Discussion 1: Planning and Implementing Creative Activities

Using the information in this unit, plan a creative art activity for toddlers (18-36 months) and then explain how you would modify that same activity for 6-8 year old children. Choose an activity based on a skill which can enhance their ability to express themselves.

Note: Remember that creative expression involves teacher support but is not teacher directed. You do not want all of the children to end up with the same product. You want them to explore a new skill and materials.

In your plans, consider the following for the two age groups:

• developmental needs of the children

• modifications for children with special needs

• attention span

• physical ability

• activity level

• appropriate materials

• appropriate motivation

How do these considerations support NAEYC's position on Developmentally Appropriate Practice?

Child Welfare and Family 150 words for this class

Discussion 2: USE BOLIVAR COUNTY FOR THIS DISCUSSION

Read and post one primary post for each Discussion topic, addressing each of the topics clearly and correctly applying concepts from the course material to support answers. The length requirement for your post is 150 words minimum.

Be sure to make two or more responses to other students on each thread presenting original ideas, contributing to the quality of the discussion, and meets length requirement (50-100 words for each peer response).

Please follow these instructions to get to the data for your county from the U.S. Census Bureau. Be sure to look at the data about the mean income and the cultural/ethnic/racial groups that live in your area. As you review the data, consider what other information is important for us to know as human services professionals working in the area of child and family welfare. We will talk about this data in this week's discussion.

1. Go to the federal government census page at: http://www.census.gov/

2. Then, in the search box in the upper left, enter your state.

3. Click your state's QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau link.

4. Then, enter your county. If you choose, you can enter your city as well for more specific information.

In addition, review the data on children in your county at the Kids Count website by following these directions:

1. Go to the Kids Count Data Center at: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/Default.aspx
2. Click on your state.
3. Click "Community Level Profiles."
4. Click "Counties" and/or "Cities."
5. Choose your county or city. Once on that page, click the dropdown menu in the center section titled Indicators to review specific data.

After you complete the reading assignment and locate the data for your particular county, begin your discussion by:

• Identify what county (and/or city, if you choose to use that data) you live in, and then give a demographic account of the population that comprises your location. Be sure to include an overview of the cultural/ethnic/racial groups that live in your area. As you review your county or city's statistics, consider what other information is important for us to know as human services professionals working in the area of child and family welfare. Then, address the following questions:

• Pick two cultural/ethnic/racial groups and based on the readings this week, discuss their communication styles, values, and religious beliefs.

• Now think about constructing a genogram with a client in your area. Based on what you learned from your local census data and the textbook, what would be some of the hurdles you may face when trying to construct a genogram with your clients?

• Discuss some of the benefits of using a genogram with clients.

Be sure to use specific information from the text to support your answers. (When referencing the text, APA paper formatting and citation style must be used.)

Remember to respond to at least two classmates with comments that forward the discussion.