Research Around the World

I chose the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website to explore. I found interesting information.

What are some of the current international research topics?

• A few international  research topics that I discovered were:
• Aids
• Public and Private School Enrollment
• Infant and child mortality rates
• Child nutrition
• Health
• Early Childhood Development
• Poverty
• Education and Training

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

• I found that in Eritrea, they have "feeder schools" that offer free basic education. Through these schools, they help convince parents to send their children to school. The un-enrolled child rate is still high regardless.
• I found it interesting that the greatest concern with regard to schooling is participation of girls.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

• Some other noteworthy information I found is regarding children with special needs.
• In Uganda, children with special needs have been identified and programs were created to cater to these children and give them access to school.
• They have also trained over 5,000 teachers to handle children with special needs.

Reference
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php

Uplifiting Stories

The issue of ethics and research on children can cause people to think of research in a negative light. However, there can be positive effects  of research on children. I could not think of a personal story but I considered what we know about children today. This information had to come from someone's research. Take the medical field for example. We have seen positive benefits. We can learn about rare diseases, symptoms of diseases and how to prevent numerous illnesses in children.
An example, with regard to the early childhood field, we have learned that children learn through play. We also know the various types of play and what and how children learn from them.

In considering these factors, I can see that positive effects can come from research on children.

My Personal Research Journey

The topic that I chose for my course simulation is : The Effect of Changing Demographics and Diversity on the Early Childhood Field.

I chose this topic because I find it very interesting and I have had experience with issues regarding demographics in the early childhood field. I would like to find out more ways that it effects the E.C Field.

I am excited and nervous to tackle the research process as it is a lengthy one. It was difficult for me to narrow down to this topic because I have many questions that I could ask regarding this issue. I hope to be able to narrow it down further.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could accomplish this? Or should I just start by studying the literature and the topic will narrow itself?

Thanks!

I look forward to hearing from you! :)

International Early Childhood Field

I believe that learning about the international early childhood field has positive consequences for my professional and personal development. First, as an early childhood professional, I believe it is important to stay informed. It is a plus to know of the early childhood field on an international scale. Second, it can be an opportunity to network. International early childhood professionals can ask for suggestions on issues in the field and vice versa.  Thirdly, on a personal note, a consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is that it touches my heart. My passion is for children and helping them grow. When I hear, for example, that children do not have access to quality care or education, I have a heart to help in any way that I can.

My goal for the early childhood field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations  is that we can continue  and even show greater support for international early childhood professionals. This support should be in communication of ideas and information about trends and allow for necessary change and benefit children.

Getting to know Early Childhood Education Internationally

I am sad to say that I have not had the opportunity to communicate with an international early childhood professional, however, I have had the opportunity to listen to podcasts from international early child hood professionals.

This time, I listened to podcast # 5, a speaker named Irma Allen. Irma lives in Swaziland which is a small place in Africa. There, she is doing great things in the area of early childhood education. She states that a challenge that they face in Africa is to train teachers and community people to become teachers. She says that where she is located, there are no classrooms. She has to use the environment around her as teaching opportunities. She states that they use the ground and the grass and water (on days where there is water) and there is so much to learn from the environment.

I also studied that UNESCO website for international information.
I found that the  UNESCO mission is in line with one of my professional goals. In their mission, "they support early childhood policy development with the aim to build a solid foundation for a child's life long learning."

Along with that, they also seek to improve the quality of teacher education in Africa.  I thought that this was great to read, especially after listening to the podcast.

The final insight that I have gained from this website is the knowledge that UNESCO exists. I am aware of other international organizations that are doing similar things, but I am glad to know that there are more. I hope to come to know more of them!

References
 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/about-us/how-we-work/mission/
http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/world-forum-radio/

Sharing Web Resources- Save the Children

The Save the Children Organization website contains a ton of information.

I did not notice any outside links. The links that are on the website take you to another location on the website. There are many reports to read and information about the activities  that the organization is involved with.

I decided to explore the interactive map of places where the organization is located. I was amazed when I studied the map. They are in 120 countries! The map is literally covered by the little figurines that show the various locations. Save the Children organization is helping children every where!

I do receive the newsletter from the organization. The majority of them, if not all, are asking for donations or to sponsor a child. I did receive a newsletter with the story of a child. At the end of the story, it asks for sponsorship. The most recent newsletter discussed poverty and what it meant for that child.

Through their efforts with education, Save the Children organizations seek to make sure that all children have access to high quality education. They train teachers, coach parents and caregivers to help children with being ready for school, and much more.

I see that they want to help all children have access to education. In doing so, they seek equity for all children.

The Save the Children Organization is doing wonderful things to help children. They are stationed all over the world and advocate for children in many areas that can help them to lead a great life.


Reference
www.savethechildren.org

International Early Childhood Issues

I listened to another podcast on the World Forum Foundation website. Susan Lyon was the speaker and she was responsible for creating the first Italian Immersion preschool in San Francisco.  She also is the director of the Innovative Teacher Project. This project brings together public and private school professors to discuss their schools programs and professional development.

In her podcast, she speaks of her passion for children and how she likes to see how children view the world. She states that she wanted to prove that quality work can happen in a public place.

I also had to go with the Alternative assignment and I explored the Global Children's Initiative from Harvard. There, I learned about activities that they were involved in. :

In Brazil, they are working on applying the science of early childhood. They seek to strengthen leadership around early childhood development by having a leadership course and much more.

In Africa, there is an early childhood development project in Zambia. This is a collaboration project to help the anti-malaria initiative on child development. They have also created an assessment, the first assessment, in hopes that the assessment will improve the understanding of child development.

The global children's initiative also has projects to help child mental health in Shanghai, China, also help children in crisis in Haiti and Chile and much more.

I think it is great that so much is being done to help children worldwide.


References:

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/

www.worldforumfoundation.org