Impacts on Early Emotional Development

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose to investigate the regions of West and Central Africa.  These regions are exposed to high rates of poverty and disease.  The site reported that “nearly 2 children out of 10 never reach their fifth birthday. They die from malaria, diarrheal diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, and Malnutrition is widespread in the region” (UNICEF, 2013).  I chose to review this region because of news and information I had previously studied about Africa.  After visiting the site, I have learned a lot of information about the area.  As a result, I was shocked to learn how disease and poverty has limited the educational opportunities for children, and poverty and traditional beliefs keep 40% of children out of school” (UNICEF, 2013).  Thankfully, UNICEF is working to combat these challenges.

Poverty and disease impact children’s health and wellbeing.  As an educator, I have seen how poverty and disease affects children in schools in Mississippi.  Educators have to step up as advocates for children and work with families to connect them with services to help them overcome poverty.  Poorer families do not always provide the best nutrition or health for children.  This impacts the physical, emotional, and mental development of these children.  Therefore, reviewing the site helped me to understand how these challenges can stifle the development of children.

Reference

UNICEF. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html.