Week 8

When it comes to working with children and their families I feel that it is important that as an educator you are able to build a  respectful, educational, diverse relationship with them. As educators we must realize that not all children are the same. We must also treat children fairly and not mistreat those who may have a little more issues than others.

I feel that that educators should be advocates for the children that they teach.
I have enjoyed reading everyone's post and I wish you all the best in your educational endeavors

Week 7

 The county I choose would be Africa. I really only know what I have heard about the culture and the many issues individual who live there suffer from. I would first make myself knowledgeable about the reason for the family coming in contact with me as a social worker. What are the family’s values and religious beliefs in regard to government involvement that I should be aware of.

I feel that me be culturally responsive towards the families needs and religious background would   allow me the ability to know how to work with the family effectively and will benefit the family in knowing that I am aware and respectful of their culture   

WEEK 6 EDUC 6164

When it comes to issues that I have experience with prejudice. I can remember an incident that took place on my job where I am a Social Worker. There were a few lady who are African Americans were laughing out loud an done of my co workers made the comment that " This is how they act" Once  some other worker heard of  the comment they were outraged  and began questioning the individual why would he say that and he just could  not  understand what the problem was. He kept referring to African American's as "those people". I was outraged by this.

WEEK 4 BLOG MICROAGRESSION

Microaggression occurs on a daily basis for me but this week it happened when I was dealing with a Migraine. While at work I overheard a co worker say, “Oh Laketha has a headache again” and then came over  and said to me that she had a migraine so bad the other day that she started  to call me and asked me what type of medication does the doctor have me own. I was very offended because unless you have truly suffered from migraines the way I do you could never imagine the pain, embarrassment, anger, and slurs that I have had to suffer through.  I thought she was down playing my migraine and then without saying it  to me saying that she knows what I am going through.    

I constantly feel that I am being stereotyped, judge and even discriminated against due to my disability and to honest it really hurts. I could be like some people and just sit home and not try to work or go to school but I continued to strive to build a life for me and my children. I believe as individual we must be cautious on what we say intentionally or unintentionally.

Week 3 EDUC 6164

I interviews two individuals and called one on the phone who lives in California.

The first Indivdual I  interviewed was my grandmothe and she stated that to her cultural is how a person is raised and what is accepted in the home. When asked abut Diversity. She stated that it was differnet people with different beliefs.

The second Individual I interviewed was a Co worker of mine. When asked what is culture to her she stated culture is not about a person skins, or what the eat or don't eat. She stated it goes further than that. She stated cultural is considered to her what is normal or accepted in a person family.  When I asked her about Diversity she stated the word means just what is says Diverse, different, and as  social worker we must be able to embrace the diversity in the clients we serve.

 Thirdly,I called a freiend of ine who lives in California. While she grew up her as a child her culutral and diveristy experience with both have been  alittle different. She is the onlyAgrican American at her law firm and her views on culture and diversity are that culture is not just skin color, it is language, values, showing emotions, roles of men and women  int he home and  values. She stated that diversity is being able to deal with people who have all different type of values, languages, roles of individual in families and the willingness to accept those differences. 

In looking at the answers I believe that the  aspects of culture  included  many of those shared in the  book.  I do not see any aspect that were omitted. Listening  to everyone definition has made me more aware of what culture and diversity really are and how we need to embrace it more..

CATASTROPHE EVENT WEEK 2

Catastrophe Event

The three things I would take would be the Swarswoki necklace with a cross on it, A picture of my family, and a bible. I would explained that the meaning of each of these things have to do with my faith and love for Christ and my family, and well as my cell phone is a way for me to contact those that I love.

If I arrived and was told I could only keep one personal item it would be the bible. If we read the word there is an answer in it for every problem that we face. This assignment was a little difficulty at first, but once I began to think outside of the box, it became easy. This assignment made me realize how Important God an family is to me.   

Research Issues

Research

When it comes to research I never really looked at how important  effective research is. When  it comes to effective research in the early childhood research I have learned that the research must be conducted in a professional way. I also believe that  when research in conducted we must treat people as individual an also as human being. This class has taught me how important research is.

 

I really enjoyed the class and I will take all the tips I have learned to help me do the right thing when conducting research..

International Contacts

The assignment of for this week gave us the opportunity to explore how early childhood is seen in other countries. I chose the sub-Saharan Africa region. I found a very interesting topic regarding. An article that was very interesting to me on this site was the one that discussed Involving Father’s in early childhood.  The study discussed what the role of the father is in early childhood. The study also looked at how cultural beliefs could play a part in the involvement of Father in Early Childhood. The website was very informative and had many different research topics that ranged from. I also found that it was important the site has a lot of informative information lot. There are many publications that can be viewed as well as links to communities, publications, and many other resources to access.

References:

Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Care and Development by Rosemary Hua M. Ed., University of Jos, Nigeria, 1986

Research and ADHD

Research & ADHD

A study I found that was interesting to me was entitled he Multimodal Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Study (MTA): This study was done on children with ADHD in 2009. This study was a multisite study that evaluated the treatments most commonly used for treating ADHD, Some of which included behavior therapy, medications, and the combination of both. The study included almost 600 children, who ages ranged from 7-9, and who were assigned to one of four treatment modes

Intensive medication management alone; intensive behavioral treatment alone; a combination of both; or routine community care (the control group).

The finding of the study was that a combination of  treatment and medication were more beneficial  than intensive behavioral treatment alone and also showed that the benefits last as long as 14 months.  More information about this study can be found at the site listed below. I just thought this was informative.

 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/trials/practical/mta/the-multimodal-treatment-of-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-study-mta-questions-and-answers.shtml

 

 

Week 1 Research

The research topic that I have chosen is How does ADHD affect school performance in preschool. I think most children with ADHD can be diagnosed in preschool but do to their age a lot of physician like to wait until the children are in grade school before a diagnosis is made. I chose this topic because I have a son who experiences ADHD and has been diagnosis’s since kindergarten.

I really did not understand the process at first, but I hope I have chosen a topic what would be of interest to me and well as my classmate.

Week 8

Even though I  did not receive a response from my international contacts I believe that interacting with professionals from other countries would help appreciate how we handle early childhood education as well as gives us  new tools and  information to engage our self and the children we serve.

I am an individual who loves  to learn and lean new ways of  doing things. So I believe that international contacts could only be a plus for me.

I would challenge  those who work in the Early Childhood Field to try to continue to make Early Childhood a priority and make sure that all children are afforded a free appropriate education regardless of his or her families dynamics. Although this was a rough semester for me  I really enjoyed reading everyone's post and interacting with all my classmates.

Week 7

In reading and scrolling the website, I saw a lot of interesting things. The things I focused on were those having to do children and the Access, Equity, Quality, Investment, Coordination and Integration. I found so much information about early childhood education and how coordination and integration is a worldwide problem. I learned that Countries often promote alternative services for poor children with limited or no access to mainstream early childhood services which can be cost-effective and pedagogically innovative, but often raise concerns about sustainability and quality. Also children who are privileged get benefits from investments by the stated but those children who are poor do not receive as much attention from the government. I really am not shocked to read that those of us who are not as privileges as other are not the governments concern.

            I also look the tab that discussed coordination and integration. I learned that it is very difficult to obtain Cross-sectoral coordination.

 The other tab I looked at was the social and human science tab. This tab had all types of events on it one that discussed International Youth Day that is held on August 12th. This day was a day filled with a lot of activities for the young because the young account for almost 30% of internal migrants but not much is known about the struggle or opportunities that are affected by migration. This day is set aside to try and learn more about the struggles or migrant youth.  

I really had not given much thought to migrant youth or the issues that they face. This organization is a very good one and Is involved in a lot of things that affect us as Americans.

 Reference:

(http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),

Week 6

One of the outside links I looked at was the website zero to three. I found a lot of information on this site that benefits parent. While on the page I looked at the link about Ralley4babies. I found this to be a interested link The link discusses early childhood funding.

      Being a parent of a child that has ADHD I chose to look at a section on the site that also discussed behavior and child development. This section talked about the many challenging behaviors that children have to how the brain develops. There was also a section that talked about how important it is for children to be able to socialize effectively with people. I really enjoyed the site.

     I feel that anyone who has children or works with children would find the site to be very beneficial.

 

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative

 

 

In looking at the website I found a lot of interesting things on the site. The site discussed many things that interest me. One of the things that interest me is how the purpose of the Global Children’s Initiative is to reframe the discourse around children health and development, support and   build leadership in child development polices and research.  

The focus of the site  is on early childhood development; child mental health; and children in crisis and conflict situations.Theser are the chidlren and family the site helps to suport.

I also enjoyed the link  that had many books and articles about different issues related to chidlren, povery and their family. One article titled Strengthening Adult Capacities to Improve Child Outcomes: A New Strategy for Reducing Intergenerational Poverty by  Jack P. Shonkoff, Harvard University. This Article discussed the different issues related to poverty and what we as educators a parents must do  to help our children succeed. Shonkoff stated “It’s clear that high-quality early childhood programs can make a measurable difference for children in poverty, but we must do more.” And I agree. There are so many children in this world that are not afforded the luxury of a good education that will prepare them for school. I understand that poverty is an issue but I feel that parents who are capable and who know and value education should implant their knowledge and education into the children.

 

 

References:

Strengthening Adult Capacities to Improve Child Outcomes: A New Strategy for Reducing Intergenerational Poverty Jack P. Shonkoff, Harvard University - Posted April 22, 2013

 

 

The Headstart Association

THE NATIONAL HEADSTART ASSOCIATION

 

                                                       What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?

The information on  advocacy, professional development, research, membership also the statement that the organization present on the cite stating that they are committed “To lead.To be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community.” And that they are  committed. “To advocate.To work diligently for policy and institutional changes that ensure all vulnerable children and families have what they need to succeed.”

                                                       Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?

                                                        

                                                       I did not find anything to be controversial but I did like the issue on Maternal and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation. As a new grandmother I was glad to see that head start in interested in the care of infants and young children. The program is called The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) and it provides intensive home-visitation services to families who are expected a child or children. The goal is to help build relationships and assist parents in becoming ready for the family.

 

       What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?

                                                               

                                     The research Tab had some wonderful information on how Head start is beneficial in many different areas such as educational. Economical and even Law enforcement. I was shocked to see how Head Start could benefit Law Enforcement, but according to the article it stated that “HS children are significantly less likely to have been charged with a crime than their siblings who did not participate in HS.”

 

                                                        

       What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?

    

                                                       When I explored the Head start website I also learned that there are a lot of resources out here and that people really do care about the education of our young people. I also learned that more needs to be done.

 

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/

(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate

Benefits of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs

Getting to know your International Contacts

I previously sent out email to two International contacts however I have not heard a reply from them.

I chose the Country of China. It was really surprising to me that China had a problem with poverty.    China has the population of 1.27 billion back in 2001.  According to the site Much of chins’ poverty issues have been due to the economic an social transition. I also was glad to read that by China moving from a centrally plan need to a globalize market economy has help decrease the poverty.  There are about   4.2 million children in china who are living in absolute poverty and there are more than 8 million living in conditions that are considered be disadvantaged.

In exploring this site I am more informative about individuals in poverty. I really did not realize that so many children live in poverty here in the United States.  I would like to learn more about absolute poverty and how it differs from Poverty.        

The website also discussed The Minimum Living Standards that relate to Social Security reform and how  it was developed. The social security system has had to change because there are so many different forms of poverty and the change was needed to make sure every one is protected.

 

As a professional I will continue to learn more about poverty and how it can be reduced in our County.

 

Reference:

 (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/),

Professional Contacts

       Provide the name and link for the international website you selected, and a brief description of the organization’s focus.

        

South Africa
OMEP South African National Committee
The National Early Childhood Development Alliance
Mr. Eric Atmore
P.O. Box 2363
Clarinch, 7740
South Africa
Tel: 27 21 683 2420
Email: cecd@iafrica.com

 

The website focuses on Early Childhood Education

Ghana Rev Charles Arko-Nunoo
P.O. Box MK 157
Mankessim C/R Ghana
Tel: + 233 42 34180
Email: 2kdotcom@ghana.com

 

       Identify one current issue/trend from the newsletter and/or from the website that caught your attention.

 

One of the Current issues that caught my attention was the issue on School Readiness.

 

Head Start is the leader in the early childhood field with a strong and clear focus on healthy child development. These developments include physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all of which are essential to children getting ready for school.  Head Start requires all programs to establish school readiness goals, setting expectations of children's status and progress in a full range of development domains, as part of Head Start reform regulation.

 

The site shares a parent post card as well as a worksheet  that  teachers parents how to feed their children healthier meal and what proportions are needed for the children to get a balanced meal as well as discussed how important it was to limited television time and more outdoor play.  This was very interesting to me because our children are not actively involved in more outdoor activity in our schools or at home. The site also discusses tips for children and infants to succeed in school as well.

 

 

       Share if there was anything else you learned from studying these resources related to the topic of this week.

        

       I have learned that there is a lot of information out here if one is able to access it. I believe that all children have the right to a great education.

Early Chilhood Outside of the United States

I have requested information from the following places outside the United States:


South Africa
OMEP South African National Committee
The National Early Childhood Development Alliance
Mr. Eric Atmore
P.O. Box 2363
Clarinch, 7740
South Africa
Tel: 27 21 683 2420
Email: cecd@iafrica.com

Ghana Rev Charles Arko-Nunoo
P.O. Box MK 157
Mankessim
C/R Ghana
Tel: + 233 42 34180
Email: 2kdotcom@ghana.com



National Head Start Associationhttp://www.nhsa.org/
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate )
I also observed  the Head Start website and it is very informative on  professional development, membership, advocacy, and events and conferences. The website also discusses the 2013 Budget as well.  I also signed up for the new letter.

My Supports

 When it comes to Support. I have a lot of support from many people from all walks of life. I have support from people who sometimes seem so distant. I have a lot of support from my mother and many of my family members. Sometimes I feel like I 'm all alone due to many things that I have to endure. I have migraines and they incapacitate me so sometimes I feel like I need more support in this area. My children have  had to deal with their mother being  unable to do things that normal mother s can when I have a headache.
Once place I wish I had more support was on the Job. On the Job there is not much support on the job when we are going through stress. The job itself is stressful but there is not much support for workers who need an outlet.

My Play Connections

Quotes
“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold” Joseph Chilton Pearce
Play is Children's Work, Jean Piaget

As I child I grew up in  a neighborhood where I was the youngest  and the only girl on the block. I was the only girl on the block so I played with a lot of my boy cousins. I play football, basketball, baseball, hide and go seek and many  other games.
 I also played my Atari because I was  only child.  So I spent a lot of my time alone at home in my room. My family supported me when I was in Head Start and throughout my years of school. They continue  support me even now.
As an adult all my children  attended the same Head start that I went to and had the pleasure of meeting some of the teacher that I had as a  child.

Playing as a child was great for me and I believe that as adults we must continue to play in a sense  and not be so uptight.

Currrent Relationships/Reflecting on Building Relationships

 Why are relationships important?
In this world we live in we experience all type of relationships in  our lives. Many of thosse relationships have to do with our family, friends, and otehr  important individuals.

I feel that we all have to build relationships and the ability to do that starts from birth. As children we learn how to love, show love, and determine how love is to feel. My family  are the most imporatnt individuals in my live and that family consist of My three children Amyra 19, Ashanti 14, and SynCere 10. My paretns,gradnparetns and siblings.

My relationship with my mother caused me to be an independant individual and never give up on life.

My relationship with my Biological father was strained and not that close as a child, However as I became an adult we have built a bond despite the  things that took place when I was a child.

My relationship with my children: WOW!!!! it has taught me how to be a mother, friend, doctor, referee, couselor, and most of all a MOTHER. These three people are all different in their own ways. I have to treat all of them with respect and same but differently.

My Mom, Son and I


My Grandmother/cousins, son, and Myself
G

My oldest Daughter, My self and My Youngest Daughter

Professional Thanks

I would like to thank all my classmates for their many contributions to the class. I would like to let them know that I support all of you and  I hope that you be blessed in your endeavors.

Remember in all things give thanks and remember the children and adults of this world need each and every one of you.

QUOTES ABOUT CHILDREN

I have two quotes taht I really like about chidlren. As adults we think children are not wathcing us, listening to us, or hearin us, but they are.  Chidlren are humans to and they deserve to be loved,c ared for, and treated with respect.

Henry Ward Beecher, reverand and social activist
"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."


A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer. ~Author Unknown

EDUCATING THE YOUNG CHILD

The Whole Child

1. Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to "the whole child"), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning. I believe that  family history should be assessed  because it will give us as educators and idea of how the children are raised, what the culture is, what things they have been exposed to, how they value relationships, what  limitations if any, medical history,  

2. In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world? (Choose a country or region of the world for which you have a personal affinity.)

 I choose Europe and children in Europe are assessed through testing. According to Cassidy (2008)”Primary school pupils have to deal with unprecedented levels of pressure as they face tests more frequently, at a younger age, and in more subjects than children from any other country, according to one of the biggest”.

I feel that testing is not always the best way to assess a child. I feel that some children have testing anxiety and therefore may not do well with testing. I feel that a child’s progress should not be assessed by testing alone.

References

Cassidy, S. (n.d.). Our children tested to destruction English primary school pupils subjected to more tests than in any other country. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/our-children-tested-to-destruction-779790.html

Stressers in the lifes of Children

I am a Social Worker in Child Protective Services and I see a lot of things. I see children who have to experience many  things as young people. These things range from  older siblings taking care of their sick parents  as well as having to take care of their younger  brothers and sisters.

According to (Bohmer 2013) the top 10 stressors for children are:

Parent having problems.

Fight with a friend or a sibling.

Taking a test.

Wondering if someone thinks you're attractive (teens especially).

Not having enough privacy.

Birth of a brother or sister.

Moving to a new school.

Re/marriage of a parent.

Not having enough money.

A teacher who doesn't like you.

As teachers and parents we must realize that children experience stress also and we must be able to recognize it and be capable of teaching them how to deal with it positively. Children deal with stress in many ways, and  they act out, they regress to younger years.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the topic I chose. When I was having children I did not realize the importance of breastfeeding. I only breastfed one of my children and it was my daughter Ashanti. Ashanti is 14 years old now. Ashanti took the breast very well at first, but then she started having problems with gas, and her digestive system. I cannot say all that her issues had to do with breastfeeding, and if I were able to have children I would breastfeed again.

 I have learned a lot of information about breastfeeding and all the benefits it has for the child. I would tell my parents about these and encourage them to breast feed.

I have listed some cites below for future reference:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding

 Svensson, K., Velandia,, M., Matthiesen, A., Welles-Nyström, B., Widström , A., & , (2013). Effects of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact on severe latch-on problems in older infants: a randomized trial. International Breastfeeding Journal , 8, 

 http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc