Child Development and Public Health

The topic from the list that I decided to research and wanted to learn more about is Sudden Infant Death Sydrome (SIDS). Based on my daily interactions with infants who have been more affected by the SIDS epidemic, I am left with many questions that mostly deal with the studies involving SIDS occurrences and suggestions to minimize the risks. During these interactions, sometimes I question if sleeping on their back is the best position for them in certain instances. For example, many of the babies in my class have had cold-like symptoms this year and have been so congested, so sleeping on their backs seems to be uncomfortable for them. As a result, they do not sleep very long or appear to sleep well. Also, some of the babies will flip back over on their tummies when placed on their backs. Nevertheless, because I know that there have been more documented cases of SIDS from infants placed on their tummies, but I continue to place the babies on their backs.        

But, I am curious to know about the studies of SIDS, as well as SIDS occurences in other parts of the world. However, I needed to know the incidence of SIDS in the United States. Although, the rate of SIDS deaths are declining which is grest news! Unfotunately, there are still about 2500 deaths reported each year in the United States that are SIDS related (American SIDS Institute, 2009). In addition, there is a higher rate of SIDS for infants who are positioned to sleep on their sides and tummies. In specific, the incidence of SIDS for infants that sleep on their backs is 12.9 times more likely (American SIDS Institute, 2009).  In contrast, in Queenlands, Australia, where the highest rate of SIDS occurrences have been reported in Australia, it has been stated that 30% of infants are not placed on their backs while sleeping (Mitchell, 2011p. 34). Nevertheless, the incidence of SIDS in developing countries is a rare event. SIDS related deaths account for less than 1 in 2000 live births (ISPID, 2012).  I thought that was interesting!            

Based on the information I have learned, I will continue to place the infants in my classroom on their backs because this position is the safest for infants based on research. In addition, although we don't place anything in their cribs such as covers or pillows. I noticed that there was also references to positioning devices and how they should not be placed in cribs (American SIDS Institute, 2009). However, previously, I wondered  about how they might aid in helping a child with severe congestion and other cold like symptoms sleep better. Well, that answers my question!  

American SIDS Institute. (2009).Reducing The Risks.
Retrieved from: http://sids.org/nprevent.htm.

International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID). (2012). What is SIDS? Retrieved from: http://www.ispid.org/infantdeath.html.  

Mitchell, I. (2011). Sudden Infant Death: A global problem, local action. P.34               Retrieved from:http://www.sidscanada.org/professionalsresearch.html.

Child birth in your life and around the world

For this assignment, I chose to write about the birth of my second child. The reason I chose the second birth is because my labor went relatively quick. That did not mean it was even less painful. But, by the second birth I could understand more the reason for contractions and how they ease the baby down the birth canal. It is a really interesting process when I look back on it. Also, because I was not medicated so heavily like my first child due to quick labor, I was able to actively participate in the pushing process which gave me a sense of accomplishment. With the first birth, I had an epidural and my legs felt like jello and my lower half was numb for the most part, a bittersweet moment. It was good because there was little to no pain, but bad because I could not feel anything. My perspective on birth is that the child is no longer dependent on the mother's body for nourishment, however the baby is still dependent on the parents for its basic needs, but after birth the baby is becoming more self-sufficient day by day.

Birthing experiences occur all over the world even though they may be executed differently. For instance, I lay in the hospital bed holding my legs back. But, in Cuzco, Peru the women are in a vertical rather than horizontal position for birth. This is so the doctors have a better view if the head as it emerges. But, I would think you could see the head just as good with the woman laying down. This is when culture, in specific norms come into play. (Berger, 2012 p. 105).


Berger, K (2012). The developing person through childhood. (6th ed) New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Week 8 Reflection

Hello everyone,

I also want to thank those who contributed to my weekly blog posts. Special thanks to Janet and Melissa for posting on weeks 1 and 4. I could not find a blog post web address for Melissa to post directly to her blog. However, I noticed she responded on the first blog posting. Thanks for your reply to my posting. I have learned that we can learn so much from each other if we are willing to share our perspectives, opinions, and experience.

Thanks again everyone and much success to all of you in the future.

NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics

The three code of ethic principles that I would like to discuss state :

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

I feel in order to support each child's development, an educator must realize that no child is the same.Therefore, structuring a classroom considering the whole class as well as each student is vital. In my experience, I have observed how individualized plans can assist educators in achieving the goals that they have set for each child during the school year and beyond.

We shall build relationships with individual children and families while individualizing the curricula and learning environments to facilitate young children’s development and learning.

I strongly agree with this statement. As a result, I feel like there is not a set of guidelines or teaching strategies that apply to all students. Therefore, that is why individual plans that involve the child's family is so important because it allows the educator to set specific goals for each child with a corresponding plan of action. With that in mind, these children would be more equipped for academic success and it would help to ensure that, "No Child is Left Behind."

http://www.dec-sped.org/uploads/docs/about_dec/position_concept_papers/Code%20of%20Ethics_updated_Aug2009.pdf

To be familiar with the knowledge base related to working effectively with families and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

This statement "struck a chord" with me because my perspective is that you can never have enough knowledge about the Early Childhood field. This field is ever changing and there is new information that is being introduced all the time because of new research data that has been collected from various studies. Nevertheless, I want to stay abreast with this information to be effective in the classroom and better service the needs of the families involved. That is my reason for seeking out professional development opportunities and furthering my education.

https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201320_04/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%207/Resources/Resources/embedded/naeyc_codeofethicspdf.pdf

Early Childhood Resources

This is one of the first resources I utilized as I completed the coursework for my Bachelors degree.

https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201320_04/MS_MECS/EDUC_6005/Week%205/Resources/Resources/embedded/naeyc_dap_position_statement.pdf

This was a resource I used to research the UNICEF organization to become familiar with how they advocate for children, families, and communities worldwide.            

http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

I did not include this resource as one I reviewed in preparation for this week's discussion posting. However, I have referred to it to gain information about the High Scope curriculum. This curriculum is currently being used at my place of employment which has just recently become somewhat familiar to me.

Lastly, I have also referred to the Indiana State framework for Early Childhood education. This resource has been useful to me as I began to familiarize myself with standards specific to this state which will help me as an educator assist in ensuring Kindergarten Readiness.

http://www.doe.in.gov/achievement/curriculum/early-childhood-education

Passion and Motivation for Education

           Although Abigail Eliot was known for being a pioneer of the nursery school movement, she was also proud of her Unitarian faith. She comments, “Religion has always been an important part of my life –a subconscious influence, as well as a conscious directive”. As a result, she was active in her roles in the Unitarian church schools where she was a teacher and program director.

Robbins, P. (2012). Abigail Adams Eliot Nursery School Movement Pioneer.

            Retrieved from: http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/eliot_a.htm

           Patty Smith Hill comments about how budget cuts could affect the youngest of learners the most. Therefore, she recommends a solution that she feels would help to curve some of these adverse effects. She comments, “Why must the youngest children suffer most and most disastrously?” Would it not be more just to all to make cuts with a fair percentage of budgets lowered all along the line from kindergarten through the elementary grades, high schools and colleges –cuts indicating evidences of an equal consideration of all that promotes growth of body, health of mind, sanity of emotional and social adjustment throughout the whole system?”

Hill, P.S. (1934). The Practical Value of Early Childhood Education: Objectives and Results of

Nursery School, Kindergarten and First Grade Education. Retrieved from http://

           
           babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000047748383; skin=mobile#page/30/mode/lup

          In addition, the two early childhood professionals that I chose were Louise Derman

Sparks and Raymond Hernandez.

          Louise Derman Sparks discusses her passion for teaching , “ As I grew up I wanted to be a teacher because I believe that I had a built in passion that it was important to make real contributions in the world and  to fix the injustices in the world and I wanted to do that through teaching.”

          Raymond Hernandez speaks about his passion for his efforts in the early childhood education field. He states, “A lot of my passion comes from the intrinsic motivation for the work that I do. Every day I go to work I look forward to it because I know that the services I provide it is for their benefit. 

        “I started off my career training educators to be more effective. But, I wanted to do more that is the reason why I became an administrator because I knew that I could have a greater impact. I wanted to see how to develop programs that would benefit not only the  children, but their families.”

Course Media: "The Passion for Early Childhood"

       Five early childhood professionals share passion, motivation, and commitment to the early

 

      childhood field.

Personal Childhood Web

Personal Childhood Web

Mom, Sister, Great grandmother, Godmother, and Dad

My mom is a very compassionate, spiritual, supportive and optimistic person. She is and was my “go” to person. Every event or activity I had as a child I remember my mom being there for me to support. In addition, as I have been older she commuted me back and forth to school in which the college campus was 45 minutes away.  Emotionally, I feel she has always seemed to know what to say to make me feel better in any circumstance. If she did not have an answer, she would pray with me through the situations I faced and as a result I would feel a sense of peace. She has really prayed me through a lot of intense situations in my life and for me prayer is better than money. You just can’t buy peace. Lastly, she always provides me with the certainty that things will work themselves out. I still spend a lot of time with her and we have a close relationship.

My sister is a very kindhearted, dependable, and trustworthy person. My sister has always been there for me through some of the roughest times in my life when I needed her most. I felt at times like we were twins because I truly believed she felt many of the same emotions I felt during our childhood. I could tell her anything and even now I keep her posted on the details of my life and vice versa. Lastly, with every life changing event I have experienced she was there: the births of my two children, my wedding, and most recently my first graduation. I can count on her to be there physically even when no one else is.

My great grandmother is sincere, wise, loving, and encouraging. She always provided me with encouraging words telling me about how smart I was. She was excited about my progress with school and the fact that I was going to be a school teacher. Unfortunately, it saddens me that she passed before she was able to see me graduate. I kept telling her that I was getting close to graduation and my promise to her was one of the reasons I persevered. But, although she is not physically here with me now I know she would be proud of my accomplishments thus far. She made me feel special because she thought highly of me and she often told me. I spent a lot of time with her when I was younger and I spent a lot of time with her as I got older, helping her as needed and spending time with her as much as I could.

My godmother is supportive, empathetic, and reliable. She is my 2nd cousin and has been the best substitute mother I could have in my mother’s absence. My sister and I spent a lot of time with her when we were little. She took us to church and out to eat. We would spend the night over her house for a sleepover and she was also my Kindergarten teacher and a very good teacher, by the way. She has been dependable at the time when I needed her most. She would transport my children to and from school since they attended the same school where she worked. She would help in any way she could and was there in support of me in any event that I orchestrated from programs at school to garage sales.

My dad is hardworking, driven, and supportive. He had his own way of being supportive to me as a child. Not typically, a supporter in the sense of encouraging me to do better, but I felt that he was my biggest critic. If I got an B+, he was like why didn’t you get an A. But, as I got older those words which I took as criticism motivated me to do my best because if I did my best I would get an A. This statement also aligns with the fact that my dad is one of the hardest workers I know. He has many talents and abilities and has a very strong work ethic. This is a characteristic that I also possess and one that I am happy I have because I know that I got it from him. Since, I have been older my dad and I have a better understanding and I know he is one of my number #1 fans. He often brags about me when he talks to his friends which helps me to understand that all my hard work has paid off and I have made him proud.

 My mom, sister and I

My dad and I

My great "granny"