Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I choose the country of Belize from Latin America. This country is a frequent vacation site for some of my friends. They are always talking about the beaches. One of my friends loves the cigars. I have never really heard them talk about the culture of the people. I am planning on visiting this country one day. I hope to visit the neighborhoods, and I hope that I get to learn the culture of the people.

In my readings The Belizean children have a high poverty rate. The mortality rate is 18 out of every 1000 babies dies. There is a poor mortality rate. 27% of the schools have contaminated drinking water. Only 55% have access to quality early childhood education. Only 24% of the fathers support their children while the children are growing up. 65% of the mothers are there for their children in the early childhood years. Children ages 1-14 experience physical and psychological abuse from their parents or guardians.

These children are now facing cyber bullying or exploitation by adults online. Children will not have  had no one to prove them a safe, caring, and protective environment. There are fewer role models for them to follow, and their teachers, parents, or guardians will not have the necessary tools to provide them a strong foundation of early childhood education. There is a lack of nutrition which causes stunted growth in some children. Children are losing their love ones to accidents diabetes, gang violence, heart disease and aids.

A personal and professional reflection is that I as an educator must invest time and effort to get to know my students and their families. I must visit their cultures, and I must bring their cultures into my classroom. I must get to know the family members by having an open and respectful relationship with them. I must listen to their suggestions even if I don't agree with them. I must find a way to come to an agreement with the family members to provide a sound educational foundation for their child.