Inspirational Quotes

I would like to thank all of my classmates for your informational blogs. They have been inspiring and helpful. I hope to hear from all of you in the next class. Have a happy and safe holiday. Here is a quote that is inspirational to me. I strong feel that education can set a person free. "Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons" (di) http://www.pinterest.com/pin/

Testing for Intelligence

 I am Education Coordinator at my work.  I have just implemented Kindergarten Readiness level 1, 2 and my classroom is level 3.  In level 1 the children are 21/2 year olds, level 2 is 3 year olds and my classroom is 4 and 5 year old (ready for .  We conduct assessments at each level.  However, it is not to measure intelligence we are more concerned with their social/emotional development.  We also look for areas of developmental delays.  In this manner we can suggest early intervention.  We teach the whole child and not just academics. I believe if a child is not ready, social/emotional, it will be difficult for them to be taught (Berger, 2013). 

Yes it is important for the child to know academic skills, but if I teach a child to control their emotions and stay in control, then I have helped the child to have a successful future.  So many communities in the United States are striving to be top schools or Blue Ribbon schools.  If they achieve this high honor the school will receive funds and new programs to better the education.  It is also comes with bragging rights of being the best schools.  Unfortunately the children are being pushed to learn the standardize test.  I now have to teach my preschoolers skills that 1^st graders should know; in this manner the kindergarten teacher can push them further. It is as though they have taken away the “play” in the children.  In the public schools it is more skill and drill and have pushed children into maturity.   

The mission statement in Australia is “The Australian International School is committed to excellence in all things.  Whatever it is that interests our students, that they excel at or show a talent for, be it academic, sporting or artistic we at AIS promise to teach, foster and encourage so that they can "play it out" and see where it goes.  Who knows where it will lead. EXPRESS YOURSELF”  (www.ais.com.sg/welcome).‎  The children “play it out” www.ais.com.sg/welcome‎.  They learn how things work through with the hands on effect.  Maybe we should follow their example. The school system is considered the finest in the world. What a legacy.
Reference

Berger, K. (2005). The developing person through the lifespan (6^th ed). New York NY: Worth

Australian School SG - International Preschool – Year 12‎ www.ais.com.sg/welcome‎

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

There are many pressures in a child’s life that can stress the child’s development. 

Poverty will put stress on the children’s development.  Poverty occur even your riches country.  The United States being one of those countries can not release the grip of poverty. Children who live in poverty suffer from malnutrition. With out the proper nutrition a child will grow properly and the brain does not develop normally.  The child’s over all development will suffer.

I once volunteered in a school in a low income area.  The children lived in houses that such have been condemned. Many of them came from single family homes and the parent was working but was not able to make ends meet for 4 children.  Some of the children lived in gang infested areas and it was a daily straggle to survive from day to day. It was difficult for these children to develop their reading and writing skills.  Many of the parents or caregivers were not able to help.  I was there to help the children with their reading skills. It was a joy to help them and see them succeed.  One child in particular was able to read however he had difficulties comprehending what he had read.  He had expressed to me that he wanted to be a teacher and help children who lived in his neighborhood.  It was a joy to help him and make a difference in his life.   

The poorest conditions of poverty are in third world countries such as South Asia.  In South Asia the children suffer from stunting which is “failure of children to grow to a normal height for their age to severe and chronic malnutrition” (Berger, 2012).  Wasting is another sign of poverty, in these third world countries, this condition is when the children are “severely underweight for their age which is called” (Berger, 2012).

Under these conditions it is difficult for children to grow and develop healthy lives. Although much time and money has been invested into the issue of poverty it is still one of the most difficult situations to conquer.

Reference

Berger, K.S. (2012) The developing person through childhood, (6^th ed.) New York NY.

           

            Worth Publishers

Breastfeeding...

Breastfeeding is a personal decision. Speaking from personal experience breastfeeding requires many sacrifices from the mother. Just to name a few the mothers has to watch what she eats. She is the only one that can feed the baby, so dad taking the night shift is out of the question. However, many mothers are making the decision to breast feed because of the benefits it offers, not just for the baby but for the mother as well.   

Some of the benefits for the baby are “ideal nutrition for infants. It has the perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat -- everything your infant needs to grow. And it's all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula. Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria” (WebMD, 2013). This is just a few benefits for the baby. 

Benefits for the mother are “burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It may also lower your risk of osteoporosis” (WebMD, 2013).  All these are wonderful benefits for both mother and child the one benefit that I still have is the bond that was formed between me and my children.

Breastfeeding in other countries….

The percentage of women in Africa breastfeed is over 50%.  The children are breast fed until they are 28 months.  However, the threat of AIDS has hindered the children from being breast fed because the virus can spread to the child though the mother’s milk.

References

Breastfeeding in Africa: will positive trends be challenged by the ...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11943640

WebMed Your guide to breastfeeding

           

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/breastfeeding-9/nursing-basics

Blessed...

I was blessed to have three children.  My girls were born full term however my son, who is our first born, was born three months early and weight 1pound and 10oz.  The doctor had given him a 40 percent change of survival. After six months in the hospital, close calls and 10 hour visit we were able to bring him home.  Now he is a healthy 24 year old man who lives in Indianapolis and is doing well.  I chose this birth because it was a life changing experience and it helped us to realize how precious life is. Because he was born early his lungs were not fully developed and the doctors said he would be behind the months with his mile stones.  He did catch up and graduated from high school and college with honors.

Birth in other countries…

In the Netherlands the mother has a choice to deliver at home or in the hospital.  Most Dutch mothers have midwives and deliver at home. A doctor is only seen if the birth a high risk case.  The mother does not receive pain medication during birth and if they chose to deliver in the hospital, and the birth is good, the mother and child are sent home within two hours.  This experience is opposite of the births in America. 

Reference

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/