When I Think Research...

This class was not quite what I expected. There was more to it than just coming up with a hypothesis and collect data for the research topic. There are so many ways to find information about a topic. The question always came up, what is so important about research? Is it necessary? In elementary, you would come up with a simple hypothesis, for example, who likes the color red and who likes the color blue? You would tally up the numbers of classmates who likes what color. The purpose of research is to inform action. Research must always be high quality in order to produce knowledge that is applicable outside of the research setting that will go beyond the group of the participants of the research team. 

The challenges I encountered, there was many. The application assignments, I had a hard time with the reflection and the questions. Understanding the process was one thing, but to understand and finding the reasons behind it with the appropriate information for the topic. A perception that has been modified in the early childhood professional is the different ways they find answers to certain behaviors and ways to approach it. It makes me look at things at a different view.

I would like to wish everyone an amazing holiday with whoever you spend these special days with. Thank you for all comments and support throughout this course. I did not have much of comments because part of me just didn't know how to respond to the topic. I hope you all the best of your endeavors. I wish you all the best. I hope to see you all in the future courses. Take care and I hope to keep in touch with some of you. Thank you Dr. Todd for the support and understanding. 

Early Childhood Australia

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has been a voice for young children since 1938.  ECA advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children aged birth to eight years.

The Australian Early Years Learning Framework's (EYLF)  current research with early childhood practitioners and their emerging identities as intentional teachers. Central to practitioners’ struggles is navigating relationships between intentionality, required documentation in the form of outcomes, and the different approaches encountered during outdoor and indoor environments. The role of the intentional teacher requires careful consideration, balancing an intentional curriculum that acknowledges the rights of children’s active participation within the teaching/learning nexus.

Noteworthy information about this website was that it has so many resources for parents as well as teachers. There is a shop for books and resources for teachers and parents.



http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/about-us/

Research Benefiting Children and Families...

If I was in means to conduct research about a topic in the early childhood field, it would be play versus curriculum.  Curriculum is in for the school settings and play is out of the picture. Curriculum is great for the children to learn and expand their minds, but play is having an environment allowing the children to discover them self and explore new things.It is closely tied to the development of cognitive, socio-emotional and physical behavior. 

The positive outcome would be curriculum and play would be good for the children and not effect them in a negative way. There would be a better understanding why play is important as well an education for young children. 

English Language Learners (ELL)

Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.
–H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
http://www.verybestquotes.com/14-inspirational-quotes-for-english-learners/#sthash.BXYotFrw.dpuf

English Language Learners are students who are unable to communicate fluently or learn effectively in English, who have a different background  and typically require specialized or modified instruction in both the English language and in their academic courses. 

I chose this topic because there are so many cultures in the United States that working as a childcare provider, we have to put our bias aside and be open about the different cultures and language that come through the business doors. The generation now, who are of a different culture do not know their language. For example, I am Hmong and barely know my language, just enough to get by. I wish  was able to speak it fluently and help other. Trying to learn another language is putting effort and interest to speak another language. I know many of you, ladies have many students who speak a different language and try so hard to understand them or trying to make them understand the assignment. 

The chart is a bit confusing, but I will figure it out to fill in the blanks. I hope that you all will be able to help me in this area. Just as I will try my best to help you in the topic you have chosen.

Professional Goals...

     My level of knowledge on poverty and homelessness has increased. I was not aware of all the programs available for the families here in my local community.  With my new position as a nanny, my hours are not always so consistent, but I would like to be more involved with community awareness and projects that support the homeless shelter and food banks. Not am I aware of the different resources for families, but also become more aware of poverty on a worldwide level. 

     The second consequence is the awareness of how the early childhood policies are voted in by Congress has grown. I would like to go about voicing my concerns and making others aware of issues on a local level. I am slowly finding my way back into a position to where I can keep the parents and myself aware of issues that are being discussed regarding early childhood. Understanding the importance of the parents being aware of their child’s education and how they can make a difference at home. My knowledge on how politician has increased on making the policies in the early childhood education more applicable. Making sure these teachers are well trained and still ongoing to training for their profession to better as a person and a teacher. With that being said, the ongoing training will help the teachers with children, whether it is hands on or just talking to them in a conversation.

     The third consequence of learning about worldwide early childhood studies is that the issues are the same everywhere; curriculum or no curriculum, equality, quality, holding on to staffs, ongoing guiding and training for all staff, and having access of quality of a program and staff. With the many changes going through the early childhood education, I would like to have a voice in the changes of the policies. The many articles that were read in the class were based on the changes of Pre-K and Kindergarten. Making sure the children know first grade level in Kindergarten and play is out of the question. Play is so important in a child’s life. With less play time in the children’s life, it gives more time for the teachers to spend on the curriculum with antsy children.

     My near future I would love to travel the world and become involved nationally with an organization like UNICEF, Global Fund of Children and Poverello House in my local area. I would love to donate my time and efforts to a cause that will make a change for the better.

     I would like to take this time to thank you all, fellow classmates and Professor Horton for the support and comments on my discussions and blog. I wish everyone in their endeavors and I know you all will succeed. 

Professional hopes, dreams, and challenges...

    My life growing up as a child, I didn't have the expensive things in life. I had the love, roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back was all that matter. My parents felt they didn't provide us a good life. I am thankful that my parents made sure we were loved and provided us what was more important than materialistic things. 

     My small goal was to work in a daycare filled with kids, which I did and enjoyed it so much. My big goal was to become a director and run a daycare. Another goal I accomplished and wasn't expecting to become so soon, but I did and learned so much. My dream is to run my own business and be my own boss. A step I am closer too. Along side with my dream, I would love to travel the countries and help the families in need, especially the children. 

   My biggest challenge now is to buy a house, and making sure I meet state requirements for a home daycare. My present employer has given me an opportunity to better myself as a professional by enrolling me in a CPR/First Aid class that is daycare required and making sure I have my Master's program completed. I can say I am completely happy and excited to get things started.

UNICEF

Every year on Oct. 5, UNESCO highlights the importance of teachers as they work tirelessly to educate the world. Here’s a look at the classrooms they work in.

Afghanistan

Brazil

Malaysia

Morocco

Pakistan

Ukraine

United States

Vietnam

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jasonwells/world-teachers-day-classrooms#.obYR5enzX

Every child has the right to an education.

"Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that traps so many children. Education for girls is particularly important — an educated mother will make sure her own children go to, and stay in, school."

"Whether it means bringing education to child refugees, building child-friendly schools, making classrooms mobile, training teachers or even rebuilding an entire educational system—UNICEF will do whatever it takes to support a child's right to learn."

http://www.unicefusa.org/mission/protect/education 

UNICEF sends me emails about the difference they make in children's life. It is said that it is important to them that I help guide their  priorities as they continue their work. It is so great to have such heart-warming individuals around the world trying to help children. If I had the money to travel to each of the countries, I would visit and help what I can as a professional. It is amazing how each teacher in the photos are doing their best to make sure the children are getting the education they should be getting in different countries. 

Early Childhood Care and Education: Worldwide Challenges and Progresses

UNESCO's Division of Basic education, promotes an integrated approach to early childhood care and education policy development and review.

Gambia - Proposal on how indigenous knowledge should be included in early childhood programs. The Clos d'enfants (Children's Group). 

     - The education system is based on the British school system with a lower basic, upper basic, secondary and tertiary. 

        - The Education policy calls for the government to set guidelines for preschool educator training, work with NGOs and multiple sectors for an integrated approach and encourage community participation in early childhood development. 

         - The language of instructions is to be the mother tongue.

         - 265 preschool structures serving a little over 1200 students.

       

Mali - Demonstrates similar ideas through an international partnership with a local initiative partnership program developed in Bamako using mothers, local materials and toys made by the participants.

     - The education system is based on the French system with primary, secondary, and tertiary level.

         - Language of instructions is French with local languages used in pre-primary and early primary classes as a transition to French. 

          - 412 preschool structure with over 51,000 children enrolled.

Senegal - combining local traditions and European pedagogical philosophies the Case de Tout-petits (Children's Huts) came from president. 

      - Similar education systems from preschools to the university level with French as language of instruction, though the national languages are used in the pre-primary and early primary years.

            - The ECCE sector currently includes 971 structures and over 78,000 students, though this only 6% preschool age population.

             Current Issues in Comparative Education.  Volume 11. (2009). Columbia University.

The information that was relevant to my current profession development was the email I received from  UNICEF.  During the first two years of life, a child's body will go through the most miraculous phase of development. Eyes new to the world awaken to light and color. Muscles slowly begin to obey commands to reach, to kick and to smile. For the first time ever, a child will feel something called hope.

This is a time of great wonder, but it is also a time of great vulnerability. What children drink is especially critical. Since young bodies contain and use more water than adults, the quality of that water can be a matter of life and death. In Syria, Iraq, Nepal and all over the world, children desperately need water, food, and medical supplies.

"The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF is a joint undertaking between the Harrison family and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support UNICEF programs that provide lifesaving assistance to children, including health, education, nutrition and emergency relief. In the tradition established by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF continues to support UNICEF programs in Bangladesh while expanding its influence to include other countries where children are in need" (http://www.unicefusa.org/).

I have gotten in depth information and stories about different countries about what families go through to survive and get assistance. It is great when emails come through about donations and stories about different children and the help they need to get them a better future. It is amazing what these organizations do so much to make these young children's life better with the help of different partners and individuals like me to help the families.

http://www.unicefusa.org/

UNICEF

     UNICEF is working to more fully understand how and where children are experiencing poverty, to allow a more nuanced set of policy responses in national mechanisms such as poverty-reduction strategies.

     UNICEF defines child poverty as "children experience poverty with their hands, minds and hearts. Material poverty – for example, starting the day without a nutritious meal or engaging in hazardous labour – hinders emotional capacity as well as bodily growth. Living in an environment that provides little stimulation or emotional support to children, on the other hand, can remove many of the positive effects of growing up in a materially rich household. By discriminating against their participation in society and inhibiting their potential, poverty is a measure not only of children’s suffering but also of their dis-empowerment."

      The response has to be similarly all-embracing. What is needed is an integrated approach to early childhood that will greatly improve the chances that every child will both survive and thrive, additional spending on families, incorporating a gender perspective into poverty reduction strategies, strengthening protection of children at every level and involving them in devising solutions for their problems. 

     Interventions that address child deprivation need to be designed and owned locally; families and children must also be part of the solution. The evidence reviewed underlines the importance of building interventions on sound country-based, locally-situated, gender-sensitive analyses, rather than on the basis of ‘one-size fits all’ agendas. 

The report’s results have been reported widely and are distressing. It shows that since 2008 2.6 million children in rich countries have sunk below the poverty line. In 23 of the 41 countries analysed, child poverty has jumped since 2008. In Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Greece and Iceland rates rose by over 50%.

http://www.unicef.org/sowc05/english/povertyaction.html

UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations Program headquartered in New York City that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries

http://www.unicefusa.org/stories/8-photos-8-things-you-never-knew-%E2%80%94-about-how-unicef-saves-lives/19131?utm_source=eappeal_092314&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=usf&spMailingID=21507427&spUserID=MTM4ODYyODE0NzI3S0&spJobID=640549914&spReportId=NjQwNDY2MzMyS0

UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization.

"Thousands of children under the age of five die every day because they lack proper nutrition, safe drinking water, affordable vaccines and other basic necessities that most people in the U.S. take for granted. UNICEF's lifesaving interventions and programs around the world have helped reduce the number of child deaths by more than 50% since 1990, and yet 16,000 children still die every day from preventable causes."

UNICEF's lifesaving interventions have helped cut child deaths by more than 50% since 1990.

It was great to hear from this organization. Once I subscribed to it, she informed me I will be receiving on updates of the help for the children in different countries who need the assistance, like nutrition, clean water, emergency relief, immunizations, and more. They figure out low cost interventions like washing hands, breastfeeding, and getting shots to save millions of children from dying from a disease. Food for thought to help children to feel wanted and the attention they deserve, there is a tax deductible donation or monthly gift every month. I received emails from the other organizations, but UNICEF gave me more information about the children in the different countries they have helped.

Establishing Professional Contacts

I attempted to email the website and subscribe to the their organization. I was lucky to get a response back from Global Fund for Children. Susan Goodell, Chief Executive Officer responded back to me the next day through via email.

At The Global Fund for Children, we believe nothing is more important than caring for the world's children. As part of the GFC community, you'll receive a few updates each month with the latest news, events, and opportunities to get involved. Most importantly, we'll share with you the incredible impact our donors have on children's lives. With the support of friends like you, and the daily efforts of our grassroots partners around the world, children on the margins of society—trafficked children, refugees, child laborers—receive the care and services they need to thrive. Not only that, but we invest in these innovative grassroots organizations so they can continue to make this world a better place—for today's children, and for future generations. Susan Goodell

I subscribed to the newsletter to International Children Resource Institute. I received an email the same day I subscribed to them. This is posted on their blog off their website. I have emailed them in regards to more information and hoping to receive some great information about their work.

Sabrina Chin, age 36, is preparing for the journey of a lifetime through one of the most majestic mountain ranges on Earth, the mighty Himalayas. During her trip, Sabrina will witness stunning views of the Annapurna Range, encounter Nepali locals while traveling though traditional Gurung villages, and experience the unique and awe-inspiring wonders of Kathmandu. 

ICRI envisions a world in which all communities have access to the resources necessary to overcome poverty. We believe that sustainability and self-sufficiency must be core principles of every effort to improve the lives of children and families around the world.

My Supports...

My family has been the biggest support of my life. According to my sister, it is tough love and she surely did when I got myself into trouble. They might have not agreed to the  majority of my decisions I have made in my life, but they were always there whether I wanted to come around or just plain stubborn. I have a lot of love for my family for putting them through pain and trouble. We argue and fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day I know they are always by my side.

I do not have many friends in my life, but the ones I do have, have supported me through rough times. Times when I was almost homeless, give me money when I had none, and stood by my side when they were needed the most. 

One of my struggles now is having anxiety attack at work and home. There is so much on my plate sometimes I want to bury myself in a hole. I never had an attack and when I did I thought I was having a heart attack. Another struggle is my fiance not having a job and it is putting me in a position of all bills and concerns around the home set.

Childhood Connection to Play...

     I am 5 years old with my sister, brother and two of my cousins at a small stream. My mom, who sat two feet away from us, to make sure we were playing safe and not hurting each other. We were given a shovel, bucket, light, thin blanket, and a play fishing pole. The stream was very small and the water was calm enough for us to walk through it and find rocks, sticks and tad poles. My sister and I starting looking for big enough sticks to make us a little tent to keep cool, while my brother and two cousins were out in the stream looking for rocks, tad poles, leaves, sand and acting like they were fishing. My sister started to make the tent with the sticks found and placed the blanket over the sticks. I gathered the leaves that were picked up by my brother and placed them like into a plate, grabbed two handfuls of mud and started shaping the mud into a pie. I placed flowers I found around the stream and any tiny pebbles to make decorations with the mud pie. Between my brother and two cousins, they found ten tad poles that was placed in the bucket. The tad poles became our pet and raised it until it became frogs. 

     After I was done with the mud pie. My sister and I go walking in the stream looking for pretty rocks or flowers, big branches and collecting sticks to bring to the tent. The branches were to use it as a broom to sweep the area so we can lay down like it was cement. The sticks was to make a bomb fire to cook dinner. I went out to the stream myself and try catching tadpoles. They are quick little suckers, but I managed to get one out of the many I saw. We laughed, splashed water at each other, slipped a few times, and went back and forth until we got tired. We all came back to the little tent that was built and relaxed. It was not too long afterwards my mom said it was time to go home. We were still damp from the water, dirty feet, bucket full of tadpoles, tired, hungry, and ready to go home.

Reflecting on Building Relationships

Good relationships don’t just happen, It takes time and patience. Communication is the best keyword.

Source : http://www.coolnsmart.com/relationship_quotes/

14 years of friendship. We have been dragged through the mud, cried, laughed, fought, and had long talks together. We have our lives to take of, but we always have the time for each other and talked like there is no tomorrow.  Others would try to tears apart, but we managed to get through any barriers to not let the friendship go down the drain. 

My fiance, Scott who has been there for me when I was almost homeless and helped me through the hardships of life. We have always kept an open communication between us so we understood each other. We have argued, laughed, and had deep conversations about life itself. He can completely drive me insane, but he is my better half when I am at my worse. I honestly wouldn't where I would be if it wasn't for him.

Relationships are not just built overnight. It takes time and a strong foundation to make sure any relationship work, whether it is with a significant other, friends, parents, clients, or families. According to Alva Deluna, one has to understand oneself before opening up to someone and having a relationship with an openness. When all your bias is set aside and have an open mind about the individual, the relationship will be positive and the individuals are more comfortable with you. 

Trust is a key in any relation and do not need to convince anyone to prove it. If there is need to prove it then believe me there was nothing in your relation. 

Sanjiv Dogra – Toronto

Source : http://www.coolnsmart.com/relationship_quotes/

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Building relationships and partnering with families [Video file]

The Importance of Early Childhood Development

This is all a child wants and much more if there is more to give.

Children are free of stress. The things you teach them are the things they learn, whether it is good or bad. 

Thank you all to my fellow classmates with all the suggestions, questions, thoughts and support throughout this class. I hope to see anyone of you in future classes. I wish you all the best of  your endeavors and succeed in any of the goals you have set on. Good luck.

Thank you Dr. Trevino Meyer for the support, criticism, and quick response to any emails. I greatly appreciate the high standard you set for the class to better us as an individual.

    

Reference

Brookings Institute. (2014). The Importance of Early Childhood Development. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qmkxytBeDs 

Viewing a young child as a whole would be hard to do unless you have had the child for a long time. To not know what the child has been through in life and the different obstacles they have faced. A child changes every day from school, home life and the people they are around. The assessment tests that all schools have to see where it is needed for a child to succeed and meet their potential. Schools are here for the children so they can strive to succeed, not have a low self-esteem about failing and becoming a nothing. All children have potential and some have a different way of learning, but it does not mean they are any different. A teacher would not know about a child’s disability unless it was told to them under confidential.

The Assessment Experience

For Students on Winning Streaks	For Students on Losing Streaks
Assessment results provide
Continual evidence of success	Continual evidence of failure
The student feels
Hopeful and optimistic	Hopeless
Empowered to take productive action	Initially panicked, giving way to resignation
The student thinks
It's all good. I'm doing fine.	This hurts. I'm not safe here.
See the trend? I succeed as usual.	I just can't do this . . . again.
I want more success.	I'm confused. I don't like this—help!
School focuses on what I do well.	Why is it always about what I can't do?
I know what to do next.	Nothing I try seems to work.
Feedback helps me.	Feedback is criticism. It hurts.
Public success feels good.	Public failure is embarrassing.
The student becomes more likely to
Seek challenges.	Seek what's easy.
Seek exciting new ideas.	Avoid new concepts and approaches.
Practice with gusto.	Become confused about what to practice.
Take initiative.	Avoid initiative.
Persist in the face of setbacks.	Give up when things become challenging.
Take risks and stretch—go for it!	Retreat and escape—trying is too dangerous!
These actions lead to
Self-enhancement	Self-defeat, self-destruction
Positive self-fulfilling prophecy	Negative self-fulfilling prophecy
Acceptance of responsibility	Denial of responsibility
Manageable stress	High stress
Feeling that success is its own reward	No feelings of success; no reward
Curiosity, enthusiasm	Boredom, frustration, fear
Continuous adaptation	Inability to adapt
Resilience	Yielding quickly to defeat
Strong foundations for future success	Failure to master prerequisites for future success

(Stiggins, 2007)

The assessment provides both students and teachers with clear information in a form they can use immediately to improve performance for each child. As you can see on the chart of the differences from a child who is capable of succeeding and their outlook from a child who is failing and their outlook of failing. To keep that from happening, the teachers and students need to partner up to meet their fullest potential.

In other countries, I did Africa and their assessment with children. External examinations have played a major role throughout the history of modern education in Africa. The most important of which is to select students for successive level in the educational system. Unfortunately, Africa has been criticized for their quality. Their examinations are very limited in the areas of knowledge and skills that they assess, their knowledge and skills are through everyday life outside of school and measured achievement at a low classification level (Kellaghan & Greaney, 2004).

Kellghan, T. & Greaney, V. (2004) Assessing Student Learning in Africa. Retrieved from

 https://books.google.com/bookshl=en&lr=&id=LCBB1in38ucC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Assessing+student+learning+in+Africa&ots=aJhHLlES37&sig=K0HYLzNePpjVsQ4Qysn17NlBiXo#v=onepage&q=Assessing%20student%20learning%20in%20Africa&f=false 

Stiggins, Rick. (2007). Assessment Through the Children's Eyes. Retrieved from

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may07/vol64/num08/Assessment-Through-the-Student's-Eyes.aspx