I looked at
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
Some current research topics are bullying, legal issues in childcare, and social and emotional learning as a bases for curriculum. By exploring this international website I see that there are more similarities than differences. Major problems such as bullying are problems worldwide. they also have the same concerns as we do such as who should be picking up children from the child care system. Safety of all children is also a concern. Some information that was available was a book that principals can purchase in order to build the parent- school relationship. It was geared towards parents and was called Your child's first year at school: a book for parents. I think it is vital that schools build relationships with parents.
Welcome to my blog.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
When I think of research....
Taking this course has not been easy. It was a lot of terms to remember and I actually had to create a research simulation. Through that assignment I was able to understand all the components that make research possible.
My ideas about research have changed. I didn't realize all the components necessary to plan and set-up your design. I learned about all the various designs and ways to conduct research. There were so many choices it was hard to select just one.
Some challenges I encountered had to do with all the terms that I had to explain on assignments part 1. I really had to do an extra bit of work and really go online and research the research terms.
My perceptions of an early childhood professional have not really changed. they work hard and are experts in their field.
To all my classmates, Kudos to us for reaching the end of this road.
My ideas about research have changed. I didn't realize all the components necessary to plan and set-up your design. I learned about all the various designs and ways to conduct research. There were so many choices it was hard to select just one.
Some challenges I encountered had to do with all the terms that I had to explain on assignments part 1. I really had to do an extra bit of work and really go online and research the research terms.
My perceptions of an early childhood professional have not really changed. they work hard and are experts in their field.
To all my classmates, Kudos to us for reaching the end of this road.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Research that Benefits Children and Families
Share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families
When I conducted a qualitative research project with two of my former students I believe it had positive effects on them and their families. I personally had an added component to discuss with parents and they felt I was giving their child "special attention". I think parents believing I was giving their child special attention and the fact that I chose their child made them more aware of what was occurring in the classroom and they paid more attention to their child's work. Please note that I had the opportunity to loop with my class from second to third grade and was able to conduct research on the writing workshop model. So I worked intensely with their child with their writing and parents saw a big difference in the development of their child's work not only in the writing but across the board. Whether it was because I had looped with the class and had a keen sense of areas of weakness and was targeting those or getting one-on- one attention helped I really don't know. But I choose to believe that the research I was conducting had a positive effect on the children and their families.
When I conducted a qualitative research project with two of my former students I believe it had positive effects on them and their families. I personally had an added component to discuss with parents and they felt I was giving their child "special attention". I think parents believing I was giving their child special attention and the fact that I chose their child made them more aware of what was occurring in the classroom and they paid more attention to their child's work. Please note that I had the opportunity to loop with my class from second to third grade and was able to conduct research on the writing workshop model. So I worked intensely with their child with their writing and parents saw a big difference in the development of their child's work not only in the writing but across the board. Whether it was because I had looped with the class and had a keen sense of areas of weakness and was targeting those or getting one-on- one attention helped I really don't know. But I choose to believe that the research I was conducting had a positive effect on the children and their families.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
My Personal Research Journey
I have chosen to look at factors that determine when and if a child meets their developmental milestones. The factors I will look at will be bilingualism, gender, and # of siblings. This was not an easy topic to select but the one that hits closest to home. As a parent of an 8 month old and a 2 year old I am always wondering if what my children are saying and doing appropriate for their age. I think many parents have this concern and as educators we can help parents and families by being more knowledgeable in this area.
As a new parent I made sure to meet their health needs by visiting the doctor. When I started to take my daughter to the doctor, they had a completely computerized system where they asked me developmental questions and if my child was meeting them. They would write my responses and gave suggestions also on how to meet certain milestones. For example, they encouraged some tummy time to build my daughters upper body strength. I thought it was great but unfortunately, each time I went to an appointment I was seeing a new doctor. I wasn't comfortable with this, so I switched doctors and what a difference it was. Medically, my doctor is great but she does not have this computerized system in her office. So I feel, that I have to be the one asking the questions and be better informed about developmental milestones. The doctor isn't sitting down with me and asking me a plethora of questions concerning development like the previous clinic.
Now as an educator, I think I am a little well-versed with what is expected and when (especially with taking courses through Walden) but not all parents are. I think there needs to be a bigger push for education in this area. Some doctors press for a child meeting milestones by a certain point while others take a more laissez-faire attitude about it. They tell parents don't worry, give it more time. The reality is for some kids they don't have time to wait. I think there should be a more systematic system in place to catch developmental delays early before a child starts school. This should be standard and maybe my research can help this along.
As a new parent I made sure to meet their health needs by visiting the doctor. When I started to take my daughter to the doctor, they had a completely computerized system where they asked me developmental questions and if my child was meeting them. They would write my responses and gave suggestions also on how to meet certain milestones. For example, they encouraged some tummy time to build my daughters upper body strength. I thought it was great but unfortunately, each time I went to an appointment I was seeing a new doctor. I wasn't comfortable with this, so I switched doctors and what a difference it was. Medically, my doctor is great but she does not have this computerized system in her office. So I feel, that I have to be the one asking the questions and be better informed about developmental milestones. The doctor isn't sitting down with me and asking me a plethora of questions concerning development like the previous clinic.
Now as an educator, I think I am a little well-versed with what is expected and when (especially with taking courses through Walden) but not all parents are. I think there needs to be a bigger push for education in this area. Some doctors press for a child meeting milestones by a certain point while others take a more laissez-faire attitude about it. They tell parents don't worry, give it more time. The reality is for some kids they don't have time to wait. I think there should be a more systematic system in place to catch developmental delays early before a child starts school. This should be standard and maybe my research can help this along.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Final Blog Assignment
Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development would be as follows:
1) I learned that other countries put more importance on early childhood education than we do.
2) Gender inequality is an ongoing issue in many countries and not enough is being done to rectify this situation. Mindsets have to change which is very difficult.
3) Economics really drives what is being done around the world especially when it comes to our most vulnerable children.
One goal I have is to keep informed about issues. One issue that really resonated with me was gender inequality. I hope to learn more and at least be able to find an organization I can support financially that is doing a good job trying to change this.
To all my colleagues, congrats on all of your hard work and dedication. Good luck to all of you.
1) I learned that other countries put more importance on early childhood education than we do.
2) Gender inequality is an ongoing issue in many countries and not enough is being done to rectify this situation. Mindsets have to change which is very difficult.
3) Economics really drives what is being done around the world especially when it comes to our most vulnerable children.
One goal I have is to keep informed about issues. One issue that really resonated with me was gender inequality. I hope to learn more and at least be able to find an organization I can support financially that is doing a good job trying to change this.
To all my colleagues, congrats on all of your hard work and dedication. Good luck to all of you.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Getting To Know Your International Contacts - Part 3
Unfortunately, I couldn't get in contact with anyone internationally. I really don't know what I didn't do correctly. I am kind of disappointed that it has been so long and I have not had success. So, again, I had to do the alternative assignment. I looked at the website http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/. One thing that I can come away with is that there are many organizations working to improve success for all of our young children.
1) One way UNESCO, defines quality, is that ealry childhood care and education programs should emphasize the child's holistic development and extend beyond assisting the child's transition to formal schooling. It just seems that everyone understands what is necessary to have success but the actual implementation of that type of system is more complicated than it seems.
2) UNESCO has education regions. They include Africa, the Arab states, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America and Latin America and the Carribbean. I just wondered how this is done logistically. Issues in America will be vastly different than issues in the Arab states. I wonder how religion and gender equity plays a role and what is actually being done about it. If we are to educate all of our children then girls must be a part of that process. I wonder how difficult this actually can be in some places.
3) With that in mind, I looked at the agencies' priorities and they included Africa, gender equality, education for all, sustainable development, ethics, cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and knowledge societies. I found it very interesting that it included gender equality. It is such an important issue because girls do not normally complete much education in certain areas. They are used for domestic help or early marriage. I couldn't really get a clear picture of how this is dealt with but I found it very interesting. I will have to take more time and explore. Maybe that information I can find it in the news portion of the website.
1) One way UNESCO, defines quality, is that ealry childhood care and education programs should emphasize the child's holistic development and extend beyond assisting the child's transition to formal schooling. It just seems that everyone understands what is necessary to have success but the actual implementation of that type of system is more complicated than it seems.
2) UNESCO has education regions. They include Africa, the Arab states, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America and Latin America and the Carribbean. I just wondered how this is done logistically. Issues in America will be vastly different than issues in the Arab states. I wonder how religion and gender equity plays a role and what is actually being done about it. If we are to educate all of our children then girls must be a part of that process. I wonder how difficult this actually can be in some places.
3) With that in mind, I looked at the agencies' priorities and they included Africa, gender equality, education for all, sustainable development, ethics, cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and knowledge societies. I found it very interesting that it included gender equality. It is such an important issue because girls do not normally complete much education in certain areas. They are used for domestic help or early marriage. I couldn't really get a clear picture of how this is dealt with but I found it very interesting. I will have to take more time and explore. Maybe that information I can find it in the news portion of the website.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sharing Web Resources
I am following http://www.zerotothree.org/. I get weekly newsletters from this website. This week I decided to follow the newsletter where I was able to download a copy of Separation and Loss Due to Political and Social Conflict The Impact on Early Childhood Development. Since our course is entitled issues and trends I thought this was a relevant issue. Having the experience of dealing with refugees while in Maine I found this interesting and relevant for our generation. We have many students in our class that might have parents deployed or have refugees in our classes.
Also in the newsletter I was able to download a brochure entitled Little Listeners in an Uncertain World: Coping strategies for you and your child during deployment or when a crisis occurs. It was informative and gave examples of what can be done for adults when they are stressful and how to help their child to cope also.
I explored Free Parent Brochures and Guides. There is so much available. I also liked that some handouts were available in Spanish. I though this was a very useful tool to use for parent-teacher conferences, meetings, or workshops. There was general parenting topics such as Every Ways to Support Your Baby or Toddler's Early Learning, Tips for Child's Development Assessment, and Healthy Eating Strategies for Young Children. There are many age-based handouts, healthy minds: Nurturing Your Child's Healthy Development, and The Magic of Everyday Moments, and Your Baby's Development. I actually looked at the information under Self-Control for 24-36 months old and found it informative and helpful especially when Arianna was having tantrums.
I think the brochures and information here for parents help them better understand their children thus helping parents be better at parenting. I think this promotes excellence in the home thus promoting excellence in the school.
Also in the newsletter I was able to download a brochure entitled Little Listeners in an Uncertain World: Coping strategies for you and your child during deployment or when a crisis occurs. It was informative and gave examples of what can be done for adults when they are stressful and how to help their child to cope also.
I explored Free Parent Brochures and Guides. There is so much available. I also liked that some handouts were available in Spanish. I though this was a very useful tool to use for parent-teacher conferences, meetings, or workshops. There was general parenting topics such as Every Ways to Support Your Baby or Toddler's Early Learning, Tips for Child's Development Assessment, and Healthy Eating Strategies for Young Children. There are many age-based handouts, healthy minds: Nurturing Your Child's Healthy Development, and The Magic of Everyday Moments, and Your Baby's Development. I actually looked at the information under Self-Control for 24-36 months old and found it informative and helpful especially when Arianna was having tantrums.
I think the brochures and information here for parents help them better understand their children thus helping parents be better at parenting. I think this promotes excellence in the home thus promoting excellence in the school.
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