When I Think of Research

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

I have learned the different between “goo research” and “bad research.” Good research does not rely on one specific method but uses different approaches to do research. Bad research is when you limited your sources and depend on one specific resource. Therefore, you do not have numerous resources to gather useful information for the research process.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

Regardless of various approaches to the research process, I am able to select a topic and search and review the literature. Therefore, I have learned how to develop questions that can be addressed in the research process. Nevertheless, it is important remember to collect information needed in order to formulate the research design. After the information is collected, it is essential compile the data to process the finding in order to have a research report.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I have learned to plan ahead in order to conduct research in early childhood. Therefore, I can design a plan that fit the type of research that will be composed. I will conduct the research in a way that respects the confidentiality and privacy of the participants in the study.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

I encountered various challenges. I had to learn how to select appropriate topic to research. Also, I had to learn how to gather the important information needed to do a research study. Therefore, I had to read many books and surf the internet to learn how to do a research study of my own.

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

An early childhood professional have various issues and trends that can be addressed through the research process. The professionals can develop various surveys and questionnaires before they begin to work on any research study. Therefore, the different methods will provide them with valuable information for their research study.

Personally, I would like to thank all of my classmates for their valuable thoughts, inputs, and creative ideas implement in the classroom discussions.

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

International research topics are looking more into various supporting best practices for young children in the classroom setting. First, some of the best practices are engaging their curiosity and imagination, exploring and discovering various concepts and skills, and learning how to use their problem solving and mastery skills. Next, international research is exploring how to secure learning environment where the children feel safe to transition. Therefore, as early childhood teachers, it is vital to demonstrate support in the classroom for the children to feel secure and safe in the learning process.

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

The new insight that was surprising to me what learning the challenges of balancing praise and correction for early school years children who exhibit opposition and defiant behavior. One of the strategies early childhood teachers used was the school wide positive behavior support system. The teachers communicated clear expectations for behavior they wanted demonstrated in the classroom setting. The teachers also acknowledging good behavior when it was displayed; therefore, it is vital to correct unacceptable behavior. Nevertheless, I learned that it is beneficial for teachers to establish behavior management strategies in the classroom that will create a balanced atmosphere.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The international mission for early childhood education is similar to the mission statement of programs here in the United States. Early Childhood in Australia focuses on advocating, ensuring a quality education, social justice and equity in all issues and trends in regards young children care and their families.

Reference

Early Childhood Australia. http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

The research topic would be developmentally appropriate practices for preschool children ages 3-5 years old. This study would make a positive contribution to the well-being of children and their families. The preschool years are a vital time period for learning and development. During preschool years, there are several areas of the development that is the main focus for children. The positive contribution is being able to focus on the different areas of learning and development such as physical, social/emotional, cognitive, language, academic, and intellectual.

In the school setting, it is essential that educators to be  in collaboration with families to ensure that every early childhood education program promotes the child’s learning development and enhances the knowledge of every child being served in the program. The positive contribution to ensure developmental appropriate practices is ensuring that teachers have a great deal of knowledge, skills, and training. Therefore, the early childhood educators must implement the following: First, incorporate play in the learning environment to stimulate cognitive, social, and language growth. It is important to remember that children construct their understanding of various concepts through interaction with others in play. Next, children need to have a rich learning experience in the classroom setting and the home environment. Third, encourage and promote positive social interactions, relationships with the teachers and other peers to form long-lasting friendships. Finally, various research studies are in place to show that preschool children learning experience includes lots of child-initiated, free-choice activities that is supported by 

Your Personal Research Journey

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic that I have chosen for my research stimulation is how diversity impacts and/or influence young children in early childhood programs. Diversity impacts all learners in different ways in the learning environment. Therefore, acceptance is the most important part of supporting diversity in the early childhood programs. It is vital that all students learn to accept and acknowledge the difference in other students in their classroom setting. Through various educational experiences, the students will learn how to appreciate the cultural differences within their classroom setting. In the early childhood programs, the teacher can teach the students to accept diversity by celebrating different cultural background present in the classroom through various learning activities and opportunities.

Through constructing the research chart, I have found it difficult to just focus on just a few keywords for reflection. There are multiple ideas that appear when research a specific topic. I have learned to continue reading various sources to help me learn to research other topics of interest in the field of early childhood education. The more research I do I am learning different perspectives about early childhood education. Nevertheless, my fellow classmates, if you have any ideas and/or thoughts on how to assist with the research process I am open to listen.

Final Blog Assignment

The privilege to learn about international early childhood education was an awesome experience in this course. Therefore, learning information about international early childhood education has added to both my professional and personal experience. The three consequences are the issues and trends of early childhood that is unknown in education, exploring and discovering the overall aspect of early childhood education, and driven to turn the issues and trends into a positive impact on the lives children in early childhood education. Nevertheless, it is vital to me to learn all about the field of early childhood education in order to have a life-long impact on children.

The one goal for the near future is to do more research in the area of international early childhood education on various countries to see the similarities and/or differences from the United States of America. Nevertheless, it is important to know how other countries are implementing their early childhood education programs to benefit the overall developmental growth and progress of the children.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

The Early Childhood Care and Education website provided useful information to benefit professionals in the field of study. The organization discussed various areas in the field of early childhood care and education. The areas are access, quality, investment and financing, and coordination and integration. First, the most important insight is quality in the field of early childhood care and education. Good quality care can stem from educational resources, classroom materials, educational curriculum, teacher training and experience, and parental involvement in the education system. Children having access to the resource that need in the learning environment produce the success in the classroom. Next, access and equity is another insight that is interesting to me in the field of early childhood care and education. Regardless, if children are from an advantage or disadvantage home, they should have the right to a quality education. Therefore, all children should have the same right to education that will benefit their overall academic and developmental learning ability. Third, investment and financing is an insight that is interesting in the field of early childhood care and education. It is essential to improve the quality of care in early childhood education. It is important to make sure that the funding is in place to provide the children with the best quality care and education available in this world. Each insight relates to my professional goals because I am in the field of early childhood education. Therefore, it is essential to have the required resources and materials available for children in the classroom in order to build their knowledge skills. Nevertheless, the funding has to be in place to provide the most appropriate services for the children.

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

Sharing Web Resources

Sharing Web Resources

There were various outside links that I did not get a chance to explore until this week blogspot assignment. This week my while navigating the website it leads me to NAEYC link about young children with disabilities in early childhood programs and their families. This link offered information for teachers engaging with families of children with exceptional (special) needs, and age and developmental techniques and strategies for teachers to share with the parents of the child and other families. Today in early childhood programs, there are an increasing number of young children with disabilities. Nevertheless, it is important that the early childhood educators have taken some required courses in college to better prepare themselves to help meet the needs of young children with exceptional needs in the learning environment. The family plays a major role in making sure that their child receives the best and appropriate services in the learning environment. The teachers can demonstrate some strategies and techniques that can be used with children with disabilities at home that are already being used in the school setting. In the early childhood setting, it is vital to make the appropriate accommodations and modifications in the classroom to make it accessible for learners for all learners and that includes learners with special needs.

The website contains information about the excellence in early care and education because it discusses how a child with special needs should start receiving early intervention services when the disability is already known. Therefore, the strategies and techniques used with the child can help him or her to learn functional academic and developmental concepts and skills introduced in the learning environment. Therefore, when exploring this website I learned that it is essential to support the all the learners needs; regardless, if he or she has a disability or not. It is important to focus on the whole child in order to reach them academically and developmentally in the learning environment. Nevertheless, the early childhood classroom setting should be conducive for learning. Therefore, the children with special needs will be more acceptable to take part in the learning process.

Supporting All Kinds of Learners: Including Children with Special Needs. Are You and Your Early Childhood Programs Ready?  http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200903/BTJWatson.pdf

Getting to Know International Contacts Part 2

The Global Children Initiative is geared towards meaning the needs of all children. The Global Children Initiative collaborates with others all over across the nation to help build a stronger nation.  There are three important insights that were gained from reading about the Global Children Initiative. First, the Global Children Initiative has begun to build a portfolio of activities in three domains. The three domains are early childhood development, child mental health, and children in crisis and conflict situations.  The early childhood development area focuses on the children’s developmental, health, and educational outcomes in developed countries. Next, the when addressing child mental health the initiative is focusing on how to meet the individual needs and helping the child to receive the proper services he or she may need when there is an health issue. Regardless, if the child is going through abuse, depression, emotional and physical issues. Third, the Global Children Initiatives focus on children in crisis and conflict situations.  It is in place to meet the need of the children and their families. Therefore, the initiative will supply the proper resources the children and their families need when they are in a crisis situation. The excellence that was acquired from this source is all the benefits to early childhood education. Early childhood provide services to children and their families to best mean their overall academic and developmentally need in the environment whether it is school or at home.

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/

Getting to Know Your International Contacts

My international contact has not respond to my questions and concerns about the issue of poverty. Therefore, I have chosen to read and share insights about poverty in the country of China. China is has a population of 1.2 billion or more people. In recent years, China has made a major effort in their poverty reduction. China poverty reduction is due to their economic and social transition. Nevertheless, the national poverty line for China is low according to the international standards, which mean the people are living close to the poverty line.

Nevertheless, China’s transition from a central planned to a globalized market economy has helped reduced chronic poverty and the disadvantage people. In regards to childhood poverty, 4.2 million Chinese children live in absolute poverty and 8.7 million live in disadvantage conditions. Since the 1990s, children living in poverty have declined. Nevertheless, people living in China continue to look for better opportunities to improve their living conditions and the everyday lifestyle for their families.

Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre (CHIP) www.childhoodpoverty.org

Sharing Web Resources

World Forum Foundation

www.worldforumfoundation.org

The organization focuses on providing quality services for young children in diverse setting. This organization encourages and promotes early childhood professionals everywhere too continue sharing and exchanging ideas that will help provide a quality service for young children in diverse settings.

One of the main focuses from the website was the curriculum for young children. The early educators are a group of professionals known as the “working group.” As a group of educators, they are working together to develop an age and developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children. The early educators are using effective and research-based approaches to assist them with developing and implementing the curriculum in the learning environment for young children.  

Within the curriculum, it is important for the early educator to consider the different cultures. Therefore, when lesson plans and activities are implemented in the classroom the diverse learners will feel comfortable because at some point of time the curriculum addressed diversity. Nevertheless, all the diverse learners will receive the chance to learn about various cultures through their age appropriate curriculum.

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

I was able to establish contact with Mr. Eric Atmore in South Africa through email. Through email, I explained to him that I wanted to learn about The National Early Childhood Development Alliance in Africa. In his email, Mr. Atmore asked me why was I interested in learning about early childhood education in another country. I explained to him that I have a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and that I teach 3 to 4 year old children, and I am currently working on my Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Therefore, I have always had an interest in early childhood development of young children. Nevertheless, after my explanation of why I was interested he was eager to share information. He discussed how the alliance focuses on young children and also their families. He discussed how the early childhood programs in Africa purpose is to protect the child's right to develop to his or her fullest potential in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. I explained to him that this is a similar focus to most early childhood programs in America. He also stated that, "If I needed anymore information he would respond to mail email as soon as he had the chance."
The second person I tried to contact in Hong Kong is Dr. Betty Po-King through email to learn information about Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association. Nevertheless, I was unable to reach her and she has not responded back to any of my emails. I am still waiting for a response from Dr. Po-King.

"My Supports"

Family Support- My family is supportive to me because they are the extra hand that I need to help me with me children. On a daily basis, I have to go to work. Some of my family members are very supportive to me by picking my children up from school and watching them until I make it on from work. On for some leisure time for me, some of my older nieces and nephews volunteer to babysit my children to allow me the opportunity to go date nights with my significant other or have girl time with my friends. I am also going to school online; therefore, someone is always there to watch my children for me until I am done with my school work.

Work Support- My job provides me with the financial needs to take care of myself and children. The ability to work allows me to be able to take care of basic needs such as food, clothing, utilities, and shelter. Therefore, my children and I can leave a productive life and have the basic things we need to survive.

Emotional Support- It is important to have the emotional support from your family, children, and significant other. It is essential to let your family members know how much you love them and allow them the chance to show you the same feelings. When emotional support is shown from your family members, you feel like someone is always by your side in life in a positive way.

It is beneficial to have these types of support in your life. Therefore, without the support of the family it would be hard to go to work and school without support from other family members. It is important to know that your children and family members love you because you will know that you can count on them whatever they are needed the most in life. It would be difficult to go without these supports because everyone needs to work to survive for themselves and their children; therefore, having the positive emotional support from your family is awesome. If these supports were gone, it would have a tremendous impact on my life. It would affect my life tremendously because I would have a job to take care of my children and myself. If my family was gone I would not have that extra support that I need for my children and me to survive on a daily basis. In life, everyone wants to feel love from others and especially their family.

My Connections to Play

Two Famous Quotes

Almost all creativity involves purposeful play. (Abraham Maslow)

Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning. (Fred Rogers)

 

When I was younger people supported play by encouraging all neighborhood children to play safely together. During the weekdays, the children were encouraged to focus on their school work and then play with their friends outside after their were done. On the weekend, family, friends, and the neighbors would get together and have either a fish fry or BBQ and all the children would play different games such as hula hoop, hopscotch, jump rode, and sidewalk games.

Play today is not similar to play when I was a child. When I was a child, we learned how to create fun games for everyone to participate in at home and at school. Now, most of the play situation that children participate in is considered constructive play. Children should be allowed to create fun learning games more and involve constructive play alone with it in the learning environment.

Throughout life, play is a major part of how children build their social skills. It is important for children to know socially interact with their peers and also with adults in the learning environment.  

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important because it helps to build social and emotional connections with children and other adults in life. It is vital to have positive relationships bring happiness to a person(s) life because he or she is able to learn important information that is valuable about an individual. In relationships, you learn a person likes and dislikes, interest, ways to communicate, and hobbies in life. The following people that I have a positive relationship with my mother, father, sisters, and brothers. These people have been a positive role model in my life, as taught me how to be a woman, how to take care of myself, and children. My family as always been and will remain a positive role model in my life. The special characteristics that make these relationships a partnership is having the ability to effective communicate with each other and socialize with others. My experiences with relationships and partnerships can have an impact on my work and being an early childhood professional is because I have to ability to make positive connections with people; regardless, if they are my co-worker or a family member. I am able to make a connection whether it is on a social or emotional level to form positive relationships.

A Quote About Children

A child is a beam of sunlight from the infinite and eternal, with possibilities of virtue and vice- but as yet unstained.

Lyman Abbott

 

www.famous-quotes.com

Thanks & Support
http://jdariano@blogspot.com
http://anaceciliaarana@blogspot.com

I would like to thank you two and other classmates for the positive comments, explanations, and discussions expressed in this course. I hope to be in other online courses with you all and learn other beneficial educational techniques, strategies, and methods to use with all children in the classroom setting. I wish everyone good luck on their educational journey and hope that all dreams and aspirations come true.

Test for Intelligence

Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to "the whole child"), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning.

When measuring and assessing a child, there developmental skills should be addressed in order to focus on “the whole child.” The important areas of language, social/emotional, and physical/motor development. In physical development, it should be assessed or measured if the child can move his or her large and small muscles in order to produce movement. The motor skills with their large muscles that promotes running, jumping, hopping, and skipping. The movements with their small muscles that promotes writing, drawing, and picking up objects. Language development needs to measure and assess how well the children communicate, learn, listen, speak, and expand their vocabulary. Social and emotional development need to assess and measure the children ability to trust their peers and adults, share in the learning environment, and the ability to express their feelings and emotions in a positive way.

In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world? (Choose a country or region of the world for which you have a personal affinity.)

According to Gladstone (2010), one of the assessment tools used for children in Africa is called Malawi Development Assessment Tool. The children in Africa are assessed through developmental milestones. They are assessed in the developmental areas such as motor, social, and language skills. The children are monitored and assessed to see have they mastered specific developmental skills at a certain age. When the children are assessed, the monitoring process helps to detect the children who are not advancing with specific skill as fast as other children in the learning environment. Gladstone (2010) stated that the children that were ruled as having a disability were given extra supports and services to assist them with functioning in the classroom setting. It is important to assess the “whole” in order to see what the child has mastered or need if they need additional support in the learning environment.

Gladstone, M. (2010). The Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT): The Creation, Validation, and Reliability of a Tool to Assess Child Development in Rural African Settings. www.wellcometrust.wordpress.com

What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues?

The concerns I have is whether the children are being assessed effectively in their learning environment. Therefore, they will be able to receive the proper early intervention services or special education services if it is needed by the child.

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

As a child, growing up I remember one of my best friend who lived in poverty. Her family had limited food and clothing. Sometimes, the whole family would continually move around to have some where to stay. Most of the time, they was put out their apartment because the family was unable to pay the rent. Nevertheless, my friend would come stay at my house some nights with my parents because she felt comfortable and safe.  My friend would be happy to have something to eat, somewhere she felts safe and comfortable with the people she was with in their home. Therefore, my friend experience poverty at different levels because she feels that made her the woman she is today. She felt like everything in the world did not come easy; therefore, you have to work hard at what you want to survive. Now, my friend is a director in the education department at a promising university and doing well in her life.

The region I want to learn more about is China. Most children in China face living in as an orphan because they do not have home. The social workers are usually evaluating perspective individuals who are willing to adopt children that are orphans in China. There workers are trying to find safe homes for the children to prevent so many children being orphans in China and not having a stable family. There are also children living in poverty; therefore, China is doing what the country can to reduce the number of families with children or without children who living in poverty. The country is doing this by providing the people with different job opportunities that will benefit their family and children.

Child Development and Public Health

A good nutrition is essential for a quality of life.  Nutritious foods contribute to a child’s well-being. Children can develop a lifelong nutritious eating habits by being taught early how to eat help.  Teachers, childcare workers and providers, and administrators of a center, daycare, or agency program need to know the requirements for children and how to provide nutritious meals for them in the school setting. In a school setting, there are important nutrition guidelines to follow when working with infants, toddlers, and all young children. Therefore, to encourage and promote nutrition it is important for adults to model healthy eating habits and discuss the different foods the children are eating on a daily basis. A good nutrition meal will enrich the lives of children and increase their ability to learn in the classroom environment. When children are taught how to eat healthy they begin to learn how to be selective of the foods they eat whether it is at home or school. In the worst case scenario, malnutrition occurs when the child does not eat enough food, have an inadequate or unbalanced diet, and because of specific medical conditions. Malnutrition can lead to diabetes, various chronic diseases, and tooth decay because the child body is not receiving the appropriate amount of nutrients is needed to be healthy. The Mexican culture believe in eating a nutritious diet that contains various fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains that is health for their diet. Some Mexican takes part of a vegetarian diet to promote a healthy eating habit. Nevertheless, if children are not eating health while they are young it may affect their health later in life. This information has impacted my future by I am learning different ways to eat health. I want to eat health because I want to live a productive and positive life. I also want to lead by example for my children by cooking foods for them that are healthy for all our bodies.

www.livestrong.com

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

Through personal experience, I had the opportunity to share the child-birthing process with my friend. She was pregnant with twins and she was sick for six months of her pregnancy. I would go to the doctor appointments with her to make sure she remained healthy alone with her baby. She was overweight and the doctor placed her on a strict diet to accurately balance her weight while she was pregnancy. She was obsessed with eating the right foods to have a healthy baby. Throughout her pregnancy, we would walk three nights a week to help her stay in shape and to prepare for the labor process of the baby. I chose to share some of my friend’s experience because it was a one of the most memorable times for me besides my own pregnancy.

Woman in Japan are encouraged to be married before they conceive a child. They are encouraged to seek prenatal care early when they find out that they are pregnant with a child.

Similarity

The prenatal care is similar in Japan as it is in the United States.

The doctor enforces a nutritious healthy diet for different foods and drinks.

Most women chose either to have a midwife in their home or go to the hospital to have their baby.

The women are encouraged to not leave the house for a month after having a baby.

Differences

The married couples do not announce the news of their pregnancy until the woman is almost three month along.

The women do not show loud expressions due to pain when they are having a baby because it is dishonorable and shameful.

The Japan culture celebrates when the baby turns 100 days old with their family. They get dressed up and celebrate and enjoy food.

It is amazing to see how in another country that the prenatal care and childbirth process is similar and different in many ways. It is always essential to learn about other people cultures and beliefs a childbirth/pregnancy.