Child Development and Public Health- Malnutrition

Whether or not a child is well nourished in the first years of their life can have a profound effect on their behavioral and cognitive development as well as their overall health. Poor nutrition during intrauterine life and the early years can have effects such as delayed physical growth and motor development, their ability to think analytically, ability to learn, socialize effectively and adapt to new environments and people. Being well nourished is the first line of defense against numerous childhood diseases. Over half of child mortality in low income countries can be attributed to malnutrition. The earlier children begin to benefit from nutrition interventions the greater the improvement  on a child’s behavioral development. Malnutrition is a serious concern in many parts around the world.

Despite the worldwide reduction in food insecurity, Africa’s food security and nutrition situation is growing worse. African countries have collectively made the least progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger by half by 2015. It has been estimated that every minute 8 children under the age of 5 die in sub-Saharan Africa. Within the 46 countries in the African Region, there are 39 of them that have under 5 mortality rates of above 100 per 1000 live births. 

There are research projects being performed that are aimed at fighting child malnutrition in Africa. The local food staples in Africa lack a lot of micronutrients. Researchers hope that by adding micronutrients, more specifically VItamin A, to local food staples it will help fight malnutrition. Children that are a part of this research project are being followed around on a daily basis to see if these increases are improving their cognitive development. 

I chose to talk about Africa, but there are many more countries fighting the battle of malnutrition. It just breaks my heart to know innocent children are suffering and being cheated out of what could be a wonderful life due to being malnourished. I wish I could do more for these beautiful children out there. 

http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/frh/child-and-adolescent-health/programme-components/child-health.html

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/EXTECD/0,,contentMDK:20207804~menuPK:528430~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:344939,00.html

http://www.euronews.com/2012/10/03/micronutrients-against-malnutrition/

Childbirth Around the World

I've never had the pleasure of giving birth myself yet and unfortunately was away at school when my niece's were born. I've never had the opportunity to be involved in a birth, but rather arrived at the hospital after the birth had already taken place. I know from my what my mom has told me about my own birth that my father was allowed in the delivery room for the first time when I was born. My brothers were born in the 60's and 70's and according to her experience with my brothers, the father was not allowed in the delivery room during that time. She also remembers staying in the hospital longer with my brothers than with me. It seems that nowadays hospitals are looking to discharge new moms and newborns a lot faster than years ago. To compare health care during pregnancy, I feel today Dr.'s have a tendency to order more tests and be more cautious than years ago. 

Upon researching countries and their birthing rituals, Holland caught my eye. Women in Holland do not see an obstetrician, rather they are referred by their family doctor to a local midwife practice. Doctor's will only intervene if there are complications during delivery. Women are the ones who decide if they are giving birth at home or at the hospital, and they are even to purchase a kraampakket, all of the medical supplies necessary for a home birth. If the decision is made to have a hospital birth, an epidural is only given at the connivence of the anesthesiologist. The vast majority of moms do give birth naturally in Holland due the scheduling issues. If the baby is born early in the day and there are no complications, then the mom and baby may go home in as little as 2 hours. When home the unique Dutch system of kraamhulp (maternity home care) takes place. For seven days  a nurse comes to the home, a benefit covered by insurance. She provides medical care, cleans the home, cooks, and instructs the new parents in basic parenting skills. 

Whether in Holland or the U.S., prenatal care during pregnancy is so important to the healthy development of the child. There is a tremendous amount of information out there that is accessible to new and soon to be parents. Knowing the goods and bads during pregnancy is a must. 

Last week of my first course!

I can't believe this is the last week of this course, time sure gets away from me nowadays! I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish the course within the first few weeks, but I have pushed through and made it. I have learned so much and I know all of the knowledge I have consumed within the course will help me tremendously for all the rest to come. Thanks to all that have shared their ideas, thoughts and own knowledge regarding early childhood. This was a wonderful group of people to work with and I hope to work with you all again in the future!

3 additional resources

I found a book called Early Childhood Professionals-Leading Today and Tomorrow. Basically it is about what contemporary EC practitioners need to know in order to manage early childhood services in a professional way.

I came across a website from Kathy H. Lee, a speaker who conducts workshops all over the country. She speaks to teachers, directors, families who want to adopt, and families who want to homeschool their children. Being a director of a child care center, I am always looking for new voices to introduce to my teachers who can provide some more insight into various teaching tools and techniques.
Check it out:
www.kathyhlee.com

I stumbled upon a website that is full of resources for or early childhood educators, homeschoolers, parents and caregivers. There are so many categories to choose from on so many different topics, such as curriculum themes, back to school, art, product recalls, licensing and accreditation, special needs, professional development, and so much more. This is a wonderful resource to be used by almost anyone. This is definitely one to check out!
www.eced-resources.com

Course Resources 3- Early Childhood Organizations

And lastly....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/
  • 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/

Course Resources 2- Global support for Children's Rights & Well-Being

• 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. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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/

Course Resources-Position Statements and Influential Practices

Here are valuable resources in Early Childhood Education:

• • NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
  • NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
  • NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
  • NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
  • NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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. Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://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). Retrieved May 26, 2010, fromhttp://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf