When I Think of Research...

This course has both refreshed and increased my frame of reference by providing me with a more in-depth explaination of the research process. I have learned new topics and ways to create and implement such aspects of research as: data collection and most importantly the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. Due to the knowledge I have acquired during this course, I have learned how to proprerly conduct research. Through the utilization of research techniques such as direct observations, interviewing and sampling; any future research that I conduct will be better implemented. Some challenges that I found included narrowing my my hypothesis and redesigning my research simulation according to the topic of the week. I found that these challeges to be difficult especially while redesigning my research as my knowledge about research increased.

I believe that as I further my education, experiences and career(s) in the early chilhood field, I will continue to look at this field with multiple sets of lenses. As I incorporate research with my perceptions of the field, my respect for the field and researchers increases as research is a vital role in the field. I will also continue to remain abreast of any new research to continue to learn.

Research Around The World

Early Childhood Research in Africa continues to help not only the children and families in Africa but also teaches others, such as myself, about the plight(s) of children and families who reside there. I found that the Early Childhood Development Virtual University in Sub-Saharan Africa students researched consisted of similar topics of research held in the United States such as: father's roles in early childcare and development, quality and training of early childhood staff, and parental and educational collaboration.

Although, I have studied the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa, I am surprised with one specific study that involved grandparents being the primary caregivers for their grandchildren under the age of eight, who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. I am also familiar with the millions of children affected and how they become orphans due to their parents dying from the deadly disease themselves or placing their children in an orphanage due to not being able to care for their children. I was impressed with the number of grandparents taking care of their affected grandchildren and admired their tenacity to ensure that the children were with family and being cared for.

Information that I found noteworthy and that I researched further is the University of Victoria. Although, this University is based out of Canada, it addresses the field of early childhood by using various approaches along with allowing students, specifically those in Africa to learn and teach based on their culture.

Research that Benefits Children and Families

One topic that has recently piqued my interest is Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; andobstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. (www.cff.org).

In my current profession, I have participated in trainings that include meeting the medical needs of children with Cystic Fibrosis and how those working with these children and their families can become better educated and trained to effectively assist this population. This training also taught me how to become a positive support for these families. Until I became in a working relationship with families who are affected the disease, I had no frame of reference about this disease. I know can state that I am knowledgeable of the financial responsibilities, proper use of medical equipment, different types of medication, diet regimen and physician visits that these families have to attend.

If I possessed the means and knowledge to conduct research studies on Cystic Fibrosis, I imagine some positive contributions from these studies include: finding a cure for the disease (as there is no cure) and helping to create national resource programs that would better assist families who are affected by the disease to better manage the daily tasks associated with this disease. I would also develop alternative medical equipment and medications that are more cost effective for these families.

My Personal Research Journey

My research topic is Poverty and its developmental effects on young children. I chose this topic due to my past and present experiences in working with children and their families. This topic is a passion near to me as I am dedicated to improving the well-being and quality of life. I am a firm believer that all children should have equal chances in education, health among other factors. Observing the socio-economic differences between children, I have also observed the differences in social, emotional, motor, educational development within children as well.

I found my recent topic to be somewhat easy to come with however, the subtopics were difficult to me as I found many subtopics that deal with children and poverty. I felt a intimidated when I read the title of the course because it has been almost a decade since I have formally conducted any research. However, within this past two weeks, I have found it fairly easy to locate information especially from the Walden University Library and books that I have read in the past.

At this point, I would like to ask my colleagues to provide any information on websites, resources and also their personal and professional opinions on my research topic of poverty.

Final Blog Assignment

Throughout this course I have learned a great deal of the issues and trends within the early childhood field. Although, I was unsuccessful in obtaining an international resource, I learned gained a breadth of knowledge from my colleagues as well as from podcasts and websites. Included in my knowledge are three consequences of the international early childhood field which are: communication, applying research and career development.

Through the consequence of communication I am able to utilize the communication resources of the Internet, email, and telephone I am able to connect with others across the world as I seek to gain more knowledge of the early childhood field.

Through research, I can compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the EC field in the world. Allowing myself to analyze this field globally has given me great insight into how to make my personal program a high-quality program.

While I learn of the global EC programs, I think of how great it would be to be able to travel to another country and participate in an EC program. I passed on teaching English in another country during my undergrad years and I seem to regret it. I believe that such an experience would allow me to grow as it pertains to my career.

One goal that I have as it pertains to my international awareness of the EC field is to dedicate time out of my schedule to conduct weekly research about the field internationally. Learning of the policies and etc of international programs will assist me professionally in gaining more insight as well as ideas for my program.

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an organization that advocates for fair, equal and quality education for young children. Their mission includes: to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, cultural communication and information (www.unesco.org).

Through reviewing the site, I have found three insights that I am anxious to learn more about.

1. Through literature, children are are to learn more of their plight of their African counterparts in the children's African book series Bouba and Zaza. Through the lives of two African children, others learn about war and conflict, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the issue of water resources and environmental protection (www.unesco.org/new.en/media-services/single-view/news/adea_and_unesco_launch_bouba_and_zaza. These topics are prevalent in Africa and all poor children are affected by them.

2. UNESCO also discusses Global Action Week which is April 22-28th, 2012. This week focuses on securing quality education for all children. I am very interested in this cause and plan to return to this site to gain more information on the daily issues that will be addressed.

3. Last, UNESCO discussed the increasing number of children who are placed in home-based childcare services in New Zealand as their mothers enter the workforce. These services are also becoming more focused on education and the children are being equally educated as the children who are in center-based childcare. This information was nearly ten years old and I am interested in learning how this information has changed.

This site provides great information and is a great resource for all childhood professionals.

Sharing Web Resources, Part Two

The early childhood organization that I chose is Zero to Three (www.zerotothree.com). This site provided a link that I found interesting specially within the early childhood field. The link to the Early Head Start National Resource Center contains valuable information to professionals, parents and etc. to help support these individuals in providing children a healthy and early head start in life.

While providing information such as publications, more web-based resources, special initiatives and activities that include audioconferences, podcasts and webcasts; this link is a great resource for those who are interested in this field.

The monthly e-newsletter provided by the Zero to Three for March 2010, discusses the use of evidence-based practices in early childhood. With insight and research from eight different article, professionals in the field state their understanding of the challenges and benefits of evidence-based practices.

In addition to the e-newsletter, there was a video that describes the first ever congressional briefing on 2/16/12 to discuss how to support homeless infants and toddlers. This video also discussed how one in every 45 children is homeless in the U.S.; which 70,000 or 42% of these children are aged 0-5 years. This information increased my frame of reference on how prevalent homelessness is within children and how I can begin to serve those I currently work with and others.