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Andrew Truax

Honors Experience Reflection

February 5, 2017

Early Language and Literature Development

During this class, we learned about how children develop their

ability to read and use language as they grow and develop. We talked

about how children acquire different literacies depending on where

they were from or what community they grow up in. It was really

interesting to learn about how factors outside of school affect a childs

education. The community and the community values play a key role

in how a child progresses in schools. For example, many poor

communities throughout Ohio do not place as much value in their

childs education. They place more value in hard work and other

aspects of their lives. So even if the children from these communities

went to the best schools, they would still be less motivated to achieve

and improve in school, because the community holds less value in

educational success.

Throughout this class we had two debates over commonly

argued issues involving education in the US. The debate I participated

in debated on whether outside of school community programs or just

improving the schools has a greater effect on childhood education.

Both sides of this debate brought some really interesting facts to the

table. For example, one of the reasons why poor communities struggle
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with successful education with children is the children lack resources

outside of schools. So the children are only improving their academic

literacy while in school. However, people in richer communities have

books and resources at their homes as well as in school. These

community programs can provide more resources for children in these

poorer communities and activities to help improve their literacy.

Throughout this class we also went and read and worked with children

at Millvale. This gave us first hand experience with working with

impoverished children in our own community. Overall this class was

very interesting and made me think about how fortunate I was in

where I grew up and the education I received. This class really showed

me some of the flaws in our nations education system and how money

isnt always the only answer.

This class will really help me succeed in my career as a nurse. I

will be able to use the strategies for working with children in many

different situations throughout nursing. For example, this class will

really help me with pediatric nursing and give me a strong base for

working with children if I want to assume pediatrics as a career.

However, even if I decide to work with adults, I must still be able to

interact with their children especially when family members are

struggling with their health.