In the section regarding maltreatment there are outside links to resources that respond to the needs of children and families impacted by maltreatment, violence, loss, and disaster. The links included “Child Abuse and Neglect” and “Court Teams for maltreated child”, and “Impact of trauma”. I chose to look deeper in the section “Abuse and Neglect” and I found the article “Better Start, Child Maltreatment Prevention as a Public Health priority” (Francie Zimmerman).
Here are some of the insights that I have gained from reading this article regarding maltreatment. Exposure to child maltreatment is not randomly distributed within populations. The likelihood of a child experiencing maltreatment is associated with her or his social and economic environment (Braveman & Egerter, 2008). Children from households with lower income and parental education and who live in communities with greater concentrations of disadvantage; housing stress, low social capital, and lack of social support are more likely to be exposed to. There are many consequences for child maltreatment that include: injuries, it can affect the child's brain and nervous system and increase the risk of low academic performance, engagement in high-risk behaviors, and difficulties in peer and family relationships, disabilities, physical health issues, and emotional problems. Brain imaging techniques have enabled scientists to document the effects of abuse and neglect on the developing brain and, hence, a broader range of health and social consequences of abuse and neglect. These images show that maltreatment early in life actually damages the brain’s physical structure by impairing cell growth, interfering with the formation of health circuitry, and altering the neural structure and function of the brain itself (McEwen, 2007). Prevention is the best tool to reduce maltreatment and neglect issues in children. The best thing that can be done to promote child health and ensure his/her safety is by changing social norms, encouraging community action, educating the public, and advancing polices that value young children and support families. Scientific evidence now shows that a healthier population begins in childhood. It is better and more efficient to “get it right from the start” by preventing maltreatment rather than trying to fix the many problems that result from early trauma later in life.
In the Early Care and Education section, there are age based information on how children develop the four key skills which are language and literacy skills, thinking skills, self confidence, and self control that are very important for their future academic success. The Early Care and Education is a very important section. It gives parents and educators lots of information on children’s development and tips on how to nurture them in a very healthy and positive way. This section also mentions the importance of positive early learning experiences and how it lays the foundation for later school success. This section offers three links that include Child Care, Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care, and School Readiness Interactive Birth to 3. All of these circumstances have the potential to provide high quality education for young children.
The first years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby’s development. I recommend every educator, parent or any professional working with children to visit this website because it offers great information that they can use with children to have a good start and establish healthy patterns for lifelong learning.
This website affirmed the same things we are studying regarding equity and excellence in the early care that a healthy population begins in childhood. It is better and more efficient to get it right from the start rather than trying to fix the many problems that result from early trauma and bad educational experiences later in life.
Resources:
Zero to Three Website: www.Zerotothtree.org
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