Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

This week I had to choose two professionals, out of the United States to establish communication with and I contacted the following two individuals on Tuesday, June 29^th via email.

Ø  Canadian Child Care Federation, Yvonne Dionne. Email: ydionne@cccf-fcsge.ca

Ø  German National Committee for Early Childhood Education. Secretary: Ms. Ulrike Konrad-Ristau , Email: ulrike.konrad-ristau@agj.de

 I choose these two individuals because I have an interest in the Candian Educational System because I have family there and I have always wanted to visit Germany and have an interest in the country.

The links which were provided in the blog resources was a huge help in helping me get started.

The second part of the blog assignment this week was visit a early childhood organization’s website in order to get to know specific ways in which the organization supports the early childhood community and the resources it offers.  I choose to sign up and become a member of the following organization.

Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ 

I choose this website because I always find the most current and helpful information located on this website. I have used this website many-many times as resource for research.

When I Think of Research...

Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

I have so much more insight into how to research is conducted versus just reading and completing basic task of collection. I also learned how to take a subtopic and redefine it until it is no longer a broad spectrum. I also learned that real research, quality research is not an easy process and requires a lot of time and work.

·         In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I feel that since taking this course I’m more respective and sensitive to others. A researcher should also be knowledgeable of the culture or diversity they may encounter while conducting the research. I also learned that there is more than just choosing a topic and completing collection. I also learned the various ways and methods in conducting research.

• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I learned the importance of ethics in relations to research involving early childhood education. As a researcher I must be neutral in a situation and not have my own opinions weigh in the research.

• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Conducting research was very new to me in a sense. I have conducted research in the past while working on my undergrad but not to the extent where I understood what a valid research paper should consist of. 

·         What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

Personally I don’t feel that my perceptions have been modified at all. I still have a huge passion for early childhood education and if anything my passion has been enriched.

Research Around the World

Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page. http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/  

What are some of the current international research topics?  I found it interesting that Australia had very similar research topics as we do here in America, for example:

Ø  School Readiness and Children’s Transition

Ø  Childhood Obesity

Ø  Early Years Education Framework

Ø  Learning and Teaching Through Play

Ø  Children’s Resilience

Ø  Code of Ethics

Ø  Respecting Diversity

These are some of the same topics that are currently being researched here in America. I just recently attended a training on school readiness and an also on the Education Framework where an abundant amount of research was recently completed.

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

The first thing that I noticed and I wish more was done about in my school district, which I can’t speak for other areas, but I noted that research was currently underway in reference to bullying. This is being such an issue in many schools. As a Head Start center we do implement mental health into our curriculum but I think more emphasis should be done regarding bullying.

I also found that there is subscription to a magazine “Every Child” which is ideal for students, childcare workers, parents, grandparents or anyone who wants to keep up to date on events and developments around Australia that impact on children from birth to eight years or on the early childhood field in general.

There was also a link on this website where educators could share ideas and suggestions on many topics for example: Exploring and discovering, increasing your student’s curiosity, helping your students problem solve…this was an excellent idea where educators can learn from one another.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

First of all I thought this website was very easy navigating and organized in a very neat and eyecatching matter.  

Another link I found very interesting was “Everyday Learning Series” which provides wonderful suggestions about how to create positive learning environments for young children. By 'making the ordinary, extraordinary', the Everyday Learning Series is an invaluable resource for parents, grandparents and care givers by assisting them in maximizing young children's play, exploration and discovery, and development within familiar environments.