In caring for my great-nephews I’ve seen great improvements in the last 2 1/2years. As early childhood educators we’re taught, “So much depends on a child’s first years. For any child, the conditions present (or absent) in the early years have long-term effects on his or her development. In fact, many issues facing adults in impoverished communities trace back to those early childhood years” (ChildFund, n.d.). I pray I’m not sounding like a broken record to my colleges but, my great-nephews now excel in school, have fewer nightmares because of therapy, stability, health/nutrition, and love. This prompts me to want to conduct a research study locally to see how many more positive foster care parents are needed to deliver security, stability and positive experiences that will last a child a lifetime.
Therapy is something I always thought was necessary if situations in life are overbearing and individuals are unable to cope with and understand. It can create positive and negative effects down the line. One example is when my nephew explained to both his therapist and I that all he remembers
while living with his parents is eating breakfast cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When he started to attend school, he knew that other meals existed so why couldn’t he have them at home like he does at school? During this process, it gave me a greater appreciation for WIC services that’s an additional supplement for pregnant mothers and children under 5years old because this was the only thing he had. This particular situation made it hard for my nephew to be open to different foods especially vegetables. He would hoard food and sign up for additional meals he can bring home from school to ensure that he will never go hungry again.
To date, my nephew at times forgets to pick up his food bags from school and enjoys eating vegetables more. While growing up I heard a lot about the big brother/big sister organization that would help children in need by being a mentor to underprivileged children. My nephew, their father, unfortunately, didn’t have the opportunities his children now have so he is in need of help with freeing himself from drug abuse, homelessness, and maintaining a steady job. He needs to obtain stability so that one day he can be able to take care of his children. By increasing the assistance society can provide to children in need on all levels will allow our economy to be stronger.
Reference
“Early Childhood Development.” ChildFund, 21 Mar. 2020,
www.childfund.org/early-childhood- development/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpY75t4St6AIVjoVaBR2lzww3EAAYASAAEgK-zvD_BwE.
Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that your great-nephews are doing better and are willing to try new foods. When I worked at my old school, there were several students who came to school because they knew they would get two free meals. They also knew on Fridays, they got a snack bag that would help last them through the weekend. During this pandemic, it makes me wonder how these students are doing. How will this pandemic affect them in the future? Will they need future therapy to help them through this time as they may not have the verbal capabilities to express how they feel about what is going on?
Channae, therapy is a great help for me because not only do they help the child, they assist the family in understanding what’s going on. One example of this is when my nephew came home so excited to have two bags of food from school. At first, I took this as an insult personally because I always keep healthy/unhealthy snacks, fruits/vegetables along with 3 square meals and desserts regularly in our home. Plus, not to mention before this Pandemic we ate out regularly. If it wasn’t for his therapist explaining to me the food bags are his safety blanket that he will eventually let go once, he’s ready too because he knows what it feels like to go hungry never wanting to feel that way again. It allowed me to put things into perspective. So, I say to you, I encourage the children, parents or teachers to seek out additional help by any means necessary for the betterment of the child. To date my nephew is highly non-verbal and it takes a lot to get him to express his feelings and concerns.
DeleteBad experiences not always generate bad behavior. Giving a number of examples on how not to go hungry is a form of positive empowerment for them to sustain nutrition with the assistance of others.
Lawanda,
ReplyDeleteI like that you share real life experiences which helps to relate to topics better. I applaud you and the therapist that works with your nephew because trauma for children as well as adults can get deep. The progress that is made big or small is none the less progress and although it seems that some things are still a work in progress the fact that he is adjusting into a better regimen is awesome to me. "Sometimes therapists have been reluctant or worried that they would retraumatize children if they encouraged them to talk about it. But the truth is that whether we ask them to talk about it or not, those memories are living inside of these children and affecting their minds, bodies and brains in highly adverse ways"(Winerman, 2015). I believe it is better that your nephew has a support system and positive way to work through challenges then to hold them in and go at it alone. Thank you so much for sharing.
Reference
Winerman, L. (2015, December). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/12/helping-children
Violanda,
DeleteEveryone would say, it's good that your great-nephews are now with you and your husband but something inside of me feels their mother and father is the best for them. It wasn't until my friend pointed out to me that the environment their parents offer is not always best. This is when I decided to give them a positive/healthy/loving environment until the parents are ready to render the same. Thank you for your compliment.
Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your transparency. I'm glad your nephew is enjoying vegetables now. I can remember when I did a practicum and worked with a third grade class and there was a student who would go through the trash to get the food that was thrown away so him and sister would have food to eat at home. The teacher observed this and told him if he ever needs extra food to let her know. The teacher was also able to get a school counselor involved so the student could have time to express things that were going on his home life. Having resources and support is very important.
Sharita,
DeleteThanks too for sharing! I agree also 100%!