Relationship Reflection

I have realized that life would be pointless and lonely without healthy relationships to share it with.

Baby Sister, Daddy and I

My dad sister and I have always been close. From laying around the house watching (sleeping) football games to practicing driving on the right side of the road. 
My dad has always been one of my biggest supporters. When ever I felt as if I couldn't do something he was always there to help get me back on track. Having my dad as a strong back bone has shown me how important it was to stick by family and those who are close to you.

Mom and Her Twins

My mother sister and I share a lot of things. Our favorites are fashion sense and luggage and tote bags. 
My mother has always inspired me to seek for more than what was right in front of me. "Education is key, you will make it farther with an education under your belt than you will with anything else." She has instilled this into me since I could remember. With this thought in mind it has helped me get where I am today. I believe in myself and my abilities.  

Mini me and I 

My sister and I are extremely close. She is my focus to keep pushing to succeed. I want to be the best role model and I can be. Watching my sister grow up and for so many years want to walk in my foot steps has only inspired me to make sure that I stay on the right track.

Just like in most families there comes a time when you just want to branch off and do things for your self with no one looking over you. Some difficulites that I have faced is feeling pressured to be perfect for my family. I felt as if I failed at anything that it would disappoint them. I later found out that no matter what I do that my family would always love and care for me. My family would always support me.

Support is a special characteristic that make relationships strong.

My personal expierences with relationships/partnerships has only inspired me to work within this field even more. Working with children is a true passion of mine and having healthy relationships will help me to continue on as a child care provider.

Child Quote

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment."

Wess Stafford, President, Compassion International

Testing your Intelligence

Testing your Intelligence

• 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.

When viewing children I believe what mostly that should be measured or assessed is the child's interaction with their teachers, peers and caregivers. The way children interact with their peers and teachers is important it shows the child's development skills. 

• 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.)

In South Africa when psychologist are assessing they typically use three main categories; physical, visual, hearing and speech. Certain studies examine these children and compare their findings to different parts of the world. 

• What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues?

As an educator I enjoy reading and learning about different strategies and other countries use to help educate their children. Children learn in many different ways here in America and this makes me think just how differently there methods are compared to the children in South Africa. 

References:
http://www.hpod.org/pdf/Kar-thematic_edu.pdf

Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters 

I remember I was a senior in high school and it was the first hurricane that I could remember experiencing.  Hurricane Rita hit Texas but it hit Louisiana worse. People were forced to leave their homes and even the state in order to stay safe. When I returned to school we were all shocked at the amount of students who had to be transferred to our school because they lost every thing in the storm. When I spoke with one of my friends at the time she explained that it was one of the worst experiences of her life. When she left home she had to leave behind everything that she couldn't carry in her hands or fit into her car. When she finally was able to go back home everything that she ever knew was gone. Her house and all of her belongings. She explained that the only thing that helped her get past the heart breaking experience was that she had her entire family safe and alive and unlike the material things things that she lost her irreplaceable family was with her. 

Over the years I have wanted to study and learn more about Haiti. I know that it would be a nice thought that we could do something to prevent disasters from happening around the world. The truth is somethings are out of our hands and we can't prevent certain things from happening no matter how hard we try. Haiti has experienced many natural disasters. Just like the adults in this region of the world the children are also majorly affected. Children to do understand why that are living in tents and having to share dirty water. Children do not understand why they have lost so many family members right before their eyes. It is hard to for children to understand the disaster of the world.   

Immunization

Importance of Immunizations

Immunizations are very important in this day and age. They have to be up to date and on record in order to start school. While working for a summer camp I learned that some parents do not believe in giving there children immunizations. I was told that this parent believed that the "drug" that was going to be put into her child's body would cause more harm than help. This was interesting to me because since I was a child I received my yearly shots and never thought twice about it.

In South Africa their immunizations are given not to make sure they can get into school the next year but to save their life. The mortality rate in South Africa is very high and new vaccines for the children are very important. 

Being able to research and read about how in different parts of the world something as simple as immunizations can help reduce the mortality rate is very important. Every child deserves a chance in life, and if we would all not take for granted what we have here in the U.S. and think of those across the world who do not have those luxuries.

I one day plan to travel and share my knowledge and help those who are in need. I will start to pay more attention to the luxuries that I have here in the use and will try my best to help those who are less fortunate. 

References:

 New vaccines for SA's children - SouthAfrica.info

EDUC 6160 CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

I have a very large family so through out my life I have come across plenty of childbirths. Some were more graphic than others and some were just from outside the door listening in. The childbirth that I decided to use is the birth of my God daughter Jazmine. My cousin had a very difficult time getting pregnant and carrying her children full term for little Jazzy has been a blessing from the start. Her mother was 2 weeks overdue because of a hurricane that had hit Houston, Texas that year and Jazzy was in no rush to come out. When we finally were able to get to the hospital her mother ended up have to have a C-section. The only thing I remember is holding her mother's hand telling her to relax and the doctors hand getting lost in her stomach. Everything went so fast and once he started it took no time for little Jazzy to come into the world. To give birth to a child is definitely a life changing experience. I was able to see the look of anticipation and rejoice on a new mothers face and it is something I will never forget. Childbirth has a major impact on child development because it is the start of a long journey of teaching, helping, guiding and disciplining. 

Struggles Of Childbirth In South Africa

 Living in the U.S. the health care support that is provided but medical staff for childbirth is sometimes taken for granted. In South Africa childbirth is a struggle. This clip gives just a few examples of the struggles that they face. 

  

http://www.france24.com/en/20120320-planet-hope-south-africa-childbirth-risks-hospitals-death-women-labour-clinics-health

I have learned that complaining about the small things could be blessing to those without this opportunity or support. To be grateful for this things that are offered to me as a U.S. citizen are a privilege. I believe that the struggle just to have a healthy breathing baby in South Africa has a major impact on the child development in this area. To be able to get past the stage of leaving the hospital with your child is the first stage that these mothers have to go through. Everything else just seems to be a piece of cake once that difficult stage is passed. 

Examining Codes of Ethics

Examining Codes of Ethics

• I-1.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

This ideal is significant to my professional life because I know that I can never learn enough about the early childhood field and will continue to train so that I can help train and encourage the children that I come encounter with.

• I-1.3—To recognize and respect the unique qualities,abilities, and potential of each child.

Working and studying within the early childhood field I have learned that every child is different and I have learned how important it is to accept a child just as they are and learn to adapt.

• I-1.12—To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next. 

The family is one of the child's biggest support groups. When trying to make a difference in a child's life I have learned that being that support factor and showing them that you will work and help them along their journey no matter where it takes them.