Testing for Intelligence

Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to “the whole child”), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning.

 I know when it comes to myself when taking test I start to panic and break down. I always done very good in my class but when it comes to test I don’t do well. So in my opinion standardized testing does not measure all students’ ability. These test are to show what children know and what they have learned. I think the testing should be on different areas such as cognitive, social, emotional, physically and academic.

 In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world? (Choose a country or region of the world for which you have a personal affinity.)

 In the UK teachers write a report on the child’s progress and talk to parents about it. Children do a phonic screen check where they read 40 words out loud to a teacher. This will determine if the child needs extra help with reading. They will do he check again in the second year if they don’t do well. In the UK from grades 2nd – 6th they have national test and teacher assessments in English, Math and Science.

 What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues?

 In my classroom we do portfolios and anecdotal notes. We also do an assessment called the COR assessment. I really enjoy the portfolios because it is actually the children’s work. We start them in September and do the last one in May. The children do an art sample, writing sample and name writing sample. I also like to do the anecdotal notes because we actually observe what the child is doing and write I down.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

As a child I never really faced any stressors. Even though I didn’t have to face any I seen many of my friends growing up dealing with them. My best friend had to deal with her mother and father in and out of prison. Her grandmother had to raise her. It was hard for me to see what she had to deal with because I have never experience that before. It was worse for her when they would get out and promise her that she could live with them and be a family and then they would break her heart because they would  turn around and go right back to prison.

I also seen many of my friends dealing with their parents getting a divorce. I can only imagine what I would of felt like if my parents were to get a divorce. I’m grown now and I still can’t imagine. Divorce is highly stressful to children. When children have to go through a divorce they are going through a big change. Divorce can also put a strain on the child and the relationship they may have with both parents. Parents should never want their child to pick a side. One of my friends had to go live with her dad one year and her mom the next year. That was very hard on her because she had to switch schools every year. When she got older she decided she wanted to stay full time with her dad. I like the fact when she got older the parents let her make the decision to whom she wanted to live with.

Poverty has a huge impact on child development. When children live in poverty they suffer in cognitive development. Their physical health is also is affected by poverty. Mexico is the number one city that faces poverty. In Mexico many children are unable to attend school because their families cannot afford to buy uniforms and school supplies. Another issue is children start to work at a young age. They are unable to attend school because they are working to help their family. A lot of parts of Mexico is starting a community center for children and families. They have a group of people that help them with food, help them get an education and help with health issues.