- Share with your colleagues the area of the world you chose and why.
I chose to take a closer look at the areas of East Asia and Pacific. I chose this because I wanted to explore an area that I do not know much about. Even though I am unfamiliar with this region, I have many acquaintances through my professional experiences that are native to this area, which makes researching it even more interesting.
- Describe in detail some of the challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting.
Based on what I researched, many of the challenges that children in this region face are of results of poverty. Although challenges related to poverty exist, this region has seen much economic growth in the past decade (UNICEF, 2011). The main focus is based on child survival. A large portion of the populations in this region are affected by inadequate healthcare, education, and protection services. Two health related challenges that effect children are pneumonia and diarrhea. These illnesses are easily treatable but commonly take the lives of children in this region. There is great emphasis placed on pre natal care since growth and development begins in the womb. Also there is focus on making health care systems more efficient in delivering services to women and children.
Education and gender equality are important focuses of improvement as well. In the Asia and Pacific region, an estimated 239 million adolescents have either dropped out of school or are not learning adequately because of partial attendance(UNICEF, 2011). Gender equality is addressed through advocacy, public awareness campaigns and the development and dissemination of good practices in gender equality.
- Explain how these experiences might have an effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development.
Having inadequate nutrition, healthcare, education, and public services can hinder children’s development in many ways. It can cause problems to a child’s physical health as well as emotional and mental development. Not having access to these services early can lessen a child’s life span and limit future success.
- Include a personal and professional reflection. Explain the insights you gained and the influences they may have on you as a person and as an early childhood professional.
After learning more about the challenges that children face in this region I began to appreciate the resources that we are fortunate to have access to in our local communities. The challenges that are faced in this region of lack of health care are astonishing. I often complain of our healthcare system and the cost of services. However, I do not have to worry of losing my child to illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia. That information hit home for me. I am also grateful to have the opportunity to become a part of an educational system that is nurturing to children’s development and does not discriminate based on gender.
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html
