MY FAMILY CULTURE

My Family Culture

I would choose the Bible, water and a family picture

I would explain to others that the Bible contains guidance for every situation you find your self in.  This book was the first book that was given to me as a child.

My family photography gives me a visual of the people I was created from and helps me to remember my roots.

I list water as an item because I would not be sure if the water supply would be drinkable or if the taste would be so different than what I am use to.  By having my own water supply would probably help me tolerate the rest of my new surrounds better.

If, I was told that upon arrival, that I had to give up two of my three items I would feel confused, maybe thinking it must be a miss communication and lastly I would comply with the request.  After going through all that I had been through at that point I feel personal the best thing is to go alone with what people in authority have to say.

After completing this exercise it gave me food for thought.  For example it made me think about what is important to me and what is important to my family and what represents me as a person.  All of the things I listed in my assignment represent my family culture the difference in me as a person and the diversity of my culture.

WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH

Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

The two insights I have gained about research is confidentially and ethics during this course.  We as researchers have to be willing to report our finding and not to mislead our participants.

My ideas about research have changed due to the many options available to use when researching.  Such as using qualitative, quantitative or mix method approach.

According to Oakley (2004), suggest concerns about paradigms being split between early childhood educations.  I learned the job of using designing is to represent the study.  When a person looks at the design of the study they need to know right away what the researcher is trying to convey.  I also, learned that planning and conducting research is not an easy job and as job to be able to oversee everything and be open to new things when researching for early childhood.

One of my biggest challenges was trying to understand the terms.  There were a lot of new terms for me.  Triangulation was a term that was new to me.  I learned later it basically was using the perspective of others to be better informed.  I also was challenged each week with more terms that I was not familiar with.  I might these challenges simply by reading the instructors feed back and trying to do a little be more each time.  Eventually this led me to see the bigger picture of what we were creating during this course.

I now am more aware of the role played by a professional in early childhood seeking information that could inform me better about my students but also has showed me there are rules to be followed in the quest of finding out information.  Such as confidentially and applying ethics at all times.

The insights I have gained in research are about confidentiality making sure every precaution is taken to ensure the rights of participants.  I learned that even researcher ethically cannot personal misuse there authority to further their gain in the careers.  Such as asking questions they personally want to know.

My ideas about the nature of doing research changed when I learned so much more about mix methods of research.  I believe by entering into research methods allows such a wide range to choose from.  This can be very valuable in doing research.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified by the way I look at research now.  One example is how as professional we are always are to be respectful to the children and include them if possible.  I learned new ways of interviewing children by using pictures.  These things helped modified this course for me.

International Website

Early Childhood Australia: 

 What are some of the current international research topics?

Baby and toddler sleeping

Child health and childhood obesity

School readiness and children/’s transitions

The new ideas I explored on the international early childhood website was the collaboration of ideas from professional’s and educators.  Another insight I learned was the work with mental health that is supporting infants and school age children.

One of the noteworthy information I found on this website was the format of the website.  I thought the website was easy to navigate.  The other websites were hard for me to understand and to find information.  Lastly, the resources offered on the website was surprising and noteworthy were free articles.  I believe this type of information maybe valuable for students and people doing research.

Reference:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/ 

Week 3 BLOG

Blog Assignment: Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

The story I would like to share about research with children dates back to the fall of 2010.  The question I was asking myself was:  The Impact of using class rules and tangible reinforcements with children diagnosis Intellectually Disabled and Autism.  At the time I had 4 students in my classroom.  Three of them were boys and one was a girl.  My findings were different for every child.  The two students who have aggressive behaviors are the students I found out the most data from.  I will name them by numbers and disclose if they are a boy or girl.  Boy(1), I founded could be referred back to the rules more but had better success in the morning during advisory time up to his break time which was usually at 9:00 am.  My school starts at 7:45am.  Boy (1), behaviors did vary on most days.  Some days he could be re-directed by using the rules and if that did not work.  For example if I needed him to complete something I would say, work first then walk.  So he was given a tangible reinforcement for finishing his work.  Girl (1), I founded needed more tangible reinforcements to do most things.  She would complete her work for tangible reinforcements.  Some of the tangibles I used with her were to take the lunch trays to cafeteria, take something to the office or nurses office.  These types of reinforces seemed to work better with her than referring back to the classroom rules.  Boy (2), and Boy (3), both were able to be referred back to the classroom rules.  What the research told me as a teacher was that each of my students are different as it relates to what strategies need to be used with them the same way as using strategies if they were doing class assignments.  This information also helped me to pass the same information on to their parents.  We were able to make visual schedules that reminded the students what we were doing what comes first and then we will do what comes next and built in reinforcements that would allow for breaks, tangible reinforcements or a chance to include the classroom rules to get them back on track.  If you noticed I did not use food as a reinforcement.  I already knew my students would work for food all day.  I wanted them to have a different type of success.  Food always seemed to me as if they did it for the food.  My students are the type of kids will do one thing and expect a cookie or cracker.  I wanted them to experience another type success and be able to leave a guide for anyone they be working in my room upon my absence something that really works.

WEEK 2 BLOG

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

1.  WORKING WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD CHILDREN (3) YEARS DIAGNOSIS WITH INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED.  THE PROGRAM OBSERVED CHILDREN AT PLAY AS WELL AS FOLLOWING THE (IEP) INSTRUCTIONAL EDUCATIONAL PLAN.

INSIGHTS:

2.  THE INSIGHT I LEARN BY CONSTRUCTING THE RESEARCH CHART WAS LEARNING ABOUT THE TERM (DEDUCTIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY)  WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS TERM IS HOW THE RESEARCH WILL TAKE YOU STEP-BY-STEP.  ONE ELEMENT I LEARNED DURING THIS WEEKS DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT WAS ABOUT HOW CURRENT AN ARTICLE HAS TO BE.  DARCEY AND MARIA TAUGHT ME HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ARTICLES TO BE NO MORE THAN (5) YEARS OLD.  THE BIGGEST OF THE REASON IS DUE TO HAVING MORE UP TO DATE INFORMATION.  THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION WILL PROVE TO BE VERY VALUABLE WHEN DOING YOUR RESEARCH.

ASK COLLEAGUES:

3.   I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES DO THEY KNOW OF ANY SUCCESS WITH USING PLAY IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM?  CAN YOU SHARE AN ARTICLE THAT I CAN USED WHEN CREATING MY RESEARCH? 

SHARE RESOURCES:

4.  Elena, B., (2008). European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, v16 n3 p357-369 13 pp






 

Final Blog Assignment

Final Blog Assignment

The three consequences that I learned from the international early childhood field is that Walden University was able to show me another picture of what is happening to children around the world.  Through that learning I realized that we too here in the United States have the same issues as it relates to children and finding funding for our programs.  I learned that international professionals have very similar trends and issues that they feel strongly about ensuring every child  receives an education.

One goal in regards to international awareness of issues and trends and collegial relations is sharing what I learned with my data team this school year.  I believe it is important to bring awareness to the teachers I work with that we may brainstorm how to become involved.  By brainstorming together ideas will help us be more successful as a school to become an active in a more visible way.

 

Blog Assignment: Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

Blog Assignment: Getting to Know Your International Contacts-Part 3

After viewing “UNESCO Education Early Childhood,” one new insight I gained was that the early childhood period extends to eight years of age. 

Another insight I learned was the UNESCO main objective is putting together programs that will benefit early childhood education that includes educating families and providing nutrition and health for children.  The reason I learned why nutrition and health are so important is because most children usually die before the age of 5.  The numbers are very alarming in 3^rd world countries.

The last insight I gained was about Inclusive education.  I finally realized that groups and organizations such as “UNESCO really have their work cut out for them.  I first touched on a link named Inclusive education.  This leaded me to information about how girls have been excluded from receiving an education.  Along with disabled children.  My first thought about these types of actions was unheard of.  As I read further I learned that a big percentage of children are girls.  Then I thought if there are more girls, then girls are being prevented from being educated.  It is believed that by excluding girls and disabled children from receiving an education will help with an economy living in poverty.  Children who live with disabilities live in communities but are not expected to get to school or seek an education.  These children will grow up and be unable to contribute to the society they live in.  “UNESCO sponsor programs for children with disabilities to have a chance of an education.

Ten years ago Global Crisis said there would be education for all by “2015.”  As a result of the financial crisis a set back may mean that this goal may not be met.  To ensure progress continues there is some things that need to happen such as invest in teachers and invest into books for students.  If these things do not change children are going to be left behind because of poverty.

Reference:
UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/),