Professional Hopes and Goals

 

Looking back over the past 8 weeks, I realize how much I have learned about myself on a professional and personal level. This course has taught me to reflect on who I am, my own identities, and the teacher I hope to be for my students and their families.

One hope I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that I hope to value, appreciate, and respect who they are, their identities, and their culture. I want to get to know my students and their families and connect with them. People deserve to be respected and treated with dignity. I hope my students and their families will know I value and respect them.

One goal that I want to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is that early childhood professionals empower students, families, and others. Children are learning what they see and hear. I want the early childhood profession to build a foundation where children learn about diversity, social justice, and equity. This means we need to help students ask questions and participate in dialogue about these issues. If we can help children learn at an early age, then they are going to be a part of the change we hope to see in others. They are going to learn the importance of valuing others and they are going to stand up when injustice occurs.

I would like to thank my colleagues for your insights, personal experiences, and knowledge throughout this course. You all have helped me to learn about diversity, equity, and social justice from a personal and professional level. I have learned about the person I am and the teacher I hope to be for my students and their families. I appreciate all your support and guidance along my journey. I wish you all the best!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

It is important for teachers to welcome students and their families to the classroom. I will be receiving a new student from India and want to make them feel welcome.  

Things I would want to do in order to prepare for my new student and his family are:

1. I would research about their country, culture, and customs. I would want to have a little insight into who they are and where they are from.

2. I would talk to an interpreter and learn about the child’s language. I would want to know what their customs were with language and communication in order to prevent from offending the family.

3. I would also want to discuss with the interpreter a time when everyone could meet in the child’s home and have the interpreter communicate in their native language. I feel this would let the family know I valued their culture and identity and hopefully make them more comfortable in communicating their thoughts, opinions, and concerns for their child and his education.

4. I would want to locate some books, posters, music, and materials that were about their country and use them in the classroom. I would want the child and his family to feel welcome when they arrive and come to the classroom.

5. I would learn about their country and then discuss with the family about volunteering in the classroom. I would love for the family and come and share with the class things about their country, culture, and family. I think having the family volunteering in the classroom will help students become more familiar with their culture and their identity. I feel this would allow everyone to learn from each other and to express how we value who they are. I think learning about their family and culture, communicating with them in their native language, and having them be actively involved in the classroom will create a positive relationship with the student and his family.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

       I remember an incident when I was in junior high and we were picking teams for a game of volleyball during our physical education class. The captains took turns picking their teams and there were people that were picked last. Usually the girls and players that were not as athletic as others were picked last. I remember one girl in particular being picked towards the end. I guess to the captains she did not appear to be athletic. As each player was called you could tell her feelings were being hurt more and more. I felt bad for her. I knew they were implying she was not a good player, because she was a girl. You could tell they did not want her on their team. On one level I think the captains would need to change how they picked teams in order for it to be fair. I think picking teams always ends up hurting someone’s feelings and creates opportunities for prejudice, biases, and/or oppression to occur. I think the best way to prevent prejudice, biases, and oppression from occurring in situations like this is for the coach to divide the teams. I think this can be done prior to the students getting to class and that way it will seem more random and students are not standing in front of each other seeing other players chosen before them. I was never athletic and so I could relate to this girl. I did not care that I was picked last, because I knew I was not very good. For some people this was very hurtful and could cause oppression for them.

         I also think situations like this are going to take place, but can be dealt with in a better way. I think this would be a great opportunity for the coach to address how everyone has different talents and skills. Some players might be better at volleyball, while other students are better at something else. Our coaches/teacher did try to include a variety of activities that would provide students with opportunities to learn what activities they were better at and enjoyed more.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I observed people’s interactions and tried to detect examples of microaggression. I really did not know what to expect in the beginning. I was at a local fast food restaurant and noticed a lady in front of me ordering several meals. The man at the register said “wow, someone must be hungry”. The lady placing the order did not say anything, only looked down towards the ground. I noticed as she was getting into her car with her order, that she had a car full of people. People are quick to judge people based on their size and/or appearance. The message the cashier sent to the lady was that she eats a lot of food. I felt like he was insinuating that she should not be eating that much food. I felt bad for her; because I could tell he hurt her feelings. I do not think the cashier intended to insult her or assume anything, but his words and behavior were disrespectful and hurtful.

After observing people in public situations, I realized how often people discriminate against others. I do not think people intend to be prejudice or stereotypical towards others, but their actions and behaviors definitely impact those around them. This exercise was definitely an eye opener for me.

Perspectives on Divsersity and Culture

I asked a colleague, a friend, and a family member the definition of diversity and culture. They each did not respond right away. They were trying to think about how they would answer my question.

My friend answered with culture and diversity are defined by a person’s religion, ethnicity, lifestyle, and values. People are influenced by the details of their life – the past and present.

My colleague responded with culture is defined by how a person behaves and their beliefs based on where a person lives. Diversity is the differences in people. People are different based on economic status, race, gender, and religion.

My family member said that culture and diversity defines oneself. We are all diverse and from different cultures. Culture is defined as one’s religion, beliefs, race, and gender. Culture is the things that influence a person such as traditions and where they live. Diversity is simply what makes people different from each other.  A variety of things determine how we are diverse from each other.

I think all these definitions are accurate on some level, but culture and diversity are a combination of these definitions. I have learned that culture and diversity is more than what we can see about a person. Culture is a person’s traditions, beliefs, religion, gender, race, values, and their lifestyle. Diversity is how we are different defined by one’s culture and the many things that define our culture. Two people from the same family are diverse based on their personal experiences, values, and gender. One example is a friend and her siblings are from the same family, but they moved to different states. They each make different salaries and live different lifestyles.

Listening to others define and reflect on culture and diversity really supports how everyone is different and how we are defined by these differences. We all value our culture and how it impacts our lives.

My Family Culture

      Three items that I would choose in the event of an emergency are my Bible, my family photo album, and a family quilt. I would choose the Bible, because it is a major part of who I am, how I was raised, and how I want my children to be raised. My faith, religion, and culture come from God and His blessings in my life. I feel it is important to teach my children and others about God’s promises and His word. I would take my family photo album, because there are numerous pictures of relatives and important events in the photo album. I feel these pictures help explain who we are based on our past and our family’s past. The photos capture memories of relatives who are no longer living so that we can share stories about them with our children. The photos also capture memories of births, birthdays, holidays, vacations, and other special events that explain who we are as a family and our culture. The third item I would take is a quilt that my mother-in-law hand made and then gave to my husband. This quilt is compiled of 12 different squares. She created this quilt where every square is a scene and tells a story about her family and childhood. For example, one of the squares on the quilt is a scene from her childhood where she attended a small country church.  Below each square is a sewn description that explains the scene such as who is involved and where it took place. I want to pass this quilt on to my children because it captures who their grandmother is and has memories about family we never knew. It helps explain how and where she grew up. It is a beautiful quilt that demonstrates her talent and is part of my family's culture.

      If upon arrival I was told I could only keep one of these three items, then I would feel as if they were taking part of my culture  away from me. I would feel that they did not value who I was or my family culture. It would be very difficult to pick only one item and leave the other things behind.

      The insight I gained from this exercise is that my values, beliefs, and family are very important to me. I thought it was difficult to only choose three items to take with me to represent my family culture. There are other items that I feel are important and I hope never to be put in that position. Things that I feel are most important are things that capture memories from the past and describe who we are as a family. I would choose items that helped explain to others who I am, who my family is and was. We all take pride in sharing with others about our family and culture, because they make up who we are.

My Supports

Emotional Supports

        I have many supports that help me emotionally. My religion/faith help me function and cope daily knowing that God created me and that He is there for all my needs. When times are hard, then I know I count on God to get me through and I know that I have Him to thank for all the blessings in my life. My family and friends are there for me as well not only emotionally, but also for practical and physical supports. My husband is by my side through the good and bad times and supports me whether I am upset, happy, angry, or need that extra push. My children support me by offering me love and compassion. They believe in me and support me by offering encouragement. My grandparents, parents, siblings, and in-laws all support me through love and encouragement. My friends care about me, encourage me, and will also listen when I just need to vent.

        Without the support of my faith, all my family, and many friends, then I could live but it would not be a pleasant life. I feel I would be depressed and very isolated. They help me remain grounded. I feel their support influences who I am and how I live. I feel without them by my side, then I would just function and not really enjoy life and all life has to offer. I feel when problems arise, then I would not know how to handle those problems in a positive way if it were not for the love, support, and encouragement I receive from my family, friends, and faith.

Practical Supports

        I have many practical supports that help make my life easier every day. I consider things such as technology, appliances, transportation, and tools to be practical supports. Technology is a big part of my daily life. I use my cell phone to communicate with family, friends, and others. I use it to contact professionals or other resources that I need or want. Transportation helps me get to my job, the grocery store, etc. Appliances help me cook and clean. Various tools such as grocery lists, “to do” lists, daily planners, books, etc. help me to remember important times, dates, items, etc. Monetary supports help me purchase wants and needs to live and function on a daily basis.

        Without these practical supports it would be difficult to live and function. If I did not have a reliable car to get me places, then I would not be able to work, get to places to purchase things I need, go to the doctor, travel to people and places, etc. If I did not use appliances, then it would be harder to cook and clean. Long ago people would cook and clean by hand and I can only imagine how difficult it was to provide the basics for their families. If it were not for technology then, I would not be able to communicate with people in my life on a regular basis. Technology helps me know how my family and friends are doing almost instantly when I am not with them. They can call, text, or email me things that are taking place in their lives. Technology helps me learn new things, receive emails, read about the news, and even shop. We could live without these supports, but it would just take longer and we would be limited in what resources we had access to. Before technology people would travel to the library to use their various resources. If I did not use lists, planners, etc., then I know I would end up forgetting something. These types of supports help me to remember important things and take stress off of me in trying to remember things.  If I did not have money, then I could not purchase foods, clothes, water, etc. My personal safety, health, hygiene, and luxuries (such as entertainment) would be at risk without money as a support.

Physical Supports

        I have been blessed with my physical health. I am able to talk, see, hear, touch, walk, smell, etc. My physical body works like it should in order to perform daily tasks. I am able to hear people, noises, birds chirping, music, etc. I am able to taste and enjoy foods. I am able to use my brain to think for myself. I am able to see what is going on around me, read a book, and enjoy watching every day events. I am able to feed myself, communicate for myself, and perform other physical daily tasks without the assistance of others.

        If any of these were unable to be used, then my daily life would be more difficult. If I could not hear, then I would struggle to understand things or people around me. I would have to learn to understand what people were trying to tell me through other supports such as sight. It would be difficult to function day to day.

        I tried to imagine the challenge of being deaf. It would be difficult to communicate with others and understand what others were trying to communicate with me. It would be hard to learn at school, have friends, and enjoy every day life experiences. It would be difficult to have a job as an adult. I would need support in communicating with others. The person would need to either know sign language or be able to write or gesture what they were trying to explain/tell me. I would need to be able to process the information. I would not have knowledge of things such as music, normal every day sounds, etc. I would have to use my other senses to support my awareness of things occurring around me. One example would be that if I was walking down the road, there was a car coming, then I would need to use my sense of sight to know to be on alert. Daily life would be more of a challenge and I would have to rely on other supports whether it be myself, other people, or tools to help me function in life.

My Connections to Play

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” ~ O. Fred Donaldson (martial arts master)

“It is in playing, and only in playing, that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.” ~ D.W. Winnicott (British pediatrician)

Play is important for a child’s growth and development. I usually participated in social play and/or fantasy play.  Social play helped me to develop empathy for others and helped me learn social rules (Wardle, n.d.). I can remember how my mother encouraged me to play and use my imagination when I was little. My siblings and I would play outside, running, and exploring. We would meet up with friends and have big adventures.

I also remember playing house and having baby dolls. At times I would pretend to be the mom. I had a chalkboard and books where I would pretend to be the teacher. I think pretending to be different characters and role playing gave me many opportunities to learn about how the world works and how to socialize with others. I learned how to solve problems and would play out the roles of different people.

I feel play is different today than it was when I was a child. One big difference is that I feel children’s play time often revolves around technology. I enjoyed going outside and playing with my siblings and friends. Children today spend a great deal of their time playing video games. I think technology can be beneficial in a child’s learning, but it needs to be limited and supervised. I feel children today spend less time outside getting to really explore their world. Another way I feel play is different today is that children do not use their imaginations as much. Toys today are more realistic than they were when I was a child. I remember playing with dolls and pretending they would talk, cry, sleep, and eat. Today dolls are more realistic and actually move and make noises like a baby. I can remember decorating a box to look like a house and spending hours playing and using my imagination.

Play was an important part of my childhood that impacted my life even as an adult. I feel exploring my world allowed me to discover first-hand how things worked and helped me to learn how to solve problems. Learning was more meaningful when I experienced it for myself. If someone told me what to do and how to do it, then I really did not learn first-hand. Play helped me to grow and develop socially, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

References:

Wardle, F. (n.d.). Play as curriculum.  Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=127

Relationship Reflection

Relationships

     Relationship is defined as “the state of being related or interrelated” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. There are various types of relationships such as professional relationships with coworkers, relationships with friends, family members, and students. Depending on the people in the relationship will determine the type of relationship it is. Relationships are important to me because they demonstrate a connection with others. I feel relationships are beneficial because they offer a bond between me and the other person. Relationships are based upon feelings such as feelings of love, acceptance, respect, trust, belonging, and joy.

    The most positive and strongest relationships are with the people in my family. I have been happily married to my husband for 17 years. I feel our relationship is based on many characteristics. Our relationship is based on love, friendship, trust, honesty, appreciation, support, communication, and respect. The relationships with my children are different, but they are still based on the same characteristics.  The parent-child relationship is different because our children depend on us for their needs and wants. They need us to teach and guide them. They need us to believe in them and encourage them just as my parents did for me. Relationships with my siblings are different. I have a different relationship with my brothers compared to the relationships I have with my sisters, but they are still based on love, trust, friendship, and respect.  One example is that my sisters and I talk about certain things, whereas my brothers and I talk about different things. I consider all the relationships I have with my family members to be important.

     I have strong relationships with my friends. We trust, communicate, respect, and support each other. I also have positive relationships with the adults and children I work with as a pre-k teacher. The relationship I have with my co-workers is different based on whether or not the person is an administrator or a fellow teacher. I also have relationships with my students and their parents. All these relationships are based on respect, understanding, trust, and support. My students and their parents need to understand that I care about them and support them. They need to know that I am there for them and want them to succeed.

     I think all positive relationships are based on several factors and characteristics. I feel trust, support, honesty, respect, understanding, acceptance and communication are important in every relationship. I think all relationships have challenges. Sometimes it is hard to accept a person for their differences in personality, opinions, or beliefs. I feel sometimes it is hard to remain objective and professional when another person’s attitudes go against our own. I think in order to have a positive relationship then we need to remember people are different and learn to appreciate each other for these differences.

     I think my relationships as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend help me to build positive relationships as an early childhood professional. I know how important it is to feel accepted, loved, trusted, and supported. I understand these feelings help build a positive relationship with others. I can remember teachers who supported me and believed in me. Their relationship with me had long term effects on me personally and academically. My students and their parents need to understand I accept them, support them, and want the best for them. Elva deLuna, Head Start early childhood specialist, discussed the importance of relationships with students and the parents (Laureate Education Inc., 2010). The students and parents need to trust me. I need to listen and communicate with them to build those positive relationships. A positive relationship with the student and the parent is going to help impact how much they trust me and whether or not they want to learn. If a parent does not trust me or feel I care about their child, then they are not going to support me at home or in the classroom. Positive relationships with the students and their parents will have lasting benefits.

References:

      Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Building Relationships and Partnering

            with Families[Video webcast]. Effective programs and practices. Retrieved from

https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1373716_1%26url%3D 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relationship 

Children

“Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity.”   ~Kay Renfield Jamison

Children grow and learn through play from the time they are born. They learn hand-eye coordination, they learn to respond and engage with others, and they learn cause and effect. Learning continues as the child continues to play. Their social, physical, emotional, and cognitive skills are greatly impacted by playing. They need to run, jump, skip, etc. in order to build their muscles and develop gross motor skills. Playing with other children helps children increase their vocabulary and can help build their self-esteem. Cognitive development is impacted because they use problem solving skills during play time. Play time is so valuable for a child’s development. They need the freedom to explore and play without someone telling them what to do and how to do it. I do think children need limits and there should be rules. If we constantly tell them what to play, then they are not getting to truly explore and learn from their choices and actions. Their learning is going to be beneficial if they learn it through cause and effect or trial and error. Those lessons are more meaningful and memorable.

http://www.joyofquotes.com/play_quotes.html

Assessing Children

            I think assessing children holistically means we should assess them emotionally, academically, and physically. Every child is different and they come from different situations. Understanding where the child is emotionally will make a difference in assessing the child academically. If a child has a low self-esteem, then he will be less likely to try. This could impact how the child performs on the academic part of the assessment. Knowing this information is going to provide the teacher with valuable information.  I feel it is important to assess the child and his/her growth. If we understand where the child is emotionally, physically, and academically, then a teacher can address the child’s individual needs to help the child grow in each area.  

            Until recently most test that were used to measure emotional intelligence were developed for adults. Studies have been done that use adapted versions of these test to measure the emotional intelligence (EI) of adolescence. A study performed in Australia in 2008 was used to see if a child's academic performance could be predicted based on the results of the EI test. Their results seemed to support the thinking that emotional and academic intelligences are connected.  This would suggest that based upon the results of an EI test given in elementary school then teachers could predict how well the child would perform in high school. If this information is accurate, it leaves a great opportunity for interventions to help the child. Further studies will need to be performed to validate the results found in Australia.  It will take several years to complete further studies because of the gap between their original test and their completion of high school. I believe based upon this information that it would be beneficial to the children to perform some type of EI test. I feel like this could also improve their social skills.

References:

Downey, L. A., Mountstephen, J., Lloyd, J., Hansen, K., & Stough, C. (2008). Emotional intelligence and scholastic achievement in Australian adolescents. Australian Journal Of Psychology, 60(1), 10-17

Childhood Stressors

I know someone who experienced violence as a child. She was physically, mentally, and emotionally abused. The violence made her life a nightmare. She was the oldest of her siblings and that added an extra stress to her life. I think the stressor definitely had a negative impact on her development. She would not trust others, she was withdrawn, she was defensive, and she had a low self-esteem. I think she did not take care of herself due to the stress in her life. She coped with the stress by devoting her time and energy into learning. She would rather be at school than at home, so she would work hard for the approval of her teachers. I think she also coped with the stressor by isolating herself from her family and others. She tried to go unnoticed. As a child she did not know of any resources, but as a teenager she was able to receive help from the school counselor. Stressors such as violence can definitely impact our development in childhood and beyond.

Children in Greece are experiencing different stressors due to the financial difficulties in their country. The government is cutting back on expenses and requiring families to cut back as well. In 2010 more than 3 million people were already close to poverty, but conditions have worsened since then. The unemployment rate is high and many families have no means of income (Hunger and homelessness on the rise in Greece, 2012). Families are experiencing poverty. Some children are going hungry and their health and hygiene needs are being impacted by the stress of poverty. The number of homeless families is rising. If children are not having their basic needs met, then their development is going to be limited. I feel the change in families’ lifestyles is going to change children’s development. I can see how the change will impact how a child feels in his/her environment. I think their sense of well-being is going to change.  Politicians are trying to figure out ways to help their country financially. They are trying to ask everyone to cut back and reduce spending. Churches and soup kitchens are trying to help by feeding those that are hungry. Resources are limited and conditions are not going to improve until the country can figure out how to reduce the debt and people are able to find jobs to feed their families.

Hunger and homelessness on the rise in Greece (March 14, 2012). World Socialist Web Site.  Retrieved on July 21, 2012 from http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/mar2012/gree-m14.shtml

Importance of Immunizations

I think immunizations are important in child development. I chose this topic for personal and professional reasons.

My oldest son, Caleb, had a low immune system when he was younger. It seemed like he would get sick if he came in contact with anyone who had a cold or virus. He was hospitalized several times before he was 5 years old, because he was not able to fight the colds or viruses as quickly as he should. I think immunizations are important, because they help prevent diseases. They help children stay healthy so they can grow and thrive.

My preschool program requires that students be current on their immunizations before they enter our program. I feel this is a safety measure that protects my students, my own children, and me. If they were allowed to enter our program without their immunizations, then one child could infect the others students. Some of these diseases can be very serious.

Many parents and teachers have never been exposed to the 14 diseases that now have an immunization. Two examples are polio and diphtheria. These diseases can paralyze or even kill children. Neither polio nor diphtheria has been seen in the US since 2006 due to vaccines (Graville, 2010). There were cases of polio reported in West Africa in 2004, and  nearly 2000 cases reported worldwide in 2005 (Berger, 2009).

Immunizations can help prevent diseases that could interfere with a child’s growth and development. This issue has been addressed in many countries. Schools, child care programs, etc. are either requiring or strongly encouraging parents to have their children immunized. This will help the child grow, develop, and learn. Children cannot grow, develop, or learn effectively if they are sick.

I come in contact with children from other countries every year. It is required that every child entering our preschool program is current on their immunizations. Sometimes it is difficult to communicate with families if they do not speak English.  Their culture may not support having their child immunized. I need to be well informed on the importance of immunizations so I can inform other parents.

I recommend parents:

1. Talk to your child's pediatrician, or the local health department about the importance of immunizations.
2. Post the recommended immunization schedule somewhere it can be viewed easily.
3. Have your child seen yearly by a preditrician. This will help ensure the child is receiving the required immunizations based on the recommended schedule.
4. Keep your child's current shot record accessible for easy reference. It serves as proof that your child's immunizations are current.

References:

Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.).

     New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Graville, I. (2010). The Changing World of Childhood Immunizations.

     Exchange: The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine Since 1978, (194), 14-17.

My Childbirth Experiences

          I have three amazing boys, Caleb 14, Casey 10, and Jaden 5 months.  I am going to give a little background information on each of the boys’ delivery, because it will help explain my most recent delivery. Fourteen years ago I went into labor with Caleb and they ended up needing to do an emergency C-section because his heart rate was dropping.  I had to have a C-section with each of the boys afterwards. It was nice to be able to schedule their deliveries, because we knew when they were going to come into this world. I remember getting very anxious while they were prepping me to deliver Jaden. I went through several emotions and at one point I remember thinking I wanted to stop and have him naturally. I knew it was not practical. The day I had Jaden, they gave me an epidural with Dura morph and told me it would last 24 to 48 hours. I had several people in the room, but I was so thankful that my husband was there by my side each time. I was awake during each of their deliveries. Once they had the boys clean and ready they held them next to my face so I could love on them. I had to go to a recovery room when I had Caleb and Casey, and I can remember how badly I wanted to see them and hold them. The people in the recovery room were nice, but I wanted to see my baby and husband. When Jaden was born I got to go back to my regular room to recover and my husband was in there with me the whole time. I was so thankful, because I could ask him questions and he could tell me about Jaden and how he was doing. The doctors, nurses, and hospital staff took wonderful care of my children and me.

      

    If we would have decided to have Caleb at home or with a midwife, then things could have been very different. We never expected anything to go wrong, but we are so grateful we had him at the hospital where they are equipped for emergencies. We were able to hold each of the boys after delivery and I feel that helped the boys bond with us. I think science and medicine played a vital role in the development of our children. If Caleb would have been delivered naturally, then he might have been born with serious health issues or worse.

      

    I read about how Tibet has different birthing traditions compared to those in the US. They believe that spirituality and medicine are linked together. Today births take place in hospitals and clinics where a midwife is present. The mother is given warm teas and soups throughout delivery. They believe in bad omens. In the US a nurse would inform parents that a child being born with a tooth is not uncommon, but Tibetans might proceed with ritual procedures to avert the bad omen. The Tibetans believe in karma and reincarnation (Wilson, 2012)

      

    I feel pregnancy and child birth play strong roles in the development of children. I know I am grateful for my medical team and the procedures they have in place. I feel they helped to ensure my children were born and given the best chance to develop.

References:

Wilson, Debra Rose, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC,A.H.N.-B.C., C. (2012, Birthing traditions in Tibetan culture. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 27, 33-38. http://search.proquest.com/docview/920597298?accountid=14872