Lesson 3

One thing that I really love about this class is that everything that we are learning about keeps building on each other.  I have had numerous classes on different subjects and most of them don't really flow like this one.  This past week has been interesting; I feel like we are getting into the more child-specific topics.  I loved learning about the IEP process this week.  Something that is great about being in the child development major is that everything that has to do with it is personal and specific to each individual child.  It is something that I cherish because it is a basic principle of the gospel.  

The IEP process was fun to reenact.  I have a new found respect for everyone involved in the process because it was hard and stressful!  I had a fun time learning about each individual role and about how they all intertwine.  I also found it really impressive that people would go to such great lengths to help just one child.  I like learning about the different court cases that talk about these processes.  I think it is important to know about the past and what we can do differently.  I am impressed by people who stand for the children and I cannot wait to be able to do the same thing in my future career.  

Lesson 2

This week our lessons were awesome!  One thing that really hit me hard, as well as most of the class, was the video about the children in Siberia.  As we watched the video in class my heart hurt.  Growing up in the US, where we see so many people, every day, with mental and physical handicaps, it was appalling to see what was being done to these children, or not done, for that matter.  Watching this video really solidified my want to be an advocate for children.  In class we talked about why the view of these institutions changed.  In the Brown vs. BOE trial it was because of just a few people with a great amount of dedication to their cause that there was any change made.  The same principle applies in the situation with psych institutions.  Sometimes it just takes one person speaking up, for everyone else to realize that something is so wrong.  This can be such a frustrating principle, but it is one that I am accepting the challenge of having.  I think it is a very important calling in life to work with children.  There are so many nasty things that go on in the world today and I want to have something to do with them.  I want to be the one who took a chance and took a stand for those little children of God.  One of the doctrines that we came out of this week is that "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  I am so fortunate to have a knowledge of the gospel and of the Plan of Salvation.  I will hold my place as an advocate for God's children to the highest standard that I can.

Lesson 1

BYU-Idaho is such a unique university.  It is a wonderful thing to be able to be surrounded by so many people who have the same beliefs and values as I do.  One thing that I have come to love is directly applying the gospel to the things that I learn about in class.  Although the class has just begun, I know that the things that we are learning about can be taught by none greater than the prophets, apostles, and Savior himself.

When I read the lesson overview for this week, I was kind of surprised that there were only conference talks and a devotional for us to read.  As I read through the talks, though, it became clear as to why these were so important and applicable.

As I was reading through the talks, one of them kind of seemed like it didn't fit with the others.  The devotional address by President Clark was about ridding ourselves of the spirit of entitlement.  As I thought more about it and I discussed it with my group in class, I came to see this as the first step in the field of special education.  When I think of the word entitlement, I think of someone with a "greater than thou" attitude, meaning they tend to look down on people.  In the context of dealing with people with special needs, it is important that we expel this spirit from us immediately, because, in all reality, everyone in this world has been created in Gods eyes and has been given challenges that will help them, personally, to progress.

The other talks went a little more in depth on the attitudes and actions that we should display towards others.  I loved the beginning of Elder Wirthlin's talk when he spoke of a few of the great men that lead our church.  In describing these men, he showed me that he had also gained those Christ-like qualities himself.  One thing that I really liked that he said about President Monson was, "while it is a compliment to him that many of the great and mighty of this world know and honor him, perhaps it is an even greater tribute that many of the lowly call him friend."  What a powerful message.  It is because of his great humility, and through the lense of the Lord that he is able to attract so many different types of people.

I feel like Elder Ballard spoke a lot about the "lense of the Lord."  I thought it was interesting that he mentioned the importance of letting children associate with other children, even of their beliefs are not the same.  When things are said in general conference, you know that they are applicable to the world.  As it applies to little children, it applies to us, adults, too.  I think we can all strive to be more like the Samaritan that saw the man from Jericho.

One last thing that I found very impressive was in Elder Wirthlin's talk when he told the story of him and the boys who bullied.  I actually listened the talk and it was so powerful to hear this story from him first-hand.  It was amazing to hear that such a young boy was able to have the courage to stand up to someone who saw another child of God in a negative way.  This gives me courage in my own life to be kind.