Child Development and Public Health

As I plan to start my own family within the next year, the topic of breastfeeding seems to come up often. My mother chose not to breastfeed me because I could never get the latching part down. According to the CDC, 79% of newborns are breastfed in the United States in 2014. Preschools here are creating rooms at their facilities so mothers can come pump or breastfeed in a comfortable environment. The city of New York City provides a course to become a certified lactation counselor to help staff who work in their newborn home care program to help educate and support new mothers that plan to breastfeed. These such programs are not available in other parts of the world to help aid mothers.

Breastfeeding in West and Central Africa

Exclusive breastfeeding in these parts of Africa is only at 20% where in certain countries is as low as 2% which are some of the lowest rates in the world. Breastfeeding provides the best source of nutrition for newborns and has the potential to prevent 13% of deaths of children under the age of 5. Breastfeeding also reduces the chances of catching and reduces the severity of infectious diseases that an infant may come across in these countries.

References

Breastfeeding Report Card 2014. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2014breastfeedingreportcard.pdf

Promoting and Protecting Breastfeeding. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/4501_5055.html

Birthing Experiences

I really don't have any birthing experiences except for my ow n birth. I was born on New Year's Eve, a month and a half before my mother's due date. She was trying on her dress for the New Year's party she was going to on New Year's Eve. My aunt took my mother to the hospital. When I was born, I only weighed 2.1 pounds. The doctor told my mother that since I was so early that I may have some developmental delays. I had to stay in the hospital for nearly 2 months until I gained enough weight to be sent home.

Child Birth in Spain

First healthcare is free to those who live and work in Spain and are contributing to social security. Private insurance is available but is only necessary to give birth in private clinics. Just like going to an OB/GYN doctor here in the States, you would go to the local clinic and confirm the pregnancy. Once it is determined that you are pregnant, a community midwife comes and visits you once a month to monitor your progress. The midwife schedules you for a scan once a month up until your 32nd week and at that point scan are done every 2 weeks. Once it is time for you to give birth, you must go to the emergency wing of the hospital with you consultation book from the midwife and all other necessary paperwork. Hospitals in Spain don't allow gas and air but epidurals are available to mothers. Home births are not covered under the state insurance.

 Having a baby in Spain. (2015, July 1). Retrieved November 1, 2015, from http://www.expatica.com/es/healthcare/maternity/Having-a-baby-in-Spain_102276.html 

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

" Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."  -Marian Wright Edelman

"The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to." -Marian Wright Edelman

"Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time." -Marian Wright Edelman




"We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors." -Lyndon B. Johnson

"Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance." -Lyndon B. Johnson

"Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time." -Lyndon B. Johnson

Codes of Ethics

We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.

• I chose this piece of the ethics because as professionals in early childhood, we should carry ourselves as such. The children are always watching and learning behaviors from us and we should set the example that we want them to be.

We shall honor and respect the diverse backgrounds of our colleagues including such diverse characteristics as sexual orientation, race, national origin, religious beliefs, or other affiliations.

• I chose this piece because we as professionals get stuck at times on the ways that we normally function and behave that we forget that we each bring something new and refreshing to the table and can be assets to each other and grow together,

I-2.6—To acknowledge families’ childrearing values and their right to make decisions for their children and I-2.5—To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs, and beliefs

• I chose both of these because as a early childhood professionals, our jobs depend on the children and their families. we must make sure that the needs of the children and their families are being met in our classrooms or we cannot succeed.

Early Childhood Resources

Part 1: 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, from http://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, fromhttp://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

·         Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: 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:

·          

o    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

o    World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
Read about OMEP's mission.

o    Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/
Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Part 3: 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/

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the Journal option under Search & Find on the library website to find journals by title.

·         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

   Armstrong, T. (2006). The best schools how human development research should inform educational practice. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

   Miller, C. (2014). Three Big Ideas for Addressing Preschool Language and Literacy Learning. Retrieved October 4, 2015, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/columnists/miller/miller044.shtml                                 

   http://www.pacer.org/ec/resources.asp

Personal Childhood Web

I had a hard time thinking of just 5 people because I have so many people who nurtured and cared about and for me when I was a child. But since I can only choose 5...here we go

1. First and foremost, I would have to say my father because he showed me exactly what unconditional love truly is and means. He raised me as his own child even though I was not biologically his. He made sure I didn't want for anything. Even though he passed away when I was 13, I continue to remember his love and caring spirit.

2 and 3. My grandparents gave the blessing of showing me how to love and respect all those who you come in contact with. I don't think they have ever met a stranger. They have cared for me and my brother for years while our mother worked out of town. my grandparents made sure we were taken care of and made sure we felt like the other children who were raised by their parents.

4. My uncle showed me what it meant to be a boy. He showed me how to change a tire and how to cut grass. He made sure I knew how to take care of things around the house, inside and out so I would be able to take care of things for myself. He continues to show me things if I ask or if I need help.

5. My mother shows me how to never give up on life and your dreams. She has literally died twice and has come back stronger than ever each time. She constantly is looking for ways to become better each day. She inspires me to never sit still and continue to grow and allow my talents to shine and look for new opportunities.

My grandparents with my cousins in Mississippi

My mother with my brother at his Eagle Scout ceremony

My uncle with my grandmother and my cousin

My family: my aunt Stephanie, my dad, my mom, my cousin Candice, my uncles Ron and Reggie, my grandparents Sarah and Rollen, and me 

Little Old Me

This is me at the tender age of 2,3, or 4. I was at my favorite place in the world: my grandparents' house. I'm wearing my grandfather's shriner's hat. I always loved that hat. It was my safe place. When he passed away, that was the first item I went for out of his belongings because it gave me peace and serenity.

My favorite quote

This quote is one I remember all the time because I have 5 nieces and nephews. I watch them as they grow and learn and notice how they pick up everything they are exposed to. We as educators and administrators have to remember that we must be the example that we want the children to emulate and follow because even we do not realize it, they are watching our every move and listening to every word

My Favorite Childhood Book

My favorite book as a child was and still is Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. I fell in love with the pictures first before I even understood what the words and the story meant. When I was working with my children at the YMCA, I made sure we had a copy on sight and we read it during our book club. The story teaches us to be kind to those who we encounter because we may never know who they are.