Stressors

As a teacher, one of the biggest stressors I see to my students is poverty.   Last year I was in typical classroom where I had a student who only wanted socks for his birthday.  It was the most heartbreaking conversation I had ever had.  The child came in everyday smelling like cigarettes, but his parents never realized their child needed socks. 

This year I work with children with autism.  All of the children I work with are nonverbal.  I have one child who comes in everyday dirty and hungry.  He displays his hunger through crying and throwing toys across the room.  Once he is fed, we can resume teaching him.  So when he comes in our classroom, the first thing he gets every morning is a bowl of cereal and milk.  We as teachers often have to help compensate for the stressor in our students lives. 

I researched the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti.  Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake over a year ago.  While many see no hope in Haiti, one aid program is helping people get back on their feet by giving them training and jobs.  Through this program the people who benefit are the children.  The adults who are trained and provided jobs must feed their children at least two hot meals a day and their children must be enrolled in school.  This program is not merely a hand out; it teaches pride, a trade, and parenting skills.

Source –

Kristof, N. (2011) Ladders for the Poor. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/opinion/06kristof.html on May 26, 2011

Early Childhood Education Around the World

I think one topic that needs to be added to the list of public health measures that impact a child’s development is early childhood education.  Obviously this is important topic to me because I am studying early childhood education and I work in the early childhood education field. 

I found some significant information about early childhood education from around the world.  According to the OEDC (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development), governments around the world are realizing the importance of investing in a quality system of early childhood education.  Most countries the OECD reviews make at least two years of free early childhood education a priority.  Many countries make early childhood education a legal right.  Countries such as Denmark, Finland and Sweden begin early childhood education at the age of 1.  Belgium begins their program at the age of 2.5, and Italy begins their program at the age of 3.  China children begin their three years of kindergarten at the age of 3. 

The United States does not have a formal early childhood education system.  Head Start is the only early childhood educational system that receives federal funding and only children who live below the poverty level qualify to attend.  According to the OEDC only 36% of children who qualified for Head Start Services actually received services.  For these reasons, early childhood education needs to become a priority in the United States.

Here are the links to my sources:

http://www.babyzone.com/toddler/toddler_development/early_education/article/international-early-childhood-education-pg3

http://www.oecd.org/document/49/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_1912753_1_1_1_1,00.html

The Story of Riley's Birth

I am the mother of three sons, and each of their births was as different as night and day.  The birth of my second son is the birth story I am going to share.  It was a perfect birth, no complications and a very easy recovery.  I needed to be induced because my children saw no need to rush themselves out of my womb.  They were very comfortable in there thank you very much! 

I was in labor for seven hours, gave one push and Riley Jennings arrived.  He was absolutely perfect and weighed in at 8lbs. 6oz, which also happened to be his birthdate 8/06/02.  I was in the hospital for a total of 22 hours.  Even though I had no complications, I was anxious and nervous to go home.  I was anxious to go home because I had a two year old waiting for me, but I was nervous because I had spent so little time in the hospital.

I researched how other countries in the world give birth, and to my surprise, 22 hours is a long time to be in the hospital in some counties.  In the Netherlands, for example, moms do not see a doctor unless they have complications they see a midwife instead.  They have the option to give birth at home or in the hospital.  Even if they choose the hospital, they may not have a doctor.  Moms in the Netherlands may not have any painkillers either.  It is only offered if it is convenient for the anesthesiologist (Shalken, 2011). 

If the mother has given birth in a hospital, and there are no complications, mom and baby may be released within 2 hours of giving birth!  I know I was not ready to move 2 hours after giving birth!  The Netherlands has a program that gives all mothers daily nursing care for a week after giving birth.  The nurses make sure that there are no complications with the baby or the mother, the nurses also clean, cook and do laundry for the moms (Shalken, 2011).  I would have loved to have that service! 

There are several differences between the Netherlands and the United States.  I think one could take away positive experiences from either country.

Source –

Shalken, L. (2011) Birth Customs Around the World. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2 on May 5, 2011.