When I Think of Research...

As I take time to reflect all I have learned in this course, I can only think about children and families and how they are subjects in research. I learned about ways to conduct an effective research simulation, how to read abstract and journal articles and how to gain the most out of reading them without having to read the whole article. I can definitely say that this course has taught me how to conduct research in a new light. By taking time to research, utilize interviews, observe, and focus on the subjects instead of any biases, I can really create a meaningful research simulation. In regards to children and their families, it is important to recognize that children can and do have a voice and they also provide meaningful research. My ideas about the nature of doing research have changed because I can now look at a research article and narrow my focus down to the subject matter, the participants, the findings, and the methods and determine if the research is valuable to me. I also gained insight about how to narrow my research question down to a specific model to provide the best results. I can now focus on a topic of study and locate my subjects, I can also determine how I will get information from them for my study and I can put it together to provide useful and appropriate information for others to use. Some lessons that I learned about designing my research include determining the processes of conducting research I will include in my simulation such as triangulation, finding relevant literature, obtaining consent from parents to get information from children or themselves, and deductive research methods or hypothesizing to gain results. Through all of these aspects, I can conduct research that is free of bias, is specific to the population being studied, and resourceful to others who may utilize my research for their own benefit. One lesson that I learned that stayed with me is the power relations model in research. When utilizing and speaking for children, it is important to recognize that risks can happen but it is important to realize that serious harm is unacceptable. Also, children do have a voice in research and consent is important in any research simulation. Some challenges that I encountered in my research and reading about effective research is that it is always important to narrow down the topic of study to a researchable and effective topic. What made it hard is when it involves children; the results may be broad because of the differing circumstances that they face. So, I learned to choose a topic and refine the research to focus on the particular topic and not get carried away into other topics. By creating subtopics the research becomes more thorough and the reader can see the research for its validity. Some ways that my perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified is that my job is more professional because I learned how to become a more effective researcher and I can now look at a topic and find ways to research that topic and come up with effective strategies and techniques to find a solution to that particular problem or concern. Lastly, my perceptions of an early childhood professional has changed because I realize all of the important roles, duties, responsibilities, and concerns that we are faced in any given day. From that, it gives me more opportunity to work harder and love even more what I do. Lastly, I give my outmost thanks and support to all those who have crossed my path in my journey to become an effective early childhood professional. I wish all the best and success towards any and all accomplishments having to do with the field of early childhood education. I also want to thank my instructors who have guided and mentored me throughout my program of study. A warm thank-you to all who have been there.

Week 5_Research Around the World

Research Around the World Early childhood Australia is a national, non-profit, non-government organization that works to promote the well-being of children aged 0-8, and offers a knowledge database of early childhood education professionalism to those who want to learn more about children. Some recent articles include topics of early childhood environments and inclusion. In October, Early Childhood Australia published an article about promoting children’s social and emotional well-being in childcare. Early childhood mental health is important because these issues can affect children as they grow into adults. To be aware how we as early childhood professionals can promote the well-being of children, we can help to create environments that offer rich and lasting relationships with children and their families. One surprising fact I learned based on my research about Early Childhood Australia is that there is little research about how early childhood environments promote the well-being of children. “Although Childcare centers have a vital role to play in the social and emotional development of children, the strategies used to promote children’s wellbeing in such settings are not well researched” (www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/). By researching this topic, the Australian Early Childhood website described some key challenges for not obtaining much research on such an important topic due to language barriers of families and teacher education or qualifications. One noteworthy topic that I discovered during my search from the Early Childhood Australia website is that they really focus on finding information on effective practices and obtaining information on Quality childcare centers. I think this organization is a good one to keep in our list of researchable resources because of the abundance of current and past information about the Early childhood Field. References (www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/). (200-2012). Elise Davis, Naomi Priest, Belinda Davies, Margaret Sims, Linda Harrison, Helen Herrman, Elizabeth Waters, Lyndall Strazdins, Bernie Marshall and Kay Cook. “Promoting children’s social and emotional wellbeing in childcare centers with low socioeconomic areas: Strategies, Facilitators, and Challenges. University of MelbourneLast updated October, 4, 2012). Retrieved from. (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australian_journal_of_early_childhood/ajec_index_abstracts/promoting_childrens_social_and_emotional_wellbeing_in_childcare_centres_within_low_socioeconomic_areas_strategies_facilitators_and_challenges.html).