My Supports

My daily supportive factors that I continue to need throughout life, these factors are supportive of me are my family, my faith and my daughter. I want to share with you all why these factors are supportive of me when it comes to the things I do and how important they are to.

My family, such as my mother, father and sister. They are my true supporters, that continue to encourage me when I feel low. They uplift me when I feel I can not continue when It comes to school, being a single parent and my work life. I have my up and down moments, however when I feel like I just want to quit, they motivate me and just listen to my needs. A listening ear, is all that is needed sometimes and a shoulder. If they were gone, my life would probably be empty. They are my rock, laughter when there is needed and most importantly motivation. They have played a huge part in the way I am a mother, for continuing my education and how hard I continue to work each day. Without them, I'm not sure how complete I would feel, I'll probably be lost, but I'm sure I would have made away. My faith and my belief in God, gets through every struggles. I pray constantly on a daily basis and at times just to say Thank You. Without my faith, there would be nothing to be grateful for and to just realize how good life can be. Be grateful to be able to live and do the things that I have done. I continue to strive to be better, I pray for myself, my family and friends that we all can continue to enjoy life that God has given us. I know that all do not believe in such, but we are all human and have different support. I choose to believe in what I believe and what I have grown up in believing. Without my faith, I feel It would be a struggle. I feel happy when I can pray and just talk without judgement. Most Importantly, my daughter London Aaliyah. She is my life, my support system and my motivation. The things I do, solely is for her. I'm her role model and want her to grow and be a strong loving woman. Continue her education and be encouraging just as she is to me. She has taught me that loving another human being such as your child is the most precious gift a person can ask for. 

My Connections to Play

These 2 Quotes summarizes what I feel Play represent in Childhood.

Essential Play Items that I can relate to as a child, learning my alphabets and at the same time playing with these items. The school playground and pretend playgrounds I had growing up as a child. This allowed me to play and utilize my gross motor skills as well as tailor to my social and healthy brain development

As I was growing up they were many who supported Play such as my parents and teachers. They provided settings an activities within the classroom to support my social development and built opportunities to enhance my imagination and creative play. While at home, I was able to explore different types of children's museums and watch creative play to help explore my imaginary and creative as I can recall as a child

Today Play is a lot similar to the play that I was engaged in as a child. Now there is more research and knowledge on how play can be essential and enhances a child's development. During my growing and development I don't recall it being as serious or taking into consideration, how important it is in a child's development. More creative play is looked into and how can play benefit a child is taken more into consideration. Play has always been an up and down topic whether it benefits the child or not. However as of today, more research has been done and we know more than we knew in the earlier century.

Having meaningful, sharing, healthy relationships help you maintain a positive outlook and helps you stave off feelings of depression, anxiety and anger. Sharing your feelings, concerns, hopes and challenges with others help you stay connected and helps you maintain a healthy level of healthy support and camaraderie. In addition, having other people involved in your life when things are challenging helps provide you with alternative points of view that can help in objective decision making when you may feel that making any decision is too difficult. Friends are essential part of life. My overall outlook on developing meaning and healthy relationships are vital an an important part of my growth and development, especially those that contribute such as my friends and family. I would like to share some important relationships and the people that contribute to my happiness and growth.

My parents, my mother Karen Robinson and father Lorenza Robinson are the two most important contributors to my happiness, my success throughout the years and the continuous growth. Even though my parents are no longer together, them exhibited and displayed wonderful co-parenting throughout my childhood and until now. They were positive contributors and cared more about my education than I did initially. They ensure I got what I needed to ensure I achieved my goals such as finishing high school, then going to college and completing my bachelors. I was never the one who enjoyed school and was always the an average student and dis enough to pass the class. However, as time went on and throughout my bachelor's programs I made straight A's and graduated with honors. My parents always encouraged me to think and to do better. Gave me reassurance that I have the potential and that I am smarter than I think. I will be forever grateful for being there when I needed them the most and for all the encouragement and being understanding.

My younger sister Licole Robinson, however we are only 17 months apart. She has made a huge impact in my life, not only because she is my sister but she is my role model. She is the brains in the family, my soon to Dr. Robinson next year. So you can see she is smart and intelligent and has helped me throughout the years when it came to school and just be there to  confide in. We grew up together and until now we are still together, she is truly my best friend. She has encourage me throughout the years and if there is anything that I need, rest assure she is always there.

Last but not least Miss London Aaliyah Robinson, my daughter, the love of my life. She is the sole reason of my success, my inspiration and motivation to get through each and everyday. She has made me a Mother and I am her provider. She teaches me that relationships means everything. She gets me through times where I experience stress and anxiety or yet angry. She keeps me sane and because of her I strive to continue to succeed and to do better. My 8 year loves people and is so friendly. She is a prime example of  a healthy relationship as well as loving.

Throughout the years I have encountered some challenges such as when people does not show respect or have any type of remorse when it comes to your feelings. Relationships I have encountered throughout the years I have taught me lesson, to never be disrespectful and to have an open mind. It is okay to display your thoughts and feelings, however it is the way it is delivered. I have loss several relationships due to the lack of respect. Each person that I spoke about above has helped and encourage me to continue to be kind, loving and most importantly respectful. Love what you do and to never settle. Continue to explore all your options and to never give up on my hopes and dream. Anything is possible as long as you continue to strive and work.

When I Think of Child Development

These are a few quotes about child development and I how feel we as professionals, families, and our community to keep in mind when thinking of our young children in how they grow and development, most importantly how they learn and see our world. 

Testing for Intelligence?

Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically such as a commitment to the whole child I believe to a certain extent or in most cases a child should be assessed and measured. My reasons because when a child is assessed, it gives us a pinpoint where a child's stands academically and then we can gather goals to help that child to achieve academically where they should be. Another reason, person my daughter was assessed at a young age, which helped her in all developmental areas. As time continued and goals were established, London was able to meet those goals whether it was academically as well as pertaining to any developmental delays. I believe when you assess and measure a child for these reasons are beneficial to the child and the parent.

On the other some may focus extensively on test scores and far too little on the whole child. This is said especially in children that are tested on the upper end of the age range. A valid statement was made is that we often choose one-size-fits-all fixes while ignoring solid research about the infinite ways students learn and how children develop (ASCD, 2015). I can recall when I was younger and even not into adulthood, it seems we are tested for everything even when it comes to employment. Most people like me are not very good test taker, however does not mean we are not capable of doing the job nor the assignments. We shouldn't simply teach to the test, However, teach for understanding, and assessment are tools to gauge that understanding. More importantly, when the use of effective assessment are used, assessments can facilitate high levels of student achievement by providing ongoing information about students grasp of key concepts and how to enhance their learning to help them meet or exceed academic requirements (ASCD, 2015).

Standardized testing is controversial everywhere, regardless of its purpose. Most countries based upon research use testing for tracking and for selecting students for admission into academic secondary schools or universities, but generally not for holding educators accountable (Rotberg, 2006). As for most countries do not even administer standardized tests until the later grades. For example Canadian universities do not require the SAT or other standardized admissions tests except for those students that are applying with a high school diploma (Rotberg, 2006). Assessment are different around the world some has it's reason why assessments are just not administer. What I found interesting is that most do not assessed and do not hold educator accountable as far as the United States. Another interesting fact most countries are trying to administer testing the same way the US does in hopes that their academic assessments are appropriate.

References:

ASCD. (2015). Assessment. Retrieved April 16, 2017 from  http://www.wholechildeducation.org/what-works/featured-topics/assessment

Rotberg, Iris. C. (2006). Assessment Around the World. Retrieved on April 16, 2017 from http://neqmap.unescobkk.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Assessment-Around-the-World.pdf

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

When I think about the lives of children and adults that I know well, the stressors of which I am aware of are Poverty and Violence within the community. These can cause impede on a child's and adult biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial development. The adult and child that I am speaking lived where violence were committed daily and the fact is because of where they reside, struggling and had no means to live in a better community. They were able to cope with their situation by reaching out to support groups, that were able to financially assist with food assistance and sometimes assistance with clothing to help the mother and her children. As far as the violence, that was happening in her community, she was able to survive just by ensuring she stayed in her home, and did not allow her child to play outside in the area. At that young age children should have the freedom to enjoy their childhood without the worry of having something bad happen.

Children are more likely to be exposed to violence and crime than adults are. An experience of violence can lead to lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm, whether the child is direct victim or a witness (Child Trends, 2016). It states, that children who are exposed to violence are more likely to suffer from attachment problems, regressive behavior, anxiety, and depression, and to have aggression and conduct problems (Child Trends, 2016). Based on the research on children that live in Canada, they tend to have a high rate on Violence within the family that effect young children. I wanted to learn more about Canada, because of how a lot of people say Canada is a place they will love to move to one day, so I wanted to research more on any impacts that effects young children in that country. According to Family Violence in Canada: A statistical profile (2014), police - reported data shows that three in five child and youth victims of family violence were victimized by a parent (RCMP, 2012). In 2014, among the approximately 53,600 child and youth victims under age of violent crime, and about 16,300 were victims of family violence, perpetrated by a parent, sibling, extended family member or spouse (RCMP, 2012).

To minimized the harm that is being done to these young children, is more intervention that is being reported. Family outreach therapy is being offered as well. The damage can last a lifetime. A child that is abuse or witness violence and is effected by poverty is more likely to end up in violent or abusive relationships as an adult, and the destructive cycle continues. We all need to care about children. Today, we are taking more responsibility for intervening within our community in all states and countries where violence and poverty is happening.

References:

Child Trends. (2016). Children Exposure to Violence. Retrieved on April 2, 2017 from https://www.childtrends.org/?indicators=childrens-exposure-to-violence

RCMP. (2012). The Effects of Family Violence on Children- Where Does It Hurt?. Retrieved on April 2, 2017 from http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cp-pc/chi-enf-abu-eng.htm

  

Child Development and Public Health

This week discussion is on Child Development and Public Health, there were several topics, however the one that was the most meaningful to me was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). I have always been interested on the root cause and if there was additional research being done. I have never personally experience having a child that has died or known anyone personally that has experience such a sad incident. A lack of answers is part of what makes SIDS so frightening. Upon research it is known to be the leading cause of death among infants, ranging 1 moth to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States, It is still unpredictable despite the ongoing research.

SIDS is known to affect other parts of the country. It is important to note that the age of inclusion
for SIDS varies from country to country, with some countries defining SIDS as occurring from age 1 year, while others use a range from birth to age 1 year or another range (World Health Organization, n.d.). New Zealand is also known to be one of highest countries and the lowest countries were in the Netherlands and Japan (World Health Organization, n.d.).

Considering all the information I have read and resources, there is no single risk factor is likely to be sufficient to cause a SIDS death. I don't think this information will affect my futher work or career, however this information is vital and important to me, knowing this can happen in any situation. In addition, there is no root known cause to SIDS, rather just knowing there are several risk factors combined may contribute to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS (KidsHealth, 2017).

References:

KidsHealth. (2017). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Retrieved on March 18, 2017 from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sids.html

World Health Organization. (n.d.). SIDS. Retrieved on March 18, 2017 from https://www.ncemch.org/suid-sids/statistics/