Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development

Hunger

Hunger is an issue that children face around the world.  Many children are not fortunate to receive daily meals and could possibly go without food for days.  Lack of nutrition and hunger impact how children develop mentally and physically.  In America, there are governmental and non-profit programs and organizations to ensure young children receive daily meals.  WIC, SNAP, and Feeding America provide many children and families with access to food (Feeding America, 2012).

“In 2010, 16.4 million or approximately 22 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty. Research indicates that hungry children do more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they are not well prepared for school and cannot concentrate” (Feeding America, 2012). 

In Canada, hundreds of thousands of individuals are impacted by hunger.  Hunger is “one of the most preventable and significant health issues facing Canadian society” (Kennedy, 2007).  Food banks are located throughout the country to provide food to help alleviate hunger.  Food Banks Canada conducts research on hunger and low-income tri-annually. Annually, the HungerCount report is published (Foods Bank Canada, 2011). 

“Even short-term food deprivation can affect the physical and mental development of young children who are disproportionately represented in the ranks of Canada's hungry (41% compared with 25% in the population at large).¹ And the psychological torment of being denied the satisfaction of a good meal preys on children and adults alike” (Kennedy, 2007).

Feeding America. (2012). Child hunger facts. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx

Foods Bank Canada. (2011). Research. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from: http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/hungercount

Kennedy, G. (2007). Food for all. Retrieved on March 24, 2012, from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/177/12/1473.full?ijkey=%209ed307218ade8d69aaad3aece8f47d6c63397438&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Child Development and Public Health

Mental health of mothers, fathers, and families play a large and impressionable role in how their young children grow, develop, and learn.  Healthy mental health of mothers, fathers, and families has a positive impact on the development of their child’s well-being, psychological and social development, cognitive ability, and educational achievement.  If parents and families mental health in unhealthy, it has a negative impact on their child’s development.  Parents and families mental health, whether health or unhealthy, influences their child’s development.  For children to grow and develop to their fullest potential, parents and families need to be aware of their mental health can affect their child.

The mental health of mothers, fathers, and families influence a child’s development around the world.  In Brazil, children are more likely to have a mental health disorders and behavior problems due to severe physical punishment, poverty, their mothers’ mental health state, and violence.  Mothers and female caregivers mental health is crucial to the development of their child’s mental health.  Brazilian girls living in poverty are twice as likely to have emotional problems compared to boys.  Families living in poverty are less likely to obtain health care services compared to middle class families.

The information that I found on the mental health of mothers, fathers, and families is crucial to the development of children worldwide.  Being understanding of families’ unique situations and providing the proper resources to ensure they receive the services needed promotes the well-being of young children and families.  If I have a student that is dealing with mental health problems, I speak to the school counselor and refer the student to SST (Student Services Team).  At SST, we discuss the student’s progress and concerns using data, checklists, and work samples.  Based on the outcome of the assessments completed, an IEP (Individualized Education Program) may be necessary.  There are also mental health agencies that we refer families to who provide counseling to students and families weekly.  The information provided on mental of mothers, fathers, and families confirms by beliefs of providing students and families with the resources needed to be healthy.   

Childbirth––In Your Life and Around the World

The day that forever changed my life and welcomed me to motherhood, December 12, 2001.

My labor was induced after waiting nine days after my due date at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I opted not to have an epidural. My contractions were pretty intense and lasted about 3 1/2 hours before Jade was born at 6:28 p.m. There were no complications with the birth. Jade was a healthy baby girl who weighed 7lbs. 2oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. After she was born, I can remember thinking she was just perfect and instantly falling in love with her.

Jade being born is an unforgettable and memorable moment in my life. My first child was born. I always loved being around children at a young aged. But when Jade was born, I realized my love just grew stronger. I give credit to Jade for me pursuing my education in early childhood. I wanted to make sure that I was capable of providing her and all other children I interact with the best life possible.

Birth is a remarkable period in life. Understanding and promoting child development is crucial for children to grow and learn to their fullest capabilities. Young children who do not have rich or caring relationships or a rich and caring environment to thrive in will affect their development negatively.

Current common practices of giving birth in Afghanistan are extremely hazardous to mothers and their child.  Most commonly mothers do not receive the proper medical care needed to ensure their health or the babies.  The majority of mothers give birth on dirt or mud floors using unsanitary practices, it is common for the ones helping with delivery not washing their hands.  Hospitals usually lack the proper and adequate medical equipment for child deliveries.  It is also likely for Afghanistan women to wear clothing during delivery because of customs and traditions of men other than husband seeing them unclothed.  Another dangerous issues dealing with childbirth in Afghanistan is the mother’s placenta being pulled out by the umbilical cord, which could create serious and life-threatening problems.  Not having enough facilities and under qualified staff are issues that impair the likely hood of mothers and her child receiving the proper and sufficient care needed to be healthy after delivery.  There are programs, internationally and locally, offered to teach and train about safe and healthier child delevering practices. 

There are many differences compared to my personal birthing experience compared to the women in Afghanistan.  I gave birth in a hospital which was clean, sanitary, and the best interests of my child and myself.  Most Afghanistan women do not have that luxury of birthing a child in a hospital or a sanitary environment which promotes their health and well-being. Afghanistan has a rather high rate of death during pregnancy and during delivering.   Different countries have different methods, practices, and traditions when it comes to birthing a child.  Some methods, practices, and traditions are not in the best interests of the mother or child.  Tradition and customs play a large role in the experience of childbirth and have a positive or negative development of children throughout life.

Resources

http://www.msf.org.uk/allywakeham.letter?lId=314cb605-9b08-44eb-b8f6-1dbcaf0c6234

http://reliefweb.int/node/117884