RESEARCH AROUND THE WORLD

This week's Blog Assignment required that we navigate through several international Early Childhood websites that were of interest. I selected, the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). This organization is said to be the largest international early childhood organization and is comparable to that of the National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 
In review of the site, some of the current international topics I found were topics that talked about, gender differences and the male/female roles in early childhood education, the use of technology with children under five years of age, video observations of children's perspectives on their lived experiences and challenges in relationships between researcher and children, scaffolding and how to increase development and also articles on the influence of children and play. Their website offers a host of journals filled with research articles in early childhood and development. 
     Some surprising facts that I've gleaned is that the organization offers authors the opportunity to have their work published and read. Information that is posted and archived on the international site is selective and is one of four early years journal indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information.
     Other noteworthy information I found on the website is that the site offers a section titled "Special Issues" or monographs. This link offers archived articles that focus on topics or developments in the early childhood field such as:
    1). up-to-date overview of current knowledge and developments in the field, and an evaluation of relevant empirical studies
    2). presentation of new developments, applications or policy implications.
    3). the development of new research methodology

These topics all provide insight on new developments within the early childhood field within an international scope. In addition, the site offers other information regarding various cultural differences that affect many ethnicities and many countries. 

References:

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (2015). Retrieved from,

         http://www.eecera.org/journal/

RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

  

Children with Disabilities ---Botox and Cerebral Palsy

 

One positive effect of children and families in terms of research that I would like to share is the research that has been developing over the past tens years. Research in children with Cerebral Palsy and the use of Botox which is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that reduces the rigidity of muscles or unwanted spasms in a specific muscle. Botox as we know it, is used as a cosmetic that helps reduce wrinkles or make body parts fuller. 

CP is a condition that is marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.  

 
Over the past ten years, research has been conducted and proven successful for children with CP and the use of Botox.  Small amounts are injected into spastic or stiff muscles. The injection takes effect immediately blocking the transmission between the nerves and the muscles. Muscles are then relaxed and reduces stiffness promoting mobility for muscles to be stretched. It's use also helps children with ease of stretching, improvement in child's range of motion, and tolerance to wearing braces and developmental improvements in crawling, standing, or gait walking.
 
Initial research conducted a study of 250 children with CP and Botox injections.  As a result,  video's from children's gait, assessments from doctors, and reports from families found that 86 % of the children treated demonstrated noticeable improvements in symptoms of muscle spasticity. After two years, 80 % of the children still showed improvement over their initial symptoms. Reports have also proven that some children in the study were able to do more for themselves such as feeding themselves, or operating a sink faucet. Others were able to hold a pen and write for the first time. Some were able to use a computer screen to communicate. All of which have proven to be success stories regarding children.


Research on behalf of children is crucial in finding new methods and ways to help children perform and function at their highest capacity as they grow, learn, and develop in life. We were ask the question during our discussion this past week if there are any societal benefits from subjecting children to "greater than minimal risk". I believe that this is one method that society/children can benefit from. 



CP and use of  Botox is near and dear to me as this is a method that is currently being used on my grandbaby. This has helped her become more mobile.  As she continues on her journey, I believe our family will see some more benefits of its use. 

Here's a picture of one of my favorite girl's.  Meet Khloe Warner, almost 4 years  old.  She is a recipient of "Botox" use for her CP condition as a result of research. The smile that you see is always on her face regardless of what she is going through. When I think about life and situations, I am grateful and always think about my "Khloebug".  I have much to be grateful for! 

Personal Research Journey

      The general topic I chose to explore is Child Nutrition and what effects it has had on child development.  As I searched further, I found the following three subtopics that would pertain to this topic: brain development, malnutrition and child obesity.  All are of importance to me as they have touched my personal life in some sort of way. However, I decided to go with a topic that has been steadily increasing and can be viewed as an impeding issue within the early childhood field.  Childhood obesity is an alarming and rising issue that has become prevalent across the nation and in the lives of families. Many young children are affected by obesity and are experiencing more and more health challenges. Parents, caregivers and the people who love them play a huge role in ensuring that children get what is needed to help prevent and help them grow into healthy young children and adults. My research question poses the issue of, “Is childhood obesity a result of the lack of parental care”?  Children are overweight and unhealthy because they are not receiving the proper nutrition of food and physical activity that can help to avoid obesity in their early years. Although research is being conducted, there is still further study that can be explored to help promote education and ways to fix the problem.

     My personal and professional experience is that I am a director of a child and youth program and am responsible for working closely with our USDA department and family childcare providers to ensure that children are receiving and being offered nutritious meals and adequate physical activity within our program throughout the day.

Throughout my charting process, I have learned that there is so much more to conducting research and the time it takes to find out the information that is needed to prove or validate your research. Many new terminology and ideas have been given to help shed some light on the research process.  The book and other resource articles help to bring some understanding on the beginnings process. I think that with anything; the more you practice and use the tools given, the more it will help you become better at finding and producing what is needed for the outcome.

     In search of additional insight on my topic, I am asking my colleagues to share what ideas, insights and practices that are using to help get the word out and educate children and parents on the importance of helping children and families make healthier choices and practices regarding health and nutrition.  

 

 

                                                

        Consequences of Learning about International Early Childhood   

Wow, this is our final week of class and we are moving on to the next one... I've really enjoyed Issues and Trends in Early Childhood. During this past week, we were to share our experiences of what we have learned concerning international countries. Although I didn't make contact with an international professional, I have learned a great deal on the continual issues and injustices that children in other countries face. Three consequences that I have learned concerning the international early childhood field through navigating many of the websites are as follows: 

• That poverty has no particular face when it comes to children and families. Many children as young as five years of age from many countries and many differing nationalities are subjected to a life of poverty. Children learn how to survive on the streets and learn how to find food for their families. As a result, many are severely malnourished.
• Young girls are treated unfairly. Through mistreatment, abuse, and lack of education, girls are treated as second class citizens. However, many young girls are given the opportunity to become educated. Through education, girls become aware and empowered to fight for their rights and rise above their circumstances.
• There are many resources and organizations that are in place that promote awareness and advocacy to help fight against social injustices. 

One goal that I strongly recommend is to continue to connect with an international early childhood professional.  For those of us who were unsuccessful at contacting someone, I suggest that we keep trying and hopefully we will make a connection. Getting to know others that are also passionate about the field and the causes they are fighting for is exciting and encouraging. Learning about other countries and what they go through helps to keep us thankful. I am considering a membership with ACEI and signing up for their advocacy program. This would allow me to grow even more in my field but mostly help advocate for injustices that still exist today.

I would like to extend a "thank you" and best regards to all my colleagues during this eight weeks of class. I've enjoyed gleaning from each one of you. Sending a special thanks to Dr. Horton who challenged our thinking in many different ways during these past weeks. Best regards to all!

 

Getting To Know International Contacts, Part 3 

 

We are winding down... and this is almost my last blog assignment for Issues and Trends in Early Childhood. The course has been one of my favorite thus far. This week I had the opportunity to navigate through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) international website and was moved by the cause that has been set into place titled, International Day of the Girl Child. The resolution and/or cause is to recognize the empowerment, rights and investment in girls. Recognition of this resolution is critical, as girls play a vital role in economic growth, achievement of all Millennium Development Goals that include the eradication of the various types of poverty, and allowing girls to participate in the decisions that affect them. Allowance of "women and girls' " participation will help break the cycle of unfair practices and injustices against them and especially where education is concerned. 

 

There are many injustices that have affected "GIRLS".   Did you know that...

 

FACT: 31 million girls of primary school age are out of school. Of these, 17 million are expected never to enter school.

 

FACT: Three countries have over a million plus girls not in school. Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.  These countries exhibit the highest rate of inequity in education. 

 

FACT:  There are 34 million female adolescents out of school that are missing out on the chance to learn vital skills for work and life.  

 

FACT: Girls who do not complete an education are more likely to join the ranks of the illiterate women that represent two-thirds of the 774 million illiterate people in the world.

 

These numbers are astounding but with organizations and child advocates such as UNESCO that stand-up and fight for inequalities and social injustices for the voiceless, will help to put an end to these unfair barriers.   

 

“Better Life, Better Future” Campaign

 

The other insight that I have gleaned is the opportunity to become involved in the, “Better Life, Better Future” campaign.  This is an opportunity to become involved in helping women and girls become better prepared for their future. By investing in ways to help improve the lives and futures of girls and women in the most underprivileged countries and settings will be rewarding.  I believe by partnering with advocates such as UNESCO’s Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education will help provide a solid platform, bringing together UNESCO’s unique experience in education and its extended multi-sectoral network. Partnership is extended to many organizations such as government, private sector, foundations and media and others. 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-

 

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                                    Sharing Web Resources, PART 3

Sharing my blog assignment for Week 6, ACEI news...

     ACEI is the website I chose during the beginning of our class assignment. We were asked to follow some of the outside links. One link I chose to follow was titled, "Country Liaison Program". This is a site in which ACEI's Country Liaison program encourages the development of a network of ACEI volunteer liaisons from various nations around the world. Some of the nations that are part of the liaison is Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Once you click on the country there are sub countries that will also come up to show other countries that part of the liaison. Its sole purpose is to gather information about childhood education practices and policies in various nations, and to share this information with members and non-members, provide information to support the development of association programs, and promote international and intercultural understanding (ACEI, 2015). 
     Another site that I navigated was the ACEI international affiliates. This links provides names of international countries that are part of ACEI.

     One of the areas that I have thoroughly researched is the link to the "Advocacy" page. This site focuses on education advocacy by promoting Education Diplomacy. This can best be described as the ability to understand how ones work impacts an entire system. The mission is to catalyze education reform and human advancement. It is an approach to the education profession that requires continuous knowledge gathering, creation, and sharing; an awareness of oneself as much as an appreciation of relationships with others; and sensitivity to the contextual and cultural complexities to theory and practice in the field. On a professional level the education diplomacy requires the ability to, understand how one's work impacts an entire system, connect broad global trends with their direct or indirect effects on education, and utilize knowledge, tools, and cooperative initiatives to facilitate achieving one's goals as an educator. If professionals are interested in becoming part of the diplotersmacy there is another link directing individuals to the Center for Education Diplomacy. (ACEI, 2015).

     I have not subscribed to any newsletters from ACEI but I  have navigated through their Global News and found an article, Disparities in Access, which reconfirms the disparity regarding children's access to pre-k programs. The article provides stats on the low numbers of four year olds enrolled in these programs. It also validates the reasons why it is so important for early learners to attend pre-k programs. Reading this article helps me to understand even the more why access to pre-school and pre-k programs must be increased for children. These beginning years are crucial in their developing appropriate skills in their learning.

     Another insight I've gleaned is that adequate amount of funding is not provided to support the needs of the programs that need to be in place. There are so many children that are not able to attend preschool/pre-k because the funding is not appropriately allocated throughout.  Unfortunately, in the past, many cuts in early education has been applied. As additional research and policy makers continue to lobby and promote the importance of early childhood, funding may be increased to help support and meet the needs of the children.


Reference:
http://www.acei.org

 

Getting to Know Web Resources -Part 2

 

The Global Children's Initiative is an awesome website filled with information and research on child development in every aspect. One insight found is there is an organization called, Grand Challenges Canada, Saving Brains, which its focus is to improve the outcome of children that are living in poverty through intervention that nurtures and protects the early child brain development for the first 1000 days of a child's life. The program's objective is to bring together mentors and experts in the field of early childhood development, innovative systems and learning communities. The program's is spearheaded by the Center on the Developing Child.  Their primary focus is to enhance the collective impact of the Saving Brains program.

Another insight found, the NCPI is an organization that seeks to apply scientific knowledge to inform new strategies that will improve the well-being and life outcomes of vulnerable children in Brazil, while also supporting sustainable social and economic development in the country. The website offers collaborative work regarding practice, policy and research within the Brazilian community that impacts the Brazilian early childhood. This program seems to be significant within it self as it has helped to improve the lives of many children living in Brazil.

 

Another insight is that the website offers training modules as professional development opportunities. In particular, Building Brain Architecture: The Foundations of Lifelong Learning, Health and Achievement. This is actually connected to the Frontier of Innovations. This online professional development module communicates the science of development to adults whose decisions affect children, youth, and families. It has four distinct sections, which provide a basic overview of how early child and brain development happens, how it can be derailed and supported, and what effects early development can have on lifetime health and learning.  

The Global Children's Initiative is a great resource and has many affiliates within the website. Other links that also scientific and research information is , the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs, Frontier of Innovation and Scientific of Adversity and Resilience.  All links support the health and well-being of children.

Reference

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/),