Child Development and Public Health

Breast Feeding.
 Exclusive breastfeeding refers to feeding an infant with breast milk only without any other liquid or supplement during the first six months. From research this has a load of benefits to both mother and child. Exclusive breastfeeding has a potential to prevent at least 13%of all under five death in developing countries. Also, it could help avert about 55-87% of neonatal deaths.
Other benefits include:
It's easier to digest than formular
It fights diseases in children and mothers
Saves money
Helps mother-child bonding
It could help reduce the rate of breast & ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, postpatum depression, etc in women.
When breastfeeding as a woman,the oxytocin hormones are produced which can calme the woman.
Breastfeeding protects from risk of contaminated water supply in developing countries epecially
It has the right temperature and hence helps prevent hypothermia -a state where the body temperature drops below normal

For me, breastfeeding is most appropriate for infants; After reading the numerous benefits, I came to this conclusion. I practiced exclusive breastfeeding with my kids. Breastfeeding is meaningful to me because it's the cheapest means of protecting these littles from illness and malnutrition at the early stage of life particulary in the developing countries where the standard of living is relatively low.

Intrestingly, in Kuwait (one of the richest countries in the world), breastfeeding is not a popular practice due to the fact that formulars are well subsidized by the government and inadequate professional support. Mothers begin to give their babies water, juice and herbs from the very first month and about 32.8% below six months use bottles. Some other misconceptions about breastfeeding is that breast milk is not sufficient for infants; it is only meant for babies who came through ceaserean section, and only babies who spent some time in special care wards may need it. But, science has shown how small babies' stomachs are and that breast milk is just sufficient for this size, also all babies need breast milk whether full term or premature babies.
  As a result of this, there's a high rate of 24% of chronic malnutrition amongst children who are under 5yrs of age in Kuwait despite her wealth.
From this data, breastfeeding could be beneficial to women and children in developing countries as it can reduce greatly the rate of malnutrition (one of the causes of infant deaths in developing countries).

Being aware of this information, I would be an advocate in this area by telling as many mothers (even fathers) that I know the benefits of breastfeeding. This information has also helped me in erasing my ignorance--before now, I used to think breast milk is not sufficient for twins or tripplets, but from research, reverse is the case. So, mothers with twins and tripplets could go ahead with exclusive breast feeding for some months(Berger, 2012). But the challenge here is with working mothers who especially are the breadwinners of their home--it might be pretty difficult to cope with exclusive breastfeeding

References
http://worldbreastfeedingtrends.org
http://unicef.org/media/images/fact_sheet.doc
http://womenhealth.gov

Childbirth in My Life and Around the World

My daughter came at 1a.m on the 4th of October 2009 ( in her 41st week) after about 8hrs of labour. She weighed 3.6kg. Her prenatal development went well despite urinary tract infection I had. At some time I was asked to take antibiotics and other times was asked not to because it could be harmful on the emdryo, of course this was about the 3rd and 4th month. I was placed on calcium, folic acid, blood giving tablets and anti malaria drugs as malaria is a threat to pregnant women and children in Africa.
Contractions started on the previous day and I went to the clinic where I have always attended antenatat sessions. I was 2cm dilated but asked to stay back in the clinic as a first timer. After several contractions, I was about 8cm gone and was taken to the delivery room where I spent about 1hr before she finally came out through tht virginal with an episiotomy.

Gavrila, My daughter

I chose this birth experience because it was my first and it served as an eye opener to me- my subsequent pregnancy was much easier because I was prepared for every stage as I knew what to expect.

For me, birth is closely related to child development because the definition of child development put into consideration life before, buring and after birth. Birthing methods and processes I believe should be handled by professionals. At birth, tisues and organs(which are the development target) are still tender. So, all care should be taken in handling them so as to prevent any damage to any of these parts.

In Nigeria, births still occur at home and some religious centres unlike in the US where about 100% of births take place in medical centres. Herbs and concotions are taken by some pregnant women in order to hasten child delivery. Malaria has been a threat to pregnant African women in the past years, hence antimalaria drugs are given as prevention all through the nine months. Malaria during pregnancy is said to be the cause of jundice at birth.
During delivery in most clinics, family members are not allowed into the delivery room except on emergencies. Pain relief are rarely given and Non-Invasive prenatal diagnosis is not so popular in Nigeria. The most popular method of detecting any deformity of feotus is through the ultrsound.
Fibroid during pregnancy is a common case in Nigeria but thanks to the improving medicine that is able to manage that.

A Note of Thanks

I really appreciate every member of group2 for the level of understanding and support shown towards one another during our foundation course. I found learning more interesting during the last 8week period as it was done collaboratively. This is my first time online class and the first course turned out well. I sincerely hope we will all get at our goals as we forge ahead.
To Dr. Johnna, You are a motivator! Keep up the good work.

My IDEALS with respect to NAEYC and DEC Code of Ethics

Ideals (My Aspirations)

1-1.2--To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child. NAEYC, retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

I believe so much in being current and having so much information on any issue I am to deal with. Working with children is not an exception, so I hope to always read and base my practices on current research works about children so as to enable me give my best to children. Also to get vital tips from families about a child that would help me in working with the child.

1-1.5--To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.NAEYC

The wholesome development of a child is paramont to me as an early childhood professional, hence, I will do my best possible to make sure I achieve this by creating a conducive physical environment and an healty 'emotional' environment that will make him/her feel secured, learn and grow  at the same time.

. To empower families with information and resources so that they are informed consumers of services for their children. DEC, retrieved from http://www.dec-sped.org/

From our studies so far, the importance of family involvement in the complete development of a child cannot be over emphasized. I hope to carry families along by feeding them with useful information about the progress of their children in order to make development of the child easier and more accessible.

COURSE RESOURCES

Position Statements and Influential Practices

• NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
  
• NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity.  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. http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
  
• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. 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. 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) http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~snapshots/snap33.pdf
  
  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.

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. http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
  
• Websites:
  
• World Forum Foundation
  http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
  
  
• World Organization for Early Childhood Education
  http://www.omep-usnc.org/
  
  
• Association for Childhood Education International
  http://acei.org/
   

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/
  
• 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/
  
• 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.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
  
• Voices for America's Children
  http://www.voices.org/
  
• The Erikson Institute
  http://www.erikson.edu/
  

 Selected Professional Journals Available in the Walden Library

• 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

 

More Resources:
Montessori Ideas and Lessons
www.amonco.org

The Public School Montessorian
www.jola-montessori.com

Books
Rutledge, R. (2007). The Playskool Guide to the Toddler years. Illinois:Sourcebooks Publishers

Burns, J. (2008). TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN HEALTHY SEXUALITY. Kaduna: Evangel Publishers Ltd

Additional Resources
 Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University website
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp2/

  Pediatrics
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/5/2187.full.pdf+html

 The World Bank.
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/0,,contentMDK:20246241~menuPK:4697089~pagePK:210058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:396445,00.html
 
 The National Institute for Play.
 http://www.nifplay.org/states_play.html

 The George Lucas Foundation
 http://www.edutopia.org/richard-davidson-sel-brain-video

 Podcast: Old-fashioned play builds serious skills. NPR Morning Edition
 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514

  Alliance for Childhood.
 http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/play_resources

Counsil and the science of early Childhood
http://www.developingchild.net

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APA Style:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/APA.htm

Plagiarism:
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/63.htm

Google Scholar:
http://scholar.google.com/

Infomine: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections:
http://infomine.ucr.edu/

Web Article: Kirk, E. E. (1996). Evaluating information found on the Internet. Retrieved June 4, 2011, from http://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluatinginformation

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

Feeding is one of the most important activities in any Infant/Toddler program. An activity that ideally enhances attachment, increases feelings of security and provides warmth, acceptance and an overall sense of well-being in the infant.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

The moment I decided to follow instaed of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena

 

The development of healthy self-esteem in a child allows her to confront her mistakes without taking apart her positive feelings about herself...

.

T. Berry Brazelton, M.D

When a child struggles with you over food, you won't win. The more you struggle, the more he'll hate whatever you're trying to shovel into him. T. Berry Brazelton's Advice on Childhood Nutrition.

We as Professionals in Early Childhood Field have an opportunity to shape the child's life for the better. Sandy Escobibo

The preschool years are the first most critical, fundamental period when infants are trying to know who they are....Children are still trying to figure out all of their different identities, and they are trying to figure out how other people are and still being daily bombarded by both negative and positive messages about who they are. Louise Derman-Sparks

Families need support. Parents need Support. With resources and access to resources, parents can thrive. Leticia Lara LCSW

I learn from my kids. It's not all about you, you've got to take your ego out and learn what is best for the child. Renatta Cooper

My recent photo