Blog Assignment: Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

            As a child I came into contact with a lot of people and one person in particular sticks out to me, my friend Jasmine.  Jasmine came from a single parent home and was the youngest of five children. She was very mild mannered at school, but I never understood why when it was time to go home that should would act out. In our neighborhood some rumors were circulated but I always waited for Jasmine to tell me herself. At seven or eight years old I could not do much but I wanted to be a friend and be there whenever Jasmine needed me.  Three years after meeting Jasmine I soon realized why her behavior changed and it was evident that her home life was not the best.

            Jasmine went to me in confidence and shared how her and her sisters were being abused by their mother’s male friends. I was shocked and sad for her, because I could not imagine that situation for myself and my sisters. During our friendship I saw how Jasmine behavior changed and the emotional turmoil she went through. It was hard to see her cope because her mother was in denial and did very little to bring those men to justice. Jasmine life took a turn for the worst when she began at a young age doing drugs, and each year my once cheerful friend became an angry and depressed person.

           

            In South Africa women and children have been impacted with several stressors, one of which is violence. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV infection among women and children. South African women and young girls are more vulnerable in the population to contact HIV and become violently abused; this is contributed to the violence of women and the segregation of men and women. Women who HIV positive are often tormented, ridiculed, and labeled as “spreaders” of this deadly virus, and because of this women and young girls often come violently abused. In December of 1999, the South African Domestic Violence Act was revamped and put into effect. Legislation called for a well defined and thorough definition of abuse and domestic relations. The Girls’ Education Movement/Safe Schools Initiatives organization and the Violence against Women and Children and HIV and AIDS project are working hard to protect the rights of women and children throughout South Africa.

References:

http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/hiv_aids_729.html

                                                     Important People

Grandma Evans

 Aunt Keesha & her bestfriend Pam

Grandma Ruby

My Mother and sister

"Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people's children. After all, when one of our children needs life-saving surgery, some else's child will perform it. If one of our children is harmed by violence, someone else's child will be responsible for the violent act. The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good secured for all other people's children." --Lilian Katz

"We as professionals, in the early childhood field have the opportunity to shape a child's life for the better."--Sandy Escobido

"Young children are inquisitive. They ask questions, wonder about things, and like to investigate interesting phenomena in their world." ---Sylvia Chard

“If we want to invest in the prosperity of our nation, we must invest in the
education of our children so that their talents may be fully employed.”  President Bill Clinton

“Positive behavior support is an approach for helping children develop social and communication skills, while creating a positive environment for learning and growth. Essentially, positive behavior support is a package of strategies, not just one intervention.”---Ann Turnbull

Personal Childhood Web

Ida Welch: My mother was a fighter and she instilled in me the importance of hard work.  Although my mother was a single parent, she never once let that get her down and she always made sure my sisters and I were well taken care of. My mother continues to impact my life because she is always pushing me and motivating me to keep going when it comes to school and she is highly important to me.

Ruenell Gatson: My adopted grandmother is to me the best mother figure in the world and her caring spirit has not only impacted and changed my life but also other children in the community as well. My Ruby as I like to call her, is always finding new ways to help a child in need and so she influenced me in part to get into a field helping others.  My grandmother is the foundation of my family and her many lessons and teachings will forever impact my life and the life of my future family.

Keesha Roberson: My aunt has been like a second mother figure to me. She is smart, kind, out-going, a singer, and just downright lovable. Over the years my aunt and I have always had a strong relationship, she is someone I can always go to if I have a problem and is close by whenever I need to talk. I could remember my aunt always using my summers for extended lessons and at the time I did not understand why, but as I got older I realized she was keeping my mind going. I learned to appreciate the many math and vocabulary lessons because they helped me excelled in my studies and continue to impact my life even to this day.  

Teeira “Uncle Terry” Roberson: My uncle was and is still a huge contributed to my life.  My Uncle Terry was that father figure I needed in my life and even after his death of Leukemia back in 2000, I still hold on to his teachings and use him as a guide to  what I feel is the perfect or ideal male role.  My Uncle was always there extending that helping hand and every time I was around him he made me feel like a princess.  I miss him terribly and I hold all of his kind words and many acts of love close and dear to my heart.

Mary “Grandma Evans” Evans: My great-grandmother embodies strength and love. She taught me at an early age to always treat people with respect and to always fight for what I believe in. My grandma used her years growing up during segregation as stepping tools in the running and foundation of her family. I have never once heard her use one bad word or raise her voice, just being around her calms me.  She continues to nurture me and when I was away at college she always found time to send me a caring or encouraging word. As I continue through life and my education I try to embody some glimpse of my grandmother’s calming and caring spirit.

 Here's a baby pic...!!!

“Children are the brightest treasures we bring forth into this world, but too large population continues to treat them as inconveniences and nuisances, when they’re not treating them as possessions or toys.”

                                                            Charles De Lint

This quote written by Charles De Lint is meaningful to me in such a sense, that it is completely factual. I see everyday situations in which parents look at their children as burdens instead of the joys of their life. They are constantly throwing their children off on another family member and forgetting about the child. It seems as if they treat the child as a toy because they play or be around them as much as they can stand, then send them away. The bulk of the situations like this occur when the parents have children at an early age. They have the children, but yet they still try to carry on like they have no other care in the world. Most young parents fail to realize that when they have children, that their life before that is null and void. It does not mean that they have to lead a boring life, but realize that the wants and needs of their children come first. I believe that children pick up emotions and can sense these bad vibes early on. Children are like small geniuses, they know when they are being mistreated and being treated second rate. This issue means a lot to me because I saw first-hand how my friends were being treated, whether it was abuse, addiction, or neglect, my friends had it rough. My friends were not the first to experience this nor will they be the last, this issue has been going on for years and I believe it is only going to get worse. 

The Little Engine That Could-Watty Piper

            I love this book for so many reasons. The title alone gives the reader a sense of inspiration. It also gives the audience a questionable mind as to what the engine wanted to accomplish.  This book is a classic in children’s literature because of the encouraging words and the catchphrase, “I-think-I-can”. I personally enjoy this book because it shows the value of dedication and hard work. It taught me to never give up and to always strive for greatness. When faced with difficult situations, the best way to overcome it is to be confident and never let the obstacles overwhelm you. It is a great book for students to learn and carry with through childhood, teenage years, and even to adulthood. It is guaranteed that they will experience a problem or two, that they will not know how to overcome, and with the help of “The Little Engine That Could”, I am sure that they will get all the inspiration they need to succeed.