off to school

School is a very exciting at first (kindergarden) then in my experience with school and children is that someone or something not so positive will happen and then it is very scarey for children. It could be they got bullied or a teacher treats them differently than the rest of the kids and makes them feel bad or like they did something wrong. School is tough and I see it getting more tough in tests and rules. If there is a child with a learning disability and slower then the rest of the children, gets pulled out of class for special one on one time it sets them up to be different and more opportunity to be made fun of. I have been through this with all of my boys and the experience has not always been a positive one. I have been in arguements on their behalf with teachers and very black and white about pulling them out when the class is doing the same learning activity so that they do not miss anything. This has not always happened. My kids wouldn't be there when homework was being passed out or turned in when the teacher asks. This has made them fall behind even more. It is very frustrating for me as a parent to know this kind of thing goes on when specifically asked this not to happen. With that said the text in the book on learning disabilities was what caught my attention. If I had funds to research and help with these children I would want to watch and study the class room to see if they are doing the same learning activities when the kids are pulled out of the class room for that one on one time. I beleive that this is an important peice of successful learning. Help the child stay caught up and not fall more behind.

Gender typing

I enjoyed the reading in chapter 5 about gender typing and social learning theory. I found it interesting about how the text talks about boys being punished because of girlish behavior and rewarded for boyish behavior, I can relate to this because I have all boys and they are 100% boy. I can recall at least once a day when they were younger having to tell my boys to be nice to each other and stop calling your brother a princess. Like it was a bad thing to be a princess, I totally taught my kids to act gender appropriate and never knew it. I never really thought it was a big deal I just knew that boys should act like boys and girls should act like girls. I know about learned behavior and doing what you have seen done.I have always told my boys to be individuals and a leader. It bothers me that there are so many sexest things on t.v. about what girls should look like and how men treat the ones that are prettier than the next by getting special treatment. This happens with men too, athletic, having muscles, nice cars, ect.They all have feelings and it shouldn't matter who is prettier or skinnier, equals is what we are but the world is not the same and it just seems to be this way. I have seen it first hand. If I could I would reaserch more on the schools and daycares who watch our children when we are at work and find out how things are done where our children spend the most time away from home. Do these places have some of the same values as the family and focus on teaching people with children to not judge your child but encourage them to be open to all people and things they want to do in life and not let yourself be discouraged just because of your gender.

nutrition and malnutrition

Although there was a lot of interesting information in this weeks readings, I found nutrition and malnutrition to intrest me. Breast feeding is best every one I know knows that. With the right amount of vitamins, minerals and antibodies. There I have 4 boys and breast feed them all Although I was unable to produce a lot of milk I did what I could. I loved the bonding time when feeding them, to be honest it did wear me out. I was with a man that did not help much any time of the day, not that that matters but my point is getting up and feeding, changing diapers on top of waking up at 5 am cause my oldest was an early bird just about did me in. The one thing I did not know or think about (I should say) the fact that you should introduce one new food at a time, so that food allergies can be known and easy to rule out. I also find it interesting and never really thought about was that why would you even consider formula in third world countries if breast feeding was free? The water is bad and contaminated and there is no monies to buy formula, am I mistaken or  do the women there not produce enough milk like me? I alway think about children in other parts of the world and how many are hungey at this moment. I have a strick rule in my house, dont take what you wont eat, nor do I waste food. Having enough food and  getting  the right amount of nutrition is important for all aspects of life. When reading about kids being withdrawn and lathargic to conserve energy because of hunger or malnutrition breaks my heart. If I had unlimited funds for research I would do studies on why there is not more options for these third world countries and if there are no options where to find them some options on how to improve their well being as a whole.

Life cycle forces

This weeks chapter had a lot of good information  human developement. Whether reading about nature vs nurture and how we get our traits and what factors play into it, or biological forces in which we look like our parents or how we choose to live life. There was a part where in the reading talking about life cycle forces and how everyone deals with the situation they are in. I read the example of Jenny a 14 year old girl who got pregnant being obviously too young and the married lady, Jacqui who also was pegnant to catch my attention. Two different senarios with one married and had steady income filled with joy, and to the other who was filled with anxiety as well as some grief over the pregnancy. As it reads timing is everything. I believe everything happens for a reason. I can relate to this situation on pregnancy, I too got pregnant very young and was scared about it. My situation turned out to be not so bad. As the book reads it all depends on how a person deals with each situation. I as some people will say,"you do what you have to do," if it feels right, in my opinion, then it will be ok. It may feel like your world ends but really it is just begining.  If I could to do research I would do my study on why do teens have sex so young and is there other factors that key into it, what are they? I would also like to talk with young expecting mothers and help them to deal with all the changes and feelings they may have. I know I wish I had that when it happend to me. I know these organizations are there but nobody seemed to tell me, so I would like to offer any help I could.