Children Quotes

"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." Harry Truman

Standardized Testig

Standardized test is a form of testing that rates the general knowledge of each child in a particular region. This form of testing is an excellent way of seeing how a student is comprehended. This is important because it allows the districts to see what needs to be changed in the state standard. This also allows the teacher to see the areas needing more focusing on. Also this allows the child that is excelling in all classes to be recommended for higher level work or even get promoted to the next grade level. I think it would be great to come up with a form of testing or assessment that could measure the maturity level of children. This would be very valuable. I have seen many times where a child in academically smart enough to go to the next grade but there maturity levels make it hard for the new transition. This would be a great assessments used for the beginning of the school year to understand what life skills need to be taught throughout that  year for the future transition to the next grade level. This would allow the child to be mature and academically ready for the next grade level. In the wikkipedia it discusses the first standardized test that was taken in China. Testing is a very effective way of assessing growth and potential from each child. This tactic is used world wide.


Reference:
Standardized Testing. Wikipedia. Retrieved on December 10, 2011. http://wikipedia.org

Cosequences of Stress on Children's Development

Divorce

At about the age of 12 years old my parents entered into divorce. It was something that surprised me. I saw no signs of it coming but it happened. This was a major stressors in my life that turned my life up side down. I honestly don't think I really coped with it until I rededicated my life back to Christ in  August 2006. Until them I just struggled with major issues of low self esteem and abandonment. I felt like I had no one. Until I met Jesus. I started to walk in Christ and was healed from unforgiveness and low-self esteem. I am free walking in liberty everyday! What I mostly remember during my parents divorce was the division that it caused between me and my sister. I was very close to my dad and she was very close to my mom and that caused problems once my dad was not in the house. I was forced to conform to somethings that I did not like. At one point I lost my identity and walked very lost for a long time. In Christ I have found who I am and the purpose God has given me and I am currently walking in it right now. I was given the vison of my daycare in December 2009 and I got my license in April 2010. So even though that was a stressor in my life I now look at my parents divorce as a light affliction that was only for a moment. Now I use my short cumming as a ministry tool for my children at the daycare. To God Be The Glory!
I also studied the divorce and effects on children in Australia. These are some facts I found very interesting. In the article "Divorce Rates in Ameica and Other Western Countries" it states:

"Since 1981 divorce rates, while fluctuating, have shown an increasing trend; there were 55,300 divorces granted in Australia in 2001, the highest number granted in the last 20 years. This was an increase of 5,400 on the number of divorces granted in 2000 and an increase of 13,900 on 1981. 17% of couples had divorced within the first five years of marriage, while a further 26% had divorced in the following five-year period. The most common single interval between marriage and divorce was between five and six years (6%). In 2001 the median duration of marriage to divorce was 12 years, up from 10 years in 1981". (Abs.gov.au)
Parkinson states "in Australia most children revert ot the care of the mother" (Parkinson, 2011). The effects of divorce are all the same across the world. Children are left to feel the most effects of this change and it is something that will have to be healed from. It is a long process but I am a witness that you can be free!

References:
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011). " Divorce Rates in America and other Western Countries" www.divorceguide.com

Parkinson, Patrick (2011). "Shared Parenting:The New Frontier" Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood.

SIDS-Cosleeping

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a situation in which a seemingly healthy infant at least 2 months of age, suddenly stops breathing and dies unexpectedly while asleep (Berger, 2009). This situation is very common around the world. There are many ways researchers say are best preventions of SID. These preventions are not always true based on cultural viewpoints. The main way researchers said that SID could be prevented is from sleeping with the parent. This is also called co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is a custom in which parents and their children sleep together. The controversy that's going on is researcher have shown recent research that co-sleeping is not as harmful as sleeping in the crib. In the article "Co-sleeping & SID facts" it states: the crib industry wants you to know that 60% of "accidental" infant deaths have accrued per year in adult beds" (Palmer, 2005). Several well-designed researchers studies demonstrate that SIDS is actually reduced in babies co-sleeping along with an aware, protective, non-smoking or non-drug using, mother in a safe bed (Palmer, 2005).
Around the world co-sleeping is a norm. In much of southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, mothers and babies routinely share sleep (McKenna, 2007). SIDS occurrences are among the lowest in the world in Hong Kong, where co-sleeping is extremely common (McKenna, 2007).
This research was very interested for me because choose to put my son in the bassinet by my bed as an infant. I think for all my children I will do the same. I feel that lying them in a bassinet is less risky that a huge crib. Co-sleeping is any option sometimes for bonding purposes but I will choose ultimately the bassinet. This information was very informative and I can use this in my daycare as information to pass to my parents and colleagues.

Reference

Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

McKenna, James (2007). Cosleeping Around the World. www.naturalchild.org

Palmer,Linda (2002). Cosleeping & SIDS Fact Sheet. www.thebabybond.com

My Birthing Experience!

Thinking back to the day I found out I was pregnant with my son, Isaiah, I remembered being very surprised and unprepared. I had Isaiah on Febuary 06, 2004. He was a week over due and I had to be induced. Throughout my pregnancy the most important thing I did was read to him daily and make sure to take my vitamins every day. Both of these things help with his brain and body development. To this day Isaiah is very interested in reading and writing books. He also likes to write plays. I chose to use my birthing experience for this example because this was the first time I had a this kind of experience up and close. Child birth is very important to Early Childhood development because development starts in the womb. Without the proper prenatal care a child could be born with life long ailments that could have been avoided.

In, Australia babies aren't announced until they are 12 weeks. This period is called the waiting period. They do this because it is most common to have a miscarriage at this time so they wait to announce and also wait to see the doctor until then. Mothers have there children at a  birthing center where there are no doctors, no medicine, and no pelvic exams. Midwives are only there and the mothers are all in one room with other mothers giving birth. After have the baby they are released within 24-hours. During that first week home the midwives that delivered the baby come and visit them to ensure that they are fine.

Reference:

Kohri, Nora 1998. "Childbirth of the World". www.angelfire.com

Code of Ethical Conduct & Statement of Commitment

Ideals from this passage:

Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.

-This core value is very meaningful because professionals in the early childhood field must realize the importance of a child's development. This opened my eyes to see what a privilege we have as professionals to take part in this developmental stage.

1-1.12- To work with families to provide a safe and smooth transition as children and families move from one program to the next.

-As early childhood professionals we are the bridge that connects a child's family to there next destination. We have to look at them as precious cargo that can't be dropped. This transition is very important.

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

-I love the word serve that is being used in this idea. In this field we are servants. Developing relationships are important because we are apart of a community that must work together to fully develop the child.

My Personal Childhood Web

There many people that had positive influences in my life but I will take the time and introduce five people.

1. My Mother (Willa Dean Gray)- At three months old I was adopted and my name was changed from Nichole to McKenzie Gray. My mother from birth always shared with me how special I was to her. Early in age, about five or six years old, she told me I was adopted. She was a true inspiration to me all throughout my life. My mother was a teacher for twenty-nine years. After retiring she worked as a Director of her church after school care program. She always tole me that I would teach but I didn't discover this passion until a month after her death in December of 2009. I thank my mother for being a great mother and my first mentor within the education field.

2. My Sister (Whitney Weston)- My sister is 31 years old and is married with three boys. My sister and I were both adopted but we have other sisters and brothers we don't know. My sister sets a standard that shows me true virtue within  a Godly woman. She takes care of her family and when we were young she would always try to take of me. Even though we were close in age she always showed me true sister love. She is a music teacher on the middle school level. Thanks sis!

3. Mr. Irby ( My forth-grade teacher)- Mr. Irby was my 4th grade teacher at Carver Elementary. He was very stern and loving at the same time. At this time in my life I was not very interested in my education. I made the class room and our class work come alive. He would always stay on me about being consisted and to never give up. Some of the things he taught in that class I can still apply to my life today!

4. Ms. Davis ( The First Lady in my Church)- She has been so inspiring to me because she is so loving and dedicated to her husband and family. She is also adopted and by sharing her testimony inspires me to feel better about my life.

5. My Foster Mother (name unknown)- I just want to thank her for taking such good  care of me when I was a baby. She made sure to document my every move so I can now read and share with others how I was at a baby. She made it possible to connect the things I did not know about me and my sister. I have never meet her but if I could I would say thank you!





Getting to know me!

When thinking of my favorite quote pertaining to children there are so many! I have narrowed it to two quotes. One quote comes from the Word of God and it is what I base my mission and vision statement from. It comes from Proverbs 22:6 and it states "Train up a child in the way that they go and when they are old they shall not depart from it". This statement is so important to me because it shows how important it is to train a child. We know that a child is learning even while in the womb but the most important years of a child's growth is with the first five years. How they process information and how they make choices will be formed during this time. So it is so important to beginning the training process at birth. My second favorite childrens' quote is " It takes a village to raise a kid". This goes hand in hand with my first quote because in the training process it is important to create a positive learning environment for a child. Your child learns from everyone and thing that they are around. This can be a good and bad thing. What you put into a child is what comes out. If it is negative they will be negative also. That is why we have to choose the right things to put into this environment to be able to produce a well rounded child.

My favorite children's book is: "The Little Engine That Could"
                                               By: Watty Piper, George Hauman, Doris Hauman-Platt & Munk (1990)

I choose this book because it shows children that through persistence and dedication you will accomplish what ever goal that is set. Also that encouragement is healthy when trying to accomplish goals. This is so important for children to realize that persistence  and dedication is always rewarded with  accomplishments! 


 

Early Childhood Development: Introduction to my blog!!!!!!!!!!!:)

Early Childhood Development: Introduction to my blog!!!!!!!!!!!:): Hello Everyone! This is my first time ever havin a personal blog. I have never done this before. I would love to get information about how...