chapter 9- Head Start or Pre-K

Aside from many controversies on the Head Start or a pre-school program studies have shown how effective it is. The children learn social and developmental skills but they also become readily prepared for kindergarten. Head Start is federally funded and is for low income families. Pre-k Schools are part of the school district and the qualifications are based on low income or if a child speaks another language besides English. They would fall under the bilingual or ESL (English as a second language) program. Both programs are very similar and are designed to help the children be successful. In Pre-K they learn their colors, shapes, letters, and some learn to read at the end of the program. The Head Start offers many services for the parents as well as the child.

After working in a pre-k facility I can see first hand the benefit of this program. The children are 4 years of age and they are only there for half a day. For some of them this is their first year at school and they have a hard time adapting. They are offered lunch or breakfast, music, PE, and library services. They are taught nutrition and simple hygiene (washing of hands) and how to follow rules. It is a wonderful experience watching these little one’s grow and learn through out the year.

Feldman, R. (2007). Child development (4th edition). Pearson Prentice Hall.
http://www.headstartinfo.org/recruitment/child_hs.
http://www.garlandisd.net/

Chapter 11- ADHD

According to Feldman (2007), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder also known as ADHD is sometimes confused with children who have a “high level of activity” (p.311). And some of the most common symptoms are: fidgeting, difficult in following instructions, easily distracted, disorganized room, loses things, forgets things and can not stay seated. This disorder is a chemical imbalance in the brain and studies have shown that a child who has a relative with this disorder they might inherit it. I know first hand what it is like to have a child with ADHD. My daughter was diagnosed in 4th grade. She would become easily distracted in class and could not seat still. Homework became a nightmare because we would lock ourselves in her room until 11:00 at night. It was not that it was hard, she just could not focus. We have tried several medications and I thought we had found the best one for her, but now she wants to change because she does not like the way it makes her feel. She is funny and very energetic and with the medication her personality is gone. We have struggled to make her take the medication and she realizes she does better in school when she is taking it. But with therapy, lot’s of patience, and love we will help her come to terms to this disorder.

thinghttp://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/118.htmls

Feldman, R. (2007). Child development (4th edition). Pearson Prentice Hall.

Chapter 6- First Words

There have been many disagreements on a baby can say their first words. According to Feldman this happens between the ages of 9 to 14 months. Part of the disagreement is due to how clear the child can say the words. As an average child language develops by the time they are 24 months their vocabulary should between 50 to 400 words.
The stage I enjoy or am truly amazed with is when a baby is a couple of months old and begins to babble. All of the gurgling noises they make as they try to imitate the adults. I love talking to babies at that age. Even though their babbling is not considered as their first words I believe it begins there. One can feel their frustration or see their delight as they produce the sound. I was thinking of my daughters first words and I can honestly say it was mama and no. As they were crawling or reaching for things I guess we used the word more often. So it came as no surprise when they said the word no. But I think what amazes me the most is how a child is able to learn different languages at such a young age. According to our text if a child is exposed to it daily they will learn.

Feldman, R. (2007). Child development (4th edition). Pearson Prentice Hall.

Premature labor

Chapter 4 covers information about birth and any complications that might arise. I have a story to share with everyone.When I had my first child I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which occurs only during pregnancy. One of the complications is premature labor and that is what happened with me. The doctors expected me to have a large baby but instead Alexandrea was 5 weeks early and weighed only 5 lbs. She was kept in NICU for one week until her lungs were fully developed then I was able to bring her home. I was released after two days and remember crying because l had to leave my baby in the hospital. She lost weight while in the hospital and she was so fragile looking. After I brought her home I was so scared being a first time mom and having to look after such a tiny baby. She had to use preemie diapers and all of her clothes swallowed her. I remember thinking she was never going to gain weight. Her feeding would take a long because she would fall asleep while sucking on bottle. She was a blessing and now she is healthy and a normal child. By seeing her you would never think she was premature. She is very active and can not sit still.