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.

Course Resources

Early Childhood Inclusion: A Summary 

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

Where we stand on child abuse prevention

NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf

http://www.kitonline.org/

Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child

 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


"Children are citizens and social participants in their own right. This is a fundamental shift from the old adage 'children should be seen but not heard'. No longer are children to be thought of as the property of their parents, unwarranted of consideration until the attainment of adulthood. Children are human beings and entitled to the same degree of respect as adult human beings. ... This position of being people unto themselves, while also being dependent on others, is clearly recognised in the pre-eminent human rights instrument specific to children." That is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC). As the most widely adopted human rights document in history, ratified by 192 countries, UNCROC provides a powerful backdrop to the Care of Children Act. (Boshier, 2005, p. 7).

http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm

 

 

 

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/

Susan Bredekamp Ph.D.

"Children benefit most from teachers who have the skills, knowledge, and judgment to make good decisions and are given the opportunity to use them."

       – NAEYC, Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 (2009)

         

Louise Derman-Sparks

"Working with children is a joyful experience and I feel like everything in me is being called on to teach. I also feel like teaching has made me feel whole and creative."

Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). Online Learning Manual. Baltimore: Author.

Personal Childhood Web

     

 Personal Childhood Web

    Joshua Caillier- I know that we are supposed to be writing about people who has had an impact on our childhood, but I feel that every day I am continuously growing . Although I have known my husband since I was five yrs. old, I feel that he plays a major role in my life. With him I have learned to show my emotions and let go of my insecurities and allow people to see me for who I am not for what I can do. He is truly my best friend and my anchor. I feel that without him, I would not have pursued my goals in early childhood education. So this is why I feel that my husband has had a huge impact in my life.

    Ashley Venters- Ashley is one of my little sisters. I added her to my childhood web because growing up she used to be my partner in crime! Growing up and even now, we are able to share things with each other and are able to lift each other up when we are at our low points in life! I love her very much. We both encourage each other throughout life and feed off of each other’s positivity.

 

    Bobby Dunning- My father is partly responsible for bringing me into this world. He has influenced my life as a child by showing me that hard work gets you far in life and that you must start from the bottom and work your way up in life to actually appreciate the things you have. It is because of him, that I have come to cherish everything that I have and will never have the need to be greedy

   Hazel Moore- My grandmother is very special to me because when I look at her I see a person that is giving and a person that is dedicated to making others happy. My grandmother has helped me in many different ways. She has shown me the true meaning of giving and loving and not expecting anything in return. Because of her, I feel that I am perfect for working with children. I am able to give and be satisfied with the result of them learning whatever I have taught them.

    Sharon Antoine- My mother is partly responsible for bringing me into this world. She has influenced my life as a child by showing me that no matter what comes my way that I can get through it as long as I stay focused and continue to trust in God. This continues to impact my life, because with her instilling these values in me, I stay focused and I am driven to be successful.