Reasearch In Early Childhood

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?  I have learned that there are many types of research that are conducted and a researcher has to follow rules and stipulations just like everyone else even though they are experimenting. I’ve learned that there are risk factors in a research project that is important to be able to receive the necessary approval to proceed with a project.   

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed? I realized that research is not as boring and as simple or as complex. There are several things in a research that must take place to have accurate data and get the results for the research.   

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn? I’ve learned that the use of valuable research tools like triangulation is important in research.  I learned a lot about qualitative and mixed-method research designs and how the two relates to your experiment being conducted.  I've learned that planning is essential and very important part of research. 

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? I must say the only challenge I had this semester was getting my assignments submitting due to my lab top difficulties.  I had to read and catch up because I was a week behind the others.  The reading and discussion was very helpful and help the complete assignments. 

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? I’ve learned that children being used in research has being improved over time and that there are certain requirements and consents that are needed in order for a child to be part of an experiment.

Research In Australia

Early Childhood in Australia

What are some of the current international research topics?

 Research in Practice Series focuses on the practical, 'hands-on' aspects of early childhood – making them ideally suited to early childhood workers.  Research topics international are

Stars are made of glass: Children as capable and creative communicators

The Early Years Learning Framework: Building confident learners

The Early Years Learning Framework: Getting started

Optimistic careers and children: Pathways to confidence and wellbeing

Nurturing the spiritual child: Compassion, connection and a sense of self

Dealing with bullying together: Prevention and resolution

Portfolios: Documenting a journey

Treasures and collections: A touch of magic in the early years

Learning’s from High/Scope: Enriching everyday practice

The Code of Ethics: A guide for everyday practice

The Circle of Security: Roadmap to building supportive relationships

Greening services: Practical sustainability

Dreaming Stories: A springboard for learning

Discovering letters and sounds

Capture the moment: Using digital photography in early childhood settings

Diversity and difference: Lighting the spirit of identity

Managing change with infants and young children

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? Reading the mission statement made me think about the age of a child that is focused on in our country.  Early Childhood focuses on young children but at one age do we really consider our children to not be part of early childhood.  Are there factors that make them not to be considered as being in their early childhood stages?

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? I found a lot of interesting early childhood newsletters and articles.  Here is a listing of a few articles from the site. 

How does your state rate? New report examines states’ progress in early childhood reform

Tips to minimize stress during your child's first year at school

The new Australian Curriculum is about content, not about how teachers deliver it.

Quality childcare more important than cost.

Reference:

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

Positive Research

Sesame Street was the first children's television program that used a curriculum with clear and measurable outcomes and was the first to use research in the creation of the show's design and content. Research in Sesame Street had three functions: to test if the show was appealing to children, to discover what could be done to make the show more appealing, and to report to the public and the investors what impact the show had on its young viewers. Ten to fifteen percent of the show's initial budget of $8 million was devoted to research, and researchers were always present in the studio during the show's filming. A "Writer's Notebook" was developed to assist writers and producers in translating the research and production goals into televised material; this connected the show's curriculum goals and its script development. The Muppet characters were created to fill specific curriculum needs: Oscar the Grouch, for example, was designed to teach children about their positive and negative emotion. Lesser called the collaboration between researchers and producers, as well as the idea of using television as an educational tool, the "CTW model. Cooney agreed, commenting, "From the beginning, we—the planners of the project—designed the show as an experimental research project with educational advisers, researchers, and television producers collaborating as equal partners".  ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sesame_Street}

I chose this particular topic because most of us know something about Sesame Street.  Educational programs such as this one have really been a positive outcome with children.  Sesame Street is just one of the many educational programs that teach our children positive things.   In 1979, nine million American children under the age of six were watching Sesame Street daily, and several studies showed it was having a positive educational impact.  In the 1980s, Sesame Street's curriculum expanded to include more affective topics such as relationships, ethics, and emotions. 

My Personal Research Journey

My Personal Research Topic
Early Childhood research topic:  Children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Three related subtopics:  Causes of ADHD, Symptoms of ADHD, and Treatment for ADHD

I chose the subtopics that related to ADH research topics because it is important information needed to be able to research and learn more about children with ADHD. 

 I think it is important to know the causes of ADHD.  I think that a lot of parents do not understand or know what may cause their child to have ADHD.  I am a parent of 3 boys and I have a child that has been diagnose with ADHD and the only thing I knew at that time was that my child was hyper and had a hard time being still.  The first thing the doctors wanted to do is put my child on medication.  I needed research and I needed answers, so I started doing my own research.

Symptoms of ADHD are very important when I child has been diagnosed.  Knowing why your child is doing and reacting a certain way can help you understand some of your child’s behavior.  A few signs of ADHD that I found that were helpful and notice in my child was difficulty sustaining attention, did not seem to listen, difficulty playing quietly, talked excessively, interrupt or intrude on others, easily distracted, and did not finish tasks. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school.

This topic hits home to me and I would like to more about ADHD.  I am a mother, and a social worker that deal with children on a daily basis and feel that it will help to know and be able to understand children that have this disorder. 

My Supports

My support in my life would be my mom, co-workers, family, and kids.  My mom is there for me when I need someone to listen to me and help with my children.  When I am down and out she always knows how to make me feel better.  My coworkers support me by helping me make decisions on keeping children from being neglected or abused.  Working in Child Protective Services can be stressful and may cause a mental break down if you allow it.  My family is there regardless of what the situation may be.  When times get hard they are there regardless if I am in the right or wrong.  My children support me in ways they may never know.  If it was not for my children I would not have the motivation and the desire to keep achieving my goals and education.  I have to support them and they support me by just being kids and giving me their love.

A challenge that would be difficult for me is not being able to talk.  I love talking and expressing myself.  I love to have conversation and communicating with others.  I just don’t think that I would get my point across using sign language.  Being able to speak is a gift and privilege to have.  I am a talkative person and my job requires me to interview children, adults, caretakers, and several providers.  It would be hard for me to do my job if I was not able to speak.     

My Connection to Play

People tend to forget that play is serious.

David Hockney
Contemporary British painter

Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.

Kay Redfield Jamison
Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

Play to me in my childhood was riding my bike, playing 4 squares with my friends, and jumping on my trampoline.  I loved coming home from school and doing my homework because I knew that I would get to go outside and play.  My mom would always make sure that I have completed my homework first.  Play consists of riding my bike around the neighborhood with my friends.  Everyone had a bike and we would ride our bikes every chance we got.  Playing 4 squares with a ball was a game we played hitting the ball to the person in the square trying to get them out.  Last person in the square wins.  This game was fun because everyone tried to get each other out.  As I got a little older I played on my trampoline with my friends.  We flipped, jump, and acted silly.  Play was important for us because we were able to burn off energy and have a good time.  Parents supported play by allowing us to play about in the neighborhood.  We knew that we needed to be in the house before dark.  All of the adults and parents knew the children and were watching us if we were by their house. 

Play to me is different.  I am a mother and I do not allow my children to ride their bikes freely in our neighborhood.  I worry about something happen to my children or someone hitting them while they are riding their bikes.  I allow them to play outside but they can’t go but so far.  They spend more time in the house playing video games and watching TV.  I think that children do not play like they use to because technology has taken over toys and play time spent outside

            

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Relationship Reflection

Relationships is something that everyone encounter in their lives.  Relationships can be based on several factors and morals in an individuals life.  People experience and go through a lot of things in relationships.  relationship to me is commitment, loyalty, understanding, trusting,loving,and being able to depend on an individual through the good and bad. 

I have several positive relationships in my life.  The first and far most important relationship is the one I have with God.  He is me father and without him I would not be who I am today.  He is understanding, caring, loyal, trusting, and he never leaves my side.  He forgives me when I mess up and give me chances and opportunities to get it right.  My relationship with God is good and I know that he will never let me down.  As long as I keep on trusting and believing he will always be by my side. 

My husband and I have a good relationship that is based on love, trust,understanding, and being there for each other.  I have been in this relationship for 13 years now.  One thing that I have learned is that your relationship is whatever you make it out to be.  We had some tough years but in the end the love we have conquer all.  We have 3 boys and my relationship with them is just as important as My relationship with God and my husband.  I love them all and would not trade them for nothing in the world. 

I have positive relationships with my office mates at work.  We help each other out when needed.  We work together at times to make sure that we do not leave children at risk or harm in their homes.  This relationship is strong because our decisions effect a lot of people.  We have to form relationships with our clients as well because we are in their lives for a reason and have to see what we can do to help our families.  If you don't have a good relationship with them you want be able to help them if you don't form some type of relationship.

My husband and I.......Posing for the blog......Expressing our love and our relationship...Love,Dedication,Devotion,Loyalty,Understanding, and Caring