HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!!

Measuring Quality Learning Through Assessments

I feel that assessments are very important to measure a child’s development. Assessments allow teachers and parents to see where children are both academically, emotionally, and socially. With the help of assessments it allows children to be placed in the correct classes and programs to help best suit their needs. Placement testing is the most accurate way of making sure students are placed in skill appropriate classes. However, I do believe all standardized testing should be a mix of multiple choices, true or false, and essay. These types of tests give the child a chance to feel confident that they are given the opportunity to their best. Some are better at certain kinds of test. When assessing a child, we must make sure that we are free from and biases and are prepared with the proper tools to deal with the results. Assessments are a great way to find if there are any developmental flaws that a child may have. I we can catch any problems before it’s too late, we can prevent long-term problems.

Germany's state-run primary school pupils start their education at the age of five or six. For the first two school years, they are not given marks for their academic performance. Parents are merely handed a school report on their child's abilities and behavior at the end of each school year. From the age of seven, pupils are subjected to continuous assessment. Every piece of work, including tests and homework, is marked on a 40/60 per cent oral/ written basis. The marks go towards an annual school report. When pupils leave primary school at 10 or 11, they are provided with a recommendation, based on continuous assessment, to decide what type of secondary school they attend. I like the fact the children are given a specific idea of what type of school they should attend based on their assessment (Cassidy, 2008). I feel that this would give the child the best chance at succeeding in school and learning in a way that they could understand. Going to a school that would cater to their needs could also boost their confidence in schooling and make them feel that they can accomplish anything. Have been to three different colleges, I feel that if schools gave an assessment to see what school would best fit that person, the dropout rate would be less.

Cassidy, S. (2008, February 08). Our children tested to destruction. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/our-children-tested-to-destruction-779790.html

Neglect

After looking at all of the different topics on stressors that could affect a child’s development, the one thing that came to mind would be pure neglect. I work with CASA, and many times children are removed from the comforts of their own home because they are not being looked after. I have worked on two cases where children were taken out of the home because parents could not get their lives together and refused to take care of their children. It breaks my heart have the children that I work with, ask “when can I go home?” Children suffer developmentally when things like this happen, because sometimes they don’t understand why they are in the situation they are in. The children are confused and feel that it’s their fault. Children begin to lose sleep and even start acting out in school. It’s already bad enough that a child is losing sleep, but when behavior becomes an issue, then it’s even worse. I can recall on of the children on my case saying that if he would act out at school then maybe they would call his parents and they would come see bout him. I feel that once a child is stressed and doesn’t know where they will lay their heads the next night or where their next meal will come from; their willingness to thrive goes away. For a child to succeed and grow to their full potential, a child needs the tools to be able to access the life skills necessary to survive in today’s society. Neglecting a child’s needs can cause emotional and physical delays. Neglect can come in all forms and if we don’t educate parents, caregivers, and others we are putting more children at risk.

Some people think neglect is not as damaging to a child as physical or sexual abuse. But that is not necessarily true. Chronic neglect can strongly impact a child's health and development. According to research, neglect is the type of child maltreatment most likely to re-occur in a family even after child protective services intervention. Research also finds that the more chronic or recurring neglect is in a family, the more likely that children in that family have been physically abused or sexually abused as well. Neglected children are more likely to show up in the juvenile justice system during adolescent years and are less likely than physically abused or sexually abused children to receive services for their developmental delays. Children in the foster care system because of neglect tend to be younger than other maltreated children in out-of-home care.

                In 2011 Russia had an estimated 800,000 orphans.  Most of these orphans have a living mother or father who has abused, abandoned, or neglected them. The Russian government takes the parent’ rights away and places the children in orphanages. Orphans are considered graduated at the age of 15 or 16. They are sent back out on the streets without any support system or guidance. This becomes a never ending cycle. Once the child is grown, they tend to turn to drugs and have children of their own, and their children become orphans.  I found this shocking. I can’t believe how many children go without families and are left to fend for themselves. I have more appreciation for the system we have in place for our children here in the U.S.

Russian ophans: how many and who cares. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bigfamilyministry.org/russian_orphan_information.html

SIDS

SIDS

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It's a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in seemingly healthy babies. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death") and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering ("sudden infant death," 2014).  In my current profession, our regulation requires us to check all the infants at least five times every hour and check off on a list to verify that we are checking our infants. It is very important that we check on the infants to make sure that they are breathing or prevent anything that could cause death. I feel that this regulation is a good one because it can do no harm and only help us spot emergencies quicker. My husband is a firefighter on the military instillation and they are responsible to respond to not only fires but also medical calls. My husband has come home several times with stories of homes that he has responded to where infants have passed due to SIDS throughout his career. It’s very painful to see him come home on the days that he has had a tough call and hear of the stories that he tell. It’s not much anyone can do once you know that a child has passed away and it’s frustrating when you don’t have the answers as to why.  I feel that this topic is very meaningful to me because I work with children every day and I am in constant contact with infants. I feel that if I can provide parents that come through my center with the proper education and resources that it could help prevent the death of an infant. Some parents are young and just want to do things that are convenient for them without actually knowing the risk they are actually taking. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research ("sudden infant death," 2014).

     Japan has one of the lowest SIDS rates in the world (between .2 and .3 babies per 1000 live births compared with approximately .5 per 1000 infants for the US). The Japan SIDS Family Organization reported that SIDS rates continue to decline in Japan as maternal smoking approaches practically 0, and exclusive breastfeeding reaches around 70-75 %. In fact, one report shows that as bed sharing and breastfeeding increased and as maternal smoking decreased, SIDS rates decreased. This suggests yet again that it is not necessarily bed sharing, but how it is practiced, that can be dangerous (McKenna, 2007). I found this article very interesting. The article stated that as bed sharing and breastfeeding
increased and as maternal smoking decreased, SIDS rates decreased. Personally, I think that I would have to do a little more research on the topic before I was totally sold on the idea that bed sharing decreased the chances of SIDs. 

McKenna, J. (2007). Cosleeping around the world. Retrieved from http://www.naturalchild.org/james_mckenna/cosleeping_world.html

Sudden infant death syndrome. (2014, January 13). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sleep/sids.html

Birth

         I have three children and out of all the pregnancies, my third pregnancy was the one that stuck with me the most. I say this because, this pregnancy was a total surprise and I wasn’t sure if I was emotionally ready. My second child was only four months at the time. I remember laying in the bed with my husband watching a movie when I went into labor. I told my husband that something didn’t feel right and that I thought we should go to the hospital. We were both tired because we had worked at our jobs all day and just wanted to relax. As the, “gas pains”, contractions became more frequent, I decided to go to the hospital. The hospital drive was an hour and a half away. Needless to say, I almost had the baby on the side of the road. Yes, we have a hospital close to our home, but, I was really funny about my doctors and the hospital that I wanted to deliver at. I was just sure that I would be sent home because in my other two pregnancies I was ready to be admitted into the hospital on our first trip. This time it was different, I was six centimeters and my water had already broken. My water broke when I made my husband pull on the side of the road for me to use the restroom. Everything happened so quickly. All I could think of was having meds and not wanting to feel the pain anymore. At the same time, I felt like I hadn’t come to terms on how I actually felt about having my son and I was going to love him. I felt like my little girl was shorted out of being able to be a baby girl and she had to grow up a little faster. I was angry and happy at the same time. After all was said and done, we named our son and in the beginning I was kind of hesitant but after holding him for a little while, I fell in love with him. I think, what brought me closer to him was the fact that we decided to give him my late grandfather’s name as his middle name. In a way, naming him after my grandfather brought the family closer. I chose this example because, this was the birth that allowed me to grow as a person and I was able to overcome the obstacle worrying about not being able to be a good parent or show attention to my third child. I was really blessed to have escaped postpartum depression and everything that came with it. One thing that I did notice is that my son is closer to my husband than he is me.  Even though I treat him the same and love him with all my heart, we did not get to make that first connection. My husband held him first and the connection was made with him first. With that being said, I think that the first connection made with a newborn is always a strong one. Development and feelings began the minute a child is born.

                In Germany, women focus on actually having the baby more than the outcome. Also, German women who hold a job can feel secure knowing their position will be waiting for them when and if they decide to return to work. As soon as a woman tells an employer that she is pregnant and going to have a baby, she cannot be fired.  So being pregnant can save your job. Women may stop working six weeks before they are due and are not allowed to work for eight weeks after giving birth, all with full pay. The German government offices keep a list of "accepted names" that parents must keep in mind when registering the name of their child. In the case of an unusual name, they must give good reason as to why an exception should be made. The government policy is intended to act in the best interest of the child, in an effort to toward potential ridicule of a child with a name that's too different. I wanted to stay active with my pregnancies, so I worked until the day I went into labor. I wish we were able to get full pay for eight weeks. Usually in the U.S., women have to save up leave time or take leave without pay for up to six weeks. Also in the U.S., you are allowed to name your child with no rules or regulations. Everyone is free to give their child any name they would want them to have.

Schalken, L. (n.d.). Birth customs around the world. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/

Kyson Jack Caillier with a picture of my grandfaher Jack

 Kyson Jack now at 1yr old
 

Thanks!

I am very glad I pressed through this course! I would have never imagined that I would learn so much in so short of time! I am very appreciative of all the support from my friends, family, coworkers, and most of all WALDEN UNIVERSITY! I have accomplished so much and I'm looking forward to completing my program and seeing how far I will go!  Much thanks to everyone!

Code of Ethics...

DEC CODE OF ETHICS

• ·         We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.

NAEYC CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

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

• ·         To appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults.

            The three ideals contained in the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics that I chose are meaningful to me because without fulfilling these standards children lose out on the best chance of developing to their full potential. We must stay current and up to date on our teachings and information because the world is constantly evolving and we need to be able to give our children the skills they need to operate and cope with what’s going on in today’s society. These ideals play a significant role in my professional life because working with children is what I am currently doing and I want to give every child that I come in contact with a chance at a successful life. I am able to use these standards and live by them when working with both children and their families. I can also take these ideals and share them with my coworkers and create a better work environment.