When I think of Research

Over the past several weeks this course has helped me gain many new insights into the world of early childhood research.This course taught me about the proper process in which to design a research study.  It allows for us to study different important topics within the field to see what positive things are helping children develop and what negative things need to be worked on.

Why is your simulation important to the field of early childhood?

My simulation is important because play can play many different roles in the classroom. Plat is natural for children to do and it is a big part of their childhood. Play is a way children express their feelings and emotions.

If you were to conduct your simulation proposal, who would benefit?

Children and their families will benefit from my stimulation. Teachers will also benefit because they will get to know the children while they play. They will be able to develop a relationship with children and their families.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

My perception of the early childhood profession has been modified as a result of the course in that I realize that in order to fully understand children, research has to be accurate. I would like to say a big, “Thank You” to all of my colleagues and hope that you will have fun in moving forward in your endeavors.  Maybe we will be in another class together.

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

Some the current research topics of this week five are ECDVU Sub-Saharan Africa: Mission Statement, Early Childhood Australia a voice for young children and European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).

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

I chose to explore Early Childhood Australia site. One new insight that I have gained from this site is the information provided about the “National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program.” The program is designed to help ECP’s (Early Childhood Professionals) meet the criteria of setting up an appropriate designed early education environment. They first help you understand the links between EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) with NQS (National Quality Standards). They offer resources to help professionals learn about appropriate environment settings as well as incorporating good practices in the classroom with learning videos, forums, social media outlets, and funding and sponsorship resources.

 What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The supporting best practices tab offers very insight information for learning, play, feelings, behaviors, teaching, children’s rights, and developmental stages. Each topic has many subtopics that can be useful to some of my colleagues for their research simulation. For example, my research stimulation is about behavior. 

Reference:

Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research that Benefits Children and Families- Uplifting Stories

I would do research that benefits children and families I would do how parenting has changed in recent decades. I can remember my grandparents keeping me while my parents worked. During the summer we played outside all day. We came in to eat lunch and breakfast and went right back outside. Whatever my grandma cooked for us that is what we had to eat. There was no choosing what you wanted to eat. Whatever our parents or grandparents told us to do we did it. Time like this has changed so much. Children now can do what they want to do. Its not all on the children but what the parents allow them to do. I look at the children in my classroom and when they do something wrong and we let the parents know they act like its no big deal. The children take their parents as a joke. I can say I’m going to call your mama they say go ahead I don’t care. If I got in trouble at school my parents would beat my butt. I knew better not to get in trouble or embarrass my parents. All they had to do was look at me and I knew I better straighten up.

Parents want to be their child’s friend instead of being a parent. I had my children at the age of 15 and 21. Some say it comes from children having children but I raise my children the same way my parents and grandparents raised me. I was very understanding with my children but they know when I mean business. Parents now are relaxed and lazy. They are not teaching their child structure, respect for others and themselves and the value of an education. Out of this research I want to gain knowledge to help these parents improve their parenting skills and give them the resources that they need.

Your Personal Research Blog

The topic I choose to do my research the benefits of play and learning and how they are connected. I chose this topic because I want to reach out to families and others about the importance of play. When children play on their own or with other children they are learning and creating. Children have a strong opportunity when they engage in play. It allows them to create, explore and interact with the world around them. Children also build self-esteem when they have the opportunity to play. Research supports the notion that play is essential to physical, social, cognitive and emotional aspects of a child’s development.

Play is important to the development and growth in early childhood development and I am interested to see what current research has to say and prove. From the course so far I have learn to use the eight steps to evaluate websites and analyze information. The information I have learned will be helpful to me by selecting valuable resources to apply to my research.

I will greatly appreciate it if any if you have advice, insights or resources that may help me on my topic the benefits of play and learning and how they are connected. Listed below are some resources that I have already found that I would like to share with you guys

Resources:

Hurwitz SC. To be successful: let them play! Child Education 2002/2003; 79 :101-102

Isenberg J. Quisenberry NL. Play: a necessity for all children. Child Education 1988;64 :138-145

Barnett LA. Developmental benefits of play for children. J Leis Res. 1990;22 :138-153

Final Blog Assignment

Post at least three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development:

One consequence of learning about the international early childhood field for my personal development was that it showed me how much work still needs to be done. We all need to come together and address the issues as a whole world. I think if we all stand up as a community and all communities come together we can make a difference in this world.

Another consequence has been that I have learned that there are barriers to quality early childhood care in every country. I learned that it is just not in the US but all around. Other countries have it harder than we do and it hurts me to see that innocent children have to go through certain things.

Another consequence of learning about the early childhood field on the international level is seeing what solutions that are working. They also introduce provide solutions to the issues. It provides a different aspect or look into a common thread, which helps spark new ideals .

Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations

One goal is for me to continue to support the National Head Start Association. I want to make donations The Dollar Per Child campaign. This way I can help make a difference in someone life.

I want to let my classmates to know it is time for us to work together and learn from each other. It is important for us to learn the issues in our field around the world. We should be that advocate for our children and families.

Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

For my blog post this week I am doing the alternate assignment. For this alternate assignment, I reviewed UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage. Before this week I was not familiar with this site but it had some very interesting information. It had a lot of information about what we have been discussing in this class. “There are four main links on the site titled: “Access and Equity,” “Quality,” “Investment and Funding,” and “Coordination and Integration”(UNESCO.ORG).

One insight I gain is that families and children that live in poverty don’t get much attention from the government like families and children that are more privileged. The privileged families have access to quality early childhood programs. Its like children that live in poverty don’t matter to the government if they have quality child care or not.

Another insight I gain is funding is still one of the main problems when it comes to quality child care. It seems no matter where in the country funding remains the biggest obstacle in promoting equality in accessing quality early childhood education. Funding is especially a big obstacle in areas where poverty is high.

Another insight I gain is that UNESCO has a goal of finding solutions to increase inclusive education. “This is so important because 75 million children are currently excluded from education for several reasons including poverty, disability, inequity, child labor and speaking a minority language”(UNESCO.ORG).. “One of UNESCO's main goals is to develop the full potential of every individual” (UNESCO.ORG).

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

Sharing Web Resources Part 2:

At the beginning of the course I chose the site National Head Start Association. This week we were asked to expand our knowledge of the organization.

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

When searching the website none of the links I found go offsite. I did learn that Head Start got an increase in federal funding. The $610 million increase will give children the opportunity for a head start. “This increase will mean that programs can better support teachers and staff, more children will have access to full-day, full-year early child education, and more infants and toddlers will start off life with the Head Start advantage” (National Head Start Association).

The negotiated omnibus FY 2018 appropriations bill released late Wednesday night includes $9.853 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, a $610 million increase over FY 2017 funding. The bill includes:

·         $216 million for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Head Start staff (approximately a 2.2% increase, which is in line with inflation)

·         $260 million for partial day, partial-year programs to extend the duration of their services to better meet the needs of working families

·         $755 million for Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnerships (a $115 million increase over FY 2017).

Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

I chose The Dollar Per Child campaign. The Dollar Per Child campaign is NHSA annual fundraiser that helps us ensure millions of children and families are represented in Washington, D.C. The DPC is the main funding for Head Start advocates. Head Start provides children with an opportunity. Through Dollar per Child (DPC), NHSA ensures that the voices of these at-risk children and their families are heard. You can make donations through their website or by sending checks.

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

I have not gotten a newsletter as of yet.

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

“Head Start supports families facing difficult circumstances and seeks to mitigate obstacles to learning in the early years” (National Head Start Association). The Head Start program main focus is to help families and children from low-income families. The program provides education for children to grow. It also provides health services to children. Parent Involvement is a big in the Head Start program. They serve on the policy council and volunteer in the classroom and also participate in classes and workshops.

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

I learned that if you are an alumni or if your child attended the Head Start program you can join a campaign to encourage former Head Start children and parents to identify themselves. They can share their experience with other former members. They will also have opportunities for professional growth.

Reference:

National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/