Children

Testing for Intelligence?

This assignment was difficult for me because I don’t necessary agree with the school aged standardized testing.  I feel as though it is not fair for a child to go through the entire school year and make passing grades and then to take a test and fail and have to repeat the grade.  My 17 year old daughter just took the ACT test for college prep and made a 17.  She is a straight A student but unless she retakes the test and gets a higher score she will not be able to attend certain colleges.

The country I researched is Taiwan. Some of the negative effects that high-stakes testing have had on their children include having extreme stress and a lower self-esteem.  The suicide rate among Taiwanese students is high and comparable to their Japanese counterparts, whom also share similar rigorous standardized testing system (“Haynes and Chalker, 1997).  Therefore, this shows us that having such high academic expectations can be detrimental as they can drive students to the point of depression and even death.  Perhaps this is where schools and families should intervene in order to ensure that the stress does not reach to a dangerous level.  

Although students in the U.S. might not be as affected with the negative effects of standardized testing, America does pay a price.  Despite being one of the richest, most influential countries in the world, American students have rarely scored high compared to other nations.  For example, on a mathematics tests for 13-year-olds, U.S. students on the whole ranked 14th while Taiwan ranked in the top two, with average scores more than 20 points higher than in the U.S. (Bushweller, 1996). 

Bushweller, K. (1996). International Comparisons: How Do U.S.   Schools Stack Up? And Are World Rankings Really Fair and Accurate? Retrieved December 06, 2013, from http://www.asbj.com/achievement/aa/aa2.html. 

Haynes, R. & Chalker, D. (1997). World-Class Schools. The American School Board Journal, 184 (5),20-26. 

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

In todays society children are exposed to or experience domestic violence day in and day out in many ways. They may hear one parent threaten the other, observe a parent who is out of control or reckless with anger, see one parent assault the other, or live with the aftermath of a violent assault. Many children are affected by hearing threats to the safety of their parent, regardless of whether it results in physical injury. Children who live with domestic violence are also at increased risk to become direct victims of child abuse. In my opinion domestic violence poses a serious threat to children's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

As a child I think the biggest stressor for me was domestic violence.  My father was an alcoholic and would take his anger out on my mother.  Having to see and hear the pain that my mother went through was very hard for me.  It was hard for me because I really loved my father on one hand and hated him on the other.  I think that in order to survive I shut myself off from the world.  I would stay locked up in my room and would not socialize much with people. 

Exposure to domestic violence has also been linked to poor school performance. It is said that children who grow up with domestic violence may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty in completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills.In addition to these physical, behavioral, psychological, and cognitive effects, children who have been exposed to domestic violence often learn destructive lessons about the use of violence and power in relationships. Children may learn that it is acceptable to exert control or relieve stress by using violence, or that violence is in some way linked to expressions of intimacy and affection. These lessons can have a powerful negative effect on children in social situations and relationships throughout childhood and in later life(Dotinga).

References

Dotinga, Randy. Parental Stress, Domestic Violence May Affect Kids’ Development: Study. Retrieved November 23, 2013 from http://news.health.com/2013/11/07/parental-stress-domestic-violence-may-affect-kids-development-study/

Breastfeeding

The topic I choose this week is breastfeeding.  I choose breastfeeding because it is very near and dear to my heart. I breastfed both of my older children.  This process was hard for me because I had a mother in law that was very against it.  She would do and say things to me to make me not want to nurse my children.  I think that breastfeeding was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my children.  They walked at early ages and have been very healthy children.  Breastfeeding is truly a sacrifice for the mothers involved.  It has become a lot easier now than it was 17 years ago.  There are many public places that actually offer private areas for mothers to nurse their children.  During the time I nursed it was sometimes embarrassing because although I was always covered people choose to stare.

In North America and Western Europe, breastfeeding in public is not generally accepted. Even if women are determined to breastfeed, they are often uncomfortable exposing their breasts in public because breasts are culturally associated with sex. In many other countries, breasts are seen as functional, so it is not immodest for them to be uncovered. It is very natural to breastfeed in public and women are very comfortable doing so. Some cultures may have a taboo against women breastfeeding in the company of men(Breastfeeding, Culture and Attachment)

I use the information and first hand knowledge that I have learned about breastfeeding to encourage and support new mothers in my program to breastfeed their babies.  I also ensure that we have provided a private and comfortable place for mothers to nurse their babies.

Breast milk helps keep your baby healthy.

*It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions.

*It protects against allergies, sickness, and obesity.

*It protects against diseases, like diabetes and cancer.

*It protects against infections, like ear infections.

*It is easily digested – no constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach.

*Babies have healthier weights as they grow.

*Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests.

Breastfeeding, Culture , and Attachment - Attachment Across  Retrieved November 2013.  www.attachmentacrosscultures.org/beliefs/bfeed_culture.pdf 

Why is Breastfeeding Important for your Baby? Retrieved November 2013 from:  http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/breastfeeding/importance.htm

Child Birth Around the World

The  personal birthing experience I chose to write about is that of my sister Brittany, when she had my nephew Kaden.  Kaden was her first born child.  During childbirth myself and his father were present in the room.  Although I have three children of my own and have been present for all three of their births (smile) I had no idea how amazing childbirth was.  During the time she was in labor I was there to help her breath and to keep her calm.  Once she started the actual pushing process it really became real to me.  After a few pushes there was a head full of hair that had crowned.  Shortly after a bouncy baby boy weighing 6 lbs 13 oz the exact weight of all three of my children.  Actually being in the room and watching him come into the world changed the way I saw childbirth.  Even after giving birth myself previously I never really realized the power of the human body and natural childbirth.

                                                               My youngest daughter Ari and I with Kaden

The country that I decided to write about is China.  It was interesting to find out how their babies are born and how foreigners have a totally different birthing experience that locals.  I choose China because I read about how males were banned from the labor room.  I am glad that this is not a rule here in the U.S. because I wouldn’t have wanted to give birth without my husband, nor miss the birth of my nephew.  In China, all the ob-gyns are female. Men are not allowed in the delivery room. Even when you wish your husband to help you as an interpreter, the nurses will tell you to leave the labor room. In one hospital, they had a camera set in the labor room and the husband was only able to talk with his wife over the screen with a phone conversation.

Childbirth of the world. Retrieved 2013 http://www.angelfire.com/wi/caretheworld/english/ebirthworld.htm

Code of Ethics

The 3 Code of Ethics statements from the NAEYC that resonated with me the most are:

I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child.

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

I-1.12—To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.

These statements have become a huge part of my professional life because I have not only read them but I am ensuring that I am living by them.  These ethical statements will help me to remember the importance of why I decided to go into the childcare business in the first place.  Respecting children and their families culture, language, ethnicity and family structure will always be a top priority in my program. I will strive to respect the unique qualities, abilities and potential of each child because I recognize that each child is different.  Working with children and their families to ensure each child's needs are met when they are in my program is definitely a priority.  While meeting the children's individual needs we can help them have a safe and smooth transition from our program to their next.

The 3 Code of Ethics statements from the DEC that resonated with me the most are: 

We shall be responsible for maintaining the appropriate national, state, or other credential or licensure requirements for the services we provide while maintaining our competence in practice and research by ongoing participation in professional development and education activities.

We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.

We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children’s development and learning.

These statements are very important to my professional life because they set up the foundation of  what my program should be built on.  Maintaining the appropriate  licensure requirements and having high levels of integrity is very important.  By doing these things we will be able to build strong relationships with children and their families and this will allow us to to be able to individualize our program to meet the needs of all children.

Course 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, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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, fromhttp://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

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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/

Selected 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/

 Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to "How Do I...?", select "Tips for Specific Formats and Resources," and then "e-journals" to find this search interface.)

• 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:

Teaching Special Kids:

Online Resources for Teachers

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr139.shtml

Early Childhood Resource Center

www.ecresourcecenter.org/links

Environments.com

http://environments.com