Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

From the list above, choose one stressor that you, or someone you know, experienced as a child. Share how you, or that person, coped with and/or compensated for that stressor (including any resources used or any support obtained).

Violence is the expression of physical or verbal force against one or more people, compelling action against one's will on pain of being hurt. Worldwide, violence is used as a tool of manipulation and also is an area of concern for law and culture which take attempts to suppress and stop it. I chose violence because I have been surrounded with people that have been abused. When I was in the 8^th grade one of my family friends were being abused by her mother and stepfather, her mother/stepfather beat her with pool sticks and firewood and  did everything you could think of under the sun that was not right to her, because she had gotten pregnant her 10^th grade year of high school. One day she came to our house and told my mom, my mom being the kindhearted person she is took her into our home. I feel as though she looked for love in sex and had a baby because she did not have the love of her parents from home. It hurt me to see someone hurt like that. I can also talk about my cousin her mom died when she was 11 years old and she went wild, sleeping with all types of men and doing drugs. She confided in a boy that went to school with us he sold drugs and had his little money and I guess that drew her in. As this relationship progressed he became very abusive to her. She had gotten pregnant around 14 or 15 years old this boy beat her up so bad we did not recognize her, she had two black eyes, belt buckle bruises, busted lip, broken ribs,  was locked  in a room for two weeks without food or water, and the list goes on all while she was pregnant. She had gone into labor at five months and gave birth to a one pound baby. I still do not understand to this day why she still love and have a relationship with him. I feel that some women think that a man love them when they abuse them, sorry to say love does not suppose to cause hurt or pain in that way.

Choose a region or country in the world that you would like to know more about and/or for which you have a special affinity. Find out, and describe, the kind of stressor(s) that impact the development of children in that region/country and what is being done to minimize the harm.

HIV/AIDS has become one of the largest health care and social challenges for Southern Africa, as

well as for the global community. Children in Africa have many stressors that they deal with on a daily basis.  Over 20% percent of the population in southern Africa is estimated to be affected by HIV. Some of the stressors are as follows: poverty, homelessness, HIV, diseases, contaminated water, and the list goes on.  These stressors have a great impact on the development of children. In Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, average life expectancy for a child born from 2000 to 2005 is below 40 years (New York Times, 2004). That is sad that society put a number on these children’s life. Many people have started getting involved in feeding the children, adopting children, and donating money for medicine, nets, etc. I feel as though we can make a difference in people lives by focusing more on others and not just ourselves. Many of us had a big thanksgiving dinner and there were people that did not have any food to eat and no place to stay. I always try and help others because I never know when I will need help.

References:

http://www.egs.uct.ac.za

Child Development and Public Health

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS is a condition in which there is no clear or apparent reason for the death of an infant in the age range of one to twelve months. SIDS has been described as sudden and immediate death of an infant with no apparent cause after a thorough investigation and autopsy is done. Some infants who appear healthy are not always healthy. Most of these infants gained weight, learn to shake a rattle, starting to roll over, and smiling at their caregivers die unexpectedly in their sleep. SIDS was a concern to me after I gave birth to my daughter, I was constantly checking to see if her chest was rising while she slept. I was so nervous I even put her in the bed with me so I could watch her sleep, instead of her crib. It has been stated in several studies that to help prevent SIDS it is recommended that your child be placed on their backs and not their stomachs. I allowed my child to sleep on my chest, her side, or her back.

This topic is important is important to me; because, I am a mother and I would know how to cope with waking up to discover that child is not breathing. There has never been anyone around me in my personal life that has ever been through this type of situation, but I can only imagine how scary that can be. The questions that would come to mind for a parent as of what they could or should have done to prevent this from happening. I was very careful when it came to my daughter and SIDS I could have been described as obsessive when she first came home because of how I watched her sleep and even nap.  It is said that the African American race has more deaths than any other race.

The country that I chose was New Zealand, because it was found to have had the most recorded deaths due to SIDS out of 12 countries in 1990; even though, there has been a dramatic decrease from 1990 to 2005 New Zealand still remained number one.  

 

References:

The Developing Person Through Childhood 5ed.Kathleen Stassen Berger

http://www.cdc.gov/sids/

Childbirth––In Your Life and Around the World (US vs Brazil)

Although the US and Brazil have some similarities they also have many differences in birthing and pregnancy methods. In the US we have the option to choose our birthing method(vaginal or caesarean) if the mother and child is not in distress. In Brazil a Caesarean (c-section) is highly recommended by doctors because of practical and financial reasons. Water births are not common in Brazil as they are in the US. 

 Obstetricians will not be in favor of home births in Brazil, In the US, u can get a midwife and have a baby in the comfort of your own home.   
Following the birth, the doctor asks the mother if she wishes for the baby to have hearing and sight tests as well as a teste de pezinho, which involves drawing blood from the sole of the baby's foot in order to test for metabolic, genetic and infectious diseases. But during my birthing experience it was mandatory at the hospital they gave the following tests within an hour after birth. 

In general, the mother remains in hospital for up to three days following the birth, this may be longer in the event of a caesarean section. During this time, the mother is given breast feeding lessons and nursing staff are available to answer any questions regarding the newborn or the mother's health. This is also a similarity in the US.


Reference
 http://angloinfo.com/ikpisi

Childbirth––In Your Life and Around the World

It was March 23, 2006 I got the news that I was pregnant and that changed my life forever. I was a full time college student,working at the prison full time, and on top of that scared out of my mind. On the day that I found out I was three months pregnant. The months went by, I was sicker than I have ever been in my entire life. On November 17, 2006 I was ordered to be at the doctor at 5:45 am to have my labor induced, I did not know what to expect. I was 3 cm when I arrived to the hospital, my doctor came in and broke my water, and that's when all the pain beganed. The pain of contractions is so unbearable, I took the pain as long as I could, then I needed the anesthesiologist to rescue me. The contractions continued, and my doctor came in periodically to check the dilation of my cervix. It seemed like I was in labor forever, I was stuck at 4 cm for many hours, then 7cm , then when 10 cm came it was time to push. I pushed and pushed  giving birth in real life versus what we see on tv is totally different from my birthing experience. At 4:14 pm I gave birth to Brayleigh Ta'neice Dixon, weighing 7lbs 9.3ozs, it was so surreal, it was something I never thought would happen to me. I never knew I could love someone with all my heart and soul. Brayleigh brings out the best best in me she is my joy.

I chose this experience because I was one of the many people that said I will never have kids. My experience in giving birth and becoming a mother brings tears to my eyes. I know that I have someone that depends on me and thinks that I am perfect no matter what. I love being a mother and I would not trade it for the world. I think that everyone should experience birth at one point in their life, its a great life changing experience. If you as a mother get prenatal care and go to your scheduled doctors appointment this will ensure the possibility of a healthy child.

Examining Codes of Ethics

The NAEYC( National Association for Education of Young Children) and DEC

(Division of Early Childhood)

1.1—To be familiar with the knowledge base of early

childhood care and education and to stay informed

through continuing education and training

I chose this code because, we cant help anyone without knowing what kind of help their in need of.We must gain knowledge about the different behaviors, languages, race, and age groups to educate. I want to increase my knowledge base in the early childhood field.

I-1.8—To support the right of each child to play and

learn in an inclusive environment that meets the

needs of children with and without disabilities.

This code clearly states that that no child should be taught any different. Every child is the same one may need more attention than the next. I feel that every child should be comfortable and not feel singled out while learning. Most children just need to feel that someone really cares about their learning and future.

I-1.9—To advocate for and ensure that all children,

including those with special needs, have access to the

support services needed to be successful.


I will admit that I just found out what advocating really meant, I will say that I do this daily. If you just take a few minutes out of your time to help one person, you have made a difference in someones life. I will also make services available to all children depending on what their in need of. I feel that if a person know that they have support that will push them towards their success.