Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I decided to discuss the following for this blog assignment.

Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?


The topic I woild like to discuss is why it is important for children to receive an early childhood education. ECE is from birth through five. It is important for parents/caregivers to take part in the early childhood education to prepare the children for the mainstream school. When parents are part of the child's education meaning active involvement in school the child academics will demonstrate their scores. 

Also, by having the community involved in birth through five education is beneficial because this is a way to network and provided resources for all in the community such as children and adults. 

When providing resources about birth through five, I would want to inform parents of developmental checklist guide, the yearly visit  to the pediatricians.   Having the children to socialize with other children will assist in the growth process and increasing the child(s) phonological awareness abilities. 

Just to name a few checklist:
3300 form
Bright Future Forms
Caring for Our Children 3rd Edition

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic I would like to see develop is about professional learning for ECE educators. ECE educators already have to meet the requirements of their state or federal rules and regulations in regards about training and teachers' credentials therefore having a annual professional learning plan can assistance with teachers achieving this goal.

With my experience, teachers are not going above and beyond to take the necessary  trainings that is needed for them to be efficient in the classrooms and collegiate courses are too expense to enroll in colleges/technical school etc. When  teachers have the assistance with initiatives and incentives with returning to school to receive  credentials in ECE field, and free trainings in order for teachers to meet their state requirements all who will benefit will be the teachers and most important the children. The children will now receive a quality early childhood education.

Providing resources and referrals for teachers to receive higher credentials and trainings will demonstrate that the early childhood field is also a respected field.   

Building Research Competency

Welcome to my blog for Building Research Competency.

I look forward to the upcoming blog assignments and feedback from my colleagues.

MY SUPPORT

The support that I have on a daily basis is the support from my family. When I need any type of assistance my family is there for me in which I am very grateful for. Another support system I have are my co-workers. My co-workers and I assistance each on within the work place and in our personal lives. For me enrolling into Walden University Master's program have provided me with educational support to further my career in the education field. If I did not have my undergraduate degree I would not have the position as ECE Specialist today. To me, without education your future maybe undetermined. Prior to me enrolling into school I had no support or resources on continuing my education until a co-worker said me to she is completing her Master's at Walden University,
 I do not feel I have support from my community until I disclose my profession then the other professionals start to seek my assistance. Really? Yes, really. I come to terms people have biases and when I have the opportunity to explain how their have no merit and explain to these professionals how to look at situations from a different point of view then my work is complete.

My Connections to Play

Play represented to me in childhood fun and excitement. During play, I had fun with my sister and friends.
People supported me in play by explaining right from wrong. When I had a disagreement with a classmate my teachers would discuss why it important to be nice to our peers. When my sister and I would argue or fight over a doll, my parents would say " You two are sisters. Sisters do not fight or argue-they love each other!
Playtime when I was younger was during the time of innocence. Play was care free and not a worry in the world. Now the play for children is all consumed of ipads, and multiple of electronics, and television raising the children. Play is a time for children to learn self help skills, and adequate peer interaction. It's preparing children how to get along with each other
and to know/understand conflict-basically to work through it.

The first picture is of my cousins, sister, and me when we were little. 
The second picture is how I would play pretend like I am a fire fighter.
The third picture is dressing up in Native American clothing-just trying to embrace my culture.

Relationship Reflection

Interesting assignment tonight. So I have to reflect on relationships which this will be very therapeutic for me.
The first relationship I would like to discuss is my relationship with God. Each day I am trying to be a child of God. I know when to speak, I know when to be quiet, and I know when to speak my mind-their is a difference. I do not question God for my life journey nor path. God has his reason on why things happen therefore I just live and learn.
The second relationship is with my one and only daughter. I love her to the BONES! I was told I probably would not be able to have children and the odds were against me but once again God had his plan for us. I am in love with this little toddler. I love when she ask me , "Mommy, what's wrong? Let me pat your back, and I will make you feel better". Born too early, a month in a half in the hospital with needles and tubes in her, our bond is tight which will never be broken. Being a mother of a toddler and a professional in Early Childhood is an amazing experience. I too, am able to experience first hand her early childhood first years, how her cognitive development and language(oh how her language is expanding) is coming along.
The third relationship was with my grandfather. My grandfather passed away and I feel a avoid in my life. It's not the same. He challenged me in so many ways to literally think outside the box. My grandfather along with my parents, taught me the office politics, the differences on religion, the reasoning of Republican/Democratic. He was Harvard, my grandmother Yale, and I am baby Princeton. My grandfather encourage me to complete school when challenges came to surface. I am grateful he was able to attend my undergraduate ceremony. Yes, my grandfather's love, guidance, encouragement, and wisdom keeps me going in early childhood. Just like my motto "In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time".
As for friends, they come and go. As you get older you out grow friends, so I guess that is what Facebook is for. The friends you meet especially the ones from College of Education will always continue to be by your side-because they understand what you are going through everyday. One time for C-O-E!
Family stays forever, so I will go with family!

When I think of Child Development

In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time..... Brittney Everett

Children are like sponges, they want to absorb everything in their minds......



“Our task, regarding creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more.”
Loris Malaguzzi (20th century), Italian early education specialist. Quoted in The Hundred Languages of Children, ch.3, by Carolyn Edwards (1993).


 Photo of Rich Mtn  North GA MTNS