Testing Intellegence?

The holistic view of middle childhood children definitely should include assessing their cognitive growth.  As an educational administrator, cognitive growth is an area that I feel needs to be closely looked at. 

Because anxiety disorder in childhood it can be chronic and lead to substantial social, emotional, and educational impairment. And it is the most common disorder in children. This area is central in driving developmental milestones. And because strong language and thinking skills, and emotional a stability are critical for survival in society today (Mor & Meijers, 2009).

In Israel, they are examining the scientific basis of cognitive behavioral therapy that is used for treating children with anxiety issues. They are proving information on the components that include psycho-education, coping skills and exposure and the role of the parents in the therapy process (Mor & Meijers, 2009).

The method that they used is the assessment is the evidence-based assessment model. This particular model gathers information or data which leads to case conceptualization. Case conceptualization plays a large part in assisting treatment planning, treatment evaluation, monitoring of treatment progress, diagnosing existing anxiety, or potential cases, the cause or nature of the issue, and understanding patients, assessing cost and treatment effectiveness, the  satisfaction of clients, monitoring changes during therapy, and treatment evaluation  (Mor & Meijers, 2009).

In addition, as an administrator, it is a great idea to make assumptions and preplan for disorders of any type.  Leaders must become proactive and schedule interviews with parents and children and probe for information that may reveal signs and symptoms of any anxiety disorders.

Mor, N., PhD., & Meijers, J., PhD. (2009). Cognitive behavioral therapy in childhood anxiety. The Israel      

       Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 46(4), 282-9. Retrieved from 

       http://search.proquest.com/docview/

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

As an African America child growing up in the Deep South, there were very many stressors to deal with.  There was definitely racism, poverty, hunger, and violence.  I mostly grew up in a broken home on a small farm located in a very rural area outside of town with a single mother.  My mother had eight children and not very much support from my father.  We had to live with my father for one summer due to my mothers inability to properly support us.  We were unfortunate to not have proper conveniences that others had.  We had no automobile, no electric stove, no running water, limited bedding, a fireplace and only two rooms available to sleep.       

As a coping mechanism we were not aware that we had a choice or that life was much better than our experiences in that state.  We wore the same clothing; eat limited portions of food, shared water from a neighbor, food, telephone, and automobile, shared child caring and caregiving. We mainly shared resources.       

The region of the country that I chose is the country of Israel.  Israel has experienced or has been forced to fight many wars. War is a constant for this nation as they are fighting everyone that they must.  Fortunately, their fighting spirit and resilience have always afforded them a victorious outcome. Israel is known for a place where Jesus Christ once lived walked and preached the gospel.  Jerusalem is the capital and is often mentioned in movies, books, article and other sources of information.  

Unfortunately, this has been a war zone many times.  War and terror attacks or violence in Israel has caused the quality of family life to fall very low in this historic religious nation.  Children have to leave tier homes for an uncertain amount of time and live in fear of terrorist attacks.  Economic and physical uncertainty has a great impact on their stress levels. Their hope for the future is threatened and poverty is increasing, child indoctrination occurs, abuse by militants as human shields, and detained by militants, on one side of the war.  The impact of war causes them not to sleep well, hunger sets in as well as a poor education, a lack of food, and posttraumatic stress on all ages.  

In addition, children handle stress better than adults and despite their experiences many are able to show positive growth in the aftermath. With a richer spiritual relationship with Christ,    changed priorities, interpersonal relationships, things can turn around.  (Kimhi et al. 2010)

Some peace projects that were implemented in Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Health professionals from each city have worked together through the Canadian International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO).  The projects goal sis to promote peacebuilding through addressing mother-child health, nutrition, youth health, disease and youth health (Skinner et al.2005).