When I think of research...

The insights that I have gained about research from taking this course; I have learned as I developed my research simulation that there is a difference in power between the researcher and the participants.  Even though research is not my strong point I have learned that research is a professional tool. I learned about the standard and guidelines as well as research charts. I learned about the importance of ethnics in research in the field of early childhood. I learned about hypothesis writing as well as qualitative research and the importance of validity. I also learned about the value of mixing methods. My ideas about research have changed, I am aware of the many steps of research and its validity. I have learned lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in the early childhood field. Careful design of research takes time; it will ensure that research provides data with what was set out to be achieved.  Some of the challenges that I faced was the mixed research methods. I met this challenge by writing a research study outline. My perception of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course by understanding the importance of using research as a professional tool.

Research that benefits Children and families

The positive example of the effects of research on children that I would like to share is through research, one of my family members was able to find out that her1 year old son is autistic.  My family member noticed that her child was not developing as a normal 1 year old child. My cousin began to do research and realize that her child had all of the symptoms of an autistic child; she took my little cousin to the doctor and it was confirmed.  Research on children is a great way to support their well-being; because of research my cousin was aware that her child had a developmental delay.

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic that I chose for simulation is cognitive development. The reason that I chose cognitive development is because it is an important part of a child's development; it is the child's ability to learn and solve problems.  A two year old may learn to explore the environment with his hands and eyes. The simulation chart has helped me to sort and organize information.

Final Blog Assignment

I have learned that international early chilhood education is similar to the United States because it respects diversity, it includes laws, as well as provide for the well-being of children by addressing the issue of poverty. My goal is to communicate with international early childhood educators to learn new ideas as well collaborate with international early childhood educators.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts Part 3

UNESCO advocates for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes that attend to health, nutrition, security and learning and which provide for children’s holistic development.  the importance of early childhood by including the development of early childhood care and education as the first of its six main goals.

Participating countries committed themselves to “expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.” Governments were particularly urged to expand equitable access to quality early childhood services underscoring the importance of instituting policy in favour of the poor.

Countries often promote alternative services for poor children with limited or no access to mainstream early childhood services which can be cost-effective and pedagogically innovative, but often raise concerns about sustainability and quality.  In cases where the government has limited resources, a pro-poor policy can redistribute resources by reducing state support for the more privileged.

Central governments must ensure an equitable distribution of resources among different populations and especially those who live in the most disadvantaged regions. This approach aims to expand access without creating serious regional inequities. However, where there is universal provision for a certain age group while the overall enrolment in other age groups is low, this policy can create inequity.

Privileged children of the target age group benefit from state investment, while poor children of non-target ages receive scant government attention. A policy of universalisation with targeting can minimise inequity where governments aim for universal access among the target age group, but simultaneously prioritise the poor.

 

Three insights that I have gained from this website is to focus on the quality of early childhood education; not just preparing the child for the next grade level; but focus on the holistic development of the child.

 

I learned the importance of preparing educational goals for the children as well as myself.

 

I learned the importance of raising the awareness for quality education for all children; I plan to start attending conferences to continue my knowledge of early childhood education.

Sharing Web Resources

One of the websites that I had not explored until now is the UNICEF website.  The Childcare Transition”, a majority of the rising generation in economically advanced societies is now spending a significant part of childhood in out-of-home childcare. Almost 80 per cent of the three-to-six year-olds in rich countries are in some form of early childhood education and care. For the under threes, the proportion is 25 per cent, rising to more than 50 per cent in individual OECD countries.  Poor quality child care, continues the report, may result in weak foundations and shaky scaffolding for future learning, and what is true of cognitive and linguistic skills is also true of psychological and emotional and development.

High quality early childhood education and care has a huge potential to enhance children’s cognitive, linguistic, emotional and social development,” says Marta Santos Pais, Director of UNICEF IRC. “It can help boost educational achievement, limit the early establishment of disadvantage, promote inclusion, be an investment in good citizenship, and advance progress for women." UNICEF works tirelessly to ensure that every child – regardless of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or circumstances – has access to a quality education. We focus on gender equality and work towards eliminating disparities of all kinds. Our innovative programmes and initiatives target the world’s most disadvantaged children: the excluded, the vulnerable and the invisible.

UNICEF’s work to support community and family care practices that impact the lives of young children not only use health and nutrition interventions but also add early stimulation and interaction.  Similarly, ensuring that young children are developmentally ready for school is an integral part of UNICEF’s education priority.
UNICEF works with families, communities and governments in more than 190 countries to put it right; to protect and promote the rights of all children.

References
UNICEF children rights retrieved from http://www.unicef.org.uk/UNICEFs-Work/Our-mission/Childrens-rights/

Global Children’s Initiative

As I explored the site I gained insights about toxic stress in young children.  Toxic stress in young children may come from abuse, deep poverty, and violence. The effects that toxic stress may have on young children development may be a weakened foundation for learning. It is important to  develop strong brain architecture, babies and toddlers require dependable interaction with nurturing adults and safe environments to explore.  Programs in a variety of settings—the home, early care and education, foster care, and other environments—can protect children from the effects of toxic stress by providing stable relationships with responsive caregivers.

I learned that policy implications are important and critical for success such as ongoing investment in workforce skills and professional development is essential for program improvement. Rigorous program standards, ongoing training and technical assistance, and continual quality assessment and improvement are critical to ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of large-scale programs. It is important to provide a program that ensures healthy futures for young children. 

 I learned that Providing supportive relationships and safe environments can improve outcomes for all children, but especially those who are most vulnerable. Between 75 and 130 of every 1,000 U.S. children under age 5 live in homes where at least one of three common precipitants of toxic stress could negatively affect their development.

I have learned from this article that effective early childhood programs generate benefits to the society. I have learned that effectiveness factors distinguish programs that work such as qualified and appropriately compensated personnel small group sizes and high adult-child ratios and language-rich environments.

References

Early Childhood Program Effectiveness retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/