When I Think of Research

This course has been very inspiring to me. I have gained many insights from choosing a topic to writing research papers. In order to get a real case study, we have to go through a research process. The research process is answering important questions about early childhood which includes selecting a topic, reviewing literature, formulating a research issue/question, designing research, collecting important data, sampling populations, exploring questions of validity, processing/analyzing data, drawing research conclusions and writing research reports. (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, and Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).

My ideas about the nature of doing research have changed because now I understand the legal and ethics codes of research. For example, young children have the right to say if they want to be a participant or not, but researchers have to get an informed consent from an adult that are in charge. I have also learned that planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood takes time. In order to have a productive research study and receive positive outcomes, researchers should always carefully plan and design research before conducting a case study?

The challenge I encounter was deciding whether or not too narrow down my research question, and I made a decision to focus on the main topic. My perception of an early childhood professional has been modified as a result of this course in many ways. I know now that researchers in the early childhood field are advocates; they are searching and looking for information to help improve the lives of young children and their families. Researchers are also striving in the early childhood field to make sure each and all participants that takes part in the research study is treated with the same respect.

At this time I will like to thank all my colleagues for your great responds on the discussion board. Reading different posts and responding to them helped me to better understand research to this point. Special thanks to Dr. Myers for introducing use to the research course. Because of your feedback over and over, I has to use my critical thinking skills. Again, thanks everybody and good luck!!

Reference

MacNaughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Research Around The World

The website that I chose to explore is European Early Childhood Education Research organization (EECERA) from http://www.eecera.org/12. This international early childhood organization is one of the most important and respectful journal in the world. You can get information on the pass and current research topics from this website. Some of the topics include non-profit organization, policy and practice, the legacy of Piaget, Vygotsky and other pioneers, conferences, and encourage support nation-wide.

Some of the most surprising insights I gained from looking over this international early childhood website is that “EECERA provides relevant academic forum in Europe for the promotion, development and dissemination of high quality research into early childhood education; it help to build relationships between European researchers in this field and the wider early childhood community across the World; it encourage clear speech and communication of the links between research, practice and policy; it offer interaction, development and support to those interested in early childhood education; also it raise the visibility and status of European research in early childhood education throughout the World” (Early Childhood Education, 2013).

Also, there is other important information on this website as well. “EECERA is influent world-wide, and is a non-profit organization that is independent, self-governor, promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and is applications to policy and practice” (Early Childhood Education, 2013).

Reference

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA):
http://www.eecera.org/12.

Research that Benefits Children and Families- A Uplifting Story

This week blog assignment, I will like to share a positive research uplifting story about myself. July 1, 2010, I passed out in Mobile Infirmary Hospital here in Mobile Alabama while doing my clinical in nursing and after having headaches for ten years. The doctor that was present on the floor took my blood pressure and discovered that it was extremely high, he immediately sent me to the emergency room (ER) right away. Along with a high blood pressure, my head was busting with pains. Several doctors came into my room in the ER and asked many questions, but it took one special doctor to come in and ask one question and he knew right away what the problem was. This doctor specializes in the endocrine system. I was put into a room and told that I would be there for a few days for testing’s. The second day after running tests, the doctor came in and ask for a photo of myself two years back. I did not have a picture to show, but curious to know what was going on. He told me that I should have noticed some changes in my appearance, I answered with a yes because I had noticed many changes. He then started to explain to me that I had what you call a benign acromegaly tumor on the pituitary gland and had to have brain surgery.

My new doctor explained that he could not perform brain surgery until he did some research, because this tumor was the biggest one he has ever seen. He also stated that the tumor was too large for him to approach it the wrong way because it was lying too close to the optic nerve which could cause blindness. I have experience and gained positive benefits from high quality research data that was placed in front of my doctor’ eyes for my safety and the safety of others. Now, the information that was combined together for my safety doing surgery will also help other in the months and years to come. I am doing real well and I hope and pray to God that I continue and live a long and blessed life.

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose last week were Death understanding and fear of death in young children, Retrieved from the Walden Library using Sage Premier 2010 database. This website gives a great deal of information on how young children feel about death situations. Young children do not know the natural concept of death but, they associate death with illness or getting old and dying. Through this website, parents and educators both will have the opportunity to learn different ways in helping young children cope with death.

As young children get older their cognitive, social, emotion and developmental growth can be affected by the anxiety of death and dying. We want our children to have the best learning experiences as possible and helping them to cope with fearful situations will decrease stress. Professionals in the early childhood field should always show passion and understanding to young children feelings at all time. I encourage my colleagues to read the information on this website to better understand how young children cope with death.

Good Luck Classmates!!

Reactivating My Blog

Ida Cabbil – http://.idacab.blogsot.com, Quandra Greene – http://quandragreene.blogspot.com, Stacey Brieden – http://staceybrieden.blogspot.com, Eliza West – http://emwest78.blogspot.com, Rashida Lott – http://rashidalott.wordpress.com/, Kizzie Edwards – http://lovingearlychildhood.wordpress.com/, Kyish Dunn – http://kyisha-blessedandhighlyfavored.blogspot.com/, Tiffany OKelley – free2flylearningacademy.wordpress.com, Brooke Guy – http://greengablesdayschool.blogspot.com/, Maria Mino – http://mariablog1476.blogspot.com, Sarah Feist – http://sarah feist.blogspot.com/

Final Blog Assignment

All the information I gather concerning the international early childhood field was very encouraging, and would help me to develop and learn more in my professional field. But, there were three that were most important to me in my personal development. The World Forum Foundation, I think professionals that travels all over the world gathering and sharing information concerning early childhood education is so unique. This great work that many professionals is experiencing and sharing is for the well-being of young learners and their families.

Another one is Association for Childhood Education International. This website offer educators an opportunity to engage in many learning tools to expand knowledge in their educational field. This organization provided information on events, different programs, dates and education on what learning is important for all young learners. This information will enhance educator experiences to teach young children how to learn and develop in all domains.

Lastly, the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy; poverty is a major concern worldwide. Professionals have the opportunity to help young children and their families that are living in poverty. They can provide them with information that they can use to get assistance like food stamp, welfare, housing, medical treatment, etc. If all professionals work together with other organization, poverty can be decreased.

My goal related to international early childhood field is continue doing research so that all young children will have a better chance of reaching their potential goals early in life. Young children deserve the opportunity to get the best appropriate learning in a friendly, safe and clean environment.

I would like to take the time to say thanks to Dr. Myers and all of my classmates for helping me through this course. Again Thanks!!

Getting to Know My International Contacts-Part 3

After looking through the “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpages I have gained many new issues related to international early childhood education that are related to my professional goals. From the time a child is born up to eight years old is the most critical period of a child’s life for learning and developing. One thing I have learned, the UNESCO supports the Early Childhood Care and Education programs. This program provided a safety healthy, nutritional and learning environment for all young children potential learning and developing. “UNESCO works in partnership with Member States, partners and other stakeholders to encourage timely and effective implementation of the Moscow Framework so that all young children develop their potential to the fullest” (Early Childhood Care and Education, 2010).

The education division along with many others is shaping the nationwide vision and determining the country’s development areas and issues. “Discussions are facilitated by two different analytical tools requires government agencies assistance like finance, development and planning” (Early Childhood Care and Education, 2010).

Tool on Relevance: Country level relevance; Labor market and world of work responsiveness; Global level relevance; Individual level responsiveness; Internal system coherence

Tool on Equity and Inclusion: Understanding inequity and exclusion; Policies and strategies to address inequity and exclusion

Young children should receive educational high quality programs that will enable them to develop beyond a certain age level. These programs should enhance young children growth and development in all domains. “High quality childcare programs will encourage all young children from disadvantaged or advantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness” (Early Childhood Care and Education, 2010). Professional should be license, trained, use age appropriate materials, and attention should be focus on the child learning abilities. The learning environment may vary depends on the country. “Active involvement from parents and communities and relevant play and learning materials ensure that early childhood services remain relevant to the needs of the children and all other stakeholders and increases sustainability” (Early Childhood Care and Education, 2010).

“Below are two analytical tools (on Competencies and Lifelong Learning) helps countries if their education system is equipped to produce the right type of human resources and good citizens” (Early Childhood Care and Education, 2010).

Competencies: Conceptualizing learning outcomes; Ensuring learning outcomes: policies and interventions

 Lifelong Learners: Integrated system for lifelong learning; Vertical integration of the education system; Horizontal integration of the education system; enabling environments for lifelong learning 

Reference



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