Wk4: My Connections to Play

 

 2 Quotes: 1).Playing reduces stress, improves life, and increases creativity. Who doesn't want that? Stevanne Auerbach, Dr. Toy 2). Along with milk and vegetables kids need a steady diet of rocks and worms.
Rocks need skipping,
Holes need digging,
Water needs splashing,
Bugs and Frogs and slimy stuff need finding.
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I always had someone with me outside and encouraging me to explore, but to be safe. I was the kid who was not afraid of picking up bugs, snakes or anything else and either trying to keep it or chasing the other kids around the yard with it in my hand.

I feel that play is different now than when I was a child, children don't go outside and play that much any more. They have way to many other things to occupy them, they have video games, computers and other electronic materials. I would hope that young children would be encouraged to get outside and play more and to explore the beauty of outside. I still love the outdoors, I love to get out and look at trees, bird watch and work in my flower garden. I am constantly collecting things to share with my students, we have snake skin, bird nest, bee hive, pine cones, leaves and even dead bugs that are in bug boxes. I love for my students to get outside and play, explore and learn. It is very important to get out and play.

Week 2: Child Development and Public Health

Child Development and Public Health

I chose Mental Health of mothers, fathers and families in general. The topic is meaningful to me, because as an early childhood professional I never really know what type of issues that a child and his or her family may be dealing with. It is very important to me that I am made aware of changes or issues that a child may be going through, so that if I observe different behavior, I can hopefully help the child and family. I also know of someone very close to me that was diagnosed with depression at the age of 13 and it was very hard for the family, because this was a first for the family. No other family member had ever had problems or issues. However, without alot of communication and help from medical professionals, this person is on track and is doing well.

I found information at http://www.menshealthaustralia.net/. A study was conducted of nearly 87,000 families in Britain and it was found that 21% of fathers and 39% of mothers experienced a period of depression by the time their child was 12 years old. Depression is most common amomg parents of babies with 13% of mothers and 3% of fathers becoming depressed by the time their child reached its first birthday. Overall suicide rates 2005 were 16.4 per 100,000 males,4.3 per 100,000 females 1657 males committed suicide in 2005. Divorced men are three times likely to committ suicide then any other. Suicide rates are as follows highest for ages 30-34 and then ages 40-49. Men ages 30-34 had the highest individual suicide rate in 2005 at 27.5 suicide per 100,000 people. Married have the lowest suicide rate. Divorced and never married men have higher rates than married men.

I have learned that it is very important to be aware of the signs of depression and or suicide. It is very important to communicate with parents and care givers. It was also be very helpful for parents with teenagers to have resources available, just in case they have a teen in trouble or know of a teen in trouble.