When I Think of Research...

1. What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
The insights that I have gained about research throughout this course is to make sure that your information and resources is credible, reliable, and valid. It will most definitely help you in the long run when it comes to all the steps of the research process and actually writing a research report/project. In the beginning of the research, I was not familiar with many of the terms and the analysis and designs(quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods). Now, I am more knowledgeable thanks to this course and Dr. Dartt.

2. In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
My ideas have changed about the nature of doing research because I found out that it can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating. Research is a process that is very time consuming and takes a bunch of patience.

3. What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
I learned that all three of them are important in early childhood. The planning is the foundation that will lead to the designing and conducting of the research in which you will be studying as a researcher.


4. What were some of the challenges you encountered-and in what ways did you meet them?
One of my challenges that I encountered was when it came to the quantitative and qualitative designs and analysis. I was so confused, lost, and frustrated to where I developed a headache. I met this challenge by calling Dr. Dartt and she explained how both of the designs is used in research. She provided me with examples and scenarios to help me understand better. Even after learning about the research process, I still do not like the quantitative design because it seems like it has more work than the qualitative design. Another challenge that I encountered was the vocabulary. In order to meet this challenge, I kept flipping back and forth from the definition in the chapter to the glossary and then I would sit there and meditate on it for a while. I had to reread the text a numerous of times before I decided to research on the internet to see what others have written.

5. What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
My perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course because participants may be harmed as a result of their involvement. Secondly, professional relationships and knowledge base may be damaged. Finally, problems for the community or society may be a result.

To My Colleagues:
Thank you all for the support in which was provided to me throughout this course. Thanks for sharing your ideas, opinions, and the resources which will help me in the near future. I wish the best for you all on this academic journey and life. 

Research Around the World

The link that I chose for this week's blog is Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php http://www.ecduv.org/ssa/major_reports.php

What are some of the current international research topics?
There were 25 final major projects and 2 theses. Some of the current international research topics are Building Community Leadership for Quality Sustainability in Madrasa Preschools: The Case of Madrasa Preschools Post Graduation Support; Coordinating the Development and Implementation of the 2003-2013 National Action Plan (NAP) for Children in Malawi; Utilizing Indigenous Stories in the Promotion of Early Childhood Development Programs in Uganda; Strengthening the Capacity of Grandparents in Providing Care to Children Less than 8 Years Old Affected by HIV/AIDS; Development of a Model Framework for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in their Early Years in Ghana; and Developing an ECCD Teacher Training Curriculum in Lesotho as Part of a College Education Program.

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
The surprising facts that I gained from exploring this website is when the Early Childhood Development Virtual University Internal Evaluation Report stated that the ECDVU programme is striking for its high retention and completion rates: 90% of learners completed the programme and obtained Masters and Bachelors degrees (27 of 30 learners completed, of which 22 were Masters students and 5 Bachelors). The insights I gained from this website is Building Capacity Through: promoting Regional ECD Networks, supporting In-Country Development, utilizing Computer Technology, identifying Indigenous knowledge, stimulating Local Solutions, accessing International Expertise, and delivering Meaningful Training. The new ideas I gained from this website is that the ECDVU is an innovative internationally recognized program operating within the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. While based locally, ECDVU network and its impact are global.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?
I noticed on the links for School of Child & Youth, at University of Victoria, it took me to both of their homepages and there were more information available. I really enjoyed browsing this website because overall it was easy to comprehend the information.

Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

Option 1:

I would like to share with my colleagues a published research article concerning children or families that I came across called New Study On Homosexual Parents Tops All Previous Research. The link to the website is : www.frc.org/issuebrief/new-study-on-homosexual-parents-tops-all-previous-research. I find this article interesting because the question that was asked is Do children who are raised by homosexual parents or caregivers suffer for disadvantages in comparison to children raised by a married mother and father? This question is essential to political and ethical debates over adoption, foster care, and artificial reproductive technology, and it is highly relevant to the raging debate over same-sex "marriage." The argument that "children" need a mom and a dad" is central to the defense of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In conclusion, the article by Marks and Regnerous have completely changed the playing field for debates about homosexual parents, "gay families," and same sex "marriage." The myths that children of homosexual parents are "no different" from other children and suffer "no harm" from being raised by homosexual parents have been shattered forever.

I chose this topic because there has been so much controversial about children raised by their married mother and father. I feel like there is nothing wrong with homosexual parents rearing children, but at a age where the children can understand the concept of homosexuality. I feel like people should not be held accountable for who they are or what they choose to become. Just because parents are married does not mean that the children will be reared better. Homosexual parents can teach the children about living in your true identity and not hiding it, whereas married parents will more than likely criticized the child/children for being homosexual and asking the question why. The above research study clarified the misconceptions and myths about children being reared by homosexual parents. I will continue to believe that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.   

My Personal Research Journey

My Chosen Topic:
I have chosen the topic special needs children with a disability, but my subtopic would be ways in which parent(s) can distinguish when the caregiver(s) or other people has abused or neglected the child will be the focus of my simulations in the coming weeks.

As you all already know from the previous paragraph that the chosen topic for the simulation is special needs children with a disability. The reason why I chose it is because my heart goes out to these children and their families when it comes to abusing and neglecting an innocent child who did not ask to come into this world. It can have effect on the family as well because not all the time the parent(s) or caregiver(s) are aware of what is really happen to the child/children because they might be caught up with working and trying to provide the best they can with the economy being slow.

My personal experience with this simulation process is that I have been around single parents who are having a hard time rearing their child with special needs and who has a disability due to the fact their health/medical care for all the surgeries that they through are too expensive.

The insight that I have gained so far from constructing the research chart, and from any other element of this course is that my definition of a word might mean different, but can be used in many ways. Also, it has improved and expanded my vocabulary so that now when these words are used I want be looking dumb-found.

To all my colleagues if you all have any advice or insight that might help me with this process and/or with this course, please feel free to share resources if you can with me and I will do the same as well. Thank you all in advance!

Final Blog Assignment

The three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development:

Early Childhood (Birth to Age 6) and Primary School
SbS classrooms foster democratic habits. Children are encouraged to:

• Make choices and accept responsibility
• Learn independently as well as cooperatively
• Be tolerant and respectful of differences

Using a thematic or project-based approach, classrooms are organized around developmentally appropriate learning and activity centers. The specific organization of this environment places a high priority on peer learning and ensures that children have the opportunity to make decisions each day. Activity centers are geared to the interests and learning level of each age group.

“We like working together. When we work together, we listen to each other and then choose the best ideas.” — Step by Step primary school student, Moldova

The role of the teacher is to facilitate children’s learning and create a community of learners. Teachers do not strive to be fountains of knowledge. Rather, teachers create a climate for learning, exemplifying the qualities that should be developed in children—intellectual curiosity, independent learning, enthusiasm, empathy and caring.

Teachers interact with children as they work and play. They observe and listen to children, record and evaluate their observations, and plan developmentally appropriate learning activities. In an environment where teachers encourage children to pursue their interests, children develop a strong sense of importance and self-initiative.

One goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends in the spirit of collegial relations:

ISSA's overarching goal is to promote inclusive, quality care and education experiences that create the conditions for every child to be happy and reach his or her full potential. ISSA does this through: raising awareness of the importance of quality care and education; developing resources; piloting/evaluating programs, influencing policies, building capacity of organizations in the network, disseminating information; advocating; and strengthening alliances.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts- Part 3

Podcast Alternative:

Episode 10: Susan Lyon

Susan Lyon was intrigued by a small child’s conception of the word “city”, and began pondering how children think, eventually visiting Reggio Emilia and then bringing the “100 Languages of Children” exhibit to the San Francisco Bay area on two occasions. She initiated the Innovative Teacher Project, and began working with the Presidio Child Care Center and the San Francisco public schools. Currently she is working with an Italian architect to rehab a San Francisco structure into the first Italian immersion preschool. The Presidio Child Development Center was featured in the Program Showcase section of the March/April 2011 issue of Exchange magazine.

My podcast participant is Susan Lyon. She was an educator since 22, starting with teaching with children who has learning disability and emotional problems. Mrs. Lyon would say that was the beginning of her passion. For children, specifically this one little boy in particular that she was trying to and he had a spelling list and he was trying to learn the word city. He wanted her to tell him what the word was and she felt that she shouldn't give him the answer, but he kept asking and finally she said okay. Um mm tell you that the word is city. She spelled out the word city. The little boy said to Mrs. Lyon that is such a small word for such a big place. She said that was kind of a wonderful experience that she had with that young boy and she think he was in the first grade. She saw a window in the children minds that was quite different. That was the beginning of how she really was trying to understand how children see things, children understand the world. It was quite fascinating to her and she learned about the schools in Reggio Emilia when she went to visit these schools and she was very inspired by their work because they have a particular way of looking at children. The very progressive image of the child. Mrs. Lyon thinks it is really important for the world actually, so she was inspired about the exhibit- "100 Languages of Children." The exhibit moved her very much and she decided that she was going to move it here to Northern California and she did that. She brought the exhibit and meantime she was moving into academic teaching on the college level. She was at Dominican College in San Moor Fran and she brought the college here for four months and they did professional development, bringing the entire educators and that became a catalyst for the whole area in terms of the approach for Reggio Emilia, professional development, a way to advocate for children in this way, a way of really listening to children, and a way of relief by using environments that children thrive in. In the meantime, she started a project called the Innovative Teacher Project which is a project that incompetence a network of schools who is interesting in this in depth approach to children inspired by Reggio and they have a big network of schools and round tables every month in the schools, they open the schools up, the teachers present their schools, the participants walk the environment, and there is a big discussion group at the end. This has been a huge impact here in the bay area. We have public and private schools participating, which is wonderful. The project started in 1994, so the schools have really evolved in some of these very unique qualities places fro children and teachers are using this project for their own professional development. Mrs. Lyon will say that one of the big impacts is that she wanted to prove somehow that this kind of work, this kind of quality work can happen in a public center. She did a Pilot Project at school in the child development center- stand along center infant toddler and preschoolers in the city, it happens to be located in the Presidio- The Big National Park. It is now a 10 years old project and the school is striving and we really was able to with of course the assistance of the educators in Italy. A lot of people, colleagues, and the United States coming in and working with us. The school has become a real inspiration.

The first insights that I gained from the website this week is that 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 enrollment 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 universalize  with targeting can minimize inequity where governments aim for universal access among the target age group, but simultaneously prioritize the poor.

The second insights that I gained from the website this week is that high quality childcare, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, promotes motivation, confidence, good cognitive and linguistic development and school readiness. Active involvement from parents and communities and relevant play and learning materials ensure that early childhood services remain relevant to the needs of the children and all other stakeholders and increases sustainability.

The third insights that I gained from the website is that coordination issues include coherent regulation, funding and staffing schemes and a common vision of care and education. Effective coordination must exist among sectors at both national and local level, and also between public and private establishments.

Sharing Web Resources

Answer to the five questions:

• Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

The outside link that I chose was titled Early Childhood News and Resources. It lead me to various experts and parents who write articles for this site on a number of topics. These topics includes: Parents, Activities, Childcare, Special Needs, Health, Social/Emotional, Humor, and Literacy.

• Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

The area that I thoroughly searched was childcare because this was one of the topics that are continuing to be discussed throughout this course. I felt like since I was getting my Master's in this field, why not find out all that I can so that it can prepare me when I do get my job in this field. I found out that this site consisted of Emergent Literacy (newest site), Mommy Perks, Weiss Business Solutions, Personal Child Stories, Parenting Tips with Dr. Sally, and Music Guide. I browsed all of these sites and thought that they had important educational information that will help me with expanding my knowledge.

• If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

I did not see no where on this site where there was an e-newsletter, but it did have those sites that was related to one of the issues that I have been studying. The new information that is available is that the Early Childhood News and Resources Music Guide, it is a part of the Mommy Perks family of sites. At the Mommy Perks, we believe that music should play an integral role in every childhood.

• Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

Yes, the website contain numerous of information that adds to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education. In the Personal Child Stories, there were articles in which some of them were related to PCS books while others are on Parenting, Play or Literacy focus.

• What other new insights about the issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

The new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field that I gained this week from exploring the website is that there was a topic called The trouble with childcare reports (Commentary) that was published on Monday, January 17, 2011. It was about an author name Shara Lawrence-Weiss who arrived at home and when she came to her office to work, interestingly, she saw a Google Alert about a new study done on childcare by the University of Illinois. The Psychologists have pinpointed a few factors which involved in kids who grow up to be aggressive and "popular" (i.e. the "mean kids").

Here's what they say:

Psychologists found that both tough children spent a larger proportion of time in center-based care, experienced lower quality care, and had mothers who were significantly less sensitive to their emotional needs than model children.

She appreciate this study very much. This case study seems to have concluded what my own years of experience have indicated: three primary considerations to account for: The amount of time spent in childcare, the quality (or lack of) of childcare and the attention (or lack of) given at home before and after childcare. I really had fun exploring this website because it just kept linking me to other sites that helped me to learn new information and I did not want to get off, but I finally got to a stopping point and exited.