Childbirth - In Your Life & Around the World

I will always remember the birth of my 1st child because it was scary, no, downright frightening because of the unknown but also an exciting experience.  This was 33 years ago and I can still remember how excited I was to be giving birth to my first born son.  I recall the horrible pain, in labor for 23 hrs, Ouch, but it was somewhat of a joyous occasion. When it was time to deliver, I was asking the doctors to adjust the mirror so that I can see when my son entered the world, I was proud then and to this day he has made me even prouder to call him my son.  He's now married w/ (3) children of his own and will retire from the military in 4yrs.

I found an article about childbirth in South Africa, this is a culture that is steep in their religious and medical beliefs.  The women use a squatting position on the ground, most of them use a stool and they are surrounded by sisters and other femaile relatives, some are considered midwives. The midwives are paid only if the birth is successful.  The burial of the placenta and umbilical cord is thought to restore fertility and help heal the womb.

Talk about a strong women, I can't even imagine how painful this act of childbirth seems to me but all cultures have different childbithing experiences and I'm sure they all know what to expect.  But regardless of how your child is delivered, most women endure the pain because of what's to come.

Examining Code of Ethics

I selected the following ideals offered to early childhood development:  

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

1-1.1 ----To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

Response:  This ideal really apply to me since I'm just getting my feet wet in the early childhood arena.  I intend to continue my journey of learning all I can about early childhood development, especially advocating for children and parents.

  1-1.7 --- To use assessment information to understand and support children's development and learning, to support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional services. 

Response:  If done fairly, the assessment is a great tool for educators because it identifies the student's ability, however, too many times we've heard stories about teacher interfering with test scores so that it can make them look good, rather than having the child's best interest at heart.  They really need to re-evaluate these assessments.

Ethical Responsibilities to Families

1-2.2   --- To develop  relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we serve.

Response:  Establishing trust with parents, as well as, children is very important to the welfare and education of students  This can open doors of opportunity for the teacher and parent because a relationship is formulated and information is a two way communication process, rather than one way communication.

Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

1-4.4  --- To work through education, research, and advocacy toward a society in which all young children have access to high quality early care and education programs.

Response:  Continue my focus in the early childhood area by getting involve with community events that advocates for children and family, such as, the project that I just completed on the job, My Sister's House, which advocates for abused women and children but still affects early childhood development.

Course Resources

Additional Resources related to young children, families, and/or the field of early childhood:

Websites:

• ChildrensHelp.com: Early Childhood Education Resources

  www.childrenshelp.com/pages/resources2_ECE.html

• Child Care Resources & Related Links

  dcf.wi.gov/childcare/resources.htm

   

• Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

  www.earlychildhood.com/

Resources from Week 5:

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
  
  NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
  
  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
  
  NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
  
  Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
  
  FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al.  (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42–53.
  Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title. 

Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

• Article: 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
   
• Websites:
• World Forum Foundation
  http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
  This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage 
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education
  http://www.omep-usnc.org/
  Read about OMEP’s mission.  
• Association for Childhood Education International
  http://acei.org/about/

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
  
  Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
  
  Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
  
  FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/ 
• Children’s Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
• Institute for Women’s Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
  
  National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
  
  National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
• Voices for America’s Children
  http://www.voices.org/
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library
Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to “How Do I...?”, select “Tips for Specific Formats and Resources,” and then “e-journals” to find this search interface.)

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Words of Inspiration and motivation

Quotes from: 

Deborah Stipek, "Teachers can motivate students only if they themselves are motivated.  They can make students feel valued and secure only if they feel valued and secure; they can foster enthusiasm for learning in students only if they are enthusiastic about teaching.  The school culture can make or break a teacher in the same way that the classroom culture can support or undermine students' efforts to learn"

Edward Zigler, "I have long believed that the development of a child does not begin the day he is born- or at age three- but much earlier during the formative years of his parents."

Quotes from the professionals in the video podcast:

Sandy Escobido talked about her parent's involvement with her education and the obstacles and challenges that they faced made her want to be involved with education.  She stated that it was a unique opportunity as an early childhood teachers to shape a child's life for the better and that's what makes her passionate about teaching.

Leticia Lara talked about her experience observing her parents, grandparents and a lineage of other people in her life as a child abd that is what motivated her to become a teacher.

Personal childhood Web

There were many people entwinded in my childhood web that loved and cared for me during my childhood years, but the most memorable ones that impacted my life was my Mom who instilled values and morals that still hold true today.  She taught me how to always "act like a lady" because you never knew who was watching.  She taught me that God was first and foremost and then family, wherever you go, never forget family. My mom had us "scared straight" because she was the disciplinarian in the family so I learned at an early age that it dosen't matter what your friends may do, you should always listen to that inner voice.  Daddy was the provider.  My parents divorced when I was 11, however my father still played a very active role in our life.  All of my summers was spent w/ him in Fayetteville, NC.  If school was out on Friday, Daddy was there on Saturday to pick us up.  Our summers was spent going to the skating rinks, we couldn't get him to skate, but he would stand on the wall and watch us while we skated,  drag car race shows was another fun thing that we enjoyed w/ daddy, I can still hear the loud sounds that the cars made ;-).  He would take us to Disney World, movies, the park, and to the beach.  Friday night was always seafood night at our house and that tradition still holds true today.  Daddy is no longer with us but I have very fond memories of the legacy he left behind.  My Grandparents (maternal & paternal), I'm one of the blessed few to have a relationship with my maternal and paternal grandparents.  I can remember how my daddy's mom use to always shower us with hugs and kisses, and let's not forget eating lunch & dinner at grandma's house. We were not allowed to play in the house after dark, we had to take a bath and watch TV together or read a book.  No playing was allowed in grandma's house. Whenever we needed money, we went to granddaddy, he would start digging in his pocket when he saw us coming and of course he got a big hug after that, lol.  I can remember running down the road to meet my other grandfather (maternal) after work, we would be waiting for him to turn down the road and all of us would race to see who would get to him first, of course almost knocking him down, but I can remember that big grim on his face , along w/ the hugs and a pat on the head.  Now, my maternal grandma was a disciplinarian like mama, she didn't play.  But, the feeling of love in the things she did for us, such as, taking us to church w/ her, on road trips and just having a sense of security in her presence.  My Great-Grandmother (maternal) died when she was 103 yrs old.  We had to stay with her during the day when mama was at work, so my days was spent picking sweet potatoes, okra, beans and other veggies in her fields and helping to feed the chicken, cows and pigs and the highlight was sitting under the cherry tree eating cherries with my siblings and cousins was such memorable events.  I owe all that I am as a grandparent to my grandparents because they taught me what it means to love your grandchild unconditionally. Ms Evelina was part of my extended family that watched over all the children in the village, if she saw you stepping out of line or misbehaving, she would chastise you on the spot and forget about running because she would tell your parents, so you would still get it when you got home.  She would take us to evening programs at the church and accompany us at Sunday school.  Back then she got on our last nerves, but when I think back to my childhood days, she was part of the glue that kept us from going astray. I'm going to lump the Teachers together because it's too many of them to call by name because they all greatly impacted our lives and who we are today.  Teachers were the mothers and grandmothers at school because they genuinely cared about our education and well being.  If someone didn't have school supplies, clothes or shoes, teachers would supply their needs.  They ruled w/ the paddle but guess what, I can't recall any child in my village being abused or severely injured, did it hurt yes, but it taught us right from wrong and we were able to remain a part of the class rather than being kicked out of school.  Now, when I speak so highly of my village, you know why, because there were so many people that loved, nurtured and cared for my well being.  My fifth grade teacher attends my church, we always greet each other with a hug.  She is a constant reminder of the memories that I hold so dear about my childhood years at Jennie Moore Elementary School.

A children's book...

Cinderella was always one of my favorite childhood books because I believe in happy endings.  She was the heroine that so many of us loved reading about as a child because after being chastised by her wicked step-mom and bullied by her evil step-sisters, she would eventually marry her prince charming and leave the past behind.  Cinderella's story is truly a classic.

A meaningful quote...

African Proverb: "It takes a village to raise a child"


When I reflect on this specific quote, I can truly understand and appreciate exactly what the older folks meant when I heard them say it because it truly takes a village to raise children.  I was blessed to be raised in a village with loving parents,aunts, uncles, grandparents and people in my neighborhood that truly cared about my well being.  If it wasn't for the village who knows where I would be or what I would've have become.  I'm not saying that there were'nt trials and tribulations, but we were equipped with people who cared enough to steer us back on the right path.  Thank God for the village where I grew up.