"Children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them makes a lasting impression."


 This is such a true statement. I would like to thank all of my classmates for bringing and sharing such inspiring and useful information. This has been such a beautiful journey with each of you.

Week 6

Testing

Assessment is an important part of learning and teaching and helps provide useful information to children, teachers and you. Assessment is generally carried out for two main purposes, to measure pupils’ attainment and report evidence of learning in different learning areas and to support pupils’ learning and classroom teaching.

 

At Primary 1 and 2, children are just beginning school; a key focus would be on building his/her confidence and desire to learn. Thus, assessment will focus on providing rich information on the learning progress of the child. Quantitative feedback in the form of grades and marks, and qualitative feedback in the form of teacher comments will help children learn about his/her strengths, weaknesses and steps he/she could take to improve in his/her learning. As parents, this feedback can also help you support the child’s learning and growth.

 

As schools adopt more Holistic Assessment practices, the child’s development will be supported by a range of appropriate assessment modes for different purposes. At Primary One, single-point assessments such as semestral examinations will be de-emphasized to ensure a smoother transition from pre-school to primary school. Bite-size forms of assessment such as topical tests, short writing, reading and performance tasks will be used to provide the child with more opportunities to experience success and build his/her confidence and desire to learn. Teachers will also use a range of assessment strategies such as questioning, giving of feedback, and peer- and self-assessment to support the child’s learning.

 

Standardized testing in children between the ages of 10 to 19 is described in four European countries: England, West Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. In the decentralized English system several published standardized test are available. These tests are used for special needs assessments. They are used in the educational setting for grade objective testing. In West Germany education is the responsibility of the states, rather than the national government. These standardized tests are not used on a population-wide basis.  These tests are restricted to counseling centers and other specialist schools. There is rarely achievement or intelligent test used in the schools. The Netherlands created a national curriculum development center in 1975 and has created national examinations, although they are not widely used. Achievement tests are used by teachers only, and intelligence test use is similar to that in West Germany. In Sweden, national standardized tests based on objective techniques are used above the primary levels.

 

Week 4 Consequences of Stress (Poverty) on Children's Development

Consequences of Stress (Poverty) on Children’s Development:

 

 

I have worked with a family and the mother stated as a child she was embarrassed to attend school because her parents could not afford clothes for her. She stated she was only 5 years of age. She stated that really affected her self-esteem and she can vividly remember it as it was yesterday. She stated that affected her in a way that she will never forget.  The ramification was that she state she goes out of her way to make sure her children never have to encounter this. This did affect her in a positive and negative way. She really strives to make sure her children are never without the necessities of life. She stated that she coped with this by imaging that she was rich and trying to look like the other students that were around her. She stated this was difficult, but this was the only method that she had to cope; due to the fact she knew she had to attend school.

 

Regions where others are experiencing stressors:

Throughout South Africa about 66% of children are living in extreme poverty. The

households in which these children live are often too poor to afford to buy even the most

basic necessities. Poverty has been one of South Africa’s greatest challenges and is a

cycle that can’t seem to be broken as generations after generation remain in poverty once

at that point.



The poverty rate in South Africa is the highest among children from newborns to 4 years

old and gets slightly lower in percentage as the age of the children get older. Those aged

15 to 17 years old have the lowest poverty level in their families, perhaps because these

older children are able to contribute more to the family through working than the

youngest children would be capable of doing.



In South Africa, poverty means more than just a lack of money. The poverty that these

children live in affects their access to schools, health care, and their chance of growing up

in an environment that could help them possibly break free of the poverty. Most of the

children in South Africa who are living in poverty are malnourished from birth. This lack

of nutritious food affects the physical and mental growth and development of the

children, as well as their overall health. A lack of access to clean water and adequate

sanitation methods also leads to health problems amongst this group. Diseases are spread

quickly and easily when they are caught, especially amongst children in South Africa.



www.childsponsorship.com

 

Swww.wwwouth Africa Child Poverty, Poverty in South Africa
Text & images copyright © 2010 - 14 www.child-sponsorship.com

week 2 immunizations

 The health topic I chose was immunization due to the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases that may still occur. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive vaccinations due to allergies, illness, weakened immune systems, or other reasons. To help keep these individuals safe, it is important that our children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects our families, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to friends and loved ones. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be kept out of schools or daycare facilities. A prolonged illness can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills, or long-term disability care.

 

 

 It is reported that vaccines in the country of Europe varies. This country is stated to still have wide spread measles (Lancet infectious disease).Despite the proven safety and efficacy of vaccines, common vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles are not yet controlled in all European countries. This is largely due to three factors. First, vaccination systems differ widely throughout Europe and they vary between highly centralized and totally decentralized systems.

 

The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages 103 - 108, February 2003

 

week1 chid birth in your life and around the world

 I witness the birth of my second grand child in 2009. This was the most amazing sight to see. I was actually able to see the entire process. I have only one child and to be a part of my grandchild's birth  was astounding. My daughter's husband was with her every step of the way. Birth is such a beautiful experience, especially when everything goes well.

I cannot imagine in some other countries where there are no doctors or medical attention. This would be a very scary process, without getting the proper medical attention. There are many things that can go wrong. Children can be born with needs of immediate medical attention that could cause severe disabilities.

wk8 When I Reflect About My Collegial, Professional Learning Community

Three consequences of my experience of a part of a caring, collaborative learning community for my professional growth and development would be:

• Getting my parents and keeping them involved with their child's education
• Making sure I understand working with diversity of all families.
• Making sure my staff understand the child's needs and keeping updated professional development on working with all children and families.

One goal would be to be prepared to prepare others to learn how important it is to be able to advocate and provide the best developmental education to all children from all diverse backgrounds.

week 6 My Hypothetical Family Situation

I am a soon to be parent of a child with Down Syndrome. I am a now single parent that husband abandoned me after realizing he felt he could not deal with this child. I am confused about how I will be able to make sure this child and myself receive the support and educational needs of such a special child. I live in an area that does not offer the best early intervention services. I want my child to be able to receive quality service at an early age.

week 5 The Political Will to improve Early Childhood Systems

I have learned from this assignment how important it is for every advocate to work as a team to ensure the proper education for every child. Political strategies must be used to ensure that children are not discriminated against when services are needed. Families have to serve as advocates for the development of every child. Educators should have the knowledge to provide a quality education to each child. This can be done through accountability by everyone involved.

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement

The personal and professional significance of the Head Start stories prove to me that parents love their children and want them to get the best possible start in their early lives. We as educators and advocates must work at making sure these families needs are being met.


Parents must be involved to met the holistic approach of serving every child's needs. Parents set the foundation for educators and advocates to be able to assist with the child's developmental needs. Families also need to understand how to access resources to better serve the family and the child.


It is very important for policy makers, government official, childhood professionals and the public understand what families and children need to be able to contribute to society. The children of today are the future. Children need to have a great start to become productive citizens to add to society. Families sharing their stories and concerns can make public official know that funding for these programs such as Head Start is a must in educating our early learners at an early age.


I believe that without the parents participation in the child's education, educators will be less able to provide and maintain the child's needs. The parent's involvement provides the child with a cohesive bond of getting all of the child's developmental needs to be met. This involvement includes allowing the parent to understand all of the essential system elements for all strands of service in the early childhood field.

week 2 Quality Programs for All Children

As an early childhood development professional, I believe that knowledge of

child development theory of the history should guide my knowledge and others of educational practices of children from birth to 8 years of age. As a professional we do need to know enough about the relationship between early experience and the ultimate competencies necessary for effective participation in democratic processes, how we can design effective educational practice. Theories will be useful in helping researchers and

 teachers to guide their observations in the right direction in the learning process for the

 early learners. It is from this point of view that practices for supporting the development

 of children from birth to 8 years of age originate. Developmentally appropriate practices

 need to be implemented based on standards for providing high quality early care and

 education experiences to children, birth to 8.We as professionals can learn from past

  knowledge to set standards on the development for our early learners.

 

wk1 What Resonates with you about Early Childhood Public Policy Advocacy?

This specialization is important to me because public policy and advocacy can support developmental research and traditional educational practice for students five to eight years old, who learn in particular ways related to their chronological age, and that classrooms and curriculum should be reflective of that developmental level.

I would like to be able to assist with setting standards for early childhood education assist with daycares having a uniform system of providing quality services to children.  Some of the benefits would be to: improve staff to child ratios, which would ensure each child would receive better individualized care and attention.  Making sure new staff qualification requirement skills are there to promote a better learning environment for each child.

Three goals are to advocate for:

    Early childhood education programs to always have quality staff. Teachers should be well    

    trained and knowledgeable about the best types of early education practices.

     

    That children initiate their own activities. Children should be actively engaged in                        
     learning by participating in hands-on learning activities and social play.

 

      Early childhood education should encourage a physical environment that teaches            
      students through active exploration.

 

Hello Everyone,
This has truly been a great journey with everyone. I have learned so much from this communication class. I learned a great deal about my method of communication. I now know that communication is not just using words, but so many other physical attribute can influence others perception of what is being said. I do wish everyone the best in your endeavors in the early childhood field.

week 6 blog

I once worked in the public school as drug intervention worker. This was a grant program. The grant ended and the other five co-workers and myself had a program ending assessment. We meet with families and some of the children that were apart of our program and discussed the progress everyone had made. Some of the families that attended the reception expressed their love for the program and the benefits their families received.


This was a great group experience and all workers worked as a team. The program was working with children of families that were low-income and at risk for drug abuse and addiction. I have begun to understand how important it is to keep the lines of communication opened. I have learned that each individual should have a say when it comes to advocating and planning for all individuals involved. 

week 5 solving conflicts

I had a conflict with a coworker and it began with a misunderstanding of information received. I was not told about an important piece of needed information to complete an assignment. I inquired about this before I should have. I was not calm at the time of the conversation. My coworker became defensive and it lead to exchange of words. We immediately saw where this was going and decided to try and cool off, before more words were said. We later expressed apologies to each other after we both thought about the situation and understood what really happened.

I learned that one's must always approach others in a non-threating manner and give others an equal chance to explain their situation. Think about the consequences of your actions before you make comments to others, it can destroy a friendship and a good working relationship.

week 4 Who am I as a Communicator

As a communicator, I was not surprise on any of the assessment nor the evaluators of my communication skills. I know that I communicate better in a one on one setting. I was told by family that I am a no nonsense communicator. The assessment also made the same assessment. I feel that I will need to work on strategies to improve my ability to communicate in a productive manner. My tolerance to listen and appreciate other's ideas and their methods of communicating must be adjusted. There are various ways to communicate other than verbally. Our body language tells such a story of how we truly feel. We as educators must be aware of what our bodies are saying to others.

Week 3 blog Cultural Diversity Communication

I do find myself communicating differently with different groups and culture. I think this may be due to trying to fit in in without hurting the group feelings. I think when one is unfamiliar with the group or culture it makes it difficult to know what is appropriate to say or do. We sometimes find ourselves uncomfortable in starting a conversation that we feel may make others uncomfortable. We may start and active conversation with other familiar groups because we are comfortable with that group. We are comfortable because we know exactly what is appropriate and what is not, therefore we must learn in society how to be diverse in culture and language.






Three strategies I feel will assist me in communication are:


1. Sincerely listen - pay attention when others are talking; it tells others that you are truly interested in them.  Ask questions about what they are saying.  Think about what they are saying.  Remember, people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.  Listening is one way to demonstrate that you care about them.

2. Pay compliments - this is a great way to get a conversation started and make someone feel good.  There is something special about everyone - it is our job to find it out and make that person feel special.  Make sure that your compliment is sincere. 

3.  Remember names.  When you forget others' names, this tells them they are not that important to you.  People like to hear their names. 

Wk 2 blog

The show that I chose that I never watch is Sponge Bob Square Pants. The characters relationship appear to all be friends. They say very harsh things to each other and then they help each other out when times get rough. The language is very rough at times. This is based on listening to them communicating with each other. The sound off appear to be concern for each other. It was difficult for me to understand there expression to the various characters in the cartoon. The assumption is that verbal cues may not always express one's true feelings. It is important to get to know a person to understand and relate to the changing language one may speak.

week 1 blog Educ 6165

The person I listened to that had great communication skills was a speaker for a recent seminar I attended. This person gave a printout of the nature of her speech. She discussed the teenagers troubling years. She made valid points that caught everyone attention. The points were very clear and concise. I look around the audience and she had everyone's attention. There were no cell phone usage or unnecessary chatter from the audience. She talk in a tone that was effective to engage the audience. After completing her speech she received very positive feedback from the audience.

conclude study of research

There has been lots of insights into this class. I never gave the study of research much thought. I realize that one must understand all of the language and choice of various design to do good quality research. I can't say my ideas have change, but this has been an overwhelming amount of information to absorb. I've learned that conducting research requires the ability to set aside your personal beliefs and stick with the facts.

I have enjoyed everyone in this class, and wish everyone great success in all your endeavors.

Research around the World

Research around the World


I chose a current research article from the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.
The topic that was discussed was Understanding children from 0 to 3 years of age and its implications for education. What's new on the babies' side? Origins and evolutions


It discussed how the views of infancy and toddlerhood has changed over the past ten years.
Increased knowledge has become so important in continuing research in this field.


 
the end result must be that one realizes how much the implementation of children's rights will be dependent on the capacity of the adult to overcome the gap between the common sense views on babies and toddlers and what really goes on while they interact with the world. If we can , we must be see  our major obstacle in changing our view of the child and making education more effective.






            
 
 OECD. 2006. Starting strong II: Early childhood education and care, Paris: OECD    

        Directorate for Education.

Research that benefits Children and Families

      I would imagine no child with a handicapping disability. Every child would have an even start. Children would be educated based on their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical needs. No children would go hungry or lack the need for a family or love. Children would be protected from the societal problems that may cause them to not be able to reach their developmental potential.
     A study or research that could bring on positive changes of this magnitude would make the learning world an inspiration to society. Children would no longer feel left out and un-loved.

My Personal Research Journey

     My chosen topic for the simulation is ways to identify children with disabilities. I know this can be rather broad and complex. I chose this because I have worked with families and children with physical, cognitive and mental disabilities. This is sometimes overlooked in our early learners and this can damage them for life. We as educators must prepare to observe and understand the signs to get interventions for our children.
       The material we have covered this week has made me dig deeper to understand what to look for in credible research. Research can open doors to providing quality serve to the early childhood field. Children need to have a good start to their developmental growth. A good start to this is understanding their needs for good growth and development.
        Please assist me with any new resources that will assist me in this area. Good luck to each of my colleagues in this class.