When I Think of Research...

          

As I continue my education here at Walden University, I am more aware of the values of certain courses as they pertain to my professional growth.  I valued the Building Research Competencies course because I was able to really learn in-depth about the research process and all the components I must be familiar with from a researcher’s perspective. I feel as if I was exposed to many terms, designs, and formalities that could really take my career to the next height and make me better for my students and their families.  From this course I was exposed to the quantitative and qualitative research design and from that knowledge I learned about two processes I was not very familiar with, which at times during course readings became a true challenge to understand. I truly believe this course allowed me to look at research from all angles and see the importance of the participants and also the overall message gained from conducting the research.  Although I was familiar of research, I must say that I was not always aware of every component and their specific function (i.e., variables & triangulation). I really appreciated how the authors gathered information that was clear and precise and was able to display the function and true value of all key items in research. I am extremely grateful for having taken this course, because I feel I gained a true appreciation for research and all the work and effort that researchers put into high quality research design. 

Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

If I was presented with an opportunity to conduct a research study, I would like to explore what are the positive and negative effects of growing up in a gay or lesbian household have on young learners in the early childhood field and effective ways professionals could interact with those families?  This potential study is important to me because in the near future my partner and I would like to have children and we find it crucial to research all that we can on the subject. I personally would like to know what psychologists, educators and other professionals have to say and possibly any tips that could help us become better parents if presented with that opportunity.  I find the topic also important because there are many people who feel a certain way on gay and lesbians families and see these families as wrong and dysfunctional. There are different types of family structures and from a previous course, I was able to learn that that whatever the family structure is, that there can be positive and negative effects in heterosexual, single parent, gay and lesbian homes.   I believe that although outsiders may not agree with the various types of families, that through research those naysayers will sing a different tune. 

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose for the simulation is diversity & building positive relationships. I would like to know more about the topic because I know firsthand how this topic has influenced my perspective in the classroom and also how important the partnership between professionals and families are, in regard to the whole being of the child. I also chose this topic because I wanted to research various ways to initiate and offer continual support to diverse families and build strong lasting relationships with them.

From completing the research charts thus far, I have the opportunity to learn new words that are associated with the research process. I believe that by learning these various words that I would be able to grow in this profession and also learn more new and exciting things dealing with the early childhood education field. I also believe I benefited greatly from learning about the high quality guidelines for analyzing research. The guidelines for me, gave me the stepping stone needed to find meaningful research information and be able to notice low quality information.

How do you research information and what are some things that you personally, look for first?

What benefits could research serve in your current or future position? 

Issues and Trends: Change, Contexts, Consequences, Constants Revisited (Blog)

Post at least three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development (any format, any length)

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for me include, connecting with a diverse group of early childhood education professionals, awareness to issues that affect children in various countries in the field of early childhood education and also research for professional growth. I believe these things are important because they made a huge impact on how I view professionals working in my profession and most importantly brought awareness to issues and trends that affect me as a professional and the children.

        

Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations

I believe this course allowed me to view early childhood education as a whole, both locally and internationally.  I have decided for my goal on international awareness that I would continue to reach out to international professionals and also I would share any resources provided/given with my colleagues to keep them aware as well.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

During this course we were asked to contact professionals internationally to learn about how they impact the early childhood field in their country. I have not been able to connect with an international professional and so for this week’s assignment I decided to connect with a colleague from Sheltering Arms Learning Center, Ms. M. Reedy. It was refreshing to talk with a colleague who in some ways shared some common interest, goals and concerns.

I asked Ms. Reedy the following questions and responses were as follows:

·         What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

“At my center my center director felt it was important to present the staff with professional training in order to make sure the staff as a whole has the necessary tools to flourish in and out the classroom.  My center director expressed the organizations policy on education and compensation and how the organization tried to make sure all teachers and staff members were compensated accordingly to qualifications, professional attributes, and educational background.”

·         What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

“In this field we often times get looked over and it is my hope that law makers and society as a whole, begin to look at early childcare workers as contributing members of society and also the workforce. It is my dream that locally, state and nationally policymakers will one day be able to see the importance of the profession and make sure across the board that there are enough funds to fund early childhood education nationally. One challenge that resonates with me is the constant struggle with families and the success rate at strong positive relationships. I t has been difficult at times for parents to put forth the effort and do their part when it comes to making sure we are working as a team and no one team over the other.” 

Blog Assignment: Sharing Web Resources

I followed some new links that I have never explored before and came across some wonderful sites. I found the Harlem Children’s Zone. This particular website interested me greatly. After looking through the site, there was this certain section called the baby college. It is a two in a half month workshop for expectant mothers and parents with children under the age of three. These classes promote verbal discipline and accurate reading skills. All services are provided free of charge to participating families. The purpose of this program is to provide each family a fair opportunity to raise a healthy and well developed child from birth. Yes, there is a newsletter about this program that goes into detail about the program requirements and expectations.  I learned that multiple child care aspects are developed and introduced through this program.

                            

References

http://www.hcz.org/programs/early-childhood

http://www.hcz.org/images/stories/pdfs/ali_summerfall2002.pdf

Blog Assignment: Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

Early childhood education affects all children and not just the children here in the United States, but all across the world. In 2006 at Harvard University the Center on the Developing Child was founded on four basic principles:

·         Building a unified science of health, learning and behavior

·          Leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative program and practice models

·         Catalyzing the implementation of effective, science-based public policies

·         Preparing future and current leaders to build and leverage knowledge

              Sometime later Harvard and the Center on the Developing Child later founded and launched the Global Children’s Initiative. The initiative was put into place to address the needs of children around the globe with strong emphasis on early childhood education, research and through leadership. I was intrigued how the initiative played a major role in activities geared towards awareness in child development, children in crisis, and children impacted by mental health. I found it interesting because often times we forget about those areas and in return because more damage for the child, but through awareness and the initiative we will be able to better address those needs and situations. I believe it is crucial for light to be shine upon the early childhood field.  I believe through awareness children will benefit greatly around the globe and educators, families, community and nationally leaders will have all the necessary tools to help in areas needed to make a difference in all children.

References

 http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/download_file/-/view/778/