Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

Stress can hinder a child's development at any stage but especially in early childhood, ages 2-6 years old. Some potential stress factors could be: war, poverty, racism, natural disaster, isolation, hunger, noise, chaos, disease, environmental pollution, or violence. This week in class we had to choose one of the stress factors that we, or someone else we know, had a direct experience with during childhood. I did not fully experience any of the above listed stressors during my childhood. At times, my family struggled financially but muddled through. However, someone I am close to experienced poverty as a child. They are more comfortable if I do not share their identity, rather just their experience.

As a child, he and his family went through mild poverty. His mother struggled as her husband left her on her youngest son's first birthday. She tried to work, provide for her two sons, and put herself through school in order to provide more for her children. The boys attended free care at the local YMCA and learned to appreciate little things in life. Their mother did everything she could to make sure they had food on the table for at least the boys to eat, but could not always afford to buy new things like clothing and supplies. Because of this situation, the boys often dealt with teasing and bullying at school. Frequently they were teased for not having name brand clothing or because their clothing may have been worn or ripped. Many times the boys would result to fighting after dealing with extensive bullying on such topics. After years of dealing with these issues, as soon as they were old enough and able, they began working to make their own money and pay for their own clothing, food, and eventually their own transportation. As difficult and challenging as these times were for the two boys, it made them stronger and gave them a greater appreciation for many aspects of life now. Looking back, they will admittedly claim it wasn't easy; however, they are forever grateful for their loving mother giving the clothes off her own back to provide for them. Presently, they are financially stable and have come a long way. They are determined to provide for their families when the time comes to have one. They both reflect on these times as hardship that have made them stronger and provided them with a strong work ethic.

The second part of the assignment this week is to choose a country I am interested in and research common stressors on early childhood development in that country. I chose to research the country of Mexico on the stressor of poverty since I have worked with several students in my district who have come with their families from Mexico to New Jersey. Many of these families relocated out of Mexico due to poverty and struggles they hoped to be rid of by coming to a new country. According to the World Bank (2013), "The number of Mexicans living in poverty to 2010 was estimated in 52 million people," (http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/mexico/overview). In order to decrease the amount in poverty in Mexico, the organization titled the World Bank has become affiliated with the country in addition to a variety of programs taking place in the country to boost the economy. In addition, the organization claims, "Mexico has a huge potential for accelerating economic growth. The country has maintained a strong growth of 3.9% during 2012. This has been supported by both external and internal demand, with a firmer expansion in services," (World Bank, 2013). It seems as though the statistics provided by World Bank are improving with each year in Mexico so I am hopeful the poverty rate will continue to decrease as they economy continues to increase and boost over the next few years.

References

Berger, K. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

The World Bank. (2013). Mexico overview. Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/mexico/overview. 

Child Development & Public Health: A The Focus on Nutrition

This week in class we began discussing the next stage in early childhood development - birth (0 years) to 2 years old. This week's blog assignment calls for us to choose a public health measure that affects child development. Of the options, I felt the most interesting topic that I can relate to and want to learn more about is nutrition and malnutrition.

Various types of research concludes that breast milk is best for healthy nutrition from birth through infancy. Berger (2012) explains, "Babies who are exclusively breast-fed are less often sick. This is true in infancy because breast milk provides antibodies against any disease to which the mother is immune and decreases the risk of allergies and asthma," (p. 151). Usually, feeding a newborn or infant formula is not preferred unless there is a special circumstance, such as when the mother has a drug or alcohol addiction. Beginning with breast feeding is said to promote healthy nutrition from the get-go and set a strong foundation for future development of the child. It is recommended to breast feed for at least a year or more. "Breast-feeding dramatically reduces infant disease and death," (Berger, 2012, p. 154).

Malnutrition, on the other hand, is extremely detrimental to a child's health and development. It can have a variety of negative impacts and affects on the child. Through the reading this week, I discovered there are a variety of forms and severities of malnutrition. Berger (2012) lists five different types or results of malnutrition, including protein-calorie malnutrition, stunting, wasting, marasmus, and kwashiorkor (p. 155-156). She explains that "stunting is most common in the poorest nations," (Berger, 2012, p. 156). Effects of the various types of malnutrition could be very short, thin, or weak; extremely underweight; halting growth leading to death; and more. In terms of correcting the problem of malnutrition, prevention is key. Berger (2012) states, "Prevention, more than treatment, stops childhood malnutrition. Prenatal nutrition defends against marasmus after birth; breast-feeding protects against marasmus in infancy; ongoing breast-feeding and ample food with iron and vitamin A prevent kwashiorkor in childhood," (p. 157).

This topic drew my attention the most due to my profession and location. In 2009-2011 I worked in a low income district where a majority of the population received free and reduced lunch, as well as being provided breakfast. This was created in hopes of providing nutrition for students who face challenges at home. Upon being hired full time in my current district, I was surprised to learn that the district I had grown up in has risen to roughly 50% free and reduced lunch in a similar situation as the prior district I had worked in. Witnessing and working with children who encounter challenges at home, such as hunger, has motivated me to learn more about the development of a child and the cruciality of things such as attachment and nutrition. By doing so, I feel I can become an advocate for my community, families, children, and district to promote nutrition and a positive environment for all. With this prior connection, the topic of nutrition and malnutrition caught my eye and inspired me to pursue to learn more information.

During my research of this topic, I discovered a resource that was both inspiring and motivating. The Save the Children (2013) foundation is "the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world," (http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.7980641/). This organization seems like they have so much to offer with good intentions to change the lives of children around the world. After the disaster left behind from Super Storm Sandy in 2012, I felt compelled to use this organization as a resource this week. The Save the Children organization claims, "When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day - poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and disease - and replaces them with hope for the future," (Save the Children, 2013). Save the Children is an active organization around the world in various countries, including the United States, Middle East, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

After a vacation to Jamaica last summer, I was curious as to how they are active in the Caribbean based on the sights I witnessed en route to our resort. Seeing children and stray dogs wander the sides of the road, shoeless and ragged, and discussing lifestyles and opportunities with a native who worked at the resort, I became extremely interested in learning more and was relieved and grateful to hear of this organization participating in Caribbean locations. Save the Children works with countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They shared that "inequality and poverty continue to be the region's main challenges: nearly 25 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day," (Save the Children, 2013). The organization also shares the fact that "undernourishment affects 47 percent of Haitians, 27 percent of Nicaraguans, 23 percent of Bolivians, and 22 percent of Hondurans," (Save the Children, 2013). Due to such drastic conditions, the Save the Children organization went to these countries to provide assistance. For example, in the Dominican Republic the Save the Children organization shares, "Through the effective implementation of development programs in health and nutrition, preventive health care, water and sanitation, education, community development, and children's rights, Save the Children now helps more than 70,000 men, women, and children throughout the Dominican Republic attain their rights and improve their quality of life," (2013). Specifically focused on nutrition, the organization worked in the Dominican Republic "in the implementation of school, home and community gardens for the production of fruits and vegetables; sheep and goat modules for the production of milk, cheese and meat; and poultry models for eggs and chicken production," (Save the Children, 2013).

All in all, I believe that malnutrition is still a large concern world wide, especially in various third world countries who have large percentages of poverty levels. It is an area in which educators should be well versed in information, resources, and strategies to help counteract, prevent, and/or treat such an issue. Discovering the Save the Children foundation was an exciting experience for me this week. I spent quite some time perusing the website to become familiar with their organization and noticed that are ways you can help the organization and help children around the world. I think this is an important issue we should not overlook and am proud to be part of a school and district that has begun promoting healthy nutrition and lifestyles to provide for the children who are facing challenges at home.





References

Berger, K. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Save the Children. (2013). Who we are; What we do; Where we work. Retrieved from  

    http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm. 

Childbirth in Your Life and Around the World

This week I began my second class in the Master's program at Walden University. The second course is on Early Childhood Development. This week's assignments centered around childbirth and the beginning stages of development from conception to birth. For this week's blog assignment, we had a few questions to ponder and respond to, as you will see below.

1. Write about a personal birthing experience. It can be your own birth, your child's birth, or one you took part in. What do you remember about the event? Why did you choose this example? What are your thoughts regarding birth and its impact on child development?

Unfortunately, I have no prior experience with childbirth. I do not yet have my own children and have not been present at the birth of anyone else's child. The only experience I can relate to or discuss would be my mother giving birth to me on November 5, 1986. Due to this, I do not have a lot of information, only some that my parents have shared with me. My mother went into labor around 6:30 AM on November 5th and gave birth to me after over 8 hours of labor at 2:50 PM on November 5th. I was born on my actual due date (Nov. 5). My mother, Annie, did not receive any type of supplement or drug, rather she gave birth naturally. During pregnancy, she was aware of her surroundings and stuck to the typical items to not take part in and things that were encouraged, as well. She was only 20 when she gave birth to me. The only issue during pregnancy was morning sickness for a brief period during the first trimester and when giving birth/when I was first born I had an accelerated heart rate that they had to monitor very briefly but everything was fine. I had to choose this example as I did not have any other experiences to use since I have not had my own children yet and I have not taken part in any other child birthing experiences. 

Based upon discussions with my mother and the readings from this week, it is evident that the way you take care of your body and your environment as well as your actions all impact the child from pregnancy to birth and onward. My mom would be careful of what she ate, tried to get more sleep if possible, and always read books to herself and aloud to me when in the womb. I have always had a love for reading, as does my mother, and I partially think that is because she began doing that during the pregnancy and continued that throughout my years growing up.

2. Choose a region of the world or a country, other than the U.S., and find out how births happen there. Write about what you learned, and the differences and similarities with your experience (in the personal example you provided). What additional insights, if any, about the impact of the birthing experience on development did you get from this comparison?

The region I chose to research was Africa in comparison to the United States in terms of birthing methods and processes. In the U.S., women commonly go to a doctor for frequent appointments and check-ups and work with the same doctor during delivery. They are in a hospital and treated very well by nurses and doctors, usually surrounded by their own support system, as well. However, in South Africa, some of the commonalities for women giving birth are extremely opposite of the United States. In fact, it is common for women to be fearful of going to a hospital to give birth so they would rather take a risk of doing it improperly in their own home. Some of the most common and harsh realities for women giving birth in Africa were stated in an article from Medical News Today (2011) titled "The Shocking Truth About Giving Birth in South Africa":
                  
                    "Women experience verbal and physical abuse; they were pinched, slapped,
                     and handled roughly during labor; nurses continually ignored calls for help;
                     serious treatment delays; after birth, mother and baby left unattended for very
                     long periods; women are discharged inappropriately; women sent home with
                     no antibiotics or pain medication; women in labor were refused admission, 
                     they were not even examined; staff asking for bribes and gifts; families never
                     told why the pregnant mother or newborn died during childbirth,"
                     (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232413.php)  

After reading and researching childbirth in South Africa as compared to the United States, it is evident that our processes, methods, and traditions are very different. It is also heartbreaking to know that women who are giving birth to children are treated so poorly, especially in a hospital setting. I believe that this would severely disrupt positive development due to the rising levels of stress and emotions a woman would experience during pregnancy and birth. The environment in which a child is born and welcomed into is also a crucial point to the child's ongoing development. It seems to me that there are a variety of major differences that take place in the child birthing experiences in the United States and South Africa. I do not see many similarities between the two places. In my opinion, proper medical services should be provided around the world to women giving birth for both the child's health, well-being, and proper development, as well as the women's health and well-being.


References

Medical News Today. (2011, August 8). The shocking truth about giving birth. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232413.php.