When I Think of Research...

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course? I found this course very challenging. Research is not my Genre, however, the weekly charts made it easy to put my thoughts into perspective .A lot of topics we discussed became clear to me throughout this course, the main one being Equity, which we all face at some point as Early Childhood Educators. We are taught to treat all children and their families with fairness and justice regardless of their race, socioeconomic status etc.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed? I realized that my ideas of doing research changed because what I thought to be road blocks in my research skills ,were either confirmed or denied as I completed the charts.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn? The lessons I learned is that when conducting research the most important factors to consider are the well being of  the children first and foremost and not to let no harm come to them.Also BOTH parents must give their consent prior to  ANY research that involves their child.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? As I initially mentioned ,the course itself was challenging  and the way  I overcame this was by relying on my classmates and instructors feedback during discussions as well as utilizing the various resources that were available tome throughout the course.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? I can honestly say that as an Early Childhood Educator ,I  am  always learning, as this is a field that brings about constant changes and research just happens to be one of those changes that I found challenging ,but rewarding as it has provided me with new insight to enhanced my research skills.

As we come to the end of this course, I would like to say Thank You to my classmates and especially to the instructor. Best of Luck to everyone as we continue on this educational journey. I hope I have the privilege of being in class with you again.      

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics? For my research around the world I chose  the European Early Childhood Education Research Association. The  EECERA encourages the exploration of new paradigms, methodologies, concepts and applications in the ever-changing context of early childhood studies. Its reach and interest is resolutely international and, whilst wanting to identify with Europe’s pluralist and diverse cultures, it is open to learn of, and to share in, the equally rich early childhood traditions and concepts of the World.

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website? I was surprise to learn that EECERA Annual Conference is the largest and most significant early years' research conference in Europe, regularly attracting more than 600 researcher delegates from all over the world. This website had quite a few surprising facts/insights and new ideas about early childhood however, I managed to select what I found to be the most interesting. The Journal of the Association (EECERJ) is the only European early childhood journal cited in the prestigious Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). The EECERJ, the Journal of EECERA, is one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world. It is one of only four early years journals indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website? I would have say the only other noteworthy information I found was the many benefits and activities that EECERA members are entitled to. I also thought it was worth noting that their partners and link page is not long, it only contains one link (The Korea Institute of Child Care and Education) and the criteria to be a partner.EECERA only seeks like-minded organizations, institutions and research centers to offer mutual support and information sharing. I like the fact that EECERA does not automatically agree to reciprocal links arrangements, and that’s because the Board of Trustees wants to ensure that such links and partners have similar aims and values and has formulated the following criteria.

Reference

http://www.eecera.org/

 Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I would like to do a study on children understanding nutrition and obesity. There are so many positive things out there in life that can help children keep control of their bodies. If they eat right and exercise, they can avoid any future medical problems. Some positive contributions are: high self-esteem, many relationships with their peers, stronger healthy body that they can be proud of.

 Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I would like to do a study on children understanding nutrition and obesity. There are so many positive things out there in life that can help children keep control of their bodies. If they eat right and exercise, they can avoid any future medical problems. Some positive contributions are: high self-esteem, many relationships with their peers, stronger healthy body that they can be proud of.

 Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I would like to do a study on children understanding nutrition and obesity. There are so many positive things out there in life that can help children keep control of their bodies. If they eat right and exercise, they can avoid any future medical problems. Some positive contributions are: high self-esteem, many relationships with their peers, stronger healthy body that they can be proud of.

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose as is Childhood Obesity. As a Child advocate, when I saw this assignment, there was no hesitation as to what topic I was going to research. This has become a national epidemic, so much so that the first lady of the United States has also taken interest in it. She makes public appearances at various elementary and middle schools talking to the students about exercising and eating healthy. Mrs. Obama encourages the children to make healthy snack choices, like fruits and vegetables and to get out and get some exercise. She has been seen doing the”douggie”and double dutch (jump roping) with  students on playgrounds.

Childhood obesity can lead to numerous health issues such as Juvenile diabetes,

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure,

Respiratory problems. If not dealt with accordingly, these health issues can be carried

into adulthood. We must get our children back outside and allow them to run,

jump, climb, and swing. What happened to going for a family stroll after dinner? I

recently heard a comedian say that back in the day when our parents grounded us, it

meant no outside. He said that nowadays when a child gets grounded, the parents should make them go outside and stay out for two hours, and find ways to entertain themselves.

 I do not know what it’s like to be an obese child, or even have a child who is

obese. However, I have heard stories from my older sister, who was obese as a child,

about how family members made fun of her. She said it was bad enough, kids at school

made fun of her, but to have her own family make fun of her was what hurt the most.

 My hope is that no child ever has to go through what my sister went through once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. The chant we said as children about sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me, well it’s not true, because words do hurt and at times , they’re ten times as worse as any broken bones. A cast will heal a broken bone within a specific time frame (usually between six –eight weeks) but how does a person get over hurtful words that are said about  them?