The Discovery of a Gift

Viewing the Whole Child 

I don't think there is anything wrong with assessing children to see if they meet educational standards.  The process helps the teachers and school systems to be  accountable for what is being taught.  However the children should not be taught to "pass the test"  The test should be the same throughout the schools in the nation, and be a guideline for what subjects and information need to be addressed for the school year.  

It is unfortunate that I live in the state with the lowest standardized testing scores in the nation.  I have spoken to teachers about it.  They have told me that the schools in this area don't teach to help children pass the tests.  Therefore, the majority of the information is foreign to the children.  They will continually score below the standard threshold when they are not taught the information.  It is crazy to raise the expectations without first changing the curriculum within the schools.  

I recently read that the U.K. has an assessment, iPIPS,  that is used in multiple areas worldwide.  The test measures: cognitive development; personal, social, and emotional development; physical development; behavior; contextual information. (http://www.ipips.org/the-ipips-study/the-pips-assessment) The assessment is given at the beginning and end of the first grade.  The testing and research facility analyze the change in development.  

I believe that assessments are essential to measure the cognitive growth and development of children.  Information is very valuable and can be used to help people.  The question is simple.  Are the assessments that children take really preparing them for the future.  

The United States has a growing problem of child exploitation.  It is a hidden secret that law enforcement thought had decreased.  Now with the help of technology, child sex trafficking has grown and it is even harder to track it.

I recently read how Thorn, an organization dedicated to stopping child sex trafficking, is figuring out ways to identify child exploitation on the internet.  Based upon their statistics, over 100,000 advertisements are put up daily selling children.   (https://www.wearethorn.org/join-us/) Child exploitation is an ongoing problem within the US.  The internet only makes the crime harder to follow.  The US is the number one producer of child pornography in the world.  (https://www.wearethorn.org/child-sexual-exploitation-and-technology/ )  The traffickers are no longer having children on the streets.  The violators are coming to the traffickers.

 Actress Demi Moore and Actor Ashton Kutcher are co-founders of the organization.  They are working with multiple companies to identify traffickers and children.  Thorn is identifying different ways to stop exploitation through technology such as text messaging, research, sifting through advertisements, and having digital defenders.  (https://www.wearethorn.org/our-work-to-stop-child-sexual-exploitation/)

The company is making strides in the right direction.  Fighting traffickers and helping law enforcement has given some children the opportunity to have a new beginning.  

Dear Racism... you may have scared my ancestors but you don't scare me...

It’s amazing how undercover racism can affect a child’s mind.   I grew up in Pennsylvania where the KKK (Klu Klux Klan) exercised their freedom of speech in front of governmental buildings about once every 3-4 years.  During this time the older African Americans would stay at home covered in fear.  While the younger African Americans would protest on the opposite side of the street. 

The local news station would show them yelling and screaming on TV and mute what they were saying.  Although I was a child, I could read lips.  I could see how they called us N**** s and said to go back to Africa.  I have always wondered why they hid under their masks?  I am not from Africa, why are you telling me to go back?  What made them hate me so much?  What made whites the better race?  The entire situation made me angry.

My mother tried to explain why they did what they did, but it didn’t work.  She told me to pray that everything would change.  She told me to love them anyway, because that is what God told us to do.  I trusted my mother, but I didn’t like her answer.  I don’t know how to love someone that hates me and there is nothing I can do about it.  My emotions were everywhere.    

The entire situation also motivated me to do better than what was around me.  To make the money and have the things they said I didn’t deserve.  To show them that “I can beat you with my mind” and not hide my face or be ashamed of what I have done.  I will not be afraid of people that dress up in costumes and hide their faces.    

 

Child Development and Public Health

  The topic I chose was breastfeeding.  I personally can say that breastfeeding is challenging and rewarding at the same time.  My husband and I made the decision to breastfeed my son during my pregnancy.  At first, I was nervous about breastfeeding, because I was not educated on the process.  (I was not able to go to any classes due to being on bedrest and my husband's work schedule.)  About 20 minutes after my son was born, the nurses coached me on the process of getting my son to latch.  I was nervous, because I didn't see colostrum. I continued to ask was he starving and how would I know.  After a quick coaching and successful latch, I was on my way to a successful breastfeeding journey.  The process was difficult and painful at times, but I had the encouragement of family and medical professionals.  

  I recently read about the breast feeding experiences of Mexican American mothers.  They are more likely to start formula feeding earlier than Caucasian or African American mothers.  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710489/ ) The article, Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences among Mexican American woman,  quoted "Spanish speaking women to be more likely to breastfeed, exclusively breastfeed, and breastfeed longer". (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710489/) The article also spoke about how other ethnicities have had impact on breastfeeding mothers in America.
 
I find it interesting that some women immediately turn to formula for support without trying to supply their children with breastmilk.  Speaking to my friend, I realize that some women do not have a choice.  Based upon their job and their financial situations, it is sometimes easier to feed the child with formula.

As long as I am able to, I plan to continue to breastfeed all of my children.  It is a privilege that some women are not able to do

References

Wambach, K., Williams Domian, E.,  Page-Goertz, S., Wurtz, H., Hoffman, K.,  (2016, Feb.1) Exclusive Breastfeeding Experiences among Mexican American Woman.  NCBI Retrieved from  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710489/

My Miracle Baby.... 

October 4th was one of the best days of my life.  My son, Gabriel was born healthy, full of life, and chubby.  I can remember being nervous, excited, and numb at the same time.  Being nervous, because I had been in this situation before with different results.  I was excited about my son coming into the world.  I was numb because of the C-section that was being performed.  Because I am very close to my obstetrician, I can remember joking with him about getting a smoothie after this was all over.   While my husband was trying to record the entire event, (after I had told him multiple times that I didn’t want it recorded.) I could feel the tugging and pulling at my abdomen.  Out came Gabriel, and my husband almost dropped the phone in excitement.  I heard a small cry and everyone in the room was happy. 

I chose this birthing experience, because of the excitement we all felt.  It is a memory that I will hold dear to my heart forever.   The birth of a child is a blessing and should not be taken lightly.  There are people that will never have the opportunity to experience their own child being born.  Child development is a continuous process from the moment of conception.  (Berger, 2016)

I recently read in IRIN news, how only 10% of birth happened in health facilities in Ethiopia.  (http://www.irinnews.org/news/2012/04/25/still-too-many-de aths-childbirth)  These numbers were from an article in 2012, but the number had raised 6% since the 2005 survey.  I am blessed to have been able to deliver in a hospital.  Because of the help of medical technology, I was able to maintain pregnancy full term and safely deliver.  Many Ethiopian women prefer to deliver in the privacy and safety of their homes.  Because of the lack of medical care 80% of maternal deaths are a result of infection, hemorrhaging, and other issues. 

References

Addis, A (2012, April 24) A lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.  IRIN News.  Retrieved from http://www.irinnews.org/news/2012/04/25/still-too-many-de aths-childbirth

Berger, K. S (2015) Developing Person Through Childhood, 7th Edition. New York. NY

Codes of Ethics

I have recently read about the codes of Ethics from the DEC (Division of Early Childhood) and the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).  In my opinion the most important ethics codes are:


NAEYC
 - "To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child. "
 - "To ensure that each child's culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program."  (NAEYC, 2005).

DEC
- "We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the truth and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work." (DEC, 2000).

As a childhood educator, these principles are essential in having a successful career.  Every child is unique.  Although children do act similar at times, they are their own individuals.  Every child needs to feel special.  The value of a family and child's future is what build the long lasting relationship between the family and the educator.  To not uphold the principle would be an insult to the family. Lastly, working alongside the family in truth, honesty, and integrity is key when earning the trust of a family.  The educator is in possession of one of the most valuable family assets... the child.


References:

NAEYC. (2005).  Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment.  Retrieved May from http://naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.Pdf

The Division of Early Childhood. (2000).  Code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.dec-sped.org/

Words from wise people in the Early Childhood Education field...

“It’s not all about you.  You got to take your ego out of it and think about what’s best for this child.” Renatta M. Cooper

“My passion comes from wanting to make a difference …. I am not here to save the world.  I am here to make a difference in the community that I’m working.” Raymond Hernandez MS Ed