Child Development and Public Health

Breastfeeding is a topic of interest for me.  I have two children and I breastfed my daughter exclusively for 14 months and my son is 6 months old and he has only been breastfed.  Before I had children I was working in a Head Start program and I was probably the only worker there that did not have children.  I found it interesting that many of my co workers did not breastfeed their children.  I also found this intersting because many of my co workers live in poverty and would rather go buy formula than breastfeed their baby.  I believe that this is due to the lack of information/knowledge and resources that is given to them in the hospital.  Living in rural Alaska women fly out of their communities and into a central hub.  They wait (away from their home and families), deliver the baby and are sent home on a plane within three days of delivery.  When they get home there is a lack of medical services (In our rural communities there is not a doctor or a nurse.  Most communities have an entry level health aide.) let alone a laction consultant in the community. 

For many parents of the world and even in some parts of the United States there is a lack of food, formula is expensive and water is an issue (lack of water or not clean water).  Breastfeeding children could make a difference for the child and families.  It is a natural resource of food for families and could relieve some of the stressors that some families have. 

For my work with our families at our program we are already sharing this information on breastfeeding.  The benefits of breast feeding for both the baby, mother and family (especially if there are money concerns within the family).  When we were developing and designing our infant toddler classrooms we created spaces for mothers to come in and nurse their babies.  We also make sure to inform parents of this area when doing enrollment and giving tours of our centers. 

Benefits for Baby & Mother

• Lower incidence of certain viruses
• Lower incidence of respiratory illness
• Reduction in ear infections, meningitis
• National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences found that breastfed children have a 20 percent lower risk of dying between the ages of 28 days and 1 year
• The immune factors in breast milk guard against invading germs and result in a natural buildup in babies of protections against many forms of illness
• Breastfeeding may protect babies from developing allergies
• Research has demonstrated a connection between breastfeeding and cognitive development (greater intelligence)
• Recent studies show a strong link between breastfeeding and a lower incidence of obesity as a teen or adult.
• The longer women breastfeed, the greater the mother’s protection against breast and ovarian cancers.

http://www.voices.org/issues/childrens-health/call-to-action-on-breastfeeding/?gclid=CPnZjtD4xLkCFYZ_QgodD3EADQ

Childbirth

Childbirth is a unique experience to each and every person.  I have been privelaged to given birth to two children.  My daughter was born in 2009 and my son was born in March 2013.  Each was unique in their own way but also similar.  I had a lot of prenatal appointments with both my children.  These appointments included measurement of the baby, fetal non stress tests, blood pressure checks on myself and the doctor just getting to know me.  I remember waiting in anticpation for the arrival of our daughter. I also did not want anyone in the room with me except for my husband.  For me being in labor and giving birth to our daughter was very easy.  I even remember saying that was it? I could do that again.  The nurse looked at me and said most people don't say that.  I remember when the nurse handed my daughter over to us I felt happy, relieved that she was healthy and couldn't believe how tiny she was. 

I chose this example because it is what I know.  I also believe that it is important to share positive brith stories.  Too many times I hear of horror stories and it scares people and gives people a negative attitude when they go into delivery.  It was important to me that I welcomed our daughter into a postive enviornment. 

I feel that if families/parents are stressed the child is going to pick up on that.  I believe that the stress impacts the child developing properly.  When stress is involved I feel that children will develop more slowly and will not thrive like they should. 

I looked up information on the Netherlands.  I found it interesting that pregnant moms do not see an obstetrician and instead use a a midwife.  The moms decide whether they will have a home or hospital delivery. If you do opt for a hospital birth you will unlikely get an epidural due to the anesthesiologist's schedule. I also found it intersting that a baby may go home in as little as two hours A nurse will come to the house for seven days and it is know at maternity home care (kraamhulp).  I found this interesting because with my son I stayed in the hospital for three days after delivery and I felt like the doctors were not in a rush to send me home either. 

What would be interesting is to compare how different states in the United States deal with child birth.  I know that in Alaska it is very different than Washington State. 

36 Weeks Pregnant

Continue to Strive Towards your Goals and Dreams

Thank you all for coming to visit this blog over the past eight weeks.  My wish for you the reader is that you continue to strive towards your goals and dreams.  Continue to stay up to date and research the early childhood field.  Share that knowledge and your passion for the field. 

Carlos - Thank you for your feedback and discussions over the past eight weeks. May you continue to learn, advocate and share your knowledge.  My hope for you is that you continue on your path to your Master's degree. http://raynard02.blogspot.com/

Regina - A quote from your blog - May you continue to stumble, rise and soar.  I can really relate to this quote during my career and educational path in the early childhood field.  Thank you for discussion posts over the past eights and I hope you continue to soar.    http://tiny2giantsteps.wordpress.com/

Codes of Ethics

I chose these three ideals from the NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.   These three are important for me because I feel that they will help guide early childhood educators in running successful early childhood programs.  In order to provide quality services we need to ensure that we are looking at all aspects of who will interact with that child.  We need to be able to work with each child without any glasses on.  The families are an important piece when working with children that I feel some programs lack.  We also need to ensure that we are sharing resources whether it is partnering with another classroom, a community partner like a child care facility or your local school district.  If you work to have your program obtain these ideals you will run a successful early childhood program.  What is one of your ideals you like?

 

I-1.3 - To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities and the potential of each child. 

 

I - 2.4 - To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children. 

 

I -3A.2 - To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided. 

 

http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

Early Childhood Resources

There are many different resources available to us in the Early Childhood field.  I have added a new section to the right of just a few of the resources that I have found helpful during my work.  Check back often as I will continue to add to the list. 

These are three additional resources that I use in my daily work:

• http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org/ - Has some GREAT resources for families (and teachers too).  Includes early learning guidelines, early learning guideline activities and activities for childrens book (see tab imaginiation library).
• http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc - This is the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center from the Office of Head Start.  It has been tools for early childhood programs.  There are also six National Centers that you can access from their website (see tab Training and Technical Assistance). 
• http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits - Great tool kits for parents on many different topics.  My current program that I work for has used the toolkits to hold parent education nights on different topics.  The materials also are very child friendly. 

If you have more resources that you think I should add to my list please leave a comment with the link and I will check it out. 

Inspiration and Motivation

Parents don't make mistakes because they don't care, but because they care so deeply.  

T. Berry Brazelton

It is a good rule to face difficulties at the time they arise and not allow them to increase unacknowledged.  

Edward W. Ziegler

We as professionals in the early childhood field have an opportunity to shape a child's life for the better.  

Sandy Escobido

"One of the biggest lessons Head Start has taught us is how important it is to involve family members."

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' remarks on opening the 1st National Birth to Five Leadership Institute

(Oct 2011), Washington, DC.

Personal Childhood Web

There are many people that have come into my life over there years.  When I think back to my childhood there are people that come to mind that continue to impact my life today with the impressions they made on me when I was younger. 

My Parents - My Mom and Dad have always been there for me and continue to be there for me today. They always wanted me to have a better life for myself then they did growing up. Not only did they provide for me but they taught me life lessons like setting a goal and being able to obtain that goal. They taught me that nothing comes for free and that if you want something you have to work for it. My parents have also instilled in me how to be the best parent I can be to my own children.

• My Uncle and Aunt - My Uncle Nick and Aunt Dee have always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.  They always were there to support me growing up while attending my activities like my t-ball games and dance recitals.  They were also the ones that would take care of my brother and I if my parents went out of town.  They nurtured and provided for us.  The impact they made on my childhood still impacts me today.  I want my own children to know they have people in their lives that will support them and take care of them. 

 

• My Grandmother - Lola was always there for me growing up.  When my brother or I got sick she would come and take care of us so my parents could go to work.  She loved cooking for us and introducing us to our culture.  She also allowed me to explore the outdoors and develop skills for surviving off of the land.  I love being able to share cooking expriences with my daughter.  I also like teaching my daughter and son different aspects of our culture that my own Lola taught to me.