Meggy-ahn's Blog <3

Thursday, December 07, 2006

10:11 AM

Journal Entry #5

Nature vs. Nurture
What are your beliefs about Nature vs.
Nurture?
Which has a greater impact?
Why?

Give examples of how “nurture” has influenced the way
you have developed
Be prepared to share your answers

I believe that Nurture has a greater impact than Nature; even though one may be born with a specific personality, especially shown in that of other family members (love of a particular subject, love of sports, quick temper, a specific style of handwriting), the environment has a greater lasting effect. For example, even before the child's birth, the environment is impacting him; the mother chooses what food to eat, and that food may either help the baby grow or stunt the baby's growth. If she eats a balanced meal every day, the baby will be healthy, but if she only eats a certain kind of food, like sweets, the baby will be born unhealthy. Doing drugs, smoking, or drinking alcohol can severely hurt a baby even before it is born. Whether or not a family has a history of being healthy and athletic, the baby will not be born healthy because of this; it is solely what the mother eats and how she treats her body, save a few select cases where babies are born with a genetic disability.

Secondly, I believe that, again, if one dresses their child in a specific way, that child may be either driven to continue dressing that way, as they are used to it or like it, or they will be driven to change their style of dress. It one constantly wears the same thing, they may be driven to change their style out of boredom with their original style...not necessarily because they are born with a preference for dressing a certain way.

Similarly, children who seem to enjoy playing with blocks may be influenced to abandon their blocks in favor of dolls, if they witness more children playing with dolls. The media has a tremendous effect on a child for this reason; even now, girls are traditionally shown playing with dolls, where boys are shown with monster trucks. Boys who play with the toys specific to the opposite gender may be motivated to switch to toys specific to their gender after seeing boys their age play with them in person or on TV.

A child will develop social skills as they have been taught at home, and after their first few encounters with strangers. If a child's parents have encouraged him to be social and make friends, they will be driven to do so, but if the first time they try to make a friend they are rejected, they will certainly be reluctant to approach others again. Shyness forms from negative social experiences, where self-confidence and assertiveness grows as one is accepted. I was a very shy individual before about 10th grade, because before than I was never really socially accepted. Now, with a lot of friends to support me, I am more confidant. Where I couldn't stand to join groups like clubs without a friend in them before, I'm now involved in many clubs that none of my friends are in. Where I hardly talked at all in 9th grade, not even answering questions teachers asked me when I knew the answers. In comparison, I can be very talktive now, and I even initiate conversation with strangers, where before, I would be far too shy to even consider attempting such a thing.

If one is abused or neglected they may become withdrawn, untrusting, and even violent themselves; many people believe that simply spanking a child can trigger aggression in the child later on. Many untrusting individuals are so because of traumatic events that happened to them, making them completely untrusting of a particular group of people, or of all people. Many antisocial personalities develop from childhood, as abuse or bullying mirrors in the invidual affected. For this reason, it is a common belief that rather than being born violent, criminals develop their violent streak through traumatic events that happen to them during their childhood...or even during adulthood.

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Monday, November 27, 2006

9:50 AM

Journal Entry #4

Students with MRBased on Mr. Orsini's guest speaking appearance

1. What was your reaction to Mr. Orsini's talk?
2. Do you have any
interest in teaching Special Education?
3. What are the major topics that
students with MR will be taught in the public school system?

1. I was very interested by Mr. Orsini's talk, but I still think it's mean that the best thing to happen to a kid with MR would be breaking a bone. People should be more accepting always...:(

2. I have considered teaching special education, but I don't think I have the patience to go over how to complete specific tasks so frequently. If I were to become a teacher, I would be more interested in teaching at an elementary school level.

3. In the public school system, students with MR will be taught life skills that will help them be successful to the best of their ability, such as those one would need to get a job.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2006

9:51 AM

Developing High Quality Family Involvement

Please answer all of the following based on the article by Lorenza
DiNatale

What is Head Start?
What is one of the most accurate predictors of achievement in school?
What is an Early Childhood program?
What are some road blocks to establishing parent involvement in Early Childhood programs?
What are some ways to establish parent involvement?
How can cultural differences be promoted?
What is the benefit of having a good orientation?
What should a good orientation include?
What can parents do who cannot come into the classroom?
What is an exploration kit?

Head Start is a national, federally funded, community-based program for children from families with low incomes and their parents.
One of the most accurate predictors of achievement in school is the extent to which parents believe they can be key resources in their children's education and become involved at school and in the community.
An early childhood program is a community of families, teachers, and neighborhood residents accepting mutual responsibility for sustaining and enhancing relationships that promote children's success.
Barriers range from teachers' concerns over the ability of parents to maintain confidentiality to not knowing how to effectively recruit, use, or supervise volunteers.
Develop a short survey or meet with other staff to determine where, besides the classroom, parents can make contributions and in what ways.
Written materials for families should be translated into languages spoken at home. Holiday celebrations should likewise be respectful and inclusive of the cultures of all families.
A well-planned orientation eases anxiety and confusion, alleviates fears, and increases the chances of parents maintaining a long-term relationship with the program.
An effective orientation familiarizes the parent or community member with the school's facilities and staff, the program's philosophy and cirriculum, and relevant policies and procedures on confidentiality, discipline, and attendance, as outlined in a family handout.
Parents can make materials to be used in the classroom at home.
Exploration kits are take-home devices which parents can use with their children to develop various skills.

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Thursday, October 19, 2006

10:03 AM

Journal Entry #3

Choose one of the milestones that we have examined. Give a timeline of the developmental milestone. Give an example from real life for each.

From birth

Born with an innate ability to grasp objects
Born the grasping reflex
Usually will have hands clenched in a fist

After 3 months

Developing hand-eye coordination
Can bat at toys

~ EX: Floor mat, mobiles

Notice things they like and try to grasp them

~ EX: Hair, toys, food, necklaces, caregivers' clothing

After 4 months

Can pick up large objects

~ EX: Keys, blocks, pacifiers

Can't grab smaller objects

~ EX: Peas, Cheerios

From 9 to 12 months

Pick up objects with little effort
Pincer grasp

~ Used by using one's thumb and forefinger to pick up small objects like Cheerios.

Preference for left/right handedness emerging

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Thursday, October 12, 2006

9:51 AM

Journal Entry #2

From birth, infants can see color, but they have difficulty distinguishing between light and similar tones. Additionally, all infants are born with blue eyes.

In 1 - 2 months, infants can consistantly focus both eyes and track a moving object.

In 4 months, infants develop depth perception.

In 5 months, infants will get better at spotting small items and tracking moving objects. They will begin to distinguish subtle differences, such as those between pastels.

In 8 months, an infant's eyesight will be almost adult in clarity and depth perception. Their eyes will be close to their final color, but there may be some subtle changes later.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

9:54 AM

Journal Entry #1

(I haven't ever observed infants ages 0 - 12 months...)

From Birth, infants have little to no head and neck control. Since their neck muscles are very weak, they will rely on their caregivers to support their neck for at least one month.

When they reach 1 - 2 months, they should be able to lift their head briefly and turn it from side to side when lying on their stomach.

At 3 - 4 months, infants can typically lift their heads to 45 degrees while on their stomach and keep it up steadily.

When infants are 5 - 6 months old, they can hold their heads up steady and erect, and they can flex it forward when pulled into a sitting position.

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