When I Think of Research...

Over the past 8 weeks I learned the in depth process professionals endure to complete research studies in the early childhood education field.  I would consider myself an investigator versus a researcher. I am now knowledgeable of how to actually read and comprehend research studies. I still struggle with distinguishing the difference between independent and dependent variables. I refer back to the definition of dependent variables “a variable can be thought of as something that is subject to variation. In research, that which changes as a result of some influence (Lepuschitz, J.K. 2011)”.  I can clearly identify the extraneous variables in any research simulation, as they will influence the results of the study by affecting the main focus. I believe after taking this course I believe I will be able to develop a research design.

 

References:

 Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). Introduction to variables. Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Research Around the World

The most current research published by the Early Childhood Australia a voice for young children referenced building partnerships with professionals. The importance of building relationships with professionals beyond the education sector, these partnerships will not only benefit the child but the family as well. It has been identified children lack accessibility to head start and/or pre-school programs do to the parents are unaware of the resources available to them. If partnerships existed between the education sectors, the health sector and community sector this awareness or lack thereof can begin to decline. The community for starters will be able to make parents aware of programs that may be beneficial to their family, as well as inform the parents of resources available whether financial or educational. The lack of accessibility is a trending issue in the early childhood education field currently.

The insight I gained from this web resource is other countries understand the importance of building partnerships. The early childhood education field is the same globally

 

References:

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

Research that Benefits Children and Families

I was recently contacted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I frequently visit this hospital often concerning my daughter’s eczema and allergies. The Life Research Department notified me due to my recent visit to the emergency room I was entered into a pool of candidates eligible for a research study.  The study was to determine if children with multiple siblings suffer from stress or anxiety which affect their learning ability? I was immediately interested in the study due to my daughter having issues with reading comprehension. I asked a few additional questions regarding the study I was ecstatic to learn the study consisted of a questionnaire assessment, the parent’s participated in the study as well and it was a one day study. I agreed me and my daughter would be participants, I scheduled a date and time for us to complete the study two weeks later.

The study for me was very simple and straight forward. I love the study was a one day trail I dislike the time frame of two hours. The questions I answered differ from the questions my daughter answered which I felt was a plus. The question the researchers asked her were age appropriate and easy for a child to comprehend. I absolutely feel the purpose of this study has a positive benefit to children and their families due to the long term benefits of cognitive development.  My daughter loved the research study she wants to participate in another study. I believe she enjoyed the experience because it was exciting and new to her.  

Personal Research Journey

The topic I choose to focus on is equity and excellence, so far this process has been enlightening as I take baby steps to learn how to interrupt research. I am excited as I feel by the end of the course I will be fully capable of defining equity and excellence as it relates to early childhood development. At this point I have little understanding of how equity and excellence effects the early childhood development and the programs that foster healthy development. Equity and excellence has a broad perspective I have narrowed my focus to school readiness and achievement gaps. These two subtopics seem to be one of the greatest challenges professional and policy makers face. There are many factors that affect the success of children in the early childhood education programs I want to narrow down to the main issues. I feel in order to conquer the issues and trends within the early childhood field we have to be aware of the issues and understand the issue solve the issue to end the trend.

: Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosts many different conferences and conventions one being The Convention on the Rights of the Child accepted in 193 countries as the rights of children as individuals. November 20^th is a universal holiday Children’s Day. The UNESCO holds a convention this day with ambassadors from all over the world this day as has a specials honorary guest as well. The Rights of Child gives policy makers and activist the ability to speak on children behalf regarding education. To enforce policy changes and enforce the need for equity and high quality education for all children. Today still there are about 761 million children lacking literacy skills and the Rights of the Child fight to reduce these numbers. The further I search through the website I am learning of new resources for my learning in the ECE field. I subscribed to the UNESCO newsletter to stay afloat with their stories and changes throughout the Nations.

 “As children represent the future, their best interest is our best interest” says Qian Tang. 

References:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/single-view/news/childrens_rights_are_human_rights/

Sharing Web Resources

The UNICEF website holds a host if information regarding early childhood as a whole. I learned today from randomly clicking on links there is a host of research and data comprised in this site. I ran across an article focusing on freeing child soldiers in Central Africa. I would not expect this to be on the website but it involves children. I believe you can find almost any topic regarding on this website. They have links allowing you to connect with Facebook, Twitter, Bloggers, other educators, volunteers and many others. I did subscribe to the UNICEF E newsletter to later discover there are multiple E newsletters you can subscribe I was only subscribed to the United States E newsletter, today I subscribed to the Africa E newsletter as well. Each newsletter contain information that adds to my understanding of equity and excellence. Each time I visit the site I gain more knowledge on varies topics. I tend to go with what catches my attention unless I am searching for a specific piece of information. The UNICEF website holds a host of information from the current hot topic in the early childhood education field to the latest research study conduct from Australia. I cannot say each time the information on the site is new for that particular week, although the information is new to me. The topic I am researching may have been posted on the E Newsletter I may just now be discovering the article because I am studying the topic. The following website http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ has been beneficial in my studies this semester and I hope to continue to gain as much knowledge possible from this source.

During week three I made contact with the Goddard School, about a week later I received a return call from a representative at a local Goddard school here in Cincinnati, Ohio I was excited to connect with her. Unfortunately The Goddard School denied my request to connect and build a relationship due to my interest not being to enroll a child into their program or become an intern. This week I reviewed The Global Children’s Initiative, they are committed to the global approach on child survival, health, and development during the early childhood years (birth to 7 years old). This network was designed specifically to focus primarily on “meeting the needs of all children and a critical investment in the roots of economic productivity, positive health outcomes, and strong civil society in all nations, from the poorest to the most affluent”.  The Global Children’s Initiative has briefly acknowledge an understanding of the policy issues presents in early childhood development. The same issues has or are currently present here in the United States specifically Cincinnati, Ohio, and these are the same issues I am currently being taught. The one thing that stood out to me regarding The Global Children Initiative was their mission very detailed and addressed specific points of focus to obtain their overall goal.

References:

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/