Week 8 Coming to an End

These last eight weeks I have learned more and more about myself, my passion for working in the field, and the importance of an anti-bias point of view. My passion is for the children who really need a caring person to show that they care. It has always been my desire to help at least one child reach success and I would feel that my job is a success. Children are the future and deserve the best that there is. If I pour all that I have within the children that I serve, then these children will grow up to be successful men and women. I also look forward to working with each family and help the families learn how to help their children. I believe that it is important to work along side the families in order to have the best relationship with them so that it is a team effort with the child.

Thanks to the instructor and all of my classmates who have made these last eight weeks great. I have learned a lot from each of you and look forward to working with each  of you in the future. Best wishes to each of you! The journey is down hill now! :)

I chose to look at South Asia, the country of Nepal. I am not sure why I chose this country, however, it was interesting facts within the articles. In Nepal there is a battle to ensure that the children get enough to eat. They are combating malnutrition. Nearly half of the five year old children in the country are stunted growth or malnourished. "The period of greatest vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies is very early in life,” said UNICEF Representative in Nepal Gillian Mellsop, a meeting participant. “If a child is not well nourished during this vital window of opportunity, that window slams shut on that child and the intellectual damage can be irreversible.”

Children are experiencing learning disabilities, stunting, and other health issues due to suffering from malnourishment. these experiences may pose greater issues to the children later in life. The children continue to suffer from malnourishment grow up with weaker immune systems, health issues, and learning difficulties.

As an early childhood professional I believe that it is extremely important to combat this epidemic. I believe that it is important to always have snacks or small foods available just for children who may not have the food available to them. It is a shame that malnourishment is still a major issue across our great lands. I believe that it is great to have breakfast programs continued within schools so that the children can have a well balanced meal in order to start their day. Children learn best with a full stomach and good rest.

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nepal

Sexualization and Early Childhood

Sexualization within the Early Childhood setting is rather disturbing to me. It seems that our society is pushing for children to grow up faster than they need to. Media portrays barbies that can have babies, dolls that are full figured and clothing is made to look older and more mature. Television shows are portraying a negative image to young children on sexaulization. Children no longer look like innocent children. It amazes me to see how some parents allow children to be so subjected to such sexualization.

In my own personal and professional life I have seen children get upset because they are not "as pretty" as the other girls because they are chubby, or hair is not long enough or eye color is not blue enough." One example that stands out to me that is most recent is going shopping and observing people. It is sad to see children dressed with such short shorts on, make up as if they were grown, and looking years older. I can't help but think, "what happened to the simple life and just being a kid?!"

 The sexualization plays a huge impact on children's lives. Children grown up entirely too fast and exposed to dress, body image, and other pressures that cause them to often miss out on being a simple child. I blame this on the media for trying to promote toys and other kid friendly items to be more in the sexual light. I was raised when girls dressed like little girls...there was no make up, heels, or older type clothing until I was high school age. Now those things seem to be what the media pushes for our children at such young ages. These images often cause extreme problems for our children. If we look around we see young teen girls looking as if they are in their twenties. I believe that within the classroom it is important to express to children to just be children. The world is moving at such a fast pace, media pushing all of these things, but children should just be allowed to be children. As a professional it is important to address any forms of sexualization and work towards positive ways of moving past it.