Research Around the World

 

One current international research topic that caught my eye on Early Childhood Australia was "sending unaccompanied children who are seeking asylum in Australia to detention in Malaysia is a breach of not only their human rights, but also their special rights as children and as refugees, according to the peak advocacy body for young children, Early Childhood Australia (ECA)".  These children must be absolutely terrified and to be sent a detention facility alone is unimaginable.  The trauma they are already experiencing and then to send them into yet another scary situation is not in the child's best interest.  Adults need to take in consideration the feeling of abandonment the children are already feeling.  the government should be trying to protect these children and watching out for their needs physically and emotionally I believe should be at the forefront.  Caring for these children should include supporting them when it comes to education so the children have a chance to become successful member's of society and someday can provide for their own families.  providing health care and support services will benefit these children greatly and it is up to the government to help ensure their safety and a feeling of security.


http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/june_2011_childrens_commissioner_needed_to_protect_children_in_detention_centres.html

Research that Benefits Children

My experience inregards to research is non exsistent. I have hopes to change this the further I go with school and then someday enter the as an early childhood advocate. As an adocate I have a heart for the children if I can conduct a research project that can help children in anyway I will feel like I have accomplished something great. To have the ability to think out of the box to think of a concept that has not been research before is something that many strive for.
If I was given an opportunity to tp perform a research project I would probably look for a topic that can help my learn more about the emotional needs of small children. At an early age when children cannot communicate their feelings and thought but it is evident that they observe and retain what they see around them I do not believe we as adult can even begin to know their little minds are thinking. Specifically children thatwatch those around them fight and yell what is going throught their little heads. Is it crossing their minds that they are the reason for the fight? Are they thinking of ways they can make it stop. As an advoacate my job will be to be the voice for those little ones that can not protect themselves. If there are little ones who have needs that are not being taken care of I want to be able step in soothe those little minds so that they know they are not the reason for the fighting. It is out of their control and I am sure that makes them feel even more helpless than they already are. One positive this project may be able to accomplish is helping educators or other advocateslearn what is necassary in calming the minds of little ones that otherwise would not have the feelings addressed. It is important that children realize that when there is fighting going on around them that it is not their fault and they do not have to feel guilty or take ownership for what is going on around them.

Personal Research Journey

The topic I have chosen for this research journey is:  Childhood Coping Skills:Techniques and Strategies

The reason for this topic choice is professionally my goal as a child advocate is to help children succeed specifically if they do not have a parent or family member looking out for their best interests or are not focused on their needs.  A child's emotional needs should not be overlooked and my desire is to be someone that can know how to handle a delicate situation and have the tools and knowledge of how to help a child through the situation and teach them how to cope and deal in a healthy way. As an early childhood educator it is important that I strive to help and teach the entire child not just physically but cognitively and emotionally as well.  When this class is done it is my hope that I not only learn the research skills necessary to being a life long learner but also techniques and strategies that can help me help the children I will have the honor of helping in the future.

In these first couple of weeks I have already began learning important pieces required to productive research.  The basis of any research is find reliable sources that are credible and trustworthy.  The keys to that was explained to me during our discussion assignment where I figure our the important things to find and pay attention to when find article on the internet. 

The challenge of research is a new one for me and the journey is exciting and scary for me.  If my colleagues can share any tips on how not to over analyze the tasks we will be presented with I will be extremely grateful.