Reference no: EM13916933

The report America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2008 provides an overview of how American children fare with regard to the following indicators of well-being:

• Family and Social Environment
• Economic Circumstances
• Health Care
• Physical Environment and Safety
• Behavior
• Education
• Health

These indicators were chosen because "they are easy to understand; are based on substantial research connecting them to child well-being; vary across important areas of children's lives; are measured regularly so that they can be updated and show trends over time; and represent large segments of the population, rather than one particular group" (Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 2008, p. 2).

After you have read the report, complete the following:

• Select the indicator that most interests you and review that section in the report. Summarize the findings and explain why you believe this information is important in terms of understanding and supporting children's well-being.
• Based on your growing knowledge of child development and the early childhood field, suggest at least two factors that are key to understanding children's well-being but were not utilized as indicators in the report. Explain your thinking.
• Articulate the ways your definition of well-being is expanding and deepening based on what you have learned and thought about so far in the course.