Thank you to all

"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the of each". Plato
"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."- Maria Montessori

"Focus on who the child is instead of what the child does". Amy E. Dean, Peace of Mind

In closing, I would like to thank all my classmates for your inspiring stories, your passion for Early Childhood and your comments. 

Intelligence

Every child is unique and learns differently. Each child possess different qualities in which they learn, hands on and so forth. Children need an environment where they can thrive not only academically but where they can meet their physical, cognitive and social needs and interests. It is important to understand how well the individual child utilizes their skills and how they learn. Understanding their stregths and challenges helps us to support the individual child. We want to help modify and set goals to help the child thrive overall.

When provided with an assessment/testing, some children may feel pressured or anxious and guess on items and get them either correct or wrong. Children may have the knowledge and understand things on the test but fails to choose the correct answeres for whatever reason. My son for example, often feels he must catch up with his other classmates when it comes to testing and often does not want to be the last one turning in his test. In much case, he does not take his time to thoroughly read the questions or options and marks the wrong answers. 

My youngest son, has tests administered every so often where they are only given 5 min to complete 50 math questions. Though he does well, when he was given the MAP or PASS testing for South Carolina Schools, he was in a rush to finish, because of the other test given in the class from time to time. He did exceptional well above his grade, but just want to provide that there are many factors in which a child face when it comes to these assessments.

Testing for Intelligence Around the World

In Germany, they believe in altering the forms of learning to meet the individual needs of the chlid. "The focus is to encouarage each individual pupil to achieve all that he or she is capbable of, guided by the learning requirements for the respective school year. It is important to monitor the individual development and performance of each pupill on a constant basis, as well as their working and social behavior and assess the factor comprehensively" (Assessments in Germany).

Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

Growing up as people called  us, "Military Brats", my family and I enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. Military life seemed to be the best. However, there were times where it did not seem joyous at all to have our father in the Army. Desert Storm, was a event where our family was separated. My father and his unit was called to be part of the War. Each day past and we were concerned for him and the other guys there. There were times where it was hard for us to focus in school or anything. My mother was strong around us, because she did not want us to worry, she would remind us that our father would be fine and would return home. Little did she know, at night, I would hear my mom sob while lying in her bed. Apparently, she had a sense that something was wrong. To add to the frustration, towards the times the troops were suppose to come back, we were alerted several times of their return, only to be disappointed that it did not happen. Finally, the troops returned and our father was back home, with small injuries.

Through it all though, the Teachers were supportive and understanding. They did all they could to comfort and help. It is hard for a child to focus when something like this occurs in their life. In addition, the Military families and community all pulled together and supported each other. Words cannot describe the emotions that one goes through knowing that your loved one is overseas fighting for their country.

War Around the World

In Kosovo. children are affected in many ways. Not only do some children loose family members but they loose homes too or sometimes their own lives. Children's fathers, brothers or males of the family are captured by no choice of their own. Mothers and their children are forced to live in tight refugee camps where they do not receive enough attention and support due to everything going on. "Beyond the physical discomfort and psychological trauma, children on the run from war face threats to their personal security, suffer from a lack of regular education, and receive little or no healthcare" (Porter, 2003).




Porter, K. (2003). Children of War: Dangerous Escape.

Breastfeeding

As a mother of two boys, I wanted to do what is best for the.  Immediately after they were born, I breastfed. I ways successfully able to breastfeed both of my sons up to the age of one. Breastfeeding is a excellent benefit to their overal development. It provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mother and baby.

1. Instant bond/attachment.
"Breastfeeding provides physiological and psychological benefits for both mother and child. Reduces the rate of infant adbandonment" (Womens Health) In addition, support for a mother while breastfeeding can assist is family bonds and help build a paternal bond between father and child. Mothers can pump milik, where the infant is still able to recieve breastmilk, yet fathers and other members and caregivers can bond with the infant as well.


2. Breastfeeding protects from illnesses.
    "The first milk, contains anti-bacterial and anti-vial agents (proteins, fats and vitamins)  that protects the infant against disease. It is easy for the babies to digest.  It aids the development of the infant's own imune system" (Womens Health). There are studies that shows there is reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, childhood leukemia,  and SIDS. It is important for the mothers to maintain the same healthy eating habits as they did while they are pregnant, while nursing their babies.

3. Breastmilk helps to enhance the enhance the infants, cognitive devlopment.
   Study shows, "Children who had been given breastmilk also showed greater ability to control and appropriately respond to emotions. Futhermore, Dr. Higgens found that earlier studies of term infants had found that infants who were breastfed tended to score higher on tests of menatl development..."(Bock, 2007).


Around the world....

Europe place a high public health priority for ths suppot and protection of breastfeeding. It is the natural way to feed infants and young children. Exclusive breastfeedin for the first six months of life ensures optimal growth, development and health. However, not all children are breastfeed.
Switzerland has the highest promotion of breastfeeding.There are breastfeeding benches where the mothers are able to breastfeed in public.  United Nation's Children's Fund is a huge promoter of breastfeeding nationwide. Womens Health Organization advocates exclusive breastfeeding. They support no other foods or liquids until six months. In fact women are encouraged to breastfeed longer.  "Breastfed babies tend to suffer from fewr infections and generally have better cognitive development"(swissinfo, 2006).

I understand the need for mothers to breastfeed for the child's overall developmental growth, physically, conginitvely, emotionally/socially and linquistically. Futhermore, I respect the decision of others who choose to bottle feed. In my Family Child Care Home, motheres are more than welcome to nurse their child. I provide a nice quiet and inimate area for them to do so.





Reference:

Bock, R., (2007). Breast Milk Associaated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants, Fewer Re-Hospitalizations. National Institutes of Health.

Breastfeeding Protects Babies. Womens Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov

SwissInfo. (2006). Breastfeeding Wins Mother's Approval. http://www.swissinfo.ch

Childbirth

The women of Laos do not have the options as we do in the United States. Some women live in Villages and are not able to get to a health facility for they are nearly four days away. Many women suffer complications and had still borns and miscarriages. "Only 18 percent of all Lao births are attended by health care professionals (Iverson,2009) . Women who live near the hospitals are very lucky because they are able to recieve the medical attention she and the baby needs. Midvives are hard to come by but some women are able to give birth with the help of them. Some women face too much of risk, especially after having prior complication and the midwifes advise they seek medical attention in a health facility. a
For the most part, most women just  choose to stay and give birth at home due to such an ordeal. " Only 86 trained midwives -- in a country about the size of the United Kingdom and with some 5.6 million people – and just a handful of hospitals are equipped to deal with difficult complications during childbirths" (Iverson, 2009).  



MY OWN BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

My husband and I were so happy that I was finally pregnant as well as my Doctor. I attended every visit to the Doctors and everything seemed well. Few months into the pregnancy, I received a cal from the Doctor asking for me to come in. My husband and I were told that I would have to consider having an Amniocentisis done because there may be some defects Down Syndrome. "How can this happen, you are healthy as a horse, my husband said upset. Prior to the pregnancy, I was told I would not be able to have any children and this is something we did not want to hear. We went and had the amniocentisis done and they later told us the baby was ok and that I would have a complicated birth. Months went by and it got to the point that I had to keep going in for stress test and had to lay down at home on my left side. It turned out the baby was not receiving enough food and oxygen. "Why is this happening and all we would ask ourselves." After close observation and many visits, it was time for the baby to come. At full term, I had to be induced. My husband was so excited he borrowed a video camera from a relative and we were able to record the whole experience. It is Monday morning at 10:00, and I was given my first dosage of petocin. After many checks, the nurses still saw that I was not dialating enough. After that point, I do not remember what happened, I know they broke my water that night and gave me an epidural, but later that night around 12, nurses came running in the room. It was the baby's heart beat. They were concerned because it kept dropping. My husband was doing everything he could to keep me calmed and relaxed. At that point they were saying they may have to do a C-section. Anothter nurse asked if I could feel contractions and had me to start pushing. After to many pushes, my son was born Tuesday at 1:30 am. He weighed 5lbs 10oz. He was small but he was healthy. We are blessed to have Michael and our other son, which without an amniocentisis and heart rate, had the same birthing experience. Both induced. Our oldest son has some learning disabilities, ADHD and OCD, non from which we have been told not associated with the birth.