Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child 9th Edition by Lynn Marotz

تمرين 2

The U.S. Census Bureau redefined the term poverty so that it more accurately reflects today's economic standards (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). However, current guidelines continue to exclude many families whose income is often not adequate to meet even minimal requirements for food, clothing, shelter, and health care. Race, ethnicity, immigrant status, and single-parenting place many children and their families at the highest risk for living in poverty (National Kids Count, 2012). Although a majority of adults in these families are employed, they often work in minimum wage jobs. Health care and insurance are luxuries that many cannot afford. Changes in eligibility guidelines for various government assistance programs (food, cash, medical care, housing, child care, and job training) have further reduced some families' access to resources that affect children's health. It is estimated that 1 in 4 children under 18 years (32 million) in the United States live in low-income or poverty families; children under 6 years account for nearly half of this number. Increased poverty has contributed to more homelessness and food insecurity (including obesity), especially among families with children-currently the fastest growing segment of the homeless population (NCTSN, 2011).
Think About This:
Why is it important that teachers be aware of changes in national fiscal policy and federal programs
What effects would you expect poverty to have on children's early brain development
What physical and mental health problems might you anticipate if you were working with children who are economically disadvantaged
What steps can classroom teachers take to meet the special developmental and educational needs of children living in economically disadvantaged families
What resources are available in your community to assist low-income families with children