Research Around the World

Early Childhood Australia: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

What are some of the current international research topics:

Code of Ethics

Learning and Teaching Through Play

Respecting Diversity

Research in Practice Series: The Early Years

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

The first thing that I found was a subscription to a magazine "Every Child" which is great 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. Another interesting link on this website is called the "Everyday Learning Series " which was created for simple,creative ideas to enhance children's interactions with the world around. Everyday Learning Series were aimed at parents, grandparents and carers of young children.

What other other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The Resources themes link provided me with an interesting article on Child health and childhood obesity which have been the focus of a lot of attention in the early childhood care. These are just two of the many issues which impact on the health and well being of young children. The resource link found on the Early Childhood Australia has a number of quality-assured resources which cover important areas of growth and development for young children. Also, there a of a lot of online resources that deal with the issues of childhood obesity and  child health.

Research that Benefits Children and Families

According to New Yorker's Family Research Foundation (NYFRF), and the Washington-based Family Research Council released that Adoption Work Well which is a literature demonstrating that adoption is life-altering beneficial for children.

Ninety-percent of adopting Americans have a positive view of adoption and less than fifteen percent have no regrets. According to Dr. Fagan, "Adoption is a remarkable act by generous people, who offer their money, attention, affection, and time to give young children a better chance in life."

Adoption helps creates positive family relationships between children who are adopted within the first year of life because the children have secure attachments as often as non-adoptees. The adopted mother's sensitivity contributes to a rich, positive home life. Adoption help the birth mothers who put their children up for adoption have better chances to finish school, less likely to live in poverty, or receive public assistance.

Adoption helps improve antisocial behavior because of the relationship created by the adoptive parents. Early adoption makes language acquisitions easier, adoptees do not linger behind the general population in academic performance because they outperform their non-adopted birth peers. In addition, adoptive families influence their children's cognitive capabilities.

After reading this research literature, it help to see that  adoption is important because children deserve to be raised by loving and caring people who want to help children to become productive adults.

My Research Journey

My chosen topic for my simulation is How to help children develop their creativity and imagination through play? Using play in the early childhood classroom would be a fun an exciting way to help young children to develop their imagination while playing. For my experience working in the pre-k classroom most of these children do not know how to use their imagination to learn and have fun. I am hoping following the guide lines in this class for the next eight weeks will help me to be able to help teach these young children what they need to develop their imagination and creative through play. The knowledge that I have gained from this class so far is that research articles have different parts and certain parts do not need to be read, and the five criteria for evaluating web pages are: accuracy, authority, currency, objectivity, and coverage. I would appreciate any advice or resources that would guide me to find help resources for the topic that I have chosen. As this class continue, I am hoping that all of us will have gained a lot of interesting and helpful information in the research process.

"My Supports"

My faith in God is my first support. Without God and his blessings each day, I would not be able to overcome many trials and tribulations throughout my life. I give God all the praise and the glory.

My family is my second support. My family is my rock and supports me throughout my life. My family has supported my decision to attend college. When my class schedule and work schedule get rough, my family is there to motivate me to hang in there! My family keeps me grounded and focus because I am the first person in the family to receive a degree  from college.

My colleague, Mrs. Lee is my third support. Mrs. Lee offer me support everyday at work. Mrs. Lee is always there give me a helping hand  or show me how to fix a bulletin board or draw a picture to use as a theme for a lesson plan for the week. I lack decorating and drawing skills. I appreciate all the help Mrs. Lee offers me throughout the school year.

The classroom children is my fourth support. The children in the classroom offer support on a daily basis because they are curious and ready to learn on a daily basis. It is important to help the young children to explore and discover the world around them. The children are at an age where learning is fun and exciting, and I get to be apart of their daily learning and development. It gives me great pleasure to know that I helping young children to build the foundation they will need to move to the next level of their education. On the first day of school, the children see me as a stranger, but at the end the children see me as apart of their family who loves and care for them. This is the reason that I want to continue to work in the field of early childhood education to help these children to become productive adults.

My friend, Deborah is my fifth. Although Deborah lives out of town, we have been friends since six grade. I call Deborah when I need someone to listen. We can talk for hours about anything and everything. I am grateful and happy to have such a wonderful friend. Thanks for being a true friend.

If I did not have any of my supports, my daily routine would be out of control and lonely. My faith keeps me grounded and humble. My family and friend are always there for me and life without them would be lonely and unbearable. At work, without the the support of  my colleague Mrs. Lee, my daily routine would be awkward, and I would feel useless. In other words, all supports are important because its helps to have more than one person to talk to concerning life lessons.



 

"My Connections to Play"

Quotes that summarize play for me in childhood

"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."

Kay Redfield Jamison

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning."
Fred Rogers

"Children have always learned and created places for themselves through play".

Donna R. Barnes





During my childhood, I grew up playing hand ball with my older sister and  brother. We would play this game until the sun went down. Also, I enjoy jumping rope and playing jackstones with my cousins, too. Playing outside with my family and cousins was fun because it taught me to share, take turns, and it taught me how to get along with other children. In addition, playing outside with my family helped me to develop a special family bond that is very much alive today.

In today's society, play is very different because children do not spend time outside playing. Most children depend on video games, computers, and IPods  to entertain them for a long periods of time. This leaves no time to go outside and use their imagination to create play. On the other hand, I spent most of my time outside playing hand ball, jackstones, hopscotch and jump rope. My parents could not afford to buy me a computer or video games. I am grateful and thankful that my parents took time to let me go outside and play. As an educator, it is my job to teach parents how important it is for children to go outside and play. This will help children to be creative, physically fit, and it helps children to grow and develop as a person. Play is a vital part of growing up.

In my adulthood, play has helped me to function effectively in the world. Socially, I am cooperate and get along with my peers, and I follow rules and respect most people I meet. Without having the opportunity or time to play during my childhood, I would not know how to socialize with my peers.





  

Reflection Relationship

"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships."
 Anthony Robbins

People and positive relationships are: Grandparents, sister, and  friend (Deborah).

My grandparents played a special part in my life because they taught me alot about life lessons. My grandfather taught me a lot of about how to support yourself and how to treat people like I wanted to be treated. My grandmother taught me how to cook and it is better to give than receive. In other words, she was telling me it is okay to help people  who are less fortune than others. These are the type of morals that I use and remember when I am working with parents and children in the classroom.

My sister  is special to me because she is the person that I can depend at all times. We are have each other back. Our relationship is trustworthy, understanding, supportive, and solid as a rock. Also, my sister is the one person that I can communicate with anytime of the day or night.

My friend (Deborah), is special to me because we have been friends since six grade. We can talk about anything and everything. Although, Deborah lives in New Jersey and I live in Georgia, we still find time to communicate and talk about events that are going on in our lives. Deborah and I have a connection that have been tested over time. I am happy to have her in my life because friendships are hard to find and even harder to keep. I will always respect and love Deborah until the end of time.

My challenges developing, regarding, and maintaining relationships are: Not all relationships between people are going to be positive. Therefore, it is important to keep an open mind and not to judge people before establishing a relationship first. Also, it is important to accept and respect different backgrounds and cultures from people you encounter. Personally, I do not assume anything about anyone until I greet them and get to know them better.

My special characteristics of these relationships that make partnerships are: trust and respect. Without these to special characteristics the relationship will not develop and grow. Building trust among each other will make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy being around each other. Establishing respect among each other is a positive and healthy way to get along and be honest with each other.

My experiences working as an early childhood professional has helped me to create a partnership among parents and children that is positive, complex, and challenging. By working together with families and children will help me to establish a healthy learning environment.

Child Development Quotes

"
Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children."
Rosaleen Dickson

"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the the future"
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (American 35th US President (1961-63)

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance."
Franklin P. Jones

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings."
Hodding Carter, Jr.

Professional thanks and support

I would  like to thank all my colleagues for their support throughout this course. By reading and participating in the discussions and blogs assignments, it has helped me to enhance my motivation to continue my journey of learning in the early childhood field. I am looking forward to work together in future classes. Good luck and take care as we continue our journey of learning in the early childhood field.

Thanks, Again!