Congresswoman’s Daughter Was Victimized; Not Considered in Hacker's Actions

Congresswoman’s Daughter Was Victimized; Not Considered in Hacker's Actions

Normally I try not to blog about things that I feel personally about unless it is pertinent, like issues regarding education and educators within the U. S Virgin Islands and since it is summer I thought I would give myself a much needed break from the dual work that I have chosen to engage in to actually take the time to smell the roses (so to speak) but instead I cannot stop thinking about this ordeal about our delegate to congress and how her private family moments where hacked. I am also too sure that most of the reason why myself, along with others, cannot seem to ignore or let this atrocity die is because every major news outlet in the territory feels the need to update and rewrite articles already published to continually feed the masses. Well here is my major concern that I am sure no one else cares about (or at least seemingly) how do you all think that the child feels?

U. S Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and her husband

The child that became a political pawn because she was having fun with her parents, something that many children within our territory do not have the comfort of and many of whom will never have those same luxuries; how do you think their child feels. How would you as a child feel after being used in your most vulnerable moments, exploited at such a young age, or do we think that because she is young she will get over it and may not fully understand the implications made? That is possible, but highly implausible as she is completely aware of her surrounding and developmentally progressing appropriately. So I ask again, why do we as a society, as a community, as Pulitzer prize winning newspapers, and editors in chief continually fan this fire and feed it? The negativity that looms over because of this cloud is a little heart wrenching to me because this could have been worse for all concerned including the child had it been deemed that the video was inappropriate and that she needed to be removed from her home, this too could be misconstrued by children as the school year is set to begin soon and we all know how children can be. This is my plea to everyone that has since obtained this video or any of the pictures leaked, delete them and denounce the nonsense that is taking over in our communities. This is not the first straw, I have heard many stories countless other women victimized in the same manner some were as young as teens and if we do not denounce it now it will continually grow. Let’s not wait until this come in the form of a suicide of a teen or young adult that couldn’t bear the pressure from sinister jokes; let us as a community not sit by and watch children become victims for their parent’s cause if we do can you truly say that you and your children will be safe in the next wave of attacks?

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read PTA, Parent Committee, & Volunteering: Get Involved , Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschools, USVI Shootings Near Preschool's 2, and Respect Goes Both Ways: Teacher and Student 

Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions

Alternatives to Suspensions and Expulsions

Photo Credit to U.S.V.I Dept. of Education Image Gallery

Yesterday I read an article in The St. Thomas Source that immediately prompted me to write this blog post. I’ll first start by stating that the fact the Virgin Islands Department of Education officials can publicly state that our territory doesn’t have a problem with regards to serving troublesome student without pushing them out of classrooms/ schools, or at least in more recent times, is a drastic improvement. Don’t just take my word, the very same article that prompted this blog post cities the territories statistics in these concerns, and unfortunately they are not very far from what I expected; maybe others within our community had different expectations (whether higher or lower), but not me. Why? Why I am not surprised?  Because I have noticed the many strides that the Department of Education and other government entities, among other private groups, programs, and affiliates, have made to secure a better future for the youths in our territory; regardless of demographic. So what is the concern you may wonder; the concern is the simple infractions that are causing students to be keep away from the classroom where they belong, and in some cases sending them to the last place they need be, jail/prison

As a former student under the Virgin Islands Department of Education I must state that many of the infractions that usually send students to the principal’s office should send them to the school counselor. As outlined in the source feature ‘Undercurrents; Educators Try to Curtail Suspensions’, there are different levels of infractions (levels1-4, 4 being more serious offenses), all of which usually lands students in the main office to a principal. Is there no other way? Aren’t there better ways to teach discipline, humility, and respect other than excluding children from school? Even for more serious offenses, like engaging in a fist fight ( a usual occurrence in middle/ high schools) instead of suspending students , according to how much physical damage they’ve inflicted on each other, wouldn’t they benefit more from anger management classes for a few weeks along with community service (counseling early learners, maybe). This model would also do well for students who are habitually disruptive (since early learners can be somewhat disruptive to those without training) to teach them the same lesson. For every in school suspension given for obscene language students could instead be required to write an essay on a subject of literary importance/nature with the hopes of them learning the power of words among other things.

I personally believe in the power of community service; if more students were/had been exposed to community service then we would have a community of caring individual adults who would be willing to volunteer their services to the community. It does not start after school stops, but before and during. The infractions listed under levels 1 &2 should first be addressed with mandatory hours of community service and counseling. Students with infractions ranging from levels 3-4 may benefit from outside assistance, but not the police dragging them off to jail. Programs like P.A.L.S, The Drug Free Program, The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, Jr. Fire Fighters, Civil Air Patrol and R.O.T.C should be given as alternatives before suspension/expulsion. Students need to be given the opportunity to make choices about their lives and should not have to live the rest of their lives based on prior mistakes that can be learned from. Parents also have to be involved to ensure accuracy of the program. Many students don’t have the parental support they should at home academically. As educators/ advocates it’s the job to help these children and referrals obviously aren’t doing the job. Mentors should be available for all students, but especially those considered ‘troublesome’; those who don’t display those levels of resilience needed to succeed in a rather stagnant economy and need help preparing for professionalism. An equal amount of support is needed for the little ten percent of over fifteen thousand students so we can ensure that the same ten percent does not end up apart of another statistic of more grave and serious natures.

Since my personal experience and knowledge in the special education/needs field is very limited I’ll keep it very light. With all the fuss and focus on special needs kids and the infractions that usually land them in the principal’s office or a special committee to determine their educational fates has anyone taken record of such incidents to determine the causes and what can be done to remedy the situations? From my readings and a personal discussion with another there can be many factors that may cause a student of special needs to ‘act out’ and become ‘troublesome’. Could these students not also benefit from counseling and behavioral programs, instruction based on reflection on ones actions and determining the better action, rather than further excluding them from the rest of the student population and their peers? And do other students and school officials have a basic understanding/ underlying respect for those of special needs? If not they may benefit from such training/instruction to attain a higher level of positive social interactions between all students, special needs or otherwise, and school official s and administrative officers.

 Dropout rates are significantly lower, as graduation rates have increased; violence among adolescents in school and out has also drastically decreased. Don’t believe me, when was the last time you heard of a student being arrested or involved in a serious altercation (using weapons and causing critical harm)? I know it is nothing like it used to be, if continued at all. While I’d like to credit the wealth of opportunities that have been continuously presented to students for these changes, it alone cannot be the driving influence. Our community is the that driving influence and determining factor, whether its recognized by a majority or not; it is the community who illustrates the positive/ negative images in which our children choose to take part in, become a part of, or affiliate themselves with in any way they can.

For further readings on the U.S Virgin Islands on topics of education and our children please read “What About The Children We Failed”, Risk Factors for Challenging Behavior, and Too Much Violence; USVI Shootings Near Preschools

This blog post is the opinions of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on the institution’s she is employed for nor is those she affiliated with through volunteer work or otherwise. For more opinions from us please visit our blog page usviearlychildhoodlearning.blogspot.com or email us at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com  and like us on Facebook or follow Ms. Child Advocate on Twitter.

  

Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals

"Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals"

Because many of us unfortunately have been reared through these times where the importance of family and all that it teaches has diminished greatly, we all look through distorted lens with regards to matters of family. Once upon a time, our country and people where looked up upon by outsiders/tourists for various reasons; social culture and agriculture, but mainly resilience. We once were a people of ideals and values placed throughout our communities with presence of our culture.

            Now the culture and presence of our ancestors have all been warped. We've incorporated every other culture with ours to suit the needs of a vastly changing demographic within our territory and as a result, we've lost our identity.

            Like any other community around the world, the members of those communities become one with each other to help their well beings. The ‘family’ created within these communities are now who are rearing the next generations to come, and while they are readily available to do so, they are also unqualified.

             For this reason and so many more it is time for us to make the presence of the families more important within our communities rather than gangs, corners, or communities that pride themselves in taking in youths who are ignorant to their intentions. It is for these reasons and more that our territory must make a more profound effort to encourage our young men and women to build families and homes instead of only facilitating events where those from all demographics can enjoy themselves and indulge in different vices which contribute to our small, violent and stagnant community. And it is certainly for the promise of hope in our futures and those of our children that we change the ideals being kept at the helms of society; money, power and violence is not the only way to procure or sustain a fulfilling life.

            On this world family day U.S Virgin Islanders I propose we all take the time out not only to enjoy the company of our loved ones, but to appreciate what we can learn from them to help others less fortunate; those who don’t have a support system or a true family. Take the things that you’ve learned and share them with others, whether or not you know of their family structure. The idea is to promote the ideals and norms that can bring our communities back to being the structure that is was instead of the street family that it has become. 

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USVI Early Childhood Learning

How/ Why Kill Your Children??!!

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1714371.1394221766!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/article-minivan-0307.jpg

For the past two days I’ve consistently read reports/ articles about a woman who drove her SUV into the ocean while her three children where inside and she herself is about seven months pregnant. My first reactions were of shock and then a little disgusted ‘what could possibly cause a mother to try and kill her own children?’ ‘Was she depressed or on some kind of drug that impaired her judgment?’ I soon realized that I was making excuses for a woman that I knew nothing about and decided to wait until the case was further developed to make any kind of ‘logical explanation’. In the reports that I had read and watched the situation had just taken place and the authorities had not charged anyone, but did take the children and place them in protective custody, a given regarding the circumstances.

Ebony Wilkerson, 32 of S.C drove her SUV into the ocean near Daytona Beach leaving her children, ages 10, 9, and 3 in the back seats of the car to drown. Reports indicate the she drove the car into the ocean after ranting about demons and her ex-husband coming to ‘get her and their children’. Wilkerson’s sister also made statements saying that she notified the authorities of her sister’s remarks, but officers who stopped her for a ‘wellbeing check’ concluded that outside of the apparent fright she displayed from her ranting’s she was aware of her surrounding and was therefore determined to be lucid and able to care for herself and her children. Officers let Wilkerson go only to hear reports of an incident involving her and her children a mere two hours later.

While it is unclear whether or not drug/ alcohol abuse played any roles within the incident, authorities have determined that her mental capacity is that of the average person, and because of such she is able and fit to stand trial. Facing three counts of attempted murder and another slew of charges many question her motives and her involvement in another car incident which caused another driver to crash into a barrier, of which she died two weeks later from injuries sustained.

While many of the preliminary reports aren’t yet released to the public one is left to wonder if drugs and mental disease aren’t factors then what else could’ve drove this woman to commit such acts.  I wonder could her pregnancy be a factor in the actions she illustrated? It is well known that pregnancy can cause emotional instability and depression, among other things. That coupled with other situations that she’s been facing daily, could lead to such a dramatic illustration of a desperate attempt to flee the chaos rising around her. But in either case I still can’t understand the need to bring the children along ‘for the ride’. The long term effects that this could possibly have on those children are mounting as the days go by. While I do understand the need of the government to make sure she is prosecuted to the proper extent for her actions, I also believe much more strongly that is the government spent less time penalizing people for certain actions rather than helping them to solve their issues, which in this case can begin from abusive relationships to endangering the welfare of minors and attempted murder by a mentally unstable person, we would have less people in lock up today for other infractions that simply needed a different kind of intervention. I’m not trying to down play the events that took place in any way, the facts still remain that she put the lives of her children in immediate danger and did so knowingly, but who’s to say that her intent isn’t real within the realms of her mind? Wilkerson’s sister maintains that her sister is a victim of spousal abuse and that her behavior arose from incidents stemming from such events, and officers conducting the ‘wellbeing check’ also determined she seemed frightened and wanted to get to a safe place out of the reach of her husband. So the rea question is what is to be done from here? Should they tear up an already broken family more or provide ways to mend what has already transpired.

Thank God Your Not My Mom II: Who Leaves An Infant In The Car To Shop?

 Thank God Your Not My Mom II: Who Leaves An Infant In The Car To Shop?

     Alright everyone, I guess it's about that time that many readers won't agree with my sentiments, but I ask you to keep in mind that I don't agree with the sentiments of the author of this blog post either! Neither the women commenting on the post acknowledging their own past transgressions. NO One is perfect, but does that mean that we shouldn't strive for excellence still? Does that mean we should not do better when we know better because we don't have to? Because it's expected of us? I think not! It isn't expected of me, any member of my family, nor will I expect it from my children, because we need not to make mediocrity a norm although in many ways we already have.

       So a mother in New Zealand found probable cause to leave her infant in her car while she went out shopping, or so the note that she left on the apparent baby girl read, along with a number saying to please call mum if I need anything. Now while there are many situations in which many people leave their children in the car I don't think that leaving an defenseless infant in the car that could easily be broken in to or worse damaged and both of them or any of the above could be fatal. In such cases we tend to blame negligence on others instead of placing the blame where it should be, on the person themselves. A child that doesn't know how to talk, move or even scream is literally defenseless against perpetrators and incidents of all kinds. Anything can happen at a moments notice and those of us that like to stay informed are usually aware of how fast things can go sour or even how the most senseless things tend to occur to those who least deserve such treatment. Had there been a car accident where someone or thing had collided with her car while that precious baby was on board whose fault would it be? Where could one place the blame accurately? And suppose you were the other driver? How would you feel to know that you may have injured an infant, trying to save a cat in the street or swerving to avoid hitting another pedestrian or a group of people. They could be children crossing the street, or the elderly, suppose your decision to damage a parked car only lead to the destruction of a life that you were completely unaware was present. Would you blame yourself, or the mother that needed to shop hassle free (as so many mothers consider a blessing including me, but never left my infant to do it)?

       Last but certainly not least is the common fact that her baby could have been abducted. Now I don't know if that sort of thing doesn't regularly occur in New Zealand so parents aren't weary enough to take precautions, if such is the case then her ignorance is understandable to a certain extent, but other wise it just seems irresponsible at best. While sifting through the comments I noticed there where quite a few people that agreed with her actions and others that stated through their own personal accounts how far they supported the actions of the mother in case whether to a mediocre extent or all the way. In the accounts of parents that have left their children in the car to return the shopping cart, carry groceries (loading/unloading), or even dropping off one sibling while the other waits in the car, these are all situations everyone can empathize with and I'm sure most if not all would agree these instances aren't worth mentioning. But as it pertains to the situation itself I don't understand how anyone would think that it is OK to leave an infant in the car while they went shopping. Minors aged nine through eleven are targeted for such crimes and are unable to help themselves in most cases so how can anyone agree with such foolish tactics as an excuse for parenting. I noticed that many seem to think that I may be on a 'high horse' for acknowledging such foolishness, but I simply say this to those nay sayers most parents strive to give their children better than they've received so if your parents left you unattended regularly and nothing traumatic happened, kudos to you and yours but that doesn't mean you should settle. My mother didn't practice such parenting, as her mother taught her for those of us that are continuing trends and cycles that we went through although you know it isn't really right. I urge you to stop the cycle and kill the trend that has many of us facilitating the demise of our future; our children. Think about the mothers that thought it's OK to drink and smoke while pregnant because their mothers did it and had still births or now have babies with birth defects, or the fathers that figured they didn't need to be their for his children so his son repeated his 'sad song' and the daughter sang a tune of her own being left to raise a child alone. It doesn't only stop at leaving children unattended to go shopping it stops when we put our children before ourselves.

S. Lewis. (2013). I leave my baby alone in the car. Retrieved February 5, 2014 from http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/03262013-i-leave-my-baby-alone-in-the-car/

Challenging Behavior Part II; Teachers

Functional Behavior Assessment

       If challenging behavior within children is considered to be a problem yet a means of communication, then why are we (or the majority anyway) always shying away from it? Children are required to use their body language to say what they can’t for some aren’t articulate enough to convey their feeling, while others who can are afraid to verbally convey their feelings. Nonetheless, all children deserve to have equal opportunities within this world and by allowing any child to continue their challenging behavior to a point where it become a habit, or that it progresses into violence or worse, we aren’t facilitating such opportunities. Through different behavioral assessments and strategies teachers are afforded the opportunity help these students progress towards finding another way to ‘express themselves’. Throughout this article it is my intent to illustrate how teachers collect data in order to determine the functions of a behavior, the importance of collecting and reviewing data before implementing specific interventions to address challenging behavior, three common behaviors a teacher may see in young children and target for modification or replacement along with possible functions for each of these common targeted behaviors. 

       Teachers and education professionals collect data to determine the different functions of behavior with regards to the child in question. The data collected is then analyzed to determine the best course of action to use, or to develop a positive behavior support plan to help guide both the student and teacher on the best strategies and other effective ways to help detour the student from their destructive behavior and progress toward one that is less ‘aggressive and destructive’. Functional assessment and positive behavior support are tertiary interventions; and serious, frequent, and intense behavior problems clearly qualify for their use (Gable, Quinn, Rutherford, Howell, & Hoffman, 1998). More moderate behaviors—especially those that occur often or over a long period and affect learning and social relationships—may be candidates as well (Chandler & Dahlquist, 2005). An informal observation will provide a reality check by helping you figure out exactly how frequently the behavior takes place—how many times a day, how many times a week—and whether it appears at specific times.
       
       Collecting and analyzing data before creating a target modifications and replacements is imperative. Knowledge of the use of the target behavior for the child is imperative before trying to implement modifications and replacement behaviors for the replacement behavior could actually serve to hinder from doing what is in the child’s best interest. If a child is using challenging behavior to avoid participating in art projects and you try to promote his participation more within the class it may cause them to become more challenging or by putting a student outside when they are challenging that student is still avoiding whatever he was using his behavior to contest.  By reviewing records, inquiring about interests of your own, and observing children within their natural habitats/ environment, you are able to better serve the needs of the child/children. After obtaining such information you  are then equip with the tools necessary to create an effective positive behavior support plan; one that will fit the needs of the child in question without hindering other students as well.
 
       Common examples of challenging behavior within children include but aren’t limited to aggressive behavior, antisocial/disruptive behavior, and timid/ withdrawn behavior. The top fifteen behavioral problems reported by teachers are biting, throwing temper tantrums, screaming, yelling, destruction of objects, throwing objects, kicking, pushing, pinching, frequent crying, grabbing of toys/materials from others, needs frequent adult assistance, spitting, disobeys instructions, and threatening.  From my own experiences with preschools within our territory, reoccurring problems I faced where that of pinching, yelling, grabbing toys/materials, and disobeying instructions. While there were other occasions where other behaviors where displayed by different children, they were few and infrequent enough to mention. If the functional assessment indicates that the child is trying to obtain your attention, you can use planned ignoring. This means you must plan not to respond to the child’s challenging behavior—not to come to her side, speak to her, or look at her when she behaves inappropriately—but instead provide attention when she’s behaving in an acceptable manner (or a close approximation thereof). This action shows the child that the challenging behavior will not serve the function or purpose it has served up until now—it will no longer get her what she wants (Durand, 1990; O’Neill et al., 1997). When a child begins throwing temper tantrums, screaming, or other aggressive behavior that could be dangerous or may be hazardous in anyway provide some positive reinforcement that is meaningful, and as they begin to regain control offer options of what could be done next.
   

References

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2009). Functional Behavior Assessment: Functional Behavioral Assessment: Identifying the Reasons for Problem Behavior and Developing a Behavior Plan and the A-B-C Analysis. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/fba/chalcycle.htm


Rasminsky, Barbara Kaiser and Judy Sklar. Challenging Behavior in Young Children:
Understanding, Preventing and Responding Effectively, 3/e for Ashford University, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions. <vbk:9781256060314#outline(15.2.6)>

Risk Factors for Challenging Behavior

       I decided to write something for the potential bullies since it is anti- bullying month. I realize that some may think the better efforts would be towards the 'victims', but in my eyes all of them are victims; Father forgive them all for they know not what they do. As my grandmother would say 'prevention is better than a cure' so I'd like to purpose a different way of thinking for teachers who have pupils that display challenging behaviors. What is challenging behavior? According to text behavior becomes challenging when the behavior begins interfering with a child's cognitive, social, or emotional development, when the behavior is harmful to the child, other children, or adults, and when the behavior puts a child at high risk for later social problems or school failure (Klass, Guskin, & Thomas, 1995;McCabe & Frede, 2007). Behavior is considered to be challenging when they are threatening, provocative, and stimulating, all at the same time. Common examples of challenging behavior within children include but aren't limited to aggressive behavior, antisocial/disruptive behavior, and timid/ withdrawn behavior. The top fifteen behavioral problems reported by teachers are biting, throwing temper tantrums, screaming, yelling, destruction of objects, throwing objects, kicking, pushing, pinching, frequent crying, grabbing of toys/materials from others, needs frequent adult assistance, spitting, disobeys instructions, and threatening.  From my own experiences with preschools within our territory, reoccurring problems I faced where that of pinching, yelling, grabbing toys/materials, and disobeying instructions. While there were other occasions where other behaviors where displayed by different children, they were few and infrequent enough to mention. I empathize with the findings of the authors of a text on the belief that if this behavior is not deterred it may develop into something worse that can hinder any child through their adult life. Many fail to realize just how important these behaviors are and the need for 'correcting' them.

 

      These behaviors, if allowed to escalate, may lead to serious problems for both pupils and teachers alike. Challenging Behavior in the classroom has recently become a hot topic in educational forums and institutions alike around the world; and it should be. For ages the focus of challenging behavior within students, during the classrooms and out, has been set on the wrong foundations; we shouldn't be worry about the 'what' and 'when' but the why and how. Why are these students acting in such strange behavior manners and what can I do to help them progress in their particular areas. There are many factors that can be considered while observing their individual behavioral patterns that may have contributed to their behavior, biological and environmental. These factors may be contributing but they aren't the underlying 'stepping stones' on which behavioral problems are built, at least not individually anyway. Collectively they bear a considerable amount of weight and pressure and once understanding their situations and their individual risk/protective factors, educators and parents alike are more equip to meet their needs and help them develop better behavioral patterns that won't hinder them in the long run. Throughout this paper it is my intent to illustrate risk factors which influence behavior and strategies that may be used by teachers to support the process of changing/ replacing behaviors. 

 

       The risk factors for challenging behavior have been categorized within two categories; environmental and biological. Within the scope of these categories biological is defined as anything that impinges on a child from conception to birth, beginning with genes. The environmental section starts with the family—a child's most intimate environment—and moves outward through Urie Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological circles of peer, school, neighborhood, and societal influences (Rasminsky, 2012). Culture is also an important factor, but the risk factors that I would like to elaborate on are mostly environmental; violent media, exposure to violence, poverty, and parenting styles, schools, and peers. My reason for choosing these risk factors to particularize is because in my experiences these risk factors are most evident within today's society.

 

       Many people tend to overlook violent media as a risk factor for challenging behavior in children, they often state that it is the place of the parent to 'differentiate' the appropriate behavior, set boundaries, and most importantly explain the differences between life and television, but this is always as easy and apparent as it sounds. The effects violent/destructive media can have on children are categorized within four categories; victim effect, bystander effect, aggressor effect, and the increased appetite effect. Children who watch violent media are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior, especially if they identify with aggressive characters or find the violence realistic and relevant to their own lives. The more they watch the worse their aggressive behavior may progress; children may watch violent media to validate their own aggressions. In other cases the child may identify with the victim, in such cases they may actually feel as if the violence is real, this may cause children to be more fearful, anxious, and prone to nightmares. The bystander effect cause children who regularly witness violence to believe that it is normal, thus they remain unresponsive.

      

     As discussed previously witnessing violence does have a large effect on children; they can become unsympathetic towards such situations, or they can identify with the aggressor or the victim, neither of which has positive effects. Imagine the effect a real violent situation would have on a child. Many families today are unfortunately living in poverty with conditions that aren't fit for any child; single parent homes lacking adequate care and supervision due to family factors, or lack thereof. These conditions and more make these families and their children prone to witness violence first hand repeatedly. These conditions are maintained within different neighborhoods, within the schools, and unfortunately anywhere that children are known to spend their time recreationally; parks, gymnasiums, skating rings, etc. Being poor create a high level of family stress—nonstop anxiety about food, housing, jobs, medical care, child care, safety, and more. In high-poverty urban neighborhoods, people must deal with noise, overcrowding, substandard housing, air and water pollution, neighborhood and gang violence, homelessness, and illegal drugs (Rasminsky, 2012). These conditions among many others house violence and promote it.

 

       No teacher can change the fact that a family lives in poverty, but teachers can help the child (and maybe even his family) to deal with those risk factors more effectively. If we can bolster some of his protective factors early on, we may be able to minimize or even ward off some of the risks and divert him onto an entirely different developmental trajectory (Masten & Coatsworth, 1998; Rutter, 1987). Every child with challenging behavior is likely to possess some of these attributes and skills in an embryonic or unconventional form, although it may take extra thought and insight on our part to dig them out. One key to enhancing resilience is to search for these strengths—what psychologist Robert B. Brooks ( 1994) calls "islands of competence" (p. 549)—and use them to build new skills and self-esteem. Instead of noticing what a child does wrong, stop and think about his strengths and likeable qualities, what he's good at, what positive contributions he can make, and how you can create opportunities for him to realize whatever he has to offer (Rasminsky, 2012). When families spend more time with their children, chaperone them closely, and limit the places they go and the time they spend with antisocial peers, children perform better at school and witness less violence, decreasing their risk for emotional and behavioral problems (Cauce et al., 2003; Richards et al., 2004). In dangerous neighborhoods, this strong control is an expression of concern as well as an adaptive strategy that brings order, predictability, and safety to children's daily lives (Luthar, 1999). When children receive support in such places as churches, community centers, and boys' and girls' clubs, they feel connected to other people and the core values of the community.

 

 

 

 

Challenging behaviors in early childhood settings: Creating a place for all children. (2004). YC Young Children, 59(3), 93-93. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197687440?accountid=32521

Hemmeter, M. L., Santos, R. M., & Ostrosky, M. M. (2008). Preparing early childhood educators to address young children's social-emotional development and challenging behavior: A survey of higher education programs in nine states. Journal of Early Intervention, 30(4), 321-340. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/233253075?accountid=32521

Kaiser, B., Rasminsky, J.S., (2012). Challenging Behavior in Young Children. Retrieved by http://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781256060314/pages/29956773

Nungesser, N. R., & Watkins, R. V. (2005). Preschool teachers' perceptions and reactions to challenging classroom behavior: Implications for speech-language pathologists. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 36(2), 139-51. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/232583471?accountid=32521

 



Touchy Aren’t We!!!

       Yesterday after reading a post about a woman who decided it wasn't necessary to bathe her baby every day or even every week! She said she was incited to write her blog post when she realized that she couldn't remember the last time she used her four month olds bath tub. After reading her blog post and checking out the recommended views of interviews she had I decided to publish my own blog post, which many of you have read 'Thank God Your Not My Mom' and shared it with my Google plus page and communities that I thought would at least respect and appreciate a difference of opinion, but I was wrong. Apparently member of Google plus 'Go to Parents Community' were not pleased with my objective points of view within a post I responded to by a fellow community member. In his post he linked the very same article by Claire Goss, but I guess when he asked for different points of view on this "outrage" he meant the fact that people, like myself, found it to be an outrage that people don't think it necessary to bathe children habitually or themselves. Yes, I realize that babies aren't as active as the rest of us, so they probably don't sweat as much and accumulate dirt and grime on their skins as toddlers and adolescents do, still they are human and they do sweat regardless of whether or not it is noticed. I had the same gentleman who I made the 'horrid mistake' of responding to his post take offense because I didn't agree with his point of view and from their began with condescending remarks like ' Well in the Caribbean its hot so babies would need to bathe, but we have AC'. After I kindly reminded him that the U.S Virgin Islands is no third world country and we do have AC as well as many other materialistic things (like Benz, BMW's, and we spend 'Benjamin's'), but I soon realized that no matter what was said on my part this was a lynch mob out to get the island girl. After a while I just became a spectator within the conversation as people continuously kept mentioning me in their condescending remarks, and honestly just to piss them off I keep repeating what we all in the Caribbean knows, not bathing your child regularly is NEGLECT. I guess they felt the need to justify their own actions for not one of the seven people leading this lynch mob bothered to comment on the discussion at hand, Claire Goss neglecting her baby a bath for over a week, but their own practices. Justifying their beliefs with the excuse that it may cause dry skin, well from what I've seen dry skin must appear if skin is not regularly hydrated; water. The pediatricians that advise parents to do this, don't say that they should, only that it's ok for three days out of the week, but of course the American people decided to take it to church and that is where it is being held. I sincerely would like to ask my readers, anonymously of course, do you all practice not bathing your child for a week or more like Claire Goss, and if not but you do practice it, what would be considered by you and your standards an appropriate ratio in which it isn't necessary to bathe children. Thanks for your thoughts and responses so far; looking forward to reading more!!
Please email me if it better suits your privacy needs @ usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com .

Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM!!!

    This morning I woke up, and after finishing my motherly chores (cleaning up my baby, feeding him, etc.) I opted to check on the news updates, and see what was going on in the world, but what I saw really shocked me, and the reason for this is because no one seems to think there is anything wrong with it. Claire Goss, a mother of three and part time blogger, came out to the world saying she doesn't have the time to bathe her baby and that she does bathe him maybe once a week, but she does admit that she does go longer. I was personally filled with rage after hearing about it in an online forum and then watching parents advocate for this fact. How is it possible that bathing your child is hurting their skin? Last time I checked if they're not changed regularly they get rashes so how can they not bathe regularly? And why is the nation agreeing with such a mockery of parenting; we aren't allowed to spank children for its abuse, but letting them go for days or weeks without a bathe isn't a crime?

    In her blog post Claire states that her pediatrician's office says that there is no need to bathe babies daily and that it causes dry skin. I sincerely don't understand how bathing can contribute to dry skin, maybe the soaps or water being used but not the simple act of bathing. Also there is plenty of merchandise on sale everywhere that can be used to lubricate a baby's skin, organic, cheep or otherwise; lotion, Vaseline, baby oil, etc. Being that I am from the Caribbean, U.S Virgin Islands people seem to think that it is more necessary to bathe a child here as opposed to the U.S mainland, my question is though if that deductive reasoning was derived through weather patterns, then I don't understand how they would still insist that bathing a child in Georgia during the summer would cause complications or that it wouldn't be necessary seeing as the heat index clearly indicates that many states are habitually hotter than in the Caribbean due to humidity.

    I am a part of an online community of parents and educators, of which both groups seem to have slightly different opinions, but none are saying what I personally think they should which is "This is wrong:". Any advocate for children or a parent with a heart would treat their own child as they would treat themselves, with that being said how many parents don't bathe for a week or more because it may cause dry skin. I tried to reach out to my personal pediatrician, but they were unavailable within their office this morning and in the afternoons usually she's at the hospital. Child care is one thing that is done universally but in different ways. It is not my intent to 'condemn' those who choose alternative practices, but I would implore upon those 'modern parents' to seek knowledge in the area prior to implementing new practices and be prepared to be scrutinized especially if you have no reason for your actions other than 'Mother knows best'.

 

While I'm sure that the original blog post by Claire Goss and the Good Moring America interview are linked within my blog page I would like to share once more so everyone can get all the information I did before commenting. If anyone would like to discuss this further or provide any other insights they are more than welcome, even if not aligned with mine. Please comment or email me at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com

 

GMA Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_honYXGUc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Original post by Claire Goss http://babble.com/baby/i-dont-bathe-my-baby/

I sincerely don't understand what they found funny; mothers Usually know best but w/ there females I am not certain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_honYXGUc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Importance of Play Part II: Physical Education

       I wanted to personally encourage everyone to facilitate more play time for our students. Research has taught us that rich, varied play experiences boost a child's learning significantly. Games/ play help children to develop coordination skills, as well as confidence and pride. While I'm sure that we all create the appropriate timing for play experiences, structured play that is purposeful and has intent has proven to be the best way for younger learners to progress. Through different types of play students develop new skills as well as knowledgeable concepts about different things or even issues present within their lives. Structured play with intent facilitates/ promotes; cultural awareness, aesthetic awareness, cognitive and language skills, social skills, time and space concepts, cause and effect, helps to differentiate real from pretend, and it is also a great way for children to express their emotions and whatever anxiety they may be feeling, among many other things.
       Through my various employments at different private preschools/daycare on St. Thomas there are many practices being used, and in most cases they are lacking any practices at all. Children are left to discover and care givers only give the appearance of teaching. I can recall specifically seeing a preschool teacher (K3) ridiculed for doing what she was supposed to, being called names by the owner/director for 'wanting to be a super teacher'. I learned quickly that I would not thrive in such settings and then begged the question, how could children be expected to learn and thrive in such an environment where it is not encouraged to facilitate such learning. Needless to say I (the ambitious college student) didn't last long, for I was 'taking my job to seriously'; I wasn't fired, but I did seek out employment where learning was encouraged. Through play children learn a variety of things that, while we may teach them verbally, will never understand until they are able to experience it. Through play we discover who we are and who the people around us are; we discover ourselves. Allowing children to interact with each other in different settings promotes different social skills that are also necessary for growth and development, both academically and throughout their lives endeavors. This applies to children of all ages including those in the more intermediate stages of growth and development. While they may not be able to interact as other children do, they still are able to make connections and interactions through smiles and the mimicking of movements made.
       This brings me to another aspect of play that is neglected within preschool/daycare programs, physical education. With this regards physical education professionals and advocates have argued this cause around the world; the earlier one is exposed to physical activities the more likely they are to develop healthy exercise habits and can progress this skill to a lifetime of fitness. With obesity constantly rising within our nation the best form of curing this disease, as all others, is to prevent it. Many have begged to question how or should schools implement quality physical fitness programs; I can't understand why with all the information available on the development and nurturing of young children how this subject could be left out of any curriculum. This disconnect can lead to students avoiding physical activities throughout their adolescence which can lead to the development of a bad habit for their futures. Children should be given the opportunity to engage in structured outdoor play for a minimum of two hours for at least three days a week, as well as structured indoor play through the use of different learning stations (i.e. kitchen sets, costume center, etc.) to allow room for growth and progression in all areas. I implore everyone to check with your child's care provider and find out their practices, if your children are only allowed play for once a week outdoors, and there are no learning centers within the facility, chances are your child isn't being provided the time necessary to explore themselves and the world around them and we all want for our children to grow to their fullest potentials.

The Importance of Play

Head Start Performance Standards are designed o ensure that all children and families receive high quality services. These standards define the quality services for low income children and their families and they are set standards for all Head Start Programs. The standards of learning in Head Start Programs are as follows;

• ·         Develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness
• ·         Understand and use language to communicate for various purposes
• ·         Understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary
• ·         Develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books
• ·         In the case of non English background children, progress toward acquisition of the English language
• ·         Know that the letters of the alphabet are special category of visual graphics that can be individually named
• ·         Recognize a word as a unit of print
• ·         Identify at least ten letters of the alphabet
• ·         Associate sounds with written words

The early stages of learning are the most fundamental to children. A regular Head Start Programs should facukutate these areas of learning amoung others, including engaging children in structured play; play is the best form of learning for early learners. When an early childhood professional’s job is labelled as ‘child’s play’ it’s usually because it mostly is. Children play naturally but they don’t always engage in activities that will promote learning. Providing an opportunity for children to play using learning activities increases their chances for learning. Play activities are essential for the development of the child to succeed in many different skills and behaviours including;

• ·         Learning different concepts
• ·         Developing social skills
• ·         Developing physical skills
• ·         Mastering different life situations
• ·         Learning different languages
• ·         Enhancing the self esteem
• ·         Preparation for adulthood

Piaget believed that play promotes the cognitive schemes and it is how kids learn of their world/surroundings. Through play the knowledge of the physical properties of objects are found, the roles humans play in the environment, mathematics, and concepts of space, time, and behaviour are also found. Play is critical to the development of children for it impacts their understanding of themselves, the world and the people around them. Playing is tied to the way children think, it helps their brain to flourish, and it is their natural learning mold. 

Children Are Dying

           For some of you this may hit a little closer to home than it does for me, but we all know that any blow of these circumstances can change anyone. There has been a recent rash of shootings and deaths within our territory, the U.S Virgin Islands, within the past two weeks. While there where no fatalities known to me of infants and toddlers, children are still dying. Regardless of their age, many teenagers, adolescents, and even college goer's are still children and we are loosing them to drugs, violence, and other spoils of poverty. I found out two days ago that a young man that I watched grow up died from fatal gun shot wounds. At first I questioned it, saying it seemed so highly unlikely. But then I saw condolences from the community and was too scared to offer my own, out of fear. What can you truly tell one who has lost a loved one? What could be said that wouldn't sound commercial or generic? what could you say to ease the pain? Throughout my tenure in this life I've meet this situation before, but it never gets better; one can never truly know the right words.

        It would benefit us a society/community to come together in these situations and to prevent these situations from happening. While many efforts are being made in forms of marches and picketing to prevent violence and drug abuse, but we can't just say it we need show it too. Reliable drug abuse and violence programs need be implemented in nurturing environments to promote progression, this is something that is also lacking within our systems. Creating rehabilitation centers and learning institutions in stagnant, violent environments cannot possibly promote progression, as is the intent of these institutions.  To quote one of my favorite artists, 'if you speak about it then you should be about it not just preach about it all day'; we all have a part to play. 

        There are still many of whom deserve recognition for showing resilience toward the 'wave of oppression' and empowering others along the way. Many of those whose story is and will never be heard; it is a shame that only the 'bad' news gets the major headlines and publicity, yet we wonder why the up and coming generations see it fit to live their lives in the influentially negative  manners that they choose. Like all learning skills that develop over time these behaviors are facilitated, by society and its member; all of us, we are the oppressors for we allow it to happen and we promote it. We, members of society are the light that shines, whether on the good or the bad we choose and our choices have lead us to a dark future for our children. The time to promote, encourage, and uplift our children and ourselves as individuals and nations is here; the actions we take now will determine tomorrow and the way we choose to live the rest of our lives.

Too Much Violence; USVI Shootings Near Preschools

Over the past week our Daily News has had headlines that a journalist probably prays for, but our community is being left with the stains and pains of these actions. We have lost another child to a senseless killing; my condolences to the mother although what do you tell a mother after she loses her son? Unfortunately, its something that many of us have thought of time and time again; I am personally tired of having such thoughts. I'm tired of having to bear witness to yet another mother mourning and suffering for reasons unknown to her and others. For each time that we've heard of the lost of another young life, we've heard promises from our legislators and commissioner's promising to 'clean up the streets' and make our community safer. The truth is, the only people that can make the community safe again are the members of that community; they are the only ones who will truly care.

Since the beginning of this year there has been a number of violent incidents within close proximity or directly within the areas of Head Start Centers in the Virgin Islands.  On St. Thomas there was a shooting reported directly in front of the Bovoni Head Start Center and in February, three employees of the Berg's Home Head Start Center found their cars with bullet holes and a security guard at the Dept. of Human Services was shot while being robbed of his cellular phone. Patrols where increased within the area, as promised by the police, but that didn't stop the violence from escalating. On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, gunshots erupted outside the Bergs Home Head Start (once again), children where asked to lie on the ground for fifteen minutes to ensure safety from stray bullets. While many parents, came with an urgency to check on the well being of their children and to take them out of harms way, they where unable to do so. Police had engaged the suspect within a gunfight that ended up directly behind the Head Start, so the center was placed on lock down, another measure to ensure the safety of students. The following Friday, angry & concerned parents spoke with officials from the Dept. of Human Services and the Virgin Islands Police Dept. expressing their concerns for the safety of their children. After a vote parents and officials came to the decision to send students to other Head Starts within the community that weren't experiencing such troubles due to violence in the community. 

Now, just last Thursday, a parent became a victim after dropping of his child at Head Start in Est. Williams Delight, on St. Croix. When returning to his car the victim was approached by four men who asked for his chain, and when he hesitated, they shot him and took it from him. In an attempt to escape the father ran into the Head Start, but was pursued and shot again from his assailant within the Head Start Center housing two employees and ten students at the time. Because of the violent nature of the crime the center has been closed until further notice. Earlier this year a store keeper was shot two blocks from another Head Start on St. Croix; when will this blatant disregard for human life end? I don't think that the blame should lie solely on those committing the crimes either, for what are our elected officials for? If we cannot expect our children to be safe within the learning institutions of our society then where are they safe? And while I thank the Lord that no one was hurt physically in either of these situations, I still can't help but wonder the effects of these incidents psychologically on such young minds, and hope that (if affected at all) it is irreversible and not a life long threat. Early childhood learners are very impressionable and such events can have negative effects, socio-emotional and psychological, that may past adolescence. I hope that as a community we will, one day soon, be able to rise above the violent crimes that are rampant in today's society and elevate ourselves to a more civilized way of living and thinking to secure a brighter future for our children. 

Resiliency in the U.S Virgin Islands

       Resilience in the U.S Virgin Islands comes within many shapes and forms, but sadly not all forms receive the audience it should. With our economy staggering it would appear pertinent for us to remind businesses and owner's that there is 'still money to be made' here. But what about those who've exhibited resilience socially and academically? Resilience is illustrated in the strength of a baby in the womb of a mother who abuses alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. It is shown in the everyday live of men who became productive members of the society, who furthered their education and used it to better the community instead of contributing to it's stagnant state. Where are their stories, opinions, insights, and monthly publications? I know where there not, in the schools, programs, and community centers where they should be; to show children of this day and age that while peer pressure does exist not all are 'subdued' by it and resilience is real. It is the key to success, academic or otherwise. The ability to exhibit resilience (Masten & Coatsworth, 1998; Rutter, 2000; Werner, 2000) is associated with a series of protective or opportunity factors that counter the impact of the risk factors in a child’s life. The risk with risk factors is that they have a tendency to multiply, like problems at home affecting school or problems with peers affecting a child's behavior, making it challenging. By facilitating protective factors for those children, encouraging them, engaging them in progressive learning activities we can help them to build resilience. By building a relationship/bond with the child we could help them so much more simply by empathizing genuinely. Through this bond, and showing them that you truly care, the child is more engaged and aware of his development and progressions, as such, they become more inclined to 'accelerate' their own progression/development. Because of lack of adequate schools, funding, personnel, and pressure has caused many of our educational institutions and programs to fail our children. I urge all to promote resiliency, spread the word, real stories to real people in real situations that genuinely need real help.

Rasminsky, Barbara Kaiser and Judy Sklar. Challenging Behavior in Young Children: Understanding, Preventing and Responding Effectively, 3/e for Ashford University, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions.