Health/Anemia (prenatal care)

Health  is a  broad statement , however  it can be narrowed down to a specific topic or concern.  Health care is  essential for pregnant woman and their babies. Access to adequate health care  services provides educational information that encourages healthy eating habits, immunization, and parenting skills, which leads to healthy babies ,who might later manifest into healthy adults. In the USA  most families are insured privately or enrolled in  a State Health Care Plan. Similarly no one is denied healthcare services despite  their socieconomic status. For example in the city of Bridgeport, Ct. Americare operates a free clinic where residents receive immediate health care free of charge. The clinic partnership with hospitals and other health facilities that meet the need of the residents.  In countries like Jamaica healthcare is accessible with limitation. The Jamaican residents who rely on the government for healthcare services aren't lucky to receive adequate care as those who can afford private insurances. The cost for prescription drugs and the lack of availability put  a continuous  financial  strain on the residents. Hence I read an article  about anemia and the effect it has on pregnant women and their babies. There was a  study done on pregnant women in Westmoreland, Jamaica. The result detected a high rate of pregnant women that were anemic. My concern is, what happens to the percentage of mothers who are not  able to pay for the prescribe iron pills? Do they eat products that contain iron or do they stick to their own cultural belief ? I firmly believe all neonatal health facilities in the island should have trial iron supplement at hand to offer these women.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995917/
http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primearticles/health-care-in-jamaica.shtml
http://www.americaresfreeclinics.org/newsroom/news/weisman-clinic-opens-in.html
http://www.who.int/maternal_,child_adolescent/topics/newborn/en/index.html

Birthing Experience

On November 1,1996 I welcome the arrival of my first child into this world, I recall  her dad holding my  hand and trying to comfort me the best way that he could. My aunt help me to switch positions as if it would eliminate the pain. I had labor pains for four days, I had no idea of what to expect even though others shared their child bearing experiences. I was not until the fourth day that I realized that I was in labor. I didn't see that infamous plug/membrane, my water didn't break as I was told.It was the unbearable lower back pains I was not mentally prepared for. The hospital team, my family and obstetrician  were very nurturing and supportive during the delivery.The first journey of motherhood was one of the  worst pains that I've ever experienced but holding my daughter and hearing her take her first breath was worth all the pains I had endured. Before leaving the hospital vital records were prepared and my child's photo was taken, the first initial keepsake  for me. Before leaving the hospital the medical teal made sure I had a car seat for the infant and if I didn't the hospital would have had one donated  to me. The medical expenses was covered 100% by my Health Insurance. My experience might sound like a fairytale to Margaret Wanjiru a  mother from Nairobi Kenya, who shared her child birth experience in one of the country's health facilities. Women were  being disrespected as they're giving birth, nurses yell at them saying,  "Open your legs like you did for your husbands". They had to pay before they enter the facility to give birth, they had  poor record keeping, therefore documentation of births and deaths are often missed or undocumented. These were health facilities operating under the government. Expected mothers had to pay 30,000 shillings(US$448) before they are allowed to give birth in the government operated facility. Thus there are private practices in Nairobi that does treat the mothers with respect . Hence others who aren't able to afford the clinics or private practices , has no choice but a home birth  with the help of neighbors. No immediate medical intervention for the cutting of the  umbilical cord and the mother had to render her own care to herself and the newborn. It is very shocking to know how one's Social Economic Status in Nairaobi Kenya can affect the quality of care a woman giving birth and the danger that hangs for the newborn. Luckily in the USA quality care is given despite your SES.

Resource: Kenya Environmental and Political News Weblog( Agony of giving birth in public clinic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XKrIeMRNAA

A Note of Thanks

As we embark upon another chapter of our professional development, I would like to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" to all my colleagues. The eight weeks journey with you was a splendid experience. Thank you for commenting on my blogs and sharing your childhood reflection with me. As we go on our separate path, our commonality was a unique interconnection that allowed us to look through numerous lens of  early childhood studies.

NAEYC and DEC Codes of Ethics

 Here are the three NAEYC and DEC Codes of Ethic that are most meaningful to me as I continue to pursue my passion in the field of Early Childhood Education.

  Ethical Responsibilities to Children

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 code simply indicates that inorder for me as an Early Childhood educator to perform my job as expected, I must have some basic knowledge of early childhood education or any related field of child development; including documented proof of continuing education through site base trainings , and additional workshops.

Ethical Responsibilities to Families

P-2.15

—We shall be familiar with and appropriately

refer families to community resources and professional

support services. After a referral has been

 

made, we shall follow up to ensure that services have

been appropriately provided.

 

I have an obligation to the  children and families that I serve, therefore any referral that I have written on the behalf of a child or family, it is my humane duty to ensure that the service met the need of the family by following up with the family and the service provider. All follow ups are documented and place in the child's personal file under the right edited category.

Ethical Responsibilities to Community and Society

P-4.6

 

—We shall be familiar with laws and regulations

that serve to protect the children in our programs and

be vigilant in ensuring that these laws and regulations

are followed.

 It's very important that I'm familiar with the Performances Standards and other laws protecting the rights of children and families. It is my duty to adhere to all the child protective  laws and policies and respectfully report anyone who violates these laws.

Articles, Books, and Journals

Resources and more….

WEBSITES

Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/

Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/

The Division for Early Childhood
http://www.dec-sped.org/

National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/

National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

Voices for America's Children
http://www.voices.org/

Workshop

HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/

Journals

Child Study Journal

Early Childhood Education Journal

Multicultural Education

International Journal of Early Childhood

 

Books
 

0130940631,0439714478,013707347X,0876590873,0135019699,1929610327,1595583505,0137151632,0807742740,0807733121,1884834329,013208094X,080775109X,1111832617,0132595133,0205627560,0130278041,0325001278,1565846079,013222416X,0807745049,0137154097,0132930382,1557668825,0137035101,0674045807,0872074692,0325007314,1412995728,0801117038,159857194X,0205593038,0325002746,0935989870,155766871X,0132316366,1462503756,1572307943,0205571069,0935989900,1887744487,0132159120,0807751537,1572309849,0137057628,1593854943,0132481227,013045432X,1593852576,1575423677,0325005737,013248482X,0872075966,0205487009,0827380151,0132487500,0807751111,0943657865,1847691684,1928896642,0194422240,0073525863,1609138716,1598570935,156750177X,1598570579,1416600302,0520271424,1889609110,0452289084,0325003866,0205406033,0137035098,0226805042,1847693555,1111833397,0325000514,1557667993,157128690X,0073378542,1429243287,0807749745,0205408435,0131707485,1928896685,013888496X,1929610971,0553382519,0205358799,0325004110,0137085230,0791444686,0325002274,0325002738,0132596849,0137035535,0325003475,0325002703,1571100873,1435481178 Language Development From Theory to Practice (2nd … Khara L. Pence Turnbull 3.4 out of 5 stars (7) Paperback $101.49 Add to Cart In Stock. Ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Many Languages, One Classroom: Teaching Dual … › Karen Nemeth 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) Paperback $7.97 Add to Cart In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

 

Note the quotes

“... People with great passions, people who accomplish great deeds, people who possess strong feelings, even people with great minds and a strong personality, rarely come out of good little boys and girls.”
― Lev S. Vygotsky

 

Through others, we become ourselves.”
― Lev S. Vygotsky

“The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community. It is a place where men are more concerned with the quality of their goals than the quantity of their goods.”

Lyndon B. Johnson quote “The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist."” Maria Montessori quote We cannot know the consequences of suppressing a child's spontaneity when he is just beginning to be active. We may even suffocate life itself. That humanity which is revealed in all its intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” Maria Montessori quote       " My Passion for Early Childhood Education is my personal experiences of  my parents who are from two different spanish country" Sandy Escobido( Walden University,multimediaWk2)

Personal Childhood Web

                                             Personal Childhood Web

Vinnette Morgan is my paternal grandparent, she always nurtured me with biblical quotes, give hugs when I need it and always have the time to listen . Grandma gives encouraging words whenever there’s a disappointment in my life. She’s my cheer leader in all my accomplishment. Her famous word of encouragement is “Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning” and “You can’t go to heaven without going through hell”

Edgar Morgan , my dad, taught me all about quality time.Though he’s a very firm disciplinarian, Daddy always give hugs and kisses and set the foundation about education. He always buy me books on my birthdays, read the to me, and made sure my educational needs are always met.

Neeri Morgan,my granddad, sings silly piggy back songs and share African folklore. His stories allowed me to use my imagination.Like grandma, papa, use parables as form of  encouragements. His favorite parables are, “Think before you act, look before you leap,consider the end before you begin” and “ Give with a willing heart”

My 7^th grade food and nutrition educator was the only professional who didn't turn her nose up at her students despite their demographic strata. She  shared stories of her childhood, most of her students made a connection. Ms Mckenzie was never absent, she always tell her students not to be ashamed of who they are, and where they live.

My aunt Demora Morgan took my sister and I under her wings when my dad migrated to the USA. With six children of her own and being the caregiver of my great grandmother, she had comforting words whenever I’m sad about my dad  leaving, there’s always room for one more in her arms, or on her lap.

The positive emotional support that I had experienced from my family and teacher had help to shape my decision of working in the professional field of education. They were inspirational teachers who believed in me and help to  nurtured my growth. Even though there were some stimuli that interfered , the support I had made it less irrelevant to my success. I have not seen or spoken to my 7^th grade teacher since that school year ended.  Papa departed the earth since 1995, however  my dad ,aunt and grandmother  continue  deliver their  words of encouragement.They tell me everyday how proudly I had made them feel. They remind me about my pass and encourages me to use all my failures and misfortunes as a stepping stone to the next level of success.Grandma current words of encouragement and nurturing, “ You have  beaten the odds and broke the cycle,thank you I love”. My aunt Demora gives me random phone calls, she greets with these words, “Hello my baby pie sweet doll, Just checking up on you”. My dad calls, or often drop by my home just to remind me of how much he cares of my well being.I remember one of his miss call voice message, “Miss Natalie give me a call,remember too much work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.The  envision of my success had its' own interpretation of  the old African  proverb, “It takes  village to raise a child”