Sharing Web Resources

This week, I decided to explore, in detail, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). While I have been on this site many times, I have never taken the opportunity to truly explore it and understand it. I was first introduced to NAEYC when I began my professional career as a government employee. On military bases, child development centers are required to be accredited through the NAEYC. The NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources. Their website provides early childhood professionals and advocates with tons of information pertaining to issues and trends in the early childhood field. Not only in this site a news-worthy site, it is full of information pertaining to profession development as well as accreditation.

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!