Stress and Children’s Development

            Stress can manifest itself in numerous ways. The struggle with stress is often times difficult for adults.  Imagine how difficult it can be for children.  As a child I always wanted to please my parents.  I wanted to please them with my behavior and grades. It became worse in high school when my stress caused ulcers.  It was not until I entered college that things became easier.  I think the combination of not living with my parents and talking to friends helped me keep my need to be perfect under control.

           Imagine living in Somalia, where there has been civil war since 1991. The effects of war have been catastrophic.  Children have been displaced from their homes, parents have been killed, forced to care for themselves and forced to become child soldiers.  The access to education is difficult.  The schools have either been damaged or destroyed. Some effects on these children could be nightmares, fearfulness, sleeping problems, anger and depression. There are several humanitarian agencies attempting to assist these children. But the war still rages.

 

 Above is a picture of child soldiers lined up for training.

Reference

Shil, M. (September 30, 2011). From playground to battleground: children on the frontline in Somalia. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/ global development.

 

Malnutrition in Ethiopia

I believe there is malnutrition throughout the world. But in some places it has become devastating.  In Ethiopia, which is called the Horn of Africa, the 2011 drought has left 4.5 million people in need of emergency food assistance.

The people of Ethiopia are particularly challenged due to their food security being determined by external factors such as rainfall patterns, climate change, population density, low levels of rural investment and the global market.

 

My interpretation of the photo below is a mother comforting her child during times of hunger. What do you say to a hungry child?

 

 Malnutrition in Ethiopia is concerning to me because the people have no control over their food supply.  They are dependent on weather and other countries to provide for them.  There are a lot of agencies that help Ethiopia.  But sometimes the help comes too late.

Lack of food effects how children develop and learn. As an early childhood professional, nutritional resources must be included in the family assessment.

 

References

World Food Programme http://www.wfp.org  

Childbirth in My Life and Around the World

My first pregnancy was uneventful.  I worked up until the day before my daughter was born at 37 weeks. After I was admitted to the hospital, I had a shower, a light meal and a sedative to help me sleep. The next morning at 6am I was given pitosin because my contractions were irregular, given an epidural, and then by 11am had a beautiful 6lbs, 3oz baby girl. We went home 24 hours later. 

 This example shows how pleasant childbirth can be.  I had good medical care while in the hospital. A nurse came to my house the next day to complete a check of me and my baby. With good support systems, during and after childbirth, families are able to form those crucial initial bonds with their children.  However, most South Africa women have very different experiences in childbirth.    

In South Africa, there is a wide gap between birth choices and facilities available to the haves and have not’s (Birthworks 2010).  There are two types of medical plans:  Private and public.  The private plan is equivalent to the type of medical plan I had when having my children. The public plan provides basic care.  With the public plan very few epidurals are given because of the risks involved.  Cesarean sections are on the rise because of the risks vaginal births represent.  It would appear with the public medical plan birthing experiences would be traumatic due to the pain of childbirth.  This trauma could possibly effect bonding with the baby initially.

  

 Birthworks, (2010)  www.birthrworks.co.za