When I Think of Research...

The main insight that I gained from this course is research may seem challenging but with the proper tools and planning in place, researchers are able to conquer their goal. There is a plethora of information as well as past researchers that can aid in conducting an unbiased and meaningful study. The materials that were provided to us each week also helped me to better understand building research competencies. Now that I have a better understudying of all of the aspects, it is easier to compose a research paper in the early childhood field.

After taking this course, my views on research simulation and process has changed. With guidance and resources, it is not as difficult as I previous thought prior to taking the course to generate a great research paper. If everyone works together involved in the research process, one can produce to best research that will uncover and allow everyone to have a better understanding to unanswered questions, and new knowledge and insights in the early childhood field. 

Lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood that I learned is it is important to set aside a great amount of time and plan well. There are many steps and procedures that need to be implemented in order to effectively generate and produce a study. This means the entire process from planning to designing to conducting research should produce purposeful, well designed and credible research.

Because to process to conduct a study is so detailed, at times it was changeling for me to grasp some of the information within each chapter. I would find myself rereading some of the content in order to gain a better understanding. I would also use the class discussions, the teacher's feedback and the chart we gradually built each week to assist me.  

I would like to take this time to thank everyone in this class! Thank you for your responses, insights, and the opportunity to collaborate in various research issues. I have gained so much from this class!

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

Some current international research topics are:

In Australia,

1. The rights and wellbeing of young children are at the forefront of social discourse and social policy.
2.  
3. Continuous improvement in the delivery of early childhood education and care.
4. The Early Childhood National Quality Reform Agenda continues to be implemented with increased public understanding and support.
5. Early childhood education and care is inclusive and effective across populations of vulnerable children. 
6. Early childhood education and care is provided by a qualified, specialized and skilled workforce

Taken from

(http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/early-childhood-australias-advocacy/)

In Africa,

1. Indigenous language, knowledge and play
2. 
   
3. Involvement of local communities, issues relating to parents, and local child rearing practices
4. 
   
5. Developmental assessment
6. 
   
7. Identification and inclusion of children with special needs

Taken from
(http://www.ecdvu.org/documents/ECDVU2013Newsletter_000.pdf)


What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

According to the ECDVU News, the vast majority of materials available regarding child development and ECD are researched and authored outside of Africa—largely in the U.S(ECDVU, 2013). There are many countries like Africa have to outsource their information. The ECDVU also has interactive web-based course work as well as face-to-face seminars that lets their students have access and knowledge from other countries. Early childhood Australia focuses on the needs of children from birth to eight years old. The ECA values are based off of integrity, collaboration, leadership, inclusiveness and quality. It is also important to note that they acknowledge that strong pedagogical and courageous leadership is essential to support and promote the rights and voice of children (ECA, n.d.). Through the week's readings, it was very interesting to learn how other countries advocate and collaborate for the sake of small children.

 

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

After reviewing these sites, it is good to know other countries are placing a priority on young children's education and well being across the world. School teachers, students, and policy makers are putting in the effort to ensure that children are getting the best. 

References

ECA. (n.d.). Early Childhood Australia’s Advocacy - Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/early-childhood-australias-advocacy/

ECDVU. (2013). ECDVU News. Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/documents/ECDVU2013Newsletter_000.pdf

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Meet Timothy!

 He has been in our care for about four years. Over the years, I've watched him grow and mature into a handsome young man. He was diagnosed with high functioning autism before being enrolled in our center. When he first started, he had sensory issues and would not interact with others. He would also have meltdowns and outburst because he had problems expressing his emotions verbally. Due to this issues, his mother placed him in occupational therapy. Since then, I have noticed a difference in how he conducts himself. Now he understands how to use his words to express his feelings, as well as engage with other children in the center. His mother also explains that he is doing much better in school and has become less dependent on her. 

I found an interesting article entitled, Study Finds Sensory Integration Therapy Benefits Children with Autism. “This study is one of the first to show that therapy is an effective way to help ease such sensory difficulties and improves daily functions” (Autism Speaks, 2013). Although this study is not a new, it discusses how engaging with others can help with autism overall. "Sensory integration therapy, as practiced by occupational therapists, uses play activities in ways designed to change how the brain reacts to touch, sound, sight and movement" (Autism Speaks, 2013). The findings also revealed that they needed less assistance from their parents with self-care and in social environments (Autism Speaks, 2013). Studies like these help children, like Timothy, function more effectively in society. I personally believe that early intervention for children with disabilities create better outcomes for their future. 

Today, Timothy is twelve years old. He is a joy to be around. He loves to give hugs and makes sure I am living a healthy life like him. When the day comes that he will leave our center, I don't know what I am going to do because a piece of my heart will be gone!

Reference

Autism Speaks. (2013, December 3). Study Finds Sensory Integration Therapy Benefits Children  with Autism. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/study-finds-sensory-integration-therapy-benefits-children-autism

My Personal Research Journey

The power of play in early childhood education has always been of great interest to me. I enjoy watching children explore, imagine, create and express themselves during play. Working with children for over ten years, I strongly believe that children in childcare settings should be allotted time to engage in various types of activities throughout the day. 

I am very excited and even more nervous to investigate this topic. The research chart and its guidelines given to us during the first week of class will help me with this journey. Although, each of us are studying a different topic, we may be able to help one another out with tips and strategies. I am here to be of any assistance to my fellow classmates. Being that this is all new to me, I do not have any resources to share at this time but as I come across useful information, I will share it with the class. I will gladly except any input my peers have to offer. 

Final Blog Assignment

Last week's response from my international contact:

     

1. Unfortunately nothing related to quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed here.

2. At my current school there are no opportunities or requirements for professional development. the teachers must research and seek out any professional development requirements to maintain their credential in their home state.

3. One of my professional goals is to continue my education and pursue a Masters degree in Physical Education
4. I hope to continue teaching overseas and learning more about different cultures. Some of the challenges that I face include: language, learning the language in the country I live in. Culture, adjusting to cultural difference and perspectives on things that are considered rude and offensive in America. Parent interactions, talking with parents who are not familiar with the American school system and how behaviors handled and classrooms are managed to facilitate their child's education. 

Kilah

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development:

1. Staying connected to our international contacts helps us as educators globally enhance our knowledge in this field. In this profession, it is vital that we stay abrupt on issues for the greater good of the child in our care. As professionals in the education field it is also our duty to be life long learners.
2. Sharing information with my contact from Germany, I learned the importance of integrating culture into my classroom. Today's class is so diverse and it is important to exchange stories and views to better understand backgrounds and build relationships with children and their families.
3. Every child matters all around the world. As educators, we must use our research and findings to help all children receive the education they deserve. 

I would love to one day join a global team that works on improving the school system in the early childhood field in different countries. This my include but is not limited to: working to produce high quality teachers and schools, developing standards and creating curriculums. 

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

My international contact went out of town last week. I still want share the information she provided.  

"Well, the school that I currently work at is not accredited so, unfortunately, it answers to no one (educational governing body/authority). Due to this fact our teacher's meetings are different. The school has not adopted any content standards but the student materials address the basic standards to a certain degree. I, personally, have had discussions with my colleagues about the lack of standards and the resulting effects on their preparation for the next grade. I believe that content standards enable equality in the sense that every students learns the same material and is accountable for the same material. Content standards also make moves/transitions from one school to another smoother. We also discuss different resources and activities to differentiate instruction for our students to promote academic excellence. Unfortunately, these things are not discussed at our staff meetings. We, the teachers, must draw from our experiences from teaching in the United States to challenge our current students." -Kilah

She has not responded the this week's questions but when she does I will update my page.

The three insights I gained from this week's alternative assignment were:

1) Most websites and research that I have done since starting my degree states that early childhood is children ages birth to five. The UNESCO catergorizes children to the age of eight in early childhood.
2) UNESCO has a unique role to play in strengthening the foundations of lasting peace and equitable and sustainable development (UNESCO, 2014).
3) The UNESCO promotes peace and strives to build networks across the world.

References

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/
  

Sharing Web Resources Continued

Part of becoming a productive early childhood professional involves having and utilizing resources that are readily available to us. Some outside websites resources I chose to take a closer look at were:

• Early Childhhood News: http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com

• Early Childhood Resource & Practice: http://www.ecrp.uiuc.edu/index.html

• Zero to Three: http://www.zerotothree.org

Each of these websites offered a plethora of information regarding various issues in early childhood education. 

In this month's newsletter for Early Childhood News; Respecting Infants & Toddlers for Best Practice by Terri Swim; she discusses ways to increase the positive and reduce the negative influences educators may have on children. "Demonstrating respect is not just about feeling good; for young children, it is about adults acting intentionally to promote optimal development and learning (Swim, n.d.)" We should provide response that allow children to make they own choices. This will helps them to build skills they need to think for themselves. As teachers, we should repeat their style of doing things. This promotes independence as well as strengthens confidence and self-esteem.  She also encourages educational professionals to listen to children with our eyes and hears (Swim, n.d.). In doing this we are allowed the opportunity to learn the child's areas of weakness and promote development. Lastly, it is important to aid in building children's social skills by paying attention to how children interact with one another. 

I receive the CCEI newsletter. Feburary's issue talks about children's heart health. This month is National Heart Month. Although many young children do not have heart problems, it is important to start them off with healthy eating habits and practices to ensure longevity. Schools and centers should serve healthy food and engage in some type of physical activity during the day. 

Both articles tie into what we are discussing this week; Excellence and Equity of Care and Education for Children and Families. Children in our care should be surround by quality child care professionals who have the child's best interest at heart. Children should have access and be exposed to educators who want to help build skills and respect each child's differences. Introducing children to healthy eating habits and exercise is also vital in promoting excellence in child care. 

The week I learned that these websites offer information to educational professionals for any branch of this field. Ongoing training, classes and educational websites helps professionals like ourselves stay abreast to standards and techniques need to promote excellence and equity of care and education for young children and their families. 

Resources

Heart Healthy Habits for Children | February 2016 CCEI Newsletter. (2016, February). Retrieved from http://www.cceionline.com/newsletters/February_16.html

Katz, L. (2015, August 6). ECRP Spring 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.ecrp.uiuc.edu/v17n1/index.html

Swim, T. (n.d.). Respecting Infants & Toddlers: Strategies for Best Practice. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_home.aspx?ArticleID=468

ZERO TO THREE: Homepage. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org