My Birthing Experience

The birthing experience of my son was wonderful.  I was only 21 years old when I gave birth to my son, and needless to say, I knew nothing firsthand about labor.  During my nine months of being pregnant, I suffered from high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes.  I remember the morning when my water broke, as if it was just yesterday, not 36 years ago.  I woke up at 5 AM to go to the bathroom I thought, and all of a sudden before I got out of the bed it was covered in water.  I woke up my son’s father and told him my water had broken.  He and I had completed classes for Lamaze and all of a sudden he had forgotten everything.  He asked “what do we do now”?  We got up and went to the hospital and as soon as we drove up under the shelter the hospital staff comes out with a wheel chair.  By this time I am having back labor pains, and wondering what is going to happen next.  We got upstairs in the labor room, and my back was hurting so bad.   The nurses told us the baby was up against my back, and that they could give me ice to put on my back, or my then husband could rub my back.  As the pain began to get worse, I told the nursing staff and my husband, “I am going home; I don’t want to have the baby. Needless to say, I acted like I could stop the labor pains with my request.  I ended up being in labor 2 hours, and gave birth to my son by natural childbirth.  I remember when he came out, the nurses handed him to other nurses and he was coated in a white coat of paste, and I asked, “Does he need a bath”?   Of course, the nurses and everyone in the room laughed, and they proceed by putting his hat on, and wrapping him in a blanket.  At that time I remember the nurses telling me he had a perfect Agar score, and was healthy.  That night after giving birth to my son, a thunder storm came up and the lighting hit the hospital.  The hospital had no AC and lights were running on a generator.  The next morning they told me I could go home and I was so excited. 

I researched birth of Chinese and found out that the Chinese women are different in beliefs than women in the US.  Chinese women are encouraged to avoid foul language as it can cause the baby to be cursed.  Another different belief is that the traditional Chinese society blames the mother of a child that is physically disable or deformed as it is a result in the mother’s actions during pregnancy.  Chinese women are expected to work during their pregnancy, and they should eat herbal soups.  Rubbing of the stomach is thought to result in a spoilt or over demanding child.  Also, the Chinese believe that a child is age one when it is born, because they consider the date of conception not the date of birth.

http://www.firsttimepregnancy.com/15.html

Three ideals and principles from the NAEYC and DEC codes of ethics that are most important to me.

P-1.8—We shall be familiar with the risk factors for and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, including physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse and physical, emotional, educational, and medical neglect.  We shall know and follow state laws and community procedures that protect children against abuse and neglect.

As a professional we need to be educated in all areas of child abuse and neglect.  We need to be aware of the warning signs of physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse, and neglect.  We should know the state laws and procedures that we need to follow in order to protect children against abuse and neglect.

P-1.9—When we have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate community agency and follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken. When appropriate, parents or guardians will be informed that the referral will be or has been made.

As a professional, when we see that a child appears to have been involved in abuse or neglect, our voice needs to report it to social services, police, or director of our play school.  It is up to us as a leader to protect our children, and remove them from a situation that they didn’t ask to be in, nor need to be in.  I have reported a parent in the past, because the child has come to school with finger prints, on his arm, where he was grabbed.  The mother has a history of abusing the children, and have had the children removed from her care.  I confronted the mother in the beginning asking where the fingerprints had come from and she said I don’t know.  It was up to me to report her and have her investigated.

We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and

others with whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.

As professionals we come in contact with children, families, and colleagues that have different beliefs, values, customs, languages and come from different cultures.  However, we as a professional need to understand and accept their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.  This is not only a educational experience for us as a professional but a time to see how other cultures demonstrate their way of doing things.  We as humans should adhere to the ways others have, even if it is not what we have been taught. 

Other Important Refences for Early Childhood

The Partners for Literacy (PfL) Curriculum is a research-based early childhood and parenting curriculum designed to promote school readiness for children ages 3 to 5.

The PfL Early Childhood Component links early literacy and language activities with social and emotional development. It features teacher-friendly instructional strategies and game-like learning activities. The Parent Partnerships Component is fully compatible with the early childhood component. It can be intergrated with the Early Childhood Component or can be implemented in a stand alone Parent Education program.

PfL helps develop the language, cognitive, and early reading skills targeted by the national Early Reading First program as necessary for young children’s successful entry into kindergarten.

Send comments about this web site to FPG Webmaster.
Comments or inquires about this project to Partners for Literacy.

This is a great website!!!!

http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~literacy/earlychildhood.cfm

The second website that I think is great is: http://www.carolinaparent.com/

If parents don’t pick up a magazine, they can visit this website, and it offers so much.  The daycare where I work has a computer set up with this website up every day.  There are so many free activities, and so much information listed that can benefit parents.

The third website that I think is filled with information is:  http://www.ncss.org/positions/elem

Important References For Early Childhood Class

Required Resources

• Video Program: “The Resources for Early Childhood”
  Five early childhood professionals discuss their preferred and trusted resources.

Note: Read the documents listed in Parts 1 and 2 in preparation for this week’s Discussion.

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
  
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
  
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
  
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
  
  
• NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
  
  
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
  
  
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
  
  
• FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf
  
  Note: The following article can be found in the Walden University Library databases.
  
  
• Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42–53.
  Use the Academic Search Complete database, and search using the article's title.

Part 2: Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being

• Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
  
  
• Websites:
  • World Forum Foundation
    http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
    This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the video on this webpage
    
    
  • World Organization for Early Childhood Education
    http://www.omep-usnc.org/
    Read about OMEP’s mission.
    
    
  • Association for Childhood Education International
    http://acei.org/about/
    Click on “Mission/Vision” and “Guiding Principles and Beliefs” and read these statements.

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week’s Application assignment.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
  http://www.naeyc.org/
  
  
• The Division for Early Childhood
  http://www.dec-sped.org/
  
  
• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  http://www.zerotothree.org/
  
  
• WESTED
  http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
  
  
• Harvard Education Letter
  http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
  
  
• FPG Child Development Institute
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/main/about.cfm
  
  
• Administration for Children and Families Headstart’s National Research Conference
  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
  
  
• HighScope
  http://www.highscope.org/
  
  
• Children’s Defense Fund
  http://www.childrensdefense.org/
  
  
• Center for Child Care Workforce
  http://www.ccw.org/
  
  
• Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
  
  
• Institute for Women’s Policy Research
  http://www.iwpr.org/index.cfm
  
  
• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
  http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
  
  
• National Child Care Association
  http://www.nccanet.org/
  
  
• National Institute for Early Education Research
  http://nieer.org/
  
  
• Pre[K]Now
  http://www.preknow.org/
  
  
• Voices for America’s Children
  http://www.voices.org/
  
  
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/
  

Part 4: Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

Tip: Use the A-to-Z e-journal list to search for specific journal titles. (Go to “How Do I...?”, select “Tips for Specific Formats and Resources,” and then “e-journals” to find this search interface.)

• YC Young Children
• Childhood
• Journal of Child & Family Studies
• Child Study Journal
• Multicultural Education
• Early Childhood Education Journal
• Journal of Early Childhood Research
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Studies
• Maternal & Child Health Journal
• International Journal of Early Years Education

Louise Derman Sparks and Sandy Escobido

From the video's of week two I find that both of the people I have listed below have shown they have passion for children, and can make a difference in children.

Louise Derman-Sparks stated in her video that she had a "built in passion and that it was important to make a contribution to the world, and fix all the injustices of the world and she just wanted to help kids.

The second person Sandy Escobido stated because of her parents being involved in her life, and wanting her to have a better education here in the states; made her realize what an unique opportunity we have working with children and those of us who work with children can shape a child's life for the better.

quotes or excerpts from Hillary Clinton and Lyndon B Johnson

Hillary Clinton:

Learning about my mother’s childhood sparked my strong conviction that every child deserves a chance to live up to her God-given potential and that we should never quit on any child.

Source: 2006 intro to It Takes A Village, by H. Clinton, p. xii-xiii Dec 12, 2006

My father was a small businessman, who taught us by his example the values of hard work and responsibility, Hillary said of her parents. “My mother organized our daily lives and fed us with her devotion, imagination and great spirit. I learned from them the importance of families: how parents through their dedication enable their children to have a better life. I think that’s the most important lesson I’ve ever learned.”

Source: www.hillary2000.org “About Hillary” Jan 1, 2000

http://www.issues2000.org/2008/Hillary_Clinton_Families_+_Children.htm

Lyndon Johnson:

When Medicaid for children was created in 1967, President Lyndon Johnson stated

“The problem is to discover, as early as possible, the ills that handicap our children.

There must be continuing follow-up and treatment so that handicaps do not go

untreated.” (13 Congressional Record 2883. February 8, 1967).

http://www.abin-pa.org/presentations/Medicaid_law_for_children.pdf

Where We Stand

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is the current incarnation of President Lyndon Johnson’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), whose purpose was to raise achievement and close achievement gaps.

http://www.nea.org/home/NoChildLeftBehindAct.html

Personal Childhood Web

The first person and the MOST important person in my life was my mom.  Mom passed away 2 years ago, and to this date, I am still not over Mom.  Mom was always there for my sister and I.  Mom was very loving, and was the one that played with us.  I remember all the times, she would color with me, and play pick up jacks with me.  Mom never worked and was always at home when I got home from school.  Even if I was being punished by my dad, mom would sometimes allow me to ride my bike to the store, and her last words, "you better be home before your daddy gets home".  Up until the time my mom passed away, she was always the BEST.  Mom I miss you everyday, and there is not a day that goes by, that I don't pick up your picture, and talk to you.  I know you are looking down on me...wish you were here.

Grandma Fraust was my mom's mother.  Grandma Fraust always let me stay with her on Friday nights.  My dad would take me and mom to her house on Friday night for my mom to pin curl grandma's hair.  She lived in a big old house that had a upstairs.  I would always go running in and get the kitchen chair, and pull it over to the fridge and get candy out of her blue candy bucket.  Then I remember licking and sticking S & H green stamps for her, and Gold Bond stamps in the book.  Grandma was wonderful.  She sold Avon, and I got lots of goodies from her when I went to her house.

Grandma Hurdle was dad's mother.  She was known for her candy making, sewing, and dipping snuff.  Grandma Hurdle was always one wanting us in her lap, giving hugs, and teasing with us.  She was a great cook, and she always wanted me to come in the summers to see her in Georgia.  I looked forward to the train ride each year.

Aunt Ruby was my dad's sister.  She had her own business in Georgia and when I went for the summer, she took me to work with her, and I played office.  Aunt Ruby was the one, who always took my sister and I shopping, and who showed her love by buying school clothes, and made sure my sister and I got the "extras" dad and mom couldn't do for us.

My Dad...he was a different person.  He never said I love you until he was in his late eighties.  I can remember I would ask mom, does daddy love us, and she would say yes, but someway or another I was never sure.  Daddy was a good man, but very secret about his feelings and love for others.  He raised me to have manners, respect others, and to never see a stranger.