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).

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Option 1: As I sat back with my family thinking about the positive effects research has on families, I could only think of one icon that changed the lives of thousands. Erin Brokovitch brings back memories of Julia Roberts and the movie she played in called, “Erin Brokovitch” Erin Brokovitch is an inspiration to many for her efforts of curing a small town from pollution form their own Electric and Water Company. Erin, a single mother, obtained a job at local law firm in Cali when she stumbled across some files that gained her attention. Through Erin’s research, she found that Pacific Gas & Electric was poisoning the residents of Hinkley for 30 years by leaking Chromium 6 into the ground water. (http://www.brockovich.com/mystory.html). Her efforts resulted in her performing massive research of medical files for the town, and setting up anti-pollution lawsuits. It is efforts such as Erin Brokovitch’s that helped over 600 Hinkley residents to receive settlements and the company Pacific Gas & Electric to pay out over 333 million. The reason I share this information is because one single-woman stumbled across medical files and took it various efforts to research about the town of Hinkley, and help the residents from a poisonous substance that infected the pipeline which housed their drinking water. References Official website of Erin Brokovitch. (2010). Retrieved from (http://www.brokovich.com/mystory.html). Wikipedia.org. (Nov 7, 2012). Erin Brokovitch. Retrieved from. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Brockovich).

My Personal Research Journey

My chosen topic of discussion for this course is the issue of Poverty. My main focus is how we as professionals can create and implement programs to help those children in poverty stricken neighborhoods. My subtopic of choice is how we can create programs within the poverty stricken neighborhoods for parents and children to come and receive advice, pamphlets or reading materials, meals, medicine, and immunizations to assist them in raising healthy children. I feel that just offering pamphlets to parents with information about nutrition, can help them learn about what good eating has to offer. Also, by including a shelter, or dwelling within poverty stricken neighborhoods, we can offer services besides pamphlets; we can offer medical advice, nutritious meals, after-school care, and job searching tips to help parents get out of poverty. My experience with this topic has been very rewarding in the new insights that I have gained about research and the topic being one which needs attention. I think by learning what it takes to become an effective researcher, I can come up with plenty of useful measures that cities and communities can adopt, low-cost to help Americas families. With, that we can go even further to help children and families globally. By asking each of my colleagues to offer any useful advice or resources to direct in the right path towards helping those families in need can be of great value towards my research. I know that two valuable resources that deal with global efforts to end world poverty include the Global Children’s Fund and UNICEF. One can find a tremendous amount of articles, measures, and expert advice in how to help those families in need. Resources Global Children’s Fund. (www.globalfundforchildren.org). UNICEF. (www.unicef.org).

EDUC 6163-6_Building Research Competencies

This is the fifth class towards my Masters Degree and I am excited to learn how to be an effective and professional researcher. I look forward to working with all of you to discover more effective methods of researching and to make new friends as well. I wish all of you success in your endeavors.

Week 8 Final Blog

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field lead to a whole new area of needs and issues. By taking on efforts to help children and families, it really is an eye-opener when we get a chance to read about and talk to people who are experiencing the same issues or worse consequences. The knowledge helps to bring forth new information about effective strategies to help those in need, or new experiences to offer knowledge and support to those who need it. Another consequence is the support system grows once we open our eyes and an ear to other’s who are fighting for the same cause. It makes it such a wonderful experience to share our ideas with others and to exchange information back and forth. One last consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is that maybe one day, we can be there helping those children and their families in other countries who need it. We can offer our support by getting to know the resources that open their hearts to allow us to travel with means to better their schools, or offer clean running water, or even new textbooks and toothbrushes for all children. One goal I have is to continue to grow professionally and offer my expertise to others around the globe in hopes that they utilize my information to help those in need. Lastly, I hope to continue to make relations with others around the globe to keep my knowledge database growing and reading newsletters to keep up to date on current issues related to funding, infrastructure, teacher education, diversity, poverty and many other issues related to early childhood education. With all said, I wish each and every colleague and fellow classmates a wonderful future and educational journey from here on out. I hope their ideas and knowledge gets put to use here in the US and in other regions globally. Thanks to each and all of you for your comments and continued support.

Getting to Know Your Professional Contacts-Part 3

The UNESCO Website offers information about access, equity, programs to help the neediest children, and the efforts help those by mainstreaming the children from low-economic homes into the programs to create a cost-effective learning environment for all of the children possible (www.unesco.org). One thing I learned is that from the 2000 Dakar Framework for Action describes the concept as universalisation, where governments create a universal approach to help those in need as well as minimizing the inequity of barely helping the other populations who need help as well. “A policy of universalisation with targeting can minimize inequity where governments aim for universal access among the target age group, but simultaneously prioritize the poor” (www.unesco.org). Another issue has to do with funding in other countries. Funding comes mostly from the government, which makes it hard to fund programs for the needy. “In general, government funding for early childhood is extremely small” (www.unesco.org). With, that I learned that state funding is another way that can benefit the poor, but it needs to be addressed. Lastly, private funding, through marketing proves to be the most beneficial aspect of obtaining funding because the word gets out that educational needs are underway. My professional goals include the well-being of all children, creating and implementing a safe and nurturing environment, and offering useful strategies and curriculum that is rich, full of print, and fun for children to excel and learn. In doing so, I can help ensure that my professionalism of running a smooth, and appropriate classroom environment for children. However, due to the economy and socioeconomic statuses of some populations, it makes it difficult to obtain an education and resources needed for survival. I hope that through government, state, donation, and private resources, we can offer all children a chance at an education. Also, I hope through all of the generous people in this world, we can create access to fresh running water, food, utilities, clothing, shelter, and medical so children can indulge in that chance at a healthy and full education. References UNESCO.org. (1995-2012).Education. Retreived from. (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early- childhood/access-and-equity/).