OVERCOMING STRESSORS

I have a very close college friend who faced so of these adversities, but she found strength through another outlet in life. My friend often opened up her heart to me when we were roommates in college about her life growing up. She said that her mother turned to drugs when their father left them. Her mother drug abuse affected my friend and her brother. She said that there were times when her mother would use whatever money they had for the month for drugs and left them hungry. She said no matter what was going on at home she and her brother managed to go to school so that they could eat and be in a safe place for awhile. She said that she would always remember her 5th grade teacher because she noticed the condition of her clothes and hair. My friend 's teacher informed the school support system. Eventually they were placed with family member, and her mother received help for her drug abuse. I often told my friend that she was BLESSED because through her determination to go to school each day she overcame her situation. Even today when we see each other she still reflect on that time period in her life. I see that these stressors stay in your memory even after time moves on. The obstacles that my friend faced made her strong, but sadly others are not as strong. Their are so many children around the world, and right in our community dealing with many of these stressors such as, poverty, violence, chaos, any many other problems. Children are affected by theses adversities in a dramatic way. Without food , nourishment, and a safe home environment the body and mind will not function. I try to keep my friend story in mind when I encounter new children in my class. I pay close attention to their mental and physical status. I watch for a change in mood, like sleepy or tired and highly distractible. Many times when children face these situations it is hard for them to trust and feel safe so these stressors play a major role in the development of young children.

Public Health Issue

Mental Health Issues

I decided to look into Mental Health issues and how it affects mothers, fathers, and family members because this is a rising issue in the world today. Mental health problems can occur from numerous causes from marriage, loss of employment, and lack of support from family members. The most common type is postpartum depression which occurs after a mother gives birth. Some women experience mood changes after pregnancy. The feel upset, alone, or unloving toward their baby, and guilt for having these feelings. This can affect the entire family, but having their support, rest, and talking to other mothers can help new mothers when facing this issue.


This is a wide spread issue all over the world. When I researched this issue I found it interesting how people in other parts of the country deal with this issue. In the Chinese culture they use dietary practices to decrease postpartum depression. A common recommended practice is " ginger vinegar soup." This natural remedy is known to work for new mothers in this country. The information that I received from this topic will help me better understand how to assist family and friends with this issue if it ever occur.

Mental Health Links
http://www.edmedicinehealth.com/
http://www.nature.com/

MY PERSONAL CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE

Wow !! It has been 10yrs since I had the opportunity to experience childbirth. I am writing about my own child birthing experience because it was the moment that changed my life. I went from being a single lady to being a single mother, but I would not trade it for nothing.
My daughter was born on March 27, 2001. As I recall it was one of the most exciting, but fearful experiences of my life. I went a week and a half past my due date so my doctor decided to force my labor by using medication to induce my labor. After a few hours I began to feel contractions, and was later given an epidural. I was in labor for 16 hours, and the pain medication ran out, so I had my daughter some what natural. Holding my daughter in my arms for the first time and experiencing the miracle of birth made up for the 16 hours of labor and pain.
I thought it was fascinating to read about new mothers in the Philippines and how they practice skin-to-skin "kangaroo care." It is placing the infant in a vertical position under the parent's clothing, and the parent's body function as a human incubator. This is used to promote the survival and recovery of preterm babies. Although my daughter was a full term healthy baby, I felt a little insecure about allowing her to sleep alone in her crib so she slept on my chest or beside me during the early weeks of birth.

Moving On............

This has truly been a new adventure for me. I have accomplished so much in the past few weeks. I would like to thank each of you for all of your encouraging comments to my blog, and weekly discussions. This is a great networking system so I plan to continue adding helpful resources to my blog. So feel free to visit at any time.

NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics and How I View Each in My Life

Ideal- 2.3
To welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program.
My ViewI have an open door rule in my classroom. This means parents and family members are welcome to volunteer in my class at any time to make their children learning experience memorable.
Ideal- 1.1To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.
My ViewI am taking the first of many steps by continuing my education, and I will take every opportunity to attend workshops and training offered in my community related to early childhood education.
IdealWe shall serve as advocates for children with disabilities and their families and for the professionals who serve them by supporting both policy and programmatic decisions that enhance the quality of their lives.
My ViewI taught special education in the public school system a few years ago. I will always have a voice for all children especially children with disabilities. Many parents are not aware of their rights and services available to them through special programs in the community and schools. Being a teacher I feel that it is up to me to provide parents with updated information and community services to better serve them and their children.

Helpful Educational Resources

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


"It doesn't matter what you look like or where you come from if you have knowledge."
Dr. Benjamin S. Carson

UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/deault.aspx

http://www.devereuxearlychildhood.org/

http://www.theideabox.com/

Quotes

Louise Derman-Sparks

"I have a passion to create a safer and moe just world for all kids."


Renatta M. Cooper

" It's not all about you, You have to take your ego out of it, and think about what's best for the child."

Quotes from Contributors in different Sectors of Education

"[P]art of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness."
— Janet Gonzalez-Mena

"We make money the old fashioned way. We print it." -- Art Rolnick, former Chief Economist, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank

...the moment I decided to follow instead of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

Daughter - Elizabeth is the reason why I go on each day. She is the light that shines through me. My daughter is inspires me to aim and reach for a better life. My parents strive for a better life for me, and I strive for a better life for Elizabeth. I encourage her to pursue all of her dreams, and I will do what I can to help make them come true.

Sisters - Although I am the oldest of three, my sisters have supported me through all of the good and hard times. They are my extra shoulders to cry on, lean on, and hold on to through all situations.

Grandmother - My grandmother is the one who held our family together. She took care of me and my sisters while my parents work everyday. She taught me how to cook, clean, and how to be a lady.

Personal Childhood Web

Mother and Father - My Parents are the reason why I have accomplished so much today. As a child they provided me with love and attention.  My parents worked very hard to provide for me and my sisters. They wanted us to have a better life without all the struggles.  My parents made away for me to attend college.  I was a first generation college student.  When I graduated with my B.A. in 1998 my parents and grandparents were so proud because they encouraged me to do something that did not have the opportunity to do.

"Marcus"

As I recall through my years of teaching I have encountered many children with heart touching stories, but the one that travels with me wherever I go is a story about a student whom I taught several years ago. He came from a divided home where one of five children. When he entered into my class each day he knew that he could be himself and receive equal amount of attention. My assistant teacher and I would take turns seeing to his well being by making sure that he would not leave our present the same way he came each day. We made sure his face and clothes where neat, provided attention, and nurture with nutritious meals. We also taught him self help and readiness skills. This daily routine built his self esteem so much. Before the school year ended this student and his family moved, and I could only hope that he carried the skills we provided with him.

Children Stories

I love Anna Dewdney llama llama stories. I use these series of stories to transition new students into my classroom during a new school year. The stories reflect how children react to change whether it's the first day of school or just being away from home. Somehow using animals with human characteristics help children adapt to new situations.

A Child's Perspective

I love this picture because it symbolize how a child see a perfect family.

Sun - Warmth
Rainbow - Happiness
Family - Love
Grass - Unity

Children Quote

I Hear, And I Forget

I See, And I Remember

I Do, And I Understand

        

  
                     - Chinese Proverb