physical development observation of a special need child in a group of diverse children

ASSIGNMENT # 2: PARENT INFORMATION/EDUCATION SHEET

In Chapter six, Stress is the body's reaction to a physical or emotional situation that causes discrepancy in a person's life. On the other hand, all children will experience stress, sometimes significant amounts of it, in their lives. The author depict the stress that young children may experience and it may well be resulting from disrupted homes, blended families, both parents working outside the home; increased exposure to violence, Parents working all the time, death, poverty
Experts agree that for some children, growing up in today’s world may be tougher. As many as 25% of all children are at risk of academic failure because of physical, emotional, or social problems and are less able to function well in the classroom because they are hungry, sick, troubled, or depressed. Children seem to have fewer sources of adult support than in the past, and many are being pressured to grow up faster (Honig, 2009; Marks, 2002).We need to be concerned about accumulated childhood stress and to be watchful about the types of stress-coping responses children are developing. Children experience stress from time to time in growing up. We have good evidence that children in poor families are less able to function well academically, socially, and physically. Despite this, almost 12 million children in the United States (16%) live in poverty, and another 5 million (7%) live in extreme poverty (Luthar & Sexton, 2007. Many children live in families that are typically overwhelmed with high levels of substance abuse, domestic abuse, and mental health problems. Poor children are more inclined to have developmental delays and behavioral and disciplinary problems than other children. They experience malnutrition, health problems, and below average school performance. Five suggested techniques for reducing childhood stress and supporting young children at home are:
For parents that are working all the times, quality time is important as kids get older. Allow time for fun activities, It's really hard to come home after a long day of work to get down on the floor, and play with your kids or just talk to them about their day especially if they've had a stressful one themselves. Whether they need to talk or just be in the same room with you, make yourself available because expressing interest shows that they're important.
Complicating factors, like a divorce or separation, when these are added to the everyday pressures that kids are facing, the stress is overstated. Divorce has been embattled as the single largest cause of childhood depression. Almost all children in that situation manifest some signs of psychological imbalance or feelings of insecurity. Even the most amicable divorce can be a difficult experience for kids because of uncertainty, it is a tough change. Parents should never put kids in a position of having to choose sides or expose them to negative comments about the other spouse. Parents need to sit down and explain to children the changes in an age appropriate way about what to expect, reassure them that the love both parents have for them will never change and that both of you will always be there to support them in any way.
Another Suggested technique is Life event like death of a love one, Parents feel uncertain about how to comfort their children who have experienced the loss of a love one. Children understand very little about death, it is the parent’s responsibility to help their children develop a healthy understanding about the subject matter. Different families have different views when talking to children about death, it is a day to day event that even adult cannot comprehend but in that circumstance parents have no choice but to help their children cope with their loss by allowing them to talk and express their feelings and emotions.
Additional suggested technique is natural disaster, as we seen in many countries where a hurricane or an earthquaque cause a family to lose their home and all their belongings. In time of hardship and confusion such as this, Children are thrown out of balance, they feel disoriented and will develop stress and anxiety caused by fear. Parents need to shield their children and help them get back into control. Talk to the children, reassure them that this situation is temporary and promise them that things will get better or seek professional help.
Conclusion
Our complex modern society has greatly increased the amount of stress adults and children are exposed to. Children are experiencing more stress at younger and younger ages Children react in different ways to stress. Some children become ill. Some may become withdrawn and nervous while others show anger and demand attention. It is not easy to recognize when kids are stressed out, but listen and watch for behavioral changes, mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns, or bedwetting can be indications. Some kids have trouble concentrating or completing schoolwork. Still others become withdrawn or spend a lot of time alone even very young children have worries and feel stress to some degree. Adults ordinarily fail to recognize the incidence and magnitude of stress in the lives of children the author went on to explain how to help kids cope with stress, it is to provide proper rest and good nutrition, to create time for your kids each day. No technique will work all of the time. But
Pay a little extra attention to her
Some children experience more stress than others, some are more sensitive to stress and some are better at handling it than others.
We cannot eliminate all stress from children’s lives, nor can we always succeed in making stressed children feel better immediately. Stress is a part of life, and children learn how to handle child-sized stress by dealing with it, with appropriate help and support. By practicing stress-reduction and relaxation strategies with your children, you’re helping them build skills they will use throughout their lives.
Create an information sheet that can be sent home to help families support their children in times