Getting to Know Your International Contacts –Part 2

One thing I discussed with my contacts in Ireland this week is the rise of early childhood education. In the past, it was less popular to place your child in an early childhood education type setting. With the economy the way it is in Ireland, working mothers and fathers are becoming more prominent and the need for quality childcare is a necessity. However, the cost for quality childcare is something that is nearly unaffordable for most families. I thought this was interesting because we also struggle with this in the United States. Ireland as a counrty is very focused on Early Childhood Education and providing the best programs for their young children. They take an approach contisting of play and creative expression rather than testing.

Research Around the World

I chose to research the European Early Childhood Education Research Association for this week’s blog assignment. The EECERA is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice. This was a particularly interesting assignment for me this week because it coincides with my issues and trends class that I am also taking. Early childhood is not just a hot topic in America; it is being talked about everywhere, to include Europe. I am particularly interested in studying European early childhood education because I grew up in Europe and I have family that lives there. On this particular site, there was an article discussing child and researchers and what the best practices are. This was coincidental because that was a part of this week’s discussion. There were several other research topics that are listed on this site. They range from technological topics to political topics. I really liked how several research topics related to linguistics and how speaking in multiple languages benefits a child. The thing I liked most about this site is that involves all European countries and not just one. It is interesting to see different countries come together and share their insights and challenges.  

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA)

http://www.eecera.org/

Sharing Web Resources

The great thing about early childhood sites is that they are all relevant to us in some way. Although I do not specifically work with children who are considered “early childhood”, the information I am reading about is helpful because I may one day work with younger children and I can attribute several qualities that the youth I work with now have obtained from their early childhood years. In reading our course resources for this week, I gained a new found respect for those who do not necessarily work in the early childhood field. There are several economists, politicians and neuroscientists who support early childhood and its importance. It is interesting to see that all over the world, early childhood education is being a popular thing to be concerned about. While I am sure that everyone who is in the field of early childhood education thinks that it is a top priority, it is encouraging to see that others think it is a top priority as well, including those in Washington D.C.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Option 2:

When my sister was nine, she fell off the monkey bars at school and broke her neck. She became a quadriplegic. Having the ability to research how this traumatic event affected her not just physically, but emotionally as well would be priceless. While she went on to do great things (she is now a clinical psychologist), I always wonder how things could have been different for her. Conducting a study of that nature could potentially bring peace to thousands of young children who also experienced traumatic events and injuries.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 1

For this assignment, I chose to contact two professionals in Ireland. While I have yet to hear back from anyone, I did talk to my cousin, who is an Early Childhood Educator in Ireland. Early Childhood Education in Ireland is very different than the United States. While the hopeful outcomes are the same, the approaches are quite different. Since Ireland joined the EU, their economy is not the same as it once was. Jobs are scarce and poverty is on the rise. While Ireland is a much smaller country than the United States, the early childhood field often faces the same issues. One of Ireland’s biggest issues is the cost of childcare. Just like the United States, families in Ireland are being forced to choose between quality childcare and saving money.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

My Personal Research Journey

I chose to research about children who grow up in single-parent homes and how that affects their education and how they excel in school. My progress is slowly coming together; I would definitely say research is not my strong subject. I am glad this is a required course because it is opening my eyes to so many things that are going to be a huge asset during my professional career. Is anyone having better luck compiling all of their information? Is anyone else struggling? Although we are only in week two I am already beginning to worry about what my final grade in the class will be. I am hoping all of my classmates have better insights for me. Good luck guys!

Sharing Web Resources

The web site that I chose to research and contact is www.earlychildhoodireland.ie. Early Childhood Ireland supports and represents the people who play a role in the development, delivery and oversight of early childhood care and education in Ireland, and prioritizes the interests of children. Early Childhood Ireland provides professional support and training for early childhood care and education providers, contributes to research and public policy development, promotes quality, accessible childcare for all children, and explores and evaluates innovative and creative child-centered approaches to childcare. On issue discussed in Early Childhood Ireland’s newsletter was raising the cost of childcare. Their argument for raising the cost of care is so they can have better trained and educated pre-school teachers or caregivers. The cost of childcare seems to be a hot issue globally. Are parents willing to pay more for quality care? This is a question that is still unanswered. The reality of it is, at some point, cost plays in effect one way or another.  

Establishing Professional Contacts

One site I chose to visit was www.earlychildhoodireland.ie. This is an organization that supports and represents the people who play a role in the development, delivery and oversight of early childhood care and education in Ireland, and prioritises the interests of children. I have yet to hear a response but am hopeful that I will soon.
The second organization I chose to contact was OMEP Irish National Committee. I also have yet to hear a response but am hopeful.
I chose to look into Ireland because, that is where my family lives. I have considered moving there as well and am interested in their outlook on Early Childhood Education. My cousin also works in a childcare facility so it might be easy to get loads of good information. I also wanted to contact organizations in Europe because I grew up in Germany and I have always been interested in the European way of life and how their child development programs differ from those in the United States.