When I think of research.....

I now consider that not all reseaerch is valid. I used to think that if an article said it had valid statements to back up its claim then it was valid research. I now know that this is not the case, research has many criteria that it must meet in order to be credible.

My ideas about the nature of research have changed since the beginning of class because I am more educated on what constitutes valid research. In conducting research I am not as anxious in some ways because I know there are many things to consider when doing research but I am more comfortable in the process.

Lessons that I have learned about planning, designing, and coducting research is that planning is important and equity and social justice should be considered from the start. Design is important as there are different styles to consider depending on the goal of your research. There are lessons to consider when conducting research because if equity issues are not addressed your research could become invalid.

Challenges that I encountered were mostly in the beginning. Once I was able to get my research question to work then it was smoother. I also had several extraneous variables to consider in regards to how my reseaech would avoid bias and social groupings to name a few. I rectified these issues by using self-reflexivity to minimize biases.

My perceptions about the early childhood profession have been modified in the fact that I have learned how ever changing this profession is, and that it is more complex than I previously thought. I had no idea that research was a cultural invention of the white Western male upper middle-class society. Learning all of this has made me more leery of the validity of research that I read so I have learned to test and check all research before believing.

Research Around the World

I chose the website Early Childhood Australia at www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Play based learning as opposed to teacher directed learning seems to be a hot topic as well as the affects of bush fires on children. The article on play based learning talked about how children learn best by practicing new skills that build on what they already know, and puts the focus on content instead of how the lesson is delivered. This is exactly what we have learned about children.

I learned information about studies on cortisol in children who attend quality programs vs those who do not. Studies actually show that the cortisol level of children in low quality programs is higher than those who attend higher quality programs. In some instances children in low quality programs may thrive because the program is actually better that their home environment.

I also learned that some countries such as Sweden and Britain are giving paid parental leave because through studies they have found that this is the most equitable and best value economically for all. It all came about because of a study in Canada where money was dumped into building more centers and only charging families $5.00 a day to try and help out dual income families afford to continue to work. What they found is that children were more hyperactive, inattentive, and aggressive, as well as had loss of gross motor skills, social skills and higher illness. The study found that children were worse off than their peers who stayed at home. Furthermore, the families suffered too as parent-child relationships deteriorated and there was an increase in depression rates among mothers. Canada was so horrified by the corporate chain profit model of child care that dominates in Australia that there is legislation proceeding to ban public money being given to these companies.

The results of this study led others like Britain to follow the Swedish model and offer paid parental leave also which was found to be the most equitable way and the best value for money. The article ends with saying that it is what is best for babies. "Love, after all, can't be bought".

Research that Benefits Children and Families

There is no doubt that we all benefit from research. Research has given us better insight as to what children should be learning so that they can have the best education and benefits possible; Research has made driving and being a passenger much safer; research has made playgrounds safer and food safer, not to leave out the medical research that is saving and extending lives.

I have a friend who's son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of one. Research made it possible for him to get advanced treatment that ended up curing him of the disease as he is now 25 years old. There are so many stories where medical research has helped children and families that I could go on and on. Although I understand Uri Bronfenbrenners' statement about refraining from social research, I would have to disagree because we have learned so much about children by our research. One just has to make sure that the proper guidelines are followed.

My Personal Research Journey/simulation process

I have been struggling to find a topic that is feasible. I started out wanting to research more about parents perspectives and "Quality" of care. I had a hard time finding articles on that topic so I thought I would do my research on either attachment or social/emotional issues. After finding articles on those I realized that I may have a hard time researching and testing a hypothesis so I switched my focus to the affects of maternal employment on childrens development. During that research I finally came across some articles on problems and perspectives on child care.

Here are the questions that I would like to find answers to:

1. What do parents value in a child care setting and why?
2. Where do most parents feel they will find the best quality of care; home or center?
3. How do Early Childhood professionals go about educating parents about what is Developmentally Appropriate for children?

Identifying and defining research terms on the research chart has helped me to learn more about the process by understanding and knowing the meaning of the terms. You cannot follow a map if you do not know what the symbals stand for.

If anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it. I have only written one research paper before and I had some of the same struggles. Once I come up with a good topic I know it will be easier. I just hope I can find enough articles on this topic to make it work. I really feel as though this topic fits into my current job because these are some of the questions I wonder about on a daily basis and would like to have answered.

Final Blog Assignment

Professionally, three consequences that I learned from the international early childhood field is that colleges in the field care about children's issues no matter where they are from; we share some of the same issues, and we can learn from each other.

Personally, I have learned that international professionals are not that different, we have similar issues and trends that connect us. We need to be open to other views and learn what others can teach us. Ultimately, we all have the same goal which is to do what is best for the children.

One goal in regards to international awareness of issues and trends as well as collegial relations is that I want to get more involved with organizations and professionals from around the world and continue to discuss and advocate for all children.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

Beth is my international contact from Canada who has since retired as director of CAYC. I asked her about professional Education requirements and she said for pre-k or k you need four or five years at a University. She had some good insights for me, and here is what she said.

I must stress that you must always think about the children first, not the parents. Keep a developmentally and culturally appropriateness focus. For example, many parents want to see "formal" type work and cutsey crafts. You know that is not developmentally appropriate. Alway stand strong in your knowledge and commitment. Provide parents/families with articles, videos, books etc that will help them understand your philosophy of early childhood teaching and learning. Be up front with parents about the philosophy of your centre or classroom. Also, keep current of best practices, not only the practical but the theoretical-look at the recent research. Never stop learning! My passion is to strive to provide the best early years experiences for all children. Become members of organizations and advocate for young children with governments and your local communities. Loving the children is not enough. We need to understand children, observe them and tailor the program based on what interests them and what they need. Remember that children are very capable and are not empty vessels to be filled.

Sharing Web Resources

I started exploring the CAYC website, and through my international contact from Canada I received this link to more information on Saskatchewan www.education.gov.sk.ca/KidsFirst -I decided to go into the education link and found sub topics on Early childhood Education, Preschool, Pre-K, Families, Communities, Early Leaerning and Child Care Programs, Educator, Legislation, Professional Learning Opportunities and Resources. In each area there are multiple articles that can be accessed on various topics.

Under early Learning and Child Care I looked at an organization called, "Kids First". It is a program that supports vulnerable families and helps them to become the best they can be by enhancing knowledge, providing support, and building on family strengths. Some of the benefits include: support from home visitor who provide assistance regarding child development, parenting and connecting to the community; help to access services such as child care and parent support groups; early learning opportunities for children; and help regarding literacy, nutrition, transportation and specialized counseling services.

I found multi-lingual services and supports for topics on respecting diversity. This is something that I have not seen around my area of the U.S. Since Canada is a bi-lingual country they seem to be ahead of the midwest on those kinds of issues. Another thing that I learned is that babies born in Saskatchewan hospitals are screened to assess challenges faced by the families and determine eligibility into some of these programs. They start at birth instead of having to wait until families contact programs. Then they are put on a long waiting list until eligibility is determined. Assessing babies in the hospital would make access to families much easier, and give children the early start they need.