Positive Research

I just recently began working for Kennedy Krieger Institute as a Special Educator.  KKI is internationally known for its stellar care for children and adolescents with developmental delays such as Autism, learning disabilities, disorders of the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system.  Significant and positive research has been completed over the years to help with better understanding of Autism, as well as development of effective methods of diagnosis and treatment.  Several KKI researchers are conducting numerous studies with efforts to to get gain a better understanding the causes of Autism and the systems to detect the earliest signs of Autism.

One specific example of how research in Autism has positively impacted children and families can be seen through the use of early diagnosis in children, which has aided in helping children receive behavioral therapy to improve speech and and behavior in children with Autism.

My Personal Research Journey

When thinking of a topic to research, I find it intriguing to focus on The influence of family dynamics and structure on social/emotional development in young children   for my research simulation.  I have a strong desire to gain more insight on social/emotional development in children. As a special educator, I especially find it important to focus on this domain in early childhood development, due to my recent change professionally in working with students with autism whom have social/emotional weaknesses in a self-contained environment.

I’m looking forward to seeing if there are any indicators of family structure being having an impact on children from children; not necessarily with a disability but typical children. 

I think this research stimulation will help me with expanding my knowledge base with regards to social/emotional development, but also help me to service students with varied family structures. 

Consequences of learning about the international side of the early childhood field.

Consequences of learning about the international side of the early childhood field.

 

1.      Awareness:  Being in the know of current issues and trends that affect children in other countries is important to the overall responsibility in which early childhood professionals as myself have pledged to do.  I believe that it’s important to know how that children from around the world are being supported not only because they deserve to be, but also because often time those same children end up as immigrants and may end up a student in my own class.

2.     Collaboration:  I think that the glory in working in this field, is that we are masters at sharing ideas and best practices.  So, to look at the international side of the early childhood field, and to share ideas with other professionals in other countries creates this human resource like no other.

3.     Helping towards the overall effort:  I believe that we must do all that we can to help spread how important early childhood education is.  We must do all that we can to push for early childhood initiatives in order to help young children get the support they need to develop.

 

International Educational Organizations

 

I enjoyed exploring the ECCE section of UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization)’s website.  It provided for numerous examples on what the organization is doing to support early childhood education around the world.  One section in particular that I enjoyed reading was that highlighting a new book series launched in coordination with ADEA (Association with the Development of Education in Africa) that showcase experiences of African families.  “The series covers topical subjects affecting the lives of African families that parents are sometimes reluctant to address. These include various topics such as war and conflict, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the issue of water resources and environmental protection”.  The book series titled, “Bouba and Zaza and Childhood Cultures” is not only for families it can be used as a resource for educators to teach social, emotional and communication skills. “The book series addresses the glaring shortage of children’s books adapted to African contexts”.  With African being home to the “youngest population in the world, this book series is sure to help with early childhood global initiative efforts. 

Sharing Web Resources Cont'd

 

I came across a section on ACEI’s website that highlighted a platform for individuals to have conversations and exchange ideas and experiences.

 

Goals of the Decade

 

•  Promote and protect childhood as a unique and critical stage of human development •  Explore childhood from interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives •  Identify issues that erode childhood •  Advocate for children's rights as a vital element of childhood •  Translate the "Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood" into policies and practices that benefit all children

 

Within this section, it also showcased the Ten Pillars of Good Childhood, which relates exactly to my current professional development and service.  The pillars focus on important aspects that help to create the most optimal early childhood environment. 

The Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood

 

The Ten Pillars of a Good Childhood are a starting point that can be used to consider what a good childhood looks like today. Please use these pillars for your engagement with this decade. How are they relevant to the experience of childhood in your home, your community, or your nation? Share the Ten Pillars with others. We would like to hear your opinions about the pillars and about creative ways that the pillars have been used by you to guide policies and practices related to the experience of childhood.

 

1. Safe and secure places for living and learning,
   with access to health care, clothing, shelter, and nutritious food
2. Strong families and loving, consistent caregivers
3. Social interactions and friendships
4. Creative play and physical activity
5. Appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment
6. Creative expression through music, dance, drama,
   and the other arts
7. Education that develops the full capacities of the child—cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and ethical
8. Supportive, nurturing, child-friendly communities
9. Growing independence and decision making
10. Children and youth participating in community life.

 

Of the ten pillars, strong families and loving consistent caregivers, education that develops the full capacities of the child and creative play and physical activity stood out to me.  I believe that we need families to be involved just as much as those who service and advocate for children.  And we must work together with the families in order to have the greatest impact on a child’s life.  Developing the whole child and incorporating play and daily physical activity are also key points in the early childhood field. 

 

“Through collaboration and partnerships at local, regional, national, and international levels, we will extend our work, especially when enriched by insights across multiple sectors, including education, health, ecology, recreation, sociology, and psychology” (ACEI, n.d).  The platform in which professionals across different sectors can come together certainly allows for more of a collaborative approach for the issues and trends to be discussed in the early childhood field. 

 

  http://acei.org/

http://www.decadeforchildhood.org/

 

Sharing Web Resources

            http://acei.org/

This organization was founded to help promote education and support children around the globe.  This organization has been around for over 100 years, established in 1892 in UK and later expanding to its international name in 1946. 

“ACEI holds Consultative Status at the United Nations and membership in the NGO Committee  on UNICEF”

One current issues that stood out to me was their efforts to support children in different countries around the world. Currently there is a push to help support children in Costa Rica.

I also found it interesting to read about the news of a pending code of ethics. 

ACEI announced that it is developing an International Code of Ethics for Educators.  “It will be designed as a universal instrument that reflects internationally accepted humanitarian values, United Nation treaties, and other international agreements.  It may be adapted and applied by educators around the world as a tool for critical reflection and professional aspirations”. 

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Establishing a global professional contact circle is becoming harder than anticipated.  I will continue to seek relationships across the globe with professionals in the field.  I am positive I will get at least one connection this coming week.  But in the mean time, I will also prepare to work on the alternate assignment.  I have found interesting in several of the podcasts available and look forward to listening to the NPR interviews.

The list of resources provided for in my current course were of familiarity to me such as Zero to Three.  Some new organizations that I find interesting to study for this course include the following:

Association for Childhood Education International

International Step by Step Association

I think that its important to study organizations from a more global lens, so I chose two organizations that stretches across the globe.  

I look forward to reading the newsletters for both organizations and exploring their sites to learn more about how each organization is supporting the early childhood community.