Thank you

“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.”
― Eileen Kennedy-Moore

 

Thank you to everyone for your responses to my blog and all the wonderful contributions you have made to my understanding of this course.  I have learned a great deal from all of you throughout reading your blogs.  I found it especially interesting reading each week about the different parts of the world you all wrote about.  It was very informative to read how different other parts work compared to the United States.  Thanks again for everything you all have taught me in this course and I can’t wait to continue to learn with you all throughout the remaining courses.

Test for Intelligence

I think when considering a commitment to view young children holistically some things should be measured and assessed.  The standard assessment that schools use is not the way to go to assess each student individually because some students may get it easily and other students may understand it but not be able to show that on paper.  I think their level of thinking should be assessed.  This could be simply done by giving them a scenario and having them write in their own words about that scenario.  This would show what concepts they know and how the comprehend those concepts.  Simple tests of words they know compared to what they should know if another simple test that shows what they know and what they don't of those words.  The way the students responds to oral questions is another great way to measure what they know with the formal testing, it is a great form of informal assessment that has no pressure compared to that of a written test.

The way students are assessed in Africa differ greatly from that of the United States.  In Africa a simple if the student can read or not is a form of assessment.  They also use classroom based assessment that has shown to be struggling because of the lack of academics in the area.  There is very few assessments used in Africa and of those used, it is reported that it shows low academic progress.

Of the stressors listed this week, the one that comes to mind to discuss is chaos.  When I was five years old my whole world would become a chaotic mess.  My mother and grandmother got in a car accident in the morning and would not make it past the accident site.  They both passed away immediately.  My whole world would change that day.  I lost both my mother and grandmother in a matter of a minutes and was too young to truly comprehend what that meant at the time.  I never had a father, and still do not know who he is.  I had to live with my aunt and uncle and learn to love my new life with no mother.  It was a very hard time on me and felt the chaos would not end and really did not end until I was moved out, living on my own away from people who never really loved me as they should.

The area of Africa has been facing an issue with hunger since 2011 when a deadly food crisis claimed the lives of many and left many without food.  Children are faced with hunger issues all the time and Africa and struggle to get the right nutrition they need to strive.  The introduced this donation call line where people here in the US can donate money to feed those children.  I have seen this on the TV a few times but also found a very informative website that talks about the event and gives details on ways to help these children eat.

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.7539035/k.B9FB/Africa_Drought_Sparks_Food_Shortage_Child_Hunger_and_Humanitarian_Crisis.htm

Child Development and Public Health

The topic I chose was nutrition/malnutrition.  I chose this topic because malnutrition is seen so often around the world and truly has an impact on the way a child learns.  A child who does not eat and comes to school hungry and tired, is going to struggle.  A child needs an adequate meal for every meal and there should be no excuse for that to happen.

One place that I found that has a huge problem with malnutrition is the Philippines.  It is not only said that this is a third world country but malnutrition affects mostly the youngest of the population and sometimes leads to death.  They are not facing a shortage of supplies but actually have an abundance of supplies and food and are not putting it to the right usage.  The kids there are struggling in the school system because they have such a poor diet and in turn can not focus on what is being taught.

Malnutrition is seen sometimes in our school.  We offer a free breakfast for such students and there is a huge difference in those students who can have a good meal at school.  I have witnessed first hand a student who was malnutritoned and came to school sick constantly and wanting to sleep.  She was beyond thin and very unhealthy.  After getting on the free lunch program, her academics came to life and she was progressing wonderfully!  That continues to impact the way I teach myself and am always on the look out for students who may suffer from malnutrition.

Childbirth in my life and around the world

The birthing experience that I remember is that of my nephew's.  It was a very memorable day that I don't think I will ever forget.  It kind of played out to be that of a textbook birth.  His mother went in, and 9 hours later she had a healthy baby boy.  I picked this birth because it really is the only birth that I have clear memory about.  I do not remember my own birth and I am just now pregnant with my first (due in January), so I have not personally experienced birth.  I think birth plays a huge role on child development because a baby that born without complications will likely develop at the expected rate.  Opposed to a baby who is born early or with medical issues, they might struggle in developing early on only to catch up in the end.

Giving birth in Africa differs a lot from that of the United States.  Many women in Africa come to the facility they are giving birth at when they are in labor and are told they are lying and may get hit, kicked out, or hurt because they are not trusted.  Here in the United States, a women would be hooked to monitors and checked to assure real labor was occurring.  Pain medication for birthing mothers in Africa is not always available either and from my personal experience above, I do not know how she would have given birth without some pain medication throughout the process!  The rates of mortality in Africa are much larger that in the United States as well because of their lack of hospital care, since many births there take place at home or other facilities that are not medically related.

Picture/Book/Quote

This is a picture of my husband and I


Inspirational Quote

 
A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. ~Author Unknown
This is a quote that I have always found inspiring and very true. It is something that I have shared with my other co-workers and continue to read throughout my teaching years. It is inspirational and really creates what I want to be as a teacher.



Children's Book

 
A title of a children's book that I love is "A very Hungry Caterpillar." I think this is a great book that fun and interactive for students to read. It teaches them a great moral and is an interactive story that is sure to keep their attention.