Saturday, September 29, 2012

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.   

Saturday, September 15, 2012

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:

Saturday, September 8, 2012

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. 



Thursday, August 9, 2012

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.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

In Slyvia Chard's book "The Project Approach:Making Curriculum Come Alive" (Book1) a quote that stood out to me was:
"Young children are inquisitive. They ask questions, wonder about things, and like to investigate interesting phenomena in their world."

In Marcy Whitebook's article "Center For The Study Of Child Care Employment; Working For Worthy Wages" a segment that I believe is very important with in the child care world was:


"There is a growing consensus that in order to improve the quality of child care services in the United States, the child care workforce must be better compensated, through the use of public dollars and other sources."




While watching the media presentation "The Passion for Early Childhood" it just made me love this field even more than I already do. To be able to hear about professionals who love and care for the field. What gave them the drive to want to become a part of this field. I enjoyed all of the stories that each professionals offered but there was one professional that I closely related to the most. Renatta M. Cooper the Program Specialist Office of Child Care LA County Chief Administrative Office stated that there were challenges and things that she learned each year from her families and staff. "I had no idea how to support a family through this but I knew I needed to learn. I learned a lot from that case.I learned its not all about you. You have to take your ego out of it and think about what best for this child and you care enough about them to let the transistion to whats next and what comes next and what's best and I think that's really important and I would have not have known that if I wouldn't have lived it." Working with children on a day to day basis I know the challenges that can one can come across. 

I love the challenge of this field and wouldn't change it for the world!!!!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Personal Childhood Web

Maggie Risher- Grandmother
She has always been supportive in every decision that I make for my future. I spent most of my time with my grandmother growing up. No matter what I was doing my grandmother was always by my side encouraged me to try my hardest at everything I put my heart to. Till this day I call my grandmother for her impute and blessing on my choices. 


Belinda Williams- Aunt 
My Aunt is a Alumni of the University of North Texas. She influenced me to attend and get my degree and make something of myself just as she did. My Aunt has always been supportive of me and my choices. When I was in Elementary school my Aunt me to stay with her in her dorm. It was one of my best experiences with her. My aunt always made sure to check on me and my growth throughout the years. She showed me love and nurturing by never giving up on me and giving me the best advise she could with what I was trying to accomplish. 

Paris Risher- Sister
My sister is five years younger than me and has been more of a motivation than a supporter. All my life I have tried to make sure that I set a positive example for her. Just as much as I wanted to make something of myself I wanted her to the same. She has a lot of potential and I know that at any time if I slacked up that I would be a good example for her. My sister still encourages me to go on and achieve my goals and now I am helping to support her through college and achieve her own goals. 
James Risher- Daddy
My dad isn't a man of many words but he has been one of my biggest supporters. All he has ever wanted was to see his daughters succeed. I could be a basket weaver and as long as I was the best at it my dad would be proud. When I was younger my dad made sure to attend every basketball game and every dance recital. My dad made it his goal to be there for me when ever I needed him no matter what it was. My dad has always been a big encouragement to my life. He has supported me through two graduations (money and emotional) and is looking forward to supporting me through a third. 
Silva Risher-Mother
Through every tear argument and fight my mom has been there for me through it all. 13 years of back and forth dance basketball and drill team practice. My mom was always there. Even though I did not go the route of the goals that she wanted me to achieve she has always still been very supportive with my choices. Every parent wants their child to have a better future than they have had and my mom has made sure that this was accomplished. My mom is very loving and nurturing and will always make sure to give you the best advise even when it is not always wanted to to be heard. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Week 2 blog assignments

Famous Children's Quote

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." Lady Bird Johnson 

Title of favorite children's book

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

I love this book because my grandfather read it to me every night for 10 years until he passed. It is a really soft bed time story that always put me at ease. 


My God-daughter and I at my Great Grandparents 93 and 94 birthday!!!! She didn't want to smile for the camera.