When I Think of Research...

It is hard to believe that another eight weeks have gone by.  I remember taking a research class in my undergraduate class and not feeling that comfortable with the research process.  I have enjoyed how this one presented research in much more user friendly approach.  It is also great to look back on the process from starting with an initial topic, breaking it down into subtopics, developing a precise research question and now this week submitting the final research outline. What I liked most was the layout and how each week built upon the next.  I feel like I have learned a lot from this class and will take away so many valuable insights to doing research.  Current research can help guide us in our own pursuits but it is important to be able to sift through the information that is out there and to know what comes from valid trustworthy sites. In the past I had found reviewing literature to be very challenging.  In the first week of class we were given a wonderful tool, A practical guide to reading research articles. (Lepuschitz, 2011)  This piece has been so helpful for me to know exactly which parts of the articles are important to pay attention to.  I have found that the process is much easier than from my first experience.

My perception as an early childhood professional has been strengthened from this course in that we are advocates for children and their families.  Through research we can continue to provide what is in their best interests and is fair and just to all.  

Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). A practical guide to reading research articles.  Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Research around the World

As seen from previous courses in the MECS program, ground-breaking research in the field is happening not only in the United States but all over the world.  I have chosen to explore the website that is in comparison similar to the NAEYC website found here in the US. 

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/



Some of the current research topics that are being studied include:                     

·         Respecting diversity

·         Learning and teaching through play

·         Dealing with bullying together

·         Engaging families: Building strong communication

·         Aggression and young children

Not surprising at all, the topics that were listed were all very similar to much of the leading research that is being studied here in the United States today.  We all seem to be on the same page in regards to understanding and enhancing the learning that is capable at such a young age and providing quality programming that addresses the individual needs of each child.

I thought it would be interesting to look further into the topic of Learning and teaching through play since this is my chosen topic of study.  The website provides several links to this topic including current research that has been done. 

The link under Research in Practice Series provides literature in regards to play.  It discusses how the interactions between student and teacher are so important during times of play.  Teachers need to stay engaged with the children and prompt opportunities for continued learning by asking open-ended questions in regards to the play.  The literature also provided benefits to play of different developmental areas:

Ø  Cognitive skills (thinking, memory) and Creativity skills

Ø  Social and Emotional – helps children with developing social skills and building positive relationships

Ø  Well- being – fit mental health

Ø  Promotes good Physical health

As professionals I think that it is important to our learning and continued development that we reach out and look for similarities or extensions to current studies on early childhood development.  We are all looking to better the field and provide quality experiences for all children and we can provide support for each other as we move forward.

THE BABY BRAIN MAP

Zero to Three provides current research with the latest discoveries that promotes health and development for Infants and Toddlers. 

I continually find myself referencing this website for current information.  Now with our newest addition that joined us this week I am able to keep track of his brain development through his first 36 months of life.  With the information that is provided I am able to learn what is taking place and ideas that we can do to help in the healthy development of our little guy.  For example, “Does responding to a baby’s cry help with brain development” – The brain is greatly influenced by interactions with the environment in which a child grows up in.  Crying is described as maybe nature’s way to make sure that an infant is getting the interactions that they need.  As we know from research snuggling, talking, singing or music are great examples of interactions that will help in early stages of brain development (Zero to Three, 2011).

I am excited to follow along as our little one grows and develops.  Knowing that each child is different I know that I will continue to reference this website frequently for suggestions and answers to the “whys” that will follow.

Melmed, M. (2011). Zero to three. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/



My Research Journey

I have chosen to focus my research on the topic of play.  I feel that it is important to first define play in terms of early childhood education and then continue my focus and research on how prek and early elementary school teachers can develop lesson plans that incorporate play into their learning objectives. 

I feel very passionate about educating parents and educators on the importance of incorporating play into the daily curriculum and the developmental benefits that occur, as they need this time to use their imaginations and explore without rules and instruction.

So far I have found this simulation process to be very helpful.   I have been able to successfully narrow done a topic without even realizing that was what I was doing.  As I move forward on this journey does anyone have any insight or suggestions as to resources that may help with researching this topic?



Final Blog Assignment

Unfortunately I was not ever able to hear a response back from the international contacts that I had reached out to, but I did explore several websites that were very informative and have deepened my professional development. 

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

v  Whether you live in the United States, Italy, or China, the focus on providing high quality early childhood education for all children is worldwide.  Issues such as poverty, language barriers, access and availability stretch across the world.  With the knowledge of these similarities it would be my hopes that we could pull together and share resources to make the goal of providing early childhood care and education to all.

v  I continued to build a list of resources that provides me information that is useful both personally and professionally.

v  I was introduced to several new ways in which I can involve myself as an advocate for the ECF.

A goal that I would like to make would be to continue to reach out and try contact international professionals. I feel that as professionals in the field we have so much to offer each other and can learn so much from our similarities and differences.  I would also like to share my international findings with my teaching staff and allow them to incorporate ideas into their daily teachings to the children.

“UNESCO, a worldwide network (headquartered in Paris), advocates for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programs that attend to health, nutrition, security and learning and which provide for children's holistic development.” (UNESCO, 2011)  UNESCO looks to achieve the ultimate goal of inclusive quality education by ending all forms of discrimination and foster social cohesion.

Improving the quality of education is a global issue. UNESCO supports the idea that education is a universal human right for both boys and girls.  It is a key for empowerment.  Gender discrimination still persists across all educational levels worldwide.  In 2000, governments pledged to addressing this gap and achieving gender equality in education by 2015.  The 2011 Global Action Week will take place from 2 to 8 May. This year, the campaign will focus on the theme of "Girls' and Women's Education", a UNESCO priority.  Unfortunately challenges still remain getting all girls into school. These challenges include advocacy, legal necessities, programs and trainings for teachers, literacy and lifelong learning.  The benefits to advocating equality for females and female education have very high returns on human development.  Educated women are more likely to:

·         Resist violence

·         Delay marriage

·         Have access to prenatal care and better medical care

·         Improve their children’s health

·         Be Advocates for Early Childhood Education – send their children to school

UNESCO is committed to STRENGTHENING EDUCATION SYSTEMS

·         ACCESS – Benefits to all children especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds

·         QUALITY – A holistic approach which promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness.

·         INVESTMENT – Greatest challenge of their movement is funding and resources.

Resource

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/. Retrieved on April 15, 2011.

This week I have decided to explore the website http://preknow.org/

The website allows supporters and policymakers to lead the cause for high-quality pre-k for three and four year olds, with the mission that all children enter Kindergarten prepared to succeed.

Links provided

v  Resource Center

v  Pre-K Advocates

v  Policymakers

v  Media

v  Business and Community Leaders

v  Educators

v  Families

There are numerous resources available on this website that is related to this week’s topic such as:

v  Quality and what defines a quality prek program

v  Resources for parents to help find a quality prek

v  Promoting Head Start and Prek – making quality accessible

There is a monthly e-newsletter that will mail out PreK news and alerts     

This week I was able to add another resource to my growing list.  I like that I will be able to find information that I will be able to pass on to my teaching staff and will also be provided with opportunities to advocate for quality within the ECE field.