My Family Culture

The three items that I would choose are the following: my grandmother’s wedding ring, my grandfather’s Purple Heart medal, and a picture of my family.

 

I would explain to others how my grandmother’s wedding ring is important to me because it symbolizes the love that my grandmother and my grandfather shared. I was very close with my grandparents my entire life and they taught me many of the things I know today.

 

I would explain to other how my grandfather’s Purple Heart medal is important because it is a representation of how he fought for my country which is where I am from. It reminds me of his dedication and work ethic that he represented throughout the World War II. 

 

I would explain to others that a picture of my family is important because I am able to remember the times we share together. My family is the most important thing to me in my life so I feel like a picture would help me feel at home if I had it with me.

 

If I was told upon arrival that I could only keep one of the three items I would be devastated. I cannot even imagine how I would feel if I had to leave my country and leave everything of importance behind. This assignment has taught me that it was difficult to narrow down to three items of what I would keep with me to represent my culture. Many of the things that I have symbolize my family culture because it is who I am as a person.

Closure to Building Research Competency

I have learned a large amount of information from this course in regard to research. I have learned that in order to conduct a research study, the researcher has to prepare in depth. I never realized the amount of time and effort that a research study takes before this class.

My ideas have changed about research because I now realize how much work that a study takes to prepare and complete. I also realize how important it is to follow the procedures in a study in order to correctly gather information.  The lesson that I learned about planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood that I learned is that it takes a lot of dedication and preparing in order to plan, design, and conduct the correct way.

Some of the challenges I encountered was thinking of the way to word the research question itself. I felt my topic was very broad so it was important to narrow down the topic. I met my challenge throughout learning how to research throughout the readings and feedback from my fellow colleagues.

Early Childhood Australia

“Early Childhood Australia will advocate ensuring quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years.” (Early Childhood Australia, 2012)

Some of the current Australian research topics addressed are the early childhood framework, school readiness, children’s transition to schools/grades, children’s health, children’s obesity, baby and toddler sleeping, sustainability, global warming, and climate change. There was a vast majority of research topics which touched base on many of the topics we focus on in the United States related to early childhood education.

I found it interesting that the website has the state/territory branches separated and describes the goals of each state/territory branch. I also found it interesting when I read the paper, “ECA Position Paper on Children of Asylum Seekers, Children of Refugees and Children in Detention”. It was interesting to see the perspective of Australia for children who are refugees. The paper discusses how children’s needs should/can be met and how individuals in Australia can help these children have special protection and care. “Half of the world's refugees are children. They need special protection and care.”

I found The Research in Practice Series was very interesting and worth taking notes on. “The Research in Practice Series is a practical, easy-to-read resource, offering effective new approaches for those challenging issues which arise in the care and education of young children.” The books are a resource for individuals who work within the early childhood field. The series focuses on the ‘hands-on’ aspects of early childhood education. I believe that ‘hands-on’ is so important to incorporate into the field of early childhood and is the core of children’s learning.

Resource:

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

 

 

Conducting a Research Study

The one research study that I would conduct is a study of the impact that television has on children – mentally, emotionally, and physically. Within this study, I would focus primarily on children who have parents of the upper-middle class, who have very busy life styles. I would want to find out the percentage of children who have television take up most of their free time outside of school. I want to find out how many of these children have social issue concerning their ability to communicate with others and hold friendships and/or are in the percentage of obesity.

The positive contributions of this particular study would be the result of having the upper-middle class realizing the negative impact that television has on children. I would hope that this would positively influence parents to have their children become active and involved in society.  I understand that these studies have already taken place but I think it would be interesting to be able to conduct a study and choose the children to focus on relating to their mental, emotional, and physical abilities.

Research Simulation Topic

Hello all!

The subtopic that I decided to focus on during my Research Simulation for the duration of the course is the following: How building relationships with family members can positively affect a child’s life. I chose this topic because I believe that it is extremely important to have open communication with family members when working within an educational setting. I want to find out ways to handle situations when family members place their involvement in their child’s schooling as a last priority on their list of importance.

Throughout my research thus far, I have learned that it is important to take into consideration the demands of parents/guardians time and the expectations that are held to a parent in our society. I have also learned that teachers/leaders in the educational field should not expect family members to know how to be involved/judge a family if they are not involved. It is important that we as educators focus on the families strengths and look at the family communication in a new light.

I just received my first position in management in the early childhood field. I am going to be an Assistant Director in a day care center. I would like to ask my fellow colleagues a question – can you give me any advice on what to do in building relationships with families as a new leader in the center? Also, do you have an advice on how to deal with difficult parents/guardians? Any advice at all to give a beginner related to building rapport with family members within a center? Any information/advice is very much appreciated!

Final Blog ~ Consequences & My Goal

The first consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is I have broadened my understanding of the way in which early childhood programs are run in other parts of the world. It was interesting to be able to compare international programs to many of our programs that are run here in the United States. I was able to gain an understanding of schooling in different parts of the world which overall, helped me have a better understanding of our world.

The second consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is I was able to read about the connections that many colleagues had with ECE professionals in different areas of the world. It was interesting to hear the perspective of other early childhood educators in the field. I also felt a connection through their responses because many of the educators are in the field for the same reason as I am - to change the lives of children we are surrounded by.

The third consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is I formed a relationship with many of my colleagues through the connections and research that we prepared. We learned from one another if it were unintentional or intentional. I was able to learn about new resources available, international early childhood programs, and feel connected with early childhood educators in other areas of our world.

One goal for the early childhood field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations is that we continue to work together for the children. Every voice counts. If we continue to learn from each other about the resources and commitments we can make through the field then we are able to grow together to ensure quality education and care for children across the world. We must take a step towards making a difference in the field. I believe it will all pay off one day.

UNESCO

While exploring the website for UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) I gained some new insights about issues related to international early childhood education that relate to my professional goals. UNESCO works to build peace with individuals and is a worldwide network with headquarters in Paris (France) and 52 field offices, as well as six Institutes and two Centres which specialize in education. UNESCO specializes in education and at the same time, I specialize in early childhood education. UNESCO touches the lives of children around the world. Having an impact of the lives of children is a professional goal of mine so I can relate to UNCESCO.

I have learned the mission of UNESCO, which I believe is very powerful. I also feel that I can relate to their mission in my professional goals as an early childhood professional. The mission of the UNESCO Education Sector is to: 

·         provide international leadership to create learning societies with educational opportunities for all populations.

·         provide expertise and foster partnerships to strengthen national educational leadership and the capacity of countries to offer quality education for all.

·         work as an intellectual leader, an honest broker and clearing house for ideas, propelling both countries and the international community to accelerate progress towards these goals.

·         facilitate the development of partnerships and monitors progress, in particular by publishing an annual Global Monitoring Report that tracks the achievements of countries and the international community towards the six Education for All goals.  

The one goal of the UNESCO relates to my professional goal because it aims to work as an intellectual leader. As a member of Walden University within my master’s program I am working to become an intellectual leader in the early childhood education field. I am learning the background of the field as well as many resources that are available to me so I am able to further my knowledge in the field and work to become an intellectual leader.

The 1990 Jomtien Declaration for Education for All stated that learning begins at birth. A decade later, the 2000 Dakar Framework for Action reaffirmed the importance of early childhood by including the development of early childhood care and education as the first of its six main goals. It is very rewarding to hear that early childhood care and education if held at such high importance. I work as a member in the early childhood field because I want others to understand the importance and the impact education has on children in the early childhood field.

Overall, I believe that many of the goals that are set and accomplished through UNESCO can relate to my professional goals. Individuals who care about the education of children realize the importance of focusing on early childhood education and the impact it has on children.

Resource:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/