When I first started this course I have to admit I was a little scared!  It seems very intimidating to me.  I took it assignment by assignment and learned a lot about different types of research and appropriate situations to use types of research.  Finding sources that are valid is an important part of research.  Sources should be provided with information about the author and where the source came from. 

                I have also learned to be open minded and non- judgmental when conducting research with children.  Data triangulation is a method that I would use because it offers the use of different types of data collection.  I have always felt that the more information that is gained, the better the over all findings will be.  There are so many different ways of conducting research.  I have learned what types of research are appropriate for what kinds of simulations. 

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

                   This website seemed to have a number of topics that apply to the United States.  All of these seminars are topics of importance and offer much advice/information about important topics.  I think it is very interesting to see that other countries are focusing on some of the same issues that we are here in the United States.  Between the last course and this current course, I have been becoming more and more aware of what is happening in other parts of the world.  I feel that this is so beneficial because we can share tips, advice and information between each other.  I have always believed in sharing ideas and combining thoughts in order to make positive experiences for children.  Here is a list of seminars to attend hat focus on important topics related to early education:

Sharing Sensitive News with Parents Online Seminar 26 Sept 2014

Helping Parents of Late Talkers Use Gesture to Support Expressive Language Development Online Seminar 22 Oct 2014

Helping Parents Use Routines to Promote Young Children’s Interaction and Language Skills Online Seminar 30 Oct 2014

Coaching Parents in How to Play Online Seminar TBA/On demand

Starting Early: Red Flags and Treatment Tips for Toddlers on the Autism Spectrum Online Seminar TBA/On demand

Make Words Sparkle for Preschoolers and Kindergarten Children: Bring Vocabulary to Life During Book Reading and Daily Interactions Online Seminar On demand

Making Book Reading a Time for Interaction and Conversation Online Seminar On demand

References:

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

My Research Story

 

When I think of a positive result of research, I think about a time last year while I was teaching preschool.  There was a child in my class that was of the Hispanic culture.  He was four years old.  Every day at lunch time he would just sit there and not eat his food.  I was not sure why he was acting this way.  I thought maybe it was because he didn’t like the meals at school.  Maybe he was just a picky eater?  One day I picked up a fork and put some food on it.  He opened his mouth and took a bite.  This made me want to do some research on his culture.  I found out that in his culture, the caregivers help the children with self-help skills such as eating, longer than what we do in the United States.  I spoke to the parents about working with their child to teach him to feed himself so that he would be able to keep up with the other children.  The parents were very accepting of my idea and also worked on these skills at home. 

Early Intervention

I chose this topic because I have worked with special education for three years.  I realized how amazing these children are and should get the help that they deserve.  Sometimes children need a little extra assistance whether it be occupational therapy, speech therapy or many other types of therapy that is offered to children.  Children are extremely vulnerable at young ages and need to be set on the right track.  There are many organizations that help these children and families.  Early education sets the groundwork for children and their future.  If there is something that they need assistance with, it is better to do it at a young age.  It can be rather difficult to change things that a child has already learned.  I am curious if any of my classmates have worked with anyone with special needs and if so, do they feel that these services help them? 

It is extremely beneficial for professionals to communicate and be aware of what is happening in other parts of the world.  Not everything is the same on all parts of the world if we communicate with each other, we can share different ideas that we may not have thought of ourselves.  I wish I could have been able to speak to an individual, but unfortunately I was unable to.  I feel that this will be a great way to obtain information about other parts of the world.  I will continue to try to get in contact with other professionals from around the world.  I did learn things through other websites such as: UNICEF, The Global Children’s Initiative and the Harlem Children’s Zone.  No matter what country we are in, we all have common goals: the health/wellness of children and doing our best to ensure that children are on the right track to success.  I have learned that in some parts of the world, children are forced to start working years before they should in order to help support their families.  These children are missing out on many important aspects of school such as social interaction.  I learned ways of participating and donating to causes to help these children.  Children are my life and I would do anything to ensure that every child receives the education and care that they deserve.    

“The greatest difficulty faced by countries in their efforts to expand and improve the quality of early childhood care and education is the mobilization of resources. This is particularly daunting in developing countries, where early childhood may be overshadowed by other pressing priorities, such as universal primary education” (UNESCO, 2014).  I find this is true in multiple countries, even the United States.  Having the proper funding is something that is hard to come by.  Fortunately, the schools that I currently work for are family owned early childhood learning schools.  Everything for the children is top of the line.  The owners never look at prices.  They order whatever is best for the children.  The children and classrooms always have everything they need.  This is the first place I have been employed that is like this.  It seems that every other place I have been in is all about making money.  The staff is very well qualified, a number with bachelor degrees.  The only thing I feel that is lacking is staff wages and compensation.  I do make more here than I have before, but it is still not enough.  I have two degrees and many years of experience.  I am not offered even health insurance.  I do understand that I will never be a millionaire in this profession, but I do feel early education teachers deserve much more than they currently get.  My goal is to keep working for Kensington Schools and move higher up in the company.  I want to fight harder for those of us in this field to get the compensation that we deserve.  I chose to pursue a master’s degree in this field to show parents and communities how important the early years truly are. 

 

References:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/investment-and-financing/

UNICEF

In the recent months, children in Gaza were greatly affected by violence and trauma.  More than 500 children were killed and approximately 3,300 severly injured.  This is not to mention the thousands that suffer from emotional trauma.  The community and UNICEF is working hard to make schools safe and up and running again.  “Investing in education is an investment for the future,’ says UNICEF-State of Palestine Special Representative, June Kunugi.  ‘Without increased support and commitment to their education and protection, an entire generation in Gaza could be lost. It is our collective moral obligation to prevent this,’ she adds” (UNICEF, 2014).  UNICEF is reaching out and delivering vaccines to the community and medical supplies for hospitals. 

References:

UNICEF. (2014). Children at risk in the Gaza conflict. http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/oPt_74620.html