Assessing Children

Each child is unique and learn in different ways. I think a child should be assessed not only by testing them in class, but also by observing their actions.  Observing a child's behavior that is exhibited in different environments can give you an understanding of what they may or may not know.  Their actions and behaviors should be observed when they are home, at school, out with family, and out with friends. Children sometimes act differently when they are with different people. Some children are shy and may not show their whole self around a particular person or people.

Studies in India have shown 10% of school-going children having scholastic difficulties. Scholastic problems in children are a significant source of stress for the child and the family. India did a study using a computer-based program to assess the intelligence of children ages 8-11. One group was given the computer-based training and the other was not. There was substantial improvement in cognitive performance and school marks for the computer-based group and not the other group.
What shows positive results for one child may not necessarily show positive results for the other. Each child learns differently, so it's just a matter of figuring out what works best for who.

Stress on Children's Development

When I was around 12 years old, I witnessed my 5 year old cousin suffer abuse from his mother's boyfriend. My cousin had bruises and burns on his body. The boyfriend would also beat my aunt. This is a form of violence. It was hid in the beginning. My aunt would not come around the family at first. The family started to become suspicious, so they would visit her. Once everything came out about what was going on, my cousin was taken away and given to foster parents. My aunt's boyfriend went to jail. My cousin had several surgeries for the burns on his body. We were able to see him some years later and his mom could too. My cousin is all grown-up now. He and his mother has a strained relationship. He said she didn't love him and allowed that to happen to him. He still says she doesn't love him. I think this was emotional and physical stress. I've seen him interact with his children and he shows them plenty of love. I'm glad he was able to love although he feels his mother didn't, and still doesn't, love him.

Females in India are targeted for violence more than boys. Some are beaten, raped, or killed. Sons are preferred over girls, the girls are looked upon as liabilities. This abuse comes from parents and other people in society. They are incapable of coping with anger, frustration, and stress in life, so they vent their stress on children. These stresses are physical, mental, and emotional. There has been an organization put in place in India to protect the children from any type of violence. No one, especially an innocent child, should have to suffer abuse. This can affect the development of a child in many ways. The child may grow up and become abusive them self.