Art Gallery-What I Have Learned

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that I am able to learn from their differences and able to use what I learn to teach and help other families understand and embrace others. One goal that I would choose for the early childhood field related to the issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be for each educator and administrators include a lesson on accepting and appreciating diversity as a part of the    school day lesson because if we starting teaching children young the more they will be open to things that are different from them. 

I would like to thank all of my fellow colleagues; this class was a great experience I have learned a lot from the different post and insights which has helped me in my journey to be a more liberated individual when it comes to particular diverse topics. Good luck in your journey hope to have you in future courses. 

Creating Art

Diversity 

We come from such a diverse world, as educator, parents, and role models we need to demonstrate the importance of accepting differences.  I was great to get to know myself better and become open to the various changes in our ever changing world.   With the new things learned I will be more  open and better able to serve the children of my community.              

                                                  

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class"

We have to tell about a time when we witnessed an adult reprimand or silence a child after he pointed out someone they saw different.  I actually witnessed an instance this week while at work; a female parent was in our registration office registering her children for school.  While filling out the paperwork a plus size woman walked in the office and the little boy said wow mom look at that fat lady.  The mother and the registrar both said to the young man that is not nice you shouldn’t say things like that.  He just put his head down and started playing with a piece of paper. 

The messages communicated to the child was that it was not nice to say, that was not the approriate time or place to say things like this, and you should not talk about people.  With the look on his face it looked like he was going to get in trouble when he got home. 

An anti-bias educator may have took the time out and explain to him why saying things like that   can hurt someone’s feelings instead of jumping on him all at once.  Also explain to him why it is not nice to say those things about someone.  I believe apologizing as well will be a good way to show the child that when you make a mistake or say something that it is not nice it would be appropriate to apologize to the person’s feelings they hurt. 

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

• How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child

I would let them know that we do not promote discrimination also remind them that they would not like anyone to discriminate against their child or family member.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and as long as the children are here receiving the proper education, what the staff person does in their personal life has nothing to do with the educational environment.     I believe it would also be helpful if you give the parent and example of discrimination including their child and see how they would feel if the roles were reversed. 

• If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," “gay,” “homo,” "sissy," "tom boy," or “lesbo” as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children?  (Note: if you have not had a personal experience ask a family member, friend, or colleague)

One time I witnessed several school age boys playing basketball on the basketball court.  One of the young men shoved the other by accident and the boy that was shoved called him a “fag”.  During this altercation the word “fag” was thrown back and forth.  I went to break up the situation and ask the young men what the word means and neither one of them knew the exact meaning.  After discussing in more detail it came out that these are words they heard at home.  Many times families do not know that things said at home children tend to use outside the home so we as adults need to be careful of the things we say. 

The End!!!

This time has went so fast, it seemed like it was just yesterday.  I can still remember the butterflies in my stomach and the worrying if going back to school is the right thing.  I now know it was a good thing it allowed me to meet and interact with new people.  I have learned so much from so many people of all diversities and places. I enjoyed all the comments and post from everyone.  I wish everyone the BEST of LUCK in all of your future endeavors.  It has been GREAT!!!!

Nonverbal Listening

The show I choose to watch was the George Lopez show.  While watching with no sound it was George Lopez, his wife, and a friend all standing around in the kitchen.  His wife had a sexy dress on and she was picking up all her stuff to leave out the door.  I assumed that she was going to work and he was memorized about how nice she looked with the facial expressions he was making.  While George Lopez was talking to his wife, he continued to look back at his friend again I assumed that he was telling his friend how beautiful his wife was making sure he was not looking at her in this sexy dress. 

When watching the show with the sound on I was completely wrong, forgetting that George Lopez was a comedian many of the things were sly comments to make the audience laugh. I also realized which I do not hear when really into a show are the laughing sounds they have playing when they want the audience at home to laugh because they have said a punch line. 

The show was actually about his wife going on a business meeting and wanting to look nice because she was going to a fancy restaurant, which is why she wore the sexy dress.  He was getting jealous because she was wearing that dress to go out with another man.  Her remark was that he never takes her to a fancy restaurant so she has to wear it somewhere.  He was expressing to his friend about her wearing the dress and how he did not thinks she should wear it.  This was why he kept looking back at him looking for him to agree with him.  What I learned from this very fun experiment is that it is easy to misinterpret something when you do not have all the facts or hear everything.  Also that my assumptions were totally wrong.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

The approaches learned this week will better help me resolve conflicts that may arise at work.  An issue I recently and currently experience is happening at my place of employment.  In this case I have recently received a promotion to a supervisor and there are a couple of people who were unhappy.  Before, I received the job these individuals tried so many things to try and hurt me and hurt my chances of obtaining this position.  Now that I have this position they have to report to me, because I value the job I have to treat them in a professional manner but it is hard to forget all of the horrible things that they did to try and prevent me from getting this job.  Some of the same behaviors that were happening in past are starting to resurface again from these woman.  I decided to still treat them kind and do what I have to do to make the job run smoothly.  I feel as though if all parties take part in this negative behavior nothing will change I have to lead by example.  I believe the 3 R’s have helped me a little more in during these tough situations.  I have to show them respect, and demonstrate positivity when dealing with them and leave the entire negative actions and behaviors behind to have a productive program.

Who am I as a Communicator?

This week we had to think about the similarities and differences between how we evaluated ourselves as a communicator and how others evaluated you.  The one thing that surprised me most is that I had negative feeling about how I did during public speaking sessions.  When my co-worker who took the test about me she thought that I did very well and could not tell that I was nervous.  During our conversation, she thought that I liked standing up in front of everyone she never knew that I had reservations and got nervous before talking to the staff.  What I learned this week is that communication comes in all forms and can be interpreted in many ways. 

The discussion question this week will help me with my professional work and personal life because it helped me to realize that I do judge people by the way they look even though I thought I did not.  Professionally I have to put all my feeling and thoughts about people aside and assist parents the best possible way.

Communication and Culture

Growing up as a child I was raised in a diverse neighborhood so I do not find communicating with different groups and cultures difficult.  I look as people as all being human beings who need to be treated with respect. 

Three strategies that I could use to help with communication more effectively with people are: 1. View there behaviors the way the see them, be open minded.  2.  Use the Platinum Rule, “Do to others as they themselves would like to be treated” being educators we run into all sorts of people we need to learn how to treat them how they  would like to be treated.  This way we will obtain a good communication with the people we help. 

3. Do not criticize them because their beliefs and differences are not what you use to or have experienced in your culture. 

Communication

The one person I think of who demonstrates competent communication within a particular context is my mom.  She always is willing to listen and to take the time out to explain whatever we are talking about so that you fully understand.   Ever since I was young she made sure that she properly explained things to us at home so that we did not get misguided by the wrong information elsewhere.  I never felt uncomfortable or rushed for something I did not fully comprehend.  I believe it is important to receive the proper information and learn how to communicate at home so when you are out dealing with others you can have a productive and helpful conversation. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse families is that they would be more tolerant of people with differences as well as proud of all background parts of themselves.  They should have a better understanding of prejudices and not add to that problem. 

One goal I would set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to establish is a “free” zone.  Free of ignorance, bullying, prejudice and racism. 

I want to think all my colleagues for the wonderful feedback, post, and support.  The last couple of classes have felt like a family environment.  I enjoyed learning from everyone and I wish everyone Good Luck in all your future courses. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The one memory of prejudice that I witnessed was when I was younger.  The time I remember was when I was about five or six years old my mom, dad and I were all in the supermarket and my dad was playing with me.  During the play he was picking me up and hugging me.  Around us were barrels of loose candy, the employee thought my dad was putting the candy in my pockets so he proceeded to follow us around.    My parents then notice that he was following us and my dad asked was there a problem.  That is when we find out what his thoughts were.  My parents left the grocery cart right in the middle of the aisle and went to another store. 

To diminish the equity in this situation my parents should have not left, they should have went and talked to a manager, and if that didn't work talk to the owner of the supermarket.  I do not know if at that time if that would have changed anything, but they should have tried to get some sort of equity out of the situation.  At the time, I really did not understand to have feelings about the situation, but now looking back that was hurtful.   A African American family cannot have family time in the store without people thinking they are going to steal.  The employees at the store would have had to change their outlook on things for this cycle to be changed.  That was in 1986 or 1987, things were a little different then now, the issue today is that we still have a lot of close minded people who need to change their behaviors. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

An example of microaggression that I seen this week was when I went out with a group of family and friends on a girl’s night out.  While out we were in restaurant lounge setting and we were all setting along the bar.  The place was rather grounded and it was hard to grab the attention of a bartender.  While we were setting there an Asian man was behind getting angry because the Asian bartender would not serve him.  He insisted that she was being racist, and continued to call her all these derogatory names.  From this week’s readings I realized that he was initially insulting her about her race because he was not getting his way.  It was amazing she was the same ethnicity as he was and he did not care how much he was hurting her feelings. 

My observation this week was really astonishing, comments are made daily and you never pay attention to them until it is brought to your attention.  I now see the effects of statements made that can do harm to someone unintentionally.  Dr. Sue presentation was very informative it has showed me how to watch what I say and how it can effect others.  In the early childhood field statements made to children can have a big effect on them that is why it is important to lead by example and speak properly to them. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

First, I asked my mom and her definition of culture was something that is inbreed in you or automatically associated with how you will react to something.  It can affect how you eat and live.  Her definition of diversity is how you deal with people of different culture. 

Second, I choose a co-worker her definition of culture is the traditions, practices, and standards of a large group of people who share several things in common that unites them.  Her definition of diversity is things that make common things different.  For example people come in different sizes, skin color, temperaments, behaviors, etc. 

Third, I asked a close friend of mine her definition of culture she thinks of tradition, ways of living that is passed down from generation to generation. 

Her definition of diversity she thinks of unique or differences within in culture.  Various cultures have similarities but are also diverse and unique.

Many of the examples given were similar or just like what we have studied so far.  Many of the examples given needed to be described a little more in depth.  But I believe people interpret it that way because they believe the meanings of these words are a known and don’t put much thought into it.  I don’t feel like anything was omitted I believe each of them covered every aspect of these words.  My close friend who I asked comes from the Haitian culture it was amazing to hear about her culture and how they did things.  Now I can see how culture and the traditions in culture are important in families and why we should keep them alive.  They really make you the person you are. 

My Family Culture

The three items I would I take are:

1.      Bible

2.      Family photos

3.      Ipad

While doing this assignment I did it at a family gathering it was amazing to see the different things that people would take with them.  It was a good activity during family time. 

I would take the Bible because with God in your life everything is possible.  If you run into tough times you can get yourself through by reading God’s word.  It can also help you with your faith during these trying times.

I would take family photos to remind of all the good times I had.  To also keep the legacy and the culture of my family going.  So if I was to one day to have children I would be able to show them the family they never met.

The IPad to try to keep some modern technology with me so if some type of Wi Fi connection would come thru I can try to communicate with others. 

I wouldn’t want to give up anything because I was already taken away from everything I had.  Since I have to make a decision about one thing to keep it would be the Bible with some of my favorite portraits inside so I am able to have faith and family all in one.  I gained many insights of my family’s thoughts and how they would and what they would take with them.  This topic opened up a big conversation piece for are family gathering.  It was a great conversation piece; especially have my grandmother talk about what she would bring. 

When I think of Research

Research has always been a difficult task for me.  This class has helped me a little to understand and look at research in a different light.  It was great to have the information broken down into sections to give you a better chance to understand each particular topic.  After taking this class my nature of doing research is not as frightening anymore.  I have learned that it takes a lot of time to gather all the proper information that will allow you to provide a proper factual research paper.   When it came to planning and designing it was important to make sure that your time management was in order.  It is very important that you start you paper well before the deadline to give you a chance to interview, observe, and any other obstacles that may come your way.  A well planned paper will make a great paper.

Now there were some challenges with this class it wasn’t all easy for me.  The major issue for me was choosing a topic that was not too broad and how to narrow it down so it can be a beneficial topic in early childhood studies.   My other challenge was verifying my dependent and independent variable.  I now see the importance of research, it can be valuable in this field to help overcome or find information that can better help educate children, help with health issues and many other topics.  Something else that was brought to my attention was that it is important to include children in the research process.  Having them apart is very valuable because you eliminate some of the second hand thoughts of the parents and educators.    

I want to thank all my colleagues for their input and advice it was very helpful.  Good Luck!!!! To everyone in our journey we are halfway there. 

Research around the World

I choose the European Early Childhood Education research Association (EECERA).  This website was not very helpful.  Browsing through the website I did not see any international topics that stood out to me that could be relevant.  One thing that I found interesting on this website was how over 600 researchers come from around the world to work together to help discover better ways to educate our children. There was not much noteworthy information on this website it seems like it was just advertising there organization. 

Research that Benefits Children and Families

A positive example of research on children is the impact of early childhood education.  Today more and more studies are coming out stating the long term effects of educating children in the early stages of life.  Children being educated early have more of a chance of going further in the education process compared to the ones who do not start early.  Many of the studies are being used to show politicians why they should not cut Pre-K and Kindergarten education.  I think having this research is great because many times politicians make decisions from behind a desk and don’t know anything about this topic and the great effects of educating early. 

This also benefits families who want their children to experience a better learning development than they may have.  Showing and promoting the benefits from research on early education has and will have a great advantage on providing more resources to help children and families.  Hopefully, with this happening children in the United States can receive a better education just like children in other countries.

Personal Research Journey

The topic I choose to research is the impact that a child’s family’s economic background has on their education process.  I am interested in this topic because I never knew that it had such an impact on a child’s learning development until I started taking these courses.  Researching this topic will help me as a professional educator because it will provide me with different ways to accommodate children and families who deal with this issue.  It may also provide me with the facts on how many families educational development is affected by their economic status. 

Using the Practical Guide to Reading Research Articles and the research chart was very helpful.  I now have different techniques that will help me to find the proper information to provide a well read informative paper.  I don’t know if I feel completely confident as of yet on how to find the proper resources hopefully as we go further into the course and different information from my colleagues I will be able to write a great paper.  Finding the proper website that states factual information is sort of time consuming are hard.  Because as you read some of the information it sounds so great but sometimes it is someone’s own opinion not researched scholarly information.  If anyone has any advice on how to narrow down what website are legitimate that would be helpful. 

Final Blog Assignment

I can’t believe we are in our final week of this course.  I have learned a lot of useful information that I believe will help me to become a better ECE professional.  It was sad that I could not connect with any of my international contacts I believe that it would have been a very beneficial to my learning process.  Three consequences about learning from the international early childhood field were.

·         To see that many of the other countries see the importance of early childhood education more than we do here in the United States.

·         After reading and listening to various people from other areas it seems that they deal with similar issues that we do here in the United States.  For example, poverty, parent involvement, and politics.   In a way this is comforting to see ECE professionals elsewhere sometimes have to figure out these various issues as well. 

·         Lastly, learning techniques or skills from others can help you bring information to your center.   Using your resources from the international people you will be able to incorporate what you learned into your lesson plans. For example it could help if you decide to do a cultural day.

My goal is to continue to try to reach out to my international colleagues and stay abreast of all the latest techniques in our ever changing profession.  Since, this field is continuously changing, being able to stay on top of any decisions made by our politicians, learning about any new issues or trends will help me to be the best ECE professional possible. 

Getting to know International Contacts-Part 3

I looked around UNESCO’s Early Childhood Care and Education website I choose to look around the section of Science and Technology.  Growing up during my school years Science was not my strong subject so I was interested in how to grasp a child’s attention while they are young.  Science and technology education can help with poverty reduction which I never knew.  The website also suggests that science education is an important component of education for sustainable development.

UNESCO is the lead agency of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). The purpose is to pull together the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all parts of education and learning.

The website also gives you various links that will help you to find more information on how to help with sustainable development in the science and technology area.  The subject of science does not have the impact as it once did because it cannot keep up with the constantly changing science and technology field.  I do believe it would be helpful if we teach our children to keep up with all the modern technology so that we can keep the new information and skills here in the United States.

Sharing Web Resources

I am following the website http://nbcdi.org/  the National Black Child Development Institute.  I choose to read about the CEO of NBCDI who attended the President’s Speech on Education.  It expressed how the president stated there should be no cuts in education funding even in these tough economic times.  The president stated that he wants every child in school to know that  in the fall that there education is America’s priority. 

Also from this article it allowed you to go to The White House fact sheet and to the President’s remarks on education.  The President also stressed the fact the education starts at home.  This article helped me reaffirm that equity and excellence for a high quality care and a positive early childhood education field need to start at the top.  With the help of the government education for children in the early stages of life can be effective.  I also liked it because it connected to the letters that we had to right to the White House Council. 

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 2

I still have not made any communication with any of the international contacts that I reached out to.  It’s really upsetting because I would love to see how things are done on the other side of the world.  To really communicate with someone who is going through all of these experiences would be great.  Hopefully, before this class is up I will have reached out to at least one person. 

I choose to explore the Harvard University Global Children’s Initiative website.  I like many things about the site what stood out to me the most was how it chooses 25 diverse academics and scholars to help out with child development globally.  Harvard University has a Center for the Developing Child it has teamed up with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the National Conference of State Legislatures to bring the science of early childhood development to important personnel in the legislative and executive branches in all 50 states.  The Global Children’s Initiative also has a world Conference were various people come together to incorporate child survival, health, and development during the early stages of life. 

Exploring this website was very really useful; it was good to see that people worldwide are seeing the importance of Early Childhood Education.  Also, expressing the significance of how caring, learning, and health have a huge impact on child’s future and why we should come together to provide the best possible life for our children. 

Sharing Web Resources

What specific section(s) or information seemed particularly relevant to your current professional development?

On the National Black Child Development Institute http://nbcdi.org website what I found to be relevant to my current professional development was a quarterly publication offered to parents to discuss Child development and education, healthy home environment, Nutrition, and Health and Fitness.   The link to the publication is: http://nbcdi.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/CHT-Winter-2011.pdf .  Another section that is beneficial is Promoting Positive Nutrition Practices among Black Families.  This section provided information on helping families with healthy nutrition practices and a toolkit for childcare providers.

Which ideas/statements/resources, either on the website or in an e-newsletter, did you find controversial or made you think about an issue in new ways?

Noting on the website brought anything controversial to mind.  Everything on there just supported the various topics that we discussed this week.  It just reflected how various issues affected the African American community in different ways. 

What information does the website or the e-newsletter contain that adds to your understanding of how economists, neuroscientists, or politicians support the early childhood field?

It should how many times in low income African American community’s financial help is not readily given.  So they are neglected many times in the health area not receiving proper dental and healthy eating habits. So this website gets funding from big corporations such as Wal-Mart and State Farm to help out the children and families. 

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter?

I learned about a trend that more children are being diagnosed with, Autism.  1 in 110 children in America will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this year – which includes 1 in 70 boys.  African American children are diagnosed, on average, 2-5 years later than children of other races.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 1

I choose to connect with the advocate in our area to help prevent poverty.  Ms. Holmes deals with a many low income families or homeless families on a day to day basis.  She is responsible for placement, health care, and therapy.  I live in a middle class suburb; the twenty- two years that I have lived there I never knew that was an issue.  After talking to her there was a place that I passed day to day since I moved here and now found out that was a shelter for homeless woman and their children while the county tries to find them placement and proper healthcare for their children.

I also talked to a woman who works in the Philadelphia Public School system.  She told me that she experience's poverty daily, many of the children come to school with the same clothes which usually are dirty, no book bags or the school supplies to even complete the work, and no lunch money.  So at her particular school they have programs were people can come and donate slightly used uniforms, and supplies to help the families.  When it comes to lunch the school does provide something for the children to eat since this could be there last meal of the day.  She said it hurts her heart that some of the children do not have the basic needs to receive the best possible education. 

Sharing Web Resources

The website I choose to use as Web Resource is http://nbcdi.org/  National Black Child Development Institute I choose that because I work in a predominantly African American district and would like to learn how I could be a better educator.   The organization focuses on the betterment of African American Children.  Also, to provide various scholarships to help children get through school and conferences for educators to learn various techniques to teach.

They have program called Parent Empowerment Project (PEP) this series seeks to educate, motivate and inspire parents to excellence as their Child’s first teacher The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) introduces an exciting curriculum for parent education.  Parent Empowerment Project (PEP) is a unique program that seeks to educate, motivate and inspire parents to excellence as their child’s first teacher.  Under the auspices of NBCDI, PEP was designed by and for lower income African Americans, but has demonstrated effectiveness with a broad spectrum of parents.

Working in a diverse community it is helpful to be educated and have knowledge of various cultures that you have to serve.

References:

National Black Child Development Institute
http://nbcdi.org/
(Newsletter: http://nbcdi.org/support/sign-up-for-nbcdi-newsletters/ )

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

When I first read this assignment I was really weighed down, I was wondering how I was going to complete this. I read it over and over to get a complete understanding of what we had to do.  After sending various e-mails, I have not gotten any responses as of yet.  Hopefully, within the next few days I will.  If not I will send more until I can find someone to correspond with.  I was interested in corresponding with someone from Haiti and as well as from China.  I figured Haiti may be a little tough to receive some correspondence back from, but I thought it was worth a try. 

My Supports

My Supports

Personal Life

Family:  They are there to support and help me stay positive in whatever decisions that I make. Family is a key part in my life to keep me motivated and strong.

The benefits of having a supportive family is that it keeps you crowded and able to feel like you can accomplish anything.

I don’t know what it would be like to not have the support of a family.  I gather it would really be difficult.  If they were gone I think it would have a huge impact that would not be for the good.

In my daily life writing little reminders weather it is for leisure time or work is very helpful to get me through the day. Cause sometimes I find myself with short term memory when trying to accomplish so much in a day. 

Work Life

Work: Having a hardworking staff that is willing to come and give 100% for the benefit of the program. 

This helps emotionally because I am able to work with less stress when you have people that you can trust and whom are willing to work accomplish the same goals.

There are many benefits of having a great staff, it would be great for business, children will feel safe, parents will feel like they children are in a environment that they can trust and are learning a wide array of skills and able to develop. 

I once had a program that had staff that did not come caring for the children and not willing to put there all.  Those attitudes and behaviors showed in the children’s behavior and parent’s social skills with the staff.  Overall it was not a good environment this is why now I am able to distinguish between the two types of programs. 

Challenge

The challenge that I choose was instead of being Assistant Director now taking over as being Director of the entire six site program.  A challenge that I think would arise now is that if and when there are problems in the program I can no longer pass it to the Director’s desk because now I would be the director. 

Emotionally I think I would have more stress because there is no one to lean on or go to when having a problem.  You can’t just passed on to someone else and let them figure out how to do it. 

I believe my family would be there to help me and talk to if I was to have a stressful day and keep me motivated to do a great job.  Having a supportive staff would also ease any type of tension while trying to handle other types of issues.  Without all of these supports it would be difficult to handle day to day operations.

My Connections to Play

Connections to Play

The quotes I feel that summarize what play represented for me in my childhood are:

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison
Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.

Fred Rogers
American television personality
1928–2003

A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard.

Benjamin Spock
American pediatrician
1903–1998

                                            

When I was growing up play was a very important and my parents always supported the activities I wanted to play.  My sister and I would always play school we would use an ironing board as our desk and encyclopedias as our text books.  The way my mother would support that activity was by buying us various notebooks, pencils, and pens.  She decorated our spare room as a classroom with maps and alphabets and other various learning products.  Looking at it now we were learning and playing at the same time and did not even realize it. 

Outside play during the summer months also played a huge part in the growing up process.  We spent hours outside playing house, bike riding, jump rope, wall ball, hop scotch, and various active activities, with the other children in my neighborhood.  We would bring out dolls and play in mud make mud pies, play with leaves and sticks anything from nature that was make believe dinner.  We did a lot running and jumping which kept us very active for hours at a time.  The difference between then and now is that children do not play outside or have that much physical activity unless they are in supervised sports or activity.  They do not get a chance to use their imagination and come up with game ideas.  Many of the games we played growing up did not make since to adults but they kept our attention and were fun. Many of these games were free to play and did not cost our parents a dime because we used all of our outside resources.  I think if more young children played outside it would help with the childhood obesity instead of sitting in the house and playing video games. 

Playing as a child was great it is wonderful to sit back as an adult and remember all the good times I had as a child.  I hope to one day be able to share these feelings with my children.  I hope that I will be able show them what it was like as kid growing up and all the fun I had. 

Child Development and Pulblc Health

I choose Breastfeeding as the public health that impacts childhood development.  Breastfeeding is the best way for babies to receive good nutrition and be able to bond with the mother.  Babies who are exclusively breast-fed are less likely to get sick, because breast milk provides them with antibodies against any diseases to which the mother is immune (Berger, 2009).  

This topic was meaningful to me because my sister and I were both breast fed and we were both healthy babies who reaped all the benefits of being breast fed. 

Breastfeeding varies from place to place according to Breastfeed.com in Africa using breast to feed babies is a common in everyday life.  It is said if a mother doesn’t breast fed the mother is looked down on.  African women often come to the experience of breastfeeding with little or no doubt and trust in their ability to produce enough milk or milk of the right quantity (Brown, 2010).

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

 Brown, T. (2010, November 13).  Breastfeeding around the World. http://www.breastfeed.com/articles/breastfeeding-advocacy/breastfeeding-around-the-world-2767/