be some type of communication. You may not always agree with the people that you have relationships with, but with communication compromises can be helpful for any situation.
I believe that communication is essential when working in early childhood education because as an educator, much interaction will be done between teacher-child, teacher-parent, and parent-child. With good communication, as a future educator I can help those families and children who need the resources to achieve their long and short term goals.
I have positive relationships with my 3 year old son, Gabriel. I have relationships with my extended family. I am now developing a relationship with my birth mother. I have good relationships with my college friends as well as my childhood friends from my hometown. I talk to my college friends almost everyday, and I try to talk to my childhood friends at least once a week. I keep in touch with the people in my life through phone calls, texts, social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
I believe to keep any type of relationship or partnership together, there has to be some type of communication. You may not always agree with the people that you have relationships with, but with communication compromises can be helpful for any situation.
I believe that communication is essential when working in early childhood education because as an educator, much interaction will be done between teacher-child, teacher-parent, and parent-child. With good communication, as a future educator I can help those families and children who need the resources to achieve their long and short term goals.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Children's Quotes
"Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate." - Anonymous
This quote is so right on. For instance, my 3 year old is imitating every single word, sound, motion, and movement someone say or does. His brain is a sponge literally. I have to remind my friends and including myself to make sure that we do not say anything inappropriate because my son will say exactly what you say now. As adults, we have to be mindful of what we say and do because children watch us constantly. If our children are watching us, don't we want them to pick up the good qualities of us? When we show our children the correct way to talk and behave, then we can truly say that we are good role models. I think this generation that is coming up are lacking good role models in the home, school, and the rest of the community. I strive everyday to be a great role model for my son to imitate so that he can make mommy and himself proud. Ask yourself if you are parent, relative, or educator, are you being a good role model for the children to imitate.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Testing for Intelligence?
I personally believe that children today are being overly assessed due to the demands of a changing world; however, all this assessing has been misdiagnosed many children. Placing labels on children allows others to judge and isolate them which aids in a child thinking he is different or not as smart as the next child. In early childhood, I think the physical and mental development of a child should be assessed because it provides the parents and teachers the information they need to help that particular child later on. If the physical and mental development is assessed early enough, the child may have a chance to get tested and treated which can assist the child in his or her learning capabilities to be successful in school.
In Jamaica, many researchers conduct literacy tests on the elementary and high schools students and study the students during the course of their school years. To date, the students are assessed to understand why one group of privileged children are reading at the country level and the underprivileged are not reading at the country level. Most of the researchers believed that the socioeconomic status affects the learning capabilities of the Jamaican children. In this particular case, I understanding assessing those children because if one group is not doing well, it is important to find out the reasons (Lewis, 2010).
Reference
Lewis, Yewande Eleene. (2010). Literacy in elementary school in Jamaica: the case
of the grade four literacy test. Retrieved from http://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1883&context=etd.
In Jamaica, many researchers conduct literacy tests on the elementary and high schools students and study the students during the course of their school years. To date, the students are assessed to understand why one group of privileged children are reading at the country level and the underprivileged are not reading at the country level. Most of the researchers believed that the socioeconomic status affects the learning capabilities of the Jamaican children. In this particular case, I understanding assessing those children because if one group is not doing well, it is important to find out the reasons (Lewis, 2010).
Reference
Lewis, Yewande Eleene. (2010). Literacy in elementary school in Jamaica: the case
of the grade four literacy test. Retrieved from http://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1883&context=etd.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Violence as a Stressor for Children Around the World
Growing up, I had a few friends who experienced domestic abuse or violence within the home. In middle school, a child was killed by their relative due to neglence of the family members fighting. A child lost his life because adults were not able to control their emotions especially in front of children. Domestic violence is very prevalent in the United States, and many children witness or are targeted by violence. One of my close friends experience violence from a family member and sometimes she would come to my grandmother house to hide out until her family member calmed down. Most times, her family member was drunk and took their frustrations out on her. We were in elementary and middle school. The violence lasted til high school and then her grandmother decided to take her out the home, which was the best thing for my friend. However, it did affect her emotionally growing up. She was very quiet and afraid to speak up to people because she was afraid that she may get hit or have to defend herself in a fight. As I was conducting research on this topic in other countries, I came across an internet article stating how the number of domestic violence cases against children in Australia are fairly high. This is very alarming.
In Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (2005) Personal Safety Survey found that of all women who had experienced partner violence since the age of 15 years and had children in their care during the relationship, 59 percent reported that the violence had been witnessed by children, 37 percent that the violence had not been witnessed by children and four percent that they did not know whether the violence had been witnessed by children in their care (n=11,800). The Australian component of the International Violence Against Women Survey found that of women who had experienced partner violence and had children living with them at the time, 36 percent reported that their children had witnessed a domestic violence incident (n=1,730; Mouzos & Makkai 2004). Taylor’s (2006) analysis of data from the ACT’s Family Violence Intervention Program database revealed that for the year 2003–04, children were recorded as being present at 44 percent of domestic violence incidents (n=2,793). A number of estimates about the extent of children’s exposure to domestic violence have been made in recent years. Pinheiro’s (2006) report for UNICEF estimated that between 133 million and 275 million children around the world witness frequent domestic violence each year. Those numbers are very high and globally something should be done to prevent such cases (Richards, 2011).
Richards, Kelly. (2011, June). Children's exposure to domestic violence in Australia.[Abstract]. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 49, 401-420. Retrieved from http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/401-420/tandi419.html.
In Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (2005) Personal Safety Survey found that of all women who had experienced partner violence since the age of 15 years and had children in their care during the relationship, 59 percent reported that the violence had been witnessed by children, 37 percent that the violence had not been witnessed by children and four percent that they did not know whether the violence had been witnessed by children in their care (n=11,800). The Australian component of the International Violence Against Women Survey found that of women who had experienced partner violence and had children living with them at the time, 36 percent reported that their children had witnessed a domestic violence incident (n=1,730; Mouzos & Makkai 2004). Taylor’s (2006) analysis of data from the ACT’s Family Violence Intervention Program database revealed that for the year 2003–04, children were recorded as being present at 44 percent of domestic violence incidents (n=2,793). A number of estimates about the extent of children’s exposure to domestic violence have been made in recent years. Pinheiro’s (2006) report for UNICEF estimated that between 133 million and 275 million children around the world witness frequent domestic violence each year. Those numbers are very high and globally something should be done to prevent such cases (Richards, 2011).
Richards, Kelly. (2011, June). Children's exposure to domestic violence in Australia.[Abstract]. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 49, 401-420. Retrieved from http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/401-420/tandi419.html.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Breastfeeding
According to studies conducted, breastfeeding is very important for the baby, mother, and the society. How is breastfeeding important for the health of the baby? Well, breastfeeding protects the baby immune system as its body is growing. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Plus, breast milk is easier for the baby to digest which helps protects the baby from any diseases or illnesses. The benefits for the mother is that it is cost savvy, it helps the mother bond to her baby, and it is also great for the mother's health as well. The nation benefits overall when mothers breastfeed. Recent research shows that if 90 percent of families breastfed exclusively for 6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants could be prevented. The United States would also save $13 billion per year — medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Breastfeeding also contributes to a more productive workforce since mothers miss less work to care for sick infants. Employer medical costs are also lower.
Breastfeeding is also better for the environment. There is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies (womenshealth.gov). Also it is very common for women in third world countries to breastfeed due to the costs and also for the benefits for the baby. It just makes sense if a woman does not have the monies to buy the formula to breastfeed.
This topic is dear to me because I breast fed my 3 year old for the first couple months. I recovered well from the hospital. Also, my son has not had to go to the emergency room for any illness. Every once in a while he may get the sniffles but he has not had a severe cold, earache, or any illness. I have been very blessed to not have to go through the doctor visits and emergency visits. My 3 year old could not be any more healthier than a big child or an adult.
For additional information on breastfeeding, visit www.womenhealth.gov.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
First Births in Australia
In Australia, three main settings are available in which to give birth: hospital, home, and birth center. Nineteen women participated in the study . They were recruited using purposive and theoretical sampling. Purposeful sampling occurs where the phenomenon is known to exist. Theoretical sampling is the process of data collection for generating theory whereby the analyst jointly collects, codes, and analyzes the data, and decides what data to collect next and where to find them in order to develop the theory as it emerges. Unlike statistical sampling, theoretical sampling cannot be predetermined prior to the outset of the study, and sampling decisions emerge as the study progresses.
Evidence suggests that women select their place of birth according to the level of choice and responsibility they wish to take in the birth: Women who choose out-of-hospital care tend to want more control over decisions regarding themselves, their bodies, and the birth environment compared with women who choose hospital care.
According to the data that was collected, women who had given birth to their first baby were initially identified in the postnatal ward of a large tertiary referral hospital and asked to consent to being interviewed 6 weeks later. Women who had their first baby at home were contacted by their independent midwives and asked if they could be approached to participate. One first-time mother who had given birth in a private hospital, two first-time mothers who had given birth in a birth center, and two multiparous women (one hospital birth and one home birth) were also identified and invited to participate. Each potential participant received an information sheet that explained the purpose of the study and what would be required of participants. Each participant signed a consent form. Only one woman (planned hospital birth) chose not to participate.
The participants ranged from 19 to 37 years of age. Women who had had home births were on average 30 years old compared with 25 years old for the women who had had hospital births. All of the women had partners. Three women had university degrees (one in the home-birth group and three in the hospital-birth group). One of the home-birth women was transferred to hospital and had a forceps birth. All of the women who gave birth in hospital—except for one (forceps birth)—had normal vaginal births. Most of the women attended formal antenatal childbirth education (all of the home-birth group, and 5 of 8 in the hospital-birth group). Compared to the women who chose home birth, the women who chose hospital birth seemed less concerned about personal decision making, more dependent on their caregivers, and more trusting of the medical system. As two women noted: Women who chose a home birth viewed medical interventions as negative and dangerous, while those who chose a hospital birth viewed medical interventions as positive.
Reference
Budin, Wendy C. (2008). Preparing for the First Birth: Mothers' Experiences at Home and in Hospital in Australia. Journal of Perinatal Education. Retrieved January 12, 2012 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582407/.
Evidence suggests that women select their place of birth according to the level of choice and responsibility they wish to take in the birth: Women who choose out-of-hospital care tend to want more control over decisions regarding themselves, their bodies, and the birth environment compared with women who choose hospital care.
According to the data that was collected, women who had given birth to their first baby were initially identified in the postnatal ward of a large tertiary referral hospital and asked to consent to being interviewed 6 weeks later. Women who had their first baby at home were contacted by their independent midwives and asked if they could be approached to participate. One first-time mother who had given birth in a private hospital, two first-time mothers who had given birth in a birth center, and two multiparous women (one hospital birth and one home birth) were also identified and invited to participate. Each potential participant received an information sheet that explained the purpose of the study and what would be required of participants. Each participant signed a consent form. Only one woman (planned hospital birth) chose not to participate.
The participants ranged from 19 to 37 years of age. Women who had had home births were on average 30 years old compared with 25 years old for the women who had had hospital births. All of the women had partners. Three women had university degrees (one in the home-birth group and three in the hospital-birth group). One of the home-birth women was transferred to hospital and had a forceps birth. All of the women who gave birth in hospital—except for one (forceps birth)—had normal vaginal births. Most of the women attended formal antenatal childbirth education (all of the home-birth group, and 5 of 8 in the hospital-birth group). Compared to the women who chose home birth, the women who chose hospital birth seemed less concerned about personal decision making, more dependent on their caregivers, and more trusting of the medical system. As two women noted: Women who chose a home birth viewed medical interventions as negative and dangerous, while those who chose a hospital birth viewed medical interventions as positive.
Reference
Budin, Wendy C. (2008). Preparing for the First Birth: Mothers' Experiences at Home and in Hospital in Australia. Journal of Perinatal Education. Retrieved January 12, 2012 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582407/.
My Personal Birthing Experience
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