When I Think of Research.......

As I conclude my studies of research, I have learned a lot from this learning experience. I have gained many insights about research from taking, “Building Research Competency”. I have learned that research is systematic. Research serves to confirm facts, develop theories, establish facts, reaffirm results, solve problems, and support theories. In early childhood education, the aim for most research investigations is to gain knowledge in order to make decisions.

My ideas about the nature of doing research have changed. Because I know the systems of research and how to employ it, I now know that I am capable of conducting a research investigation.

Every research investigation includes planning, designing, and conducting research. These steps are true for all research approaches and designs. However, what I will always remember and apply is that there are regulations regarding having children as participants in a research study. There are special protections for children and those regulations must be adhered to by the researcher as well as stakeholders such as early childhood professionals and parents.

I did encounter challenges throughout this course. I will suggest to my fellow classmates and to any professional pursuing post graduate studies, to plan well, stay organized, stay healthy, and stay in constant contact with all those who have a stake in your learning and success processes. I learned those tips for success from Dr. Parrish.  Thank you Dr. Parrish.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional definitely have been modified as a result of this course. Knowing and applying early childhood best practices, content, and regulations are essential; however, this course taught me how to be a professional beyond the classroom and center. I have to be competent, honest, positive, reliable, respectful, and supportive.

As I complete this last blog entry, thank you fellow classmates for your support throughout this course. Your responses to my Initial Discussion entries, truly helped me as I navigated through this course

Research Around the World

Research Around the World

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to explore the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website (http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php)

 

This website is an influential, international website.  Some of the current international research topics are:

1.  The impact of early childhood development virtual university in Sub-Saharan Africa the school of child and youth care faculty of human and social development University of Victoria and Partners in Africa

2.  Sustained emphasis on networking and ripple effects.

3.  Early childhood development and capacity building in Africa

4.  Leadership promotion capacity building and network enhancement

 

From exploring this international childhood website, I gained surprising facts, insights, and new ideas. Specifically, I learned that the Early Childhood Development University is a groundbreaking globally known program that functions within the School of Child and Youth Care which is a part of the University of Victoria. I also found that the efforts established by of this program are used globally. In addition, their work also includes endorsing intellectual and formal ability in Saharan Africa under the sponsorships of the African Scholars and Institutions. I found that information to be noteworthy.

 

Research that Benefits Children and Families – Uplifting Stories

Preschool students with special needs have the right to have their educational and developmental needs met. There are a lot of children who are special needs who are experiencing developmental delays. Services should not have to begin for them when they’re in 4^th grade. Services should begin immediately for the when they enter preschool and there is a detection of deficiency.

If I had the opportunity to choose a compelling study that is restricted by the reality of the present and would make a major contribution to the well-being of children and or their families, I would choose investigating, THE IMPACT OF EARLY INTERVENTION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Conducting an investigation based on that topic would contribute positively to teachers, children with special needs, and families of children with special needs. Teachers will be able to have the tools (strategies) needed for intervention and prevention. Special needs children will have long term early success. They will become mainstreamed early on into the general population of students. Families will know how to work with their children at home, based on the recommendations of the teachers. 

Research Journey

Research Journey

My topic is Parent Involvement and Success for children at school. My subtopic is “The Impact of Parental Involvement in Preschool Settings on Preschool Children’s Academics”. I chose this topic because I believe that all variables should be identified and measured to ascertain effectiveness in educating the whole child beginning in preschool. I am an early childhood educator.

I have noticed that here are parents who are involved more than other parents in the early childhood center that I work. I have seen that some children who parents visit regularly and participate in events and activities that are implemented at the center are engaged in the daily learning activities than others.  

In constricting my research chart, so far I have honed in on identifying and reading scholarly literature. As an educational research it is imperative that I know how to identify scholarly literature from experts in the field. With that said, I must research and find out who are the experts in the early childhood field.

Hey colleagues, do any of you have insight on who are experts in the early childhood education field; or parent involvement?

Daily Supports

MY SUPPORTS.......

Supports are things or people who hold up or serve as a foundation for someone or something. A support keeps something or people in position keep them from falling. Supports are very important. I can honestly say that without the support and supporters in my life, I may slip or even fail from completing daily tasks. 

My supporters are my husband, mother, and two sisters. My husband is the bread winner. He makes sure that everything in our household is in tack. He works very hard so that we have food and shelter. Recently, we gave birth to our second child. He took off work to take care of me. After the birth of our child, he went back to work. What makes me smile is that even in the wee hours of the night, he gets up and tend to our newborn, and yet he is on time for work each day. What a man....

My mother has been my backbone since the day I was born. At age nine, when my father passed away, she worked very hard to make sure all my needs were met. Even today, as we live seven houses down from each other, she yet make sure that my household is OK.

My two sisters, both older than I am, supports my husband and I by babysitting our children, running errands, and being on call for any tasks that we may need them for.

The benefit of my supporters (husband, mother, and sisters)  is life is easier for me. Keep in mind, I did not say easy, but easier. I can always rely on them. Without their support, I would not be able to successfully complete daily routines at home or at work. Having them as supporters help me to go to work with no stress or worry. 

I thought about a life altering challenge of not having a home to live in. I would need my mother and sisters to assist my family with a place to live. My mother and sisters would under-gird by providing a place to live for me and my family. The benefits of the supporters that I have is that they have several pieces of property and they are financially well. Without the existence of my supports, I am sure that I would not be a successful individual.

Childhood Connections to Play

My Connections to Play.......

                                      "When you PLAY, PLAY hard; When you work, Don't PLAY at all." 
                                                                                                         - Theodore Roosevelt

                                                                          "Today, Make time to PLAY."
                                                                                                    - Na'ama Yehuda

My Mom, Dad and Classroom Teachers supported play for me when I was younger by allowing me time to play each day  at home and at school.  All of my play activities at home were directed by me. At school 75% of play time was directed by me (recess); 25% of play time was directed by Classroom Teacher (Physical Education Teacher). I played every day.

These days, children still play at home, probably the same way I played at home. Play was self initiated and self directed. Play at school is totally different from when I was in Kindergarten through 6th Grade. While in elementary school. We had 3 opportunities for self play. That was morning recess, lunch recess, and afternoon recess. In addition, we we had a time for teacher planned physical education. Because of the emphasis of reading, language arts, and math, children do not get as much time to play at school.

Play has always been essential in my life. Play keeps me balanced. Knowing that I can play then and now, gives me the desire to work. This is why I selected the quote by Theodore Roosevelt. It is important to work hard so you can play hard without stress. 

Building Relationships and Partnering With Families - Part 1

Relationship Reflection

Personal and professional relationships are very important to me; especially when they are healthy. Healthy relationships are a very important part of well being. The strong relationships that I have are the longest relationships I have. Those strong relationships have helped me to be well and content.

I have many friends and co-workers who have become friends. In addition, I have numerous family members. However, the most positive relationships (outside of my two beautiful young children) that I have are with my husband, mother, and two sisters. The relationships that I have with those four people are simply marvelous and positive. We show each other love and respect. We stand strong as ladder holders, supporting each other's goals, visions, and dreams. We communicate without hesitation; agreeing to disagree if there is an issue. Those are the positive factors that contributed to developing and maintaining each of our relationships.

I have never had any challenges with my personal relationships. However, I have had some with my professional relationships. A challenge to developing and maintaining relationships from a professional stand point that I have learned from my experience over time is

1. Sharing personal business with professional relationships.

2. Spending time like shopping and lunch with professional friends; which crosses barriers. .

3. Getting upset when I feel I have not been respected. 

My marriage to my husband is a relationship, and more so a partnership. We do everything with respect to how the other feels. Whatever I do, I keep in mind that I have a husband and I keep my husband in mind before I do anything and he does the same for me. This keeps us in tune with respecting each other; especially in regards to decision making.

Because I show respect and support in my positive personal relationships, I can contribute to early childhood development in a positive way. I will and I do respect and support each child and their family.

Final Blog Assignment

Consequences of Learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development:

1. A deepened passion of learning all issues and trends related   

     to early childhood (Globally).

2.  A high quality (effective and efficient) early childhood

     program.

3. Successful young learners.

Goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations:

          Plan and implement an “International Awareness” Convention for all early childhood professionals. This convention should travel from state to state. It should be a requirement for all every childhood professionals. Early childhood professionals will stay abreast of issues and trends along with meeting experts in the field. 

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 3

Information from UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/):

Three new insights that I have gained about issues related to international early childhood education that relate to my professional goals are:

1. High quality early childhood programs promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness.
2. Early childhood professionals should be adequately trained on integrating content and practice.
3. Active involvement from parents and communities should be active participants in their child’s early play and learning. 

Sharing Web Resources

Back to SAVE THE CHILDREN……..

The outside links that I have followed leads to news (articles) and information (activities) that Save the Children organization supports and have committed to in support of children.

An area of the site that I have thoroughly searched is “Invest in Kids”. This area gives information about investing in a strong start for kids. This site offers information that relates to the issues and trends that I am learning as Graduate student. By searching this area, I have learned that there is a wealth of information that I did not know existed. I am able to really challenge my own learning by navigating online early childhood education sites.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 2

Information from Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/), 

Three new ideas or insights I have gained about early childhood systems around the globe:

1.     There is a Global Children’s Initiative.

2.     The Global Children’s Initiative is focused on 3 strategic objectives.

a.     To frame discourse about the early childhood period.

b.    To support innovative, multidisciplinary research and demonstration projects.

c.     To build capacity in child development research and policy.

3.     An array of activities is being incorporated to    

     support the strategic objectives.

Sharing Web Resources

More on SAVE THE CHILDREN…….

SAVE THE CHILDREN has a section titled “Education”. The Education section gives information as it relates to early childhood education and children’s growth and development. The “Education” section is relevant to me because as a graduate student and early childhood professional (teacher) I aim to be a life long learning; immersing, myself in early childhood development issues and trends.

Community participation in improving young children’s education is new and relevant information that challenged my thinking.

MY NEW LEARNING

1.   Parents and Community Volunteers can get children doing literacy and math skills outside of the early learning center.

2.   SAVE THE CHILDREN has education programs that have reached 9 million children. It consists of families, teachers, government officials, and community volunteers who are inspiring early learners.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts - Part 1

Information From:

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s page (http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/),

Childhood Poverty in France

Three Insights

1.       Children suffer some of the worst poverty rates in the world.

2.     According to statistics, poor children are more likely to come from single-parent households.

3.     Many families have to leave their jobs because they can not afford child care.

Sharing Web Resources

I selected SAVE THE CHILDREN www.savethechildren.org

SAVE THE CHILDREN is an organization that focuses on and implements giving children in the United States a healthy beginning. They believe that every child deserves a healthy start. In addition, they work to give children beyond the United States an opportunity to learn. SAVE THE CHILDREN work to protect every child globally. This organization makes children their priority and aims to save every child’s life.

SAVE THE CHILDREN reports there have been investments in early childhood education and international affairs in President Obama’s budget request.

My New Learning

Increased funding for Head Start and other learning programs has been a priority on the President’s agenda.

Establishing Professional Contacts

As an Early Childhood Educator, it is vital to stay connected globally. My goal is to continuously develop an understanding of others' perspectives on certain Early Childhood Education issues and trends. I took these following steps to establish contacts:

Step 1:    I am unable to establish two contacts with international Early Childhood professionals around the world so an alternative for me was to.......

Step 2:    I have selected to study Save the Children: A U.S. based profit organization working on behalf of children worldwide. http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

Helpful Hint: 

Select an Organization that really interest you and that you my want to become involved in. It will help you to enjoy researching and investigating.