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.    

Consequences of Learning About the International Early Childhood Field

One of the the consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is it brings an awareness that otherwise would not be present in an early childhood educators thinking. This awareness make a person think about what exactly is happening in the hours a child is not in the classroom. Any educator that has a heart for children cannot help but wonder about the health and well being of his or her students in and out of the classroom. There are so many situations out of the control of the children that maybe could be influence by an educators willingness to help.

The second consequence is having the knowledge of resources that can help an educator learn and grow within his or her field. It is important to maintain an open mind during and after a degree has been accomplished. There will always be new new techniques and perspectives that can help an educator. Personally I want to continue learning and growing so that I can provide the children I have the honor to work with and help the best of what the world has to offer. Their families may not have the necessary tools and part of advocating for children is filling in the gaps that may exist in a child's home life. Reading, researching, and continuously learning can be a huge advantage in any field but especially in a field that is growing everyday day.

The third consequence I was made aware of while learning about the international early childhood field is how amounts of children and opportunities available outside my my personal community needing help. I don't have to limit myself to helping just the children in my hometown, or even the state I live in because there are so many innocent children world wide that desperately need someone that has a heart for helping children. I know I cannot save every child but I can help by learning and growing and someday maybe helping and organization like Save the Children either by taking part in one of their many great opportunities or maybe coming up with my own idea that enable others to help and feel good about the good that be done when helping the younger generations grow into positive influential role models with communities around the world.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

While listening to World Forum Radio this week I learned about TJ Skalski who is the principal of Mother Earth Children Charter School in Canada.   Out of 13 charter schools this school has an indigenous focus.  She feels he being at this school was a calling.  Her grandmother influenced her to teach, she always told her “she would be a teacher and always be a great teacher”.  After a very rough first year she can admit her first year was “hell”.  The vision and focus of the school is about reinvesting in the kids and creating a place where culture is a priority.   Culture and language is a priority so that it can be revitalized within the community.  Based on her family values she believes it because of that she is as strong as she is in her own culture.  She is helping children that feel like they are not worth anything so she works to inspire the kids to want to do something with their lives and beyond the walls and want something bigger and better for themselves.

She is teaching the kids based on her own experiences and it shows the children that they can become something great.  So many educators can do exactly that.  Teaching by example is a wonderful option that many do not utilize.  Children watch the adults in their lives and want to be like them so the way we as educators act around the kids will be a great influence on what the children learn.  We teach one thing we should practice what we teach since children are so impressionable especially the young children.