Connections to Play

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Relationship Reflection

To view my Relationship Reflection page, click on the tab that is above this post.

Thank You!

I am very grateful for each one of you for all of your support and encouragement through this course. All of your comments have inspired me in some way. I also enjoyed reading all of your blogs. You are all amazing and I wish your all the best. I pray you all will achieve all of your goals. Keep on pushing, we will all make it to the end!! 

Inspirational Quote

"I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!"

~David Vitter, US Senator

Testing for Intelligence?

When it comes to assessing young children holistically I think that everything about the child should be measured. Young children are still growing and developing physically, emotionally and cognitively; therefore, all of those areas should be assessed. Young children are using every thing around them and about them to learn, not just what they learn in math or science class. They are learning language skills from their families. They may learn how to sing from listening to the radio. I have always believed that assessment and standardized tests do not accurately measure how much a child knows. I can remember taking an assessment test in Kindergarten and feeling so nervous to do my best so I wouldn't disappoint my parents. I can only imagine how much pressure children feel when having to take a test to prove that they are not "behind". Nervousness alone can cause a child to not do so well.

One again I decided to look at assessment testing in Nigeria. They give assessment tests from primary schooling up to college. I found that educators are looking towards a more holistic approach as a means of measuring students performance. They use the tern  "Holistic Assessment Measure" which measures cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. They did a study with teachers using this new approach and many found it to be very affective.

I think it's great that educators in Nigeria are choosing to assess their students holistically. I think that if we all assess children holistically we will appreciate children and their uniqueness. We will also be able to understand why a child may be struggling in reading or when a 2 year old has fewer words compared to his classmates.

Click here for the full study done in Nigeria.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Violence:Child Abuse

A very close friend of mine was born in New York to a Ghanian father and Jamaican mother. When she was six years old, her family moved back to Ghana. She lived with her parents, an uncle and her older brother. A few months after moving to Ghana, she noticed her uncle was very friendly towards her. He always bought her things and would always want her to stay near her. However, his friendliness became too friendly. After about 5 months, her uncle raped her. She did not know what to do. She told her brother but he has Asperger's and he didn't really understand. She tried to tell her parents, but they thought she was lying. So she kept it all to herself. Her uncle did it once again, but this time her father caught him in the act. After that, her father moved the family back to America. I've known my friend since I was 12 but she did not share this story with me until we were 21. The hurt and pain had caused her to be very shy around guys. It also caused her to be afraid of males. She never could stay in relationships long because she would always think that the guy wanted to attach her. After she shared with me I was so sad, but i comforted her and we prayed. She told me that this was the first time she ever shared her story with anyone. She also said that sharing with someone who wouldn't judge her made her feel like a weight was lifted off her. Since then, she has made tremedous progress in her relationships with guy. She has forgiven her uncle and is able to move on and is able to slowly trust guys.

Child Abuse in Ghana:
I could not find much recent information on child sexual abuse in Ghana which I'm praying is a good thing. I did find an srticle from about 4 years ago with statistics on child sexual abuse. The report is from UNICEF. The report revealed that sexual child abuse is a major probelm in Ghana. The rate of rape was 181 in 2002 and 345 in 2008. The numbers are increasing instead of decreasing!! The forms of sexual abuse include unnatural carnal knowledge, defilement, rape, incest, child prostitution and indesent assualt. The report also said that many times the abuse comes from lack of parental support and poverty and many of the times the children do not inform anyone.

The steps that have been taken to reduce and eliminate child sexual abuse include passage and strengthening of the legislative environment, intensification of public education through the media, identification, counseling livelihood skills training and reintegration(www.uncief.org).

They also implemented The Five Year Action Plan on Violence Against Children from 2008-2012. The Five Year Action Plan on Violence against Children is a comprehensive plan for suppressing violence with measurable targets and indicators in which every Ghanaian, at all levels has a role to play. The aim of the plan is to create a safe environment that protects children from all forms of violence wherever they occur including the home, school, institutions, work place and community. (www.unicef.org). I tried to read more about the five year plan, but could not find much once again, except one article that stated that change in legislation does not mean change in society or behavior. I hoep to find out more information on the five year plan and to see if the statistics have changed or not.
It hurts me to know that children are going through this all over the world, not just in Ghana. I pray that there has been a signifcant decrease.

Corresponding Links
http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/wcaro_WCIII_good_practice_Ghana.pdf
http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Features/Ghana-Must-Stop-Violence-Against-Children/?ci=10&ai=20710

NAEYC 2012 Conference

The 2012 Annual NAEYC Conference & Expo is just around the corner!
It will take place from November 7-November 10 in Atlanta, GA.
This year's theme is Developmentally Appropriate Practice in the 21st century.
I have never been, but I found out about it when I registered to become a member of NAEYC.
After going through the conference schedule and session topics I am growing more excited about it.
Also, my favorite children musicians Greg & Steve will be there!!!
If you are interested in attending please click here for more information and to register!
Hope you will all join me there!

H2O

I chose to discuss the topic of access to healthy water.

This topic is meaningful to me because I have seen people including my own family members not having access to healthy water. In America, we are very fortunate to have clean water even our tap waters are drinkable. However, in other countries I cannot say the same. In my home country of Nigeria, many people do not have access to healthy water. Whenever I travel back, my family purchases bottles of water. That is the only water that I can drink when I go back. My family is also fortunate enough to have access to clean water in our house back home. I have witnessed women and children travel far just to get water let alone if it is clean or not. Since I know that healthy water is a big issue in Nigeria, I wanted to find more information on how unhealthy the water in Nigeria is.

I came across an article on businessdayonline.com about the water in Nigeria and it saddened my heart. The article stated that Nigeria actually ranks third globally in poor water and sanitation coverage. Nigeria ranked behind China and India based on population size. This disturbed me tremendously. I know that water access is poor, but I did not know it was this bad.

Reading online, I did find that there are projects to enhance water access to more of the underdeveloped communities in Nigeria. Nonetheless, I am still worried because many things have been promised in Nigeria for many years and the promises have yet to be fulfilled.

Reading about the water issue in Nigeria, will definitely have an impact on my future work. Part of my goals is to build quality child development centers in Nigeria. Knowing how poor water is, I will make it my goal to make sure every child has access to healthy water. I want them to have access to healthy water in the schools and also in their homes. I will also want to educate parents on the importance of having healthy water. I used to wonder how I can tie in my public health degree with early childhood studies, now I know one way in which I can do this while making a difference in the lives of children and families in my country.

"Pure Water" as they call it in Nigeria. These are waters sold in plastic packages.
I am not sure how pure these waters are, but, my mother always warned me and my sisters not to drink them!

Please click following link Poor Water in Nigeria to read full article.

Birthing in Brazil

I wanted to find out more information about birthing in Brazil. What I found was actually very shocking. In Brazil, 93% of babies born to middle and upper class families are born via Cesarean Section (C-Section). The reason being fears passed down from generations.
1. There is a fear of the pain of childbirth
2. Vaginal birth will damage their bodies
3. Most obstetricians believe that cesarean delivery is safer than vaginal delivery
Most of the mothers actually want a normal birth, but agree with their doctor to having a C-section. 

In comparison to my personal birthing experience, this is the complete opposite of what I experienced. My aunt did not have a C-section, neither did she want a C-section. She was advised to have a vaginal birth for all 3 of her children. I personally have been terrified of C-sections especially after seeing a lady in my church suffering from an infection from a C-section. 

An additional insight I gained, is that birthing varies cross culturally. I never that that people had fears such as the Brazilians when it comes to vaginal birth. I am sure that Brazil is not the only country facing these fears and more. It was very interesting to read this. 

Birth in Brazil (article I read)

I also found this interesting video on Youtube. 
A pregnant woman from Bazil's perspective on C-section vs. vaginal birth

Personal Birthing Experience

I haven't taken part in many births, but one birth I vividly remember was the birth of my little cousin. Majority of my family is in Nigeria, so I did not have many cousins to play with growing up. However. in 2000 two of my aunts were going to give birth I was so excited. I would have little cousins to play with, care for and love. My first cousin to be born in America was due in February. My aunt stayed at my house a lot before her due date since the hospital she would deliver her baby was close to my house. I remember that she craved Burger King a lot. Almost everyday she asked either myself or my sisters to buy her a whopper! On her due date, I did not go to the hospital, but my mother came back informing us that she delivered a girl. I was so excited i wanted her to have a girl. I got to go to the hospital the next day and I remember holding my little cousin and it was such a precious moment, she was so beautiful. Today she is 12 and every year on her birthday I remember the first day I held her I was 12. I chose this experience because it is the first time I ever held a newborn baby. (A few months later I held my second cousin born, second time I held a newborn baby!)I believe birth is a beautiful thing. From the way a baby is formed inside a mother and the bond that is automatically created. Birth has a big impact on child development. There can be many risks and complications if proper health and care isn't taken which can affect a child's physical, social and cognitive development. Nonetheless, some or just un-explanatory. I hope to one day (very soon) write about my own birthing experience!

Me on my wedding day 2 weeks ago with my two cousins!
(the one on the right was the first was born)

Drowning

Today, I received very sad news that a little girl from my church who was in my Sunday School class drowned and died. I just saw the girl yesterday. She was one of the sweetest girls in my class. It breaks my heart because recently I have been encouraging my fiance to start swimming lessons for the children in church. I am praying for comfort for her family during this time, and I hope that you will all join me to pray for her family.

Rest in Peace little angel...you will truly be missed.

NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics

I read through all of the NAEYC and DEC code of ethics and there were many that were meaningful to me, but I will list three that sto

First Ideal

I-1.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training.

~This ideal is meaningful to me because it states the primary reason I decided to go back to school and further my education in the field of early childhood. I believe it is important to continue to learn and understand more about the field you work in or want to work in.

Second Ideal

I-1.10—To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.

~I believe it is important to not only recognize each child's culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure but to also accept their culture, language, ethnicity and family structure. Many of the children I work with are of a different culture and I try my best to value their culture and incorporate it into lesson plans when I can. I also know that in order for our program to be a success we have to understand and remember that each child is different and that we cannot expect each family to act the same.

 Third Ideal

I-2.6—To acknowledge families’ childrearing values and their right to make decisions for their children.
~This is the third meaningful ideal to me. I think that many times as caregivers, we forget that our students are not our children. Yes, we spend a lot of time with them; however, they still have their own parents and families to return to when they leave our programs. So if a parent makes a decision even if we do not like their decision we must honor and respect it because it is his/her child. Nonetheless, I do not see anything wrong with offering suggestions as to why or why not the decision is beneficial for the child.

Please click on the tab above titled Resources in Early Childhood to view my course resources page. 

Wise Words from Hillary Clinton

“Home is a child's first and most important classroom.” 
-Hillary Rodham Clinton

Wisdom Quote of the day

"Preschoolers are curious and construct their own "theories" about the differences in skin colors. All the Colors We Are wonderfully takes up the challenge to provide scientifically accurate explanations that are meaningful at their developmental stage. It is a welcome and needed contribution to children's literature about diversity issues".


Louise Derman-Sparks

Education is important

"If we want to invest in the prosperity of our nation, we must invest in the education of our children so that their talents may be fully employed".

President Bill Clinton

Very touching video

I attended a training today on child abuse and neglect. The trainer assisted the trainingb with this video:
Watch "Martina McBride - Concrete Angel" on YouTube
Many of us cried or had tears in our eyes. It hurts to know that this goes on but it's the truth and everyday children are dying.  Hope this video touches you the same way it touched me.

My Personal Childhood Web

Please click on the tab above my photo to view my personal childhood web page! My web did not come out correctly, but I am working on it.

Carnival week in my class

I Love You Stinky Face

This is one my favorite children's book written by Lisa McCourt. In the book, a child asks his mother if she will still love him if he becomes a monster, an alligator and other wild things. His mom continually tells him that she will love him no matter what. That is how I feel about the children in my family, in my classroom at work, classroom at church and how I will feel when I have children. It does not matter how a child looks, acts or speaks they are all still God's most precious creations!

"The soul is healed by being with children."~ English Proverb
I have heard this quote before, but never knew the author. I just discovered that it is an English Proverb. I agree with this quote tremendously. Whenever I am down, just seeing my young cousins and nieces and nephews can quickly change my mood. Or when I may be having a rough day, a smile and hug from a child in my classroom reminds me why I chose to work with children. 

This is me present day

And this is me when I was about 2 years old

A quick peek into my classroom

Forever in my heart

Here is a poem I found online and I feel it represents how I  feel about my career and why I do what I do.

                                               Forever In My Heart   

Although I'm not their mother
I care for them each day,
I cuddle, sing and read to them
And watch them as they play.
I see each new accomplishment,
I help them grow and learn.
I understand their language,
I listen with concern.
They come to me for comfort,
And I kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to me,
I give the loudest cheers!
No, I 'm not their mother,
But my role is just as strong.
I nurture them and keep them safe,
Though maybe not for long.
I know someday the time will come,
When we will have to part.
But I know each child I cared for,
Is forever in my heart!

~ Author Unknown ~