Week 4 microagression

 This week was an interesting one.  I was waiting for my boyfriend for happy hour at a local bar in center city Philadelphia.  As I was waiting there with some teacher friends a group of men starting to talk to us.  Fun conversation, they were a bit drunk.  My boyfriend who is black came in and came over to us.  The one guy who was talking to me when introduced to my BF hits his chest saying whats up big boy.  It was so derogatory and simplistic.  It made me sad that there are so many un enlightened people in this world.  I am not sure if it is about jealousy or fear when hatred thoughts rule your being. 

wk 3 - culture and diversity

 The first person I spoke to about culture was my sister.  My sister is very religious and defines culture as the traditions of her family and ancestors.  I am what my mother and her mother where before her.  She believes that the most important part of culture is her identity.  Her definition of diversity is that diversity is what makes up the differences between us.  

The second person I spoke to about culture was my father.  He explained culture is your being.  It is the fabric of your family and the tying bond that exists to all that belong.  Culture is a sense of belonging.  Diversity in his opinion are the characteristics that define your individuality and highlight the wonder of differences.  

I then spoke with my niece who was home visiting from college.  To her culture was expansion.  Her perspective on culture had alot to do with the levels of cultural identity.  She felt that one's culture was the parameters to their being but their chosen identities pinpointed the importance of cultural differentiation.  Within one's own culture the determining of the importance of certain traditions is what keeps a culture flowing and in existence.  

So far the resources that have been presented in this course represent many of the perspectives like the ones I have shared today.  I believe that diversity and differences are beautiful and the sooner we can teach that to our children the better off we will all be. 

week 2 - Perspectives on Diversity

 If I was told that I had to leave my home with only three things I would choose my collection of pictures, my grandmothers china and my mothers opal necklace.  My pictures could tell the story of my life and well as all I love.  My grandmother was a very important part of my life.  She came over to American when she was 24 with 3 children 2 weeks before Hitler took over Latvia.  Her china made it through the treacherous boat ride and has always been a staple at any holiday meal for as long as I can remember.  My mothers opal necklace is over 40 years old.  Since I was a very little girl I can always remember loving the necklace.  When I graduated college she gave it to me.  It means the world to me.  If I was told that I would have to give these things I would be devastated.  Being taken away from your home is tragic enough, but when you have to give up a piece of your hope that is when a soul can be broken. 

week 8

Over the last 8 weeks my knowledge has expanded immensely when it came to the early childhood research. I never realized just how much work goes into to conducting a study that is reliable and valid.  

I learned that research is about uncovering and enabling the emergence of new understandings, insights and knowledge . The road to an effective outcome is always embedded in the research that is involved.   This is especially true when it comes to young children and their families.

I believe that there certain studies where societal benefits from subjecting children to greater than minimal risks.  Risk/Benefit equation in terms of a research study has to with the variables surrounding the study. The greater the benefit a study can possibly have , a possible higher risk is acceptable. Even if the research was very valuable, possible risks must always be taken into consideration and evaluated.   Millions of people die each year from Cancer.  If there were a study where the possibility of perhaps understanding the different variables of the disease and could possibly lead to iradication then certain risks would be warranted.  When discussing the risk/benefit equation it is important to always calculate and evaluate any possible risks and consequences.  

I learned that research studies are only as good as the design.  

The last 8 weeks have furthered my understanding of the architecture of how to effectively set up a research study.  I am now aware of the different variable that need to be put into place in order for a study to be successful.  

week 5 - International Research

International Research

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice. EECERA is a non-profit organization, wholly-owned and subscribed to by its substantial and influential world-wide membership. It generates its own revenue, receives no external funding and thus ensures its independence, radical attitude and innovative openness.   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.   

Some of the current international research topics include Outdoor play and learning, Diversity in the early childhood education and appropriation of symbolic skills in 5 years old. 

The are many new facts that I learned from reviewing EECERA web page.  There is a Conference that is hosted in a different European city each year by a local university or early years network and to encourage networking and cross-national collaborations, includes a full social program. The local knowledge and the EECERA organizational structure mean that each conference is unique but of consistent quality.   The next conference will be in Estonia in August 2013.  It will be discussing the important issues of values, culture and contexts.   I as well became exposed to one of the most respected journals in the early childhood field.  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.    It consists of all pertinent research studies in correlation with effective early childhood development. 

Wk 3 - Research Experience

When I was 8 years old my best friend was diagnosed with leukemia.  At first thinks were not looking very good for her.  Then her parents were told about a new research study that was testing a new medication.  There were many risks involved but after careful review her parents decided that she could be a participate.  I remember the medication made her very sick but she still came to school as often as she could.  During an assembly one day she got up in front of the whole school and explained what was going on.  She discussed all aspects of her illness and the research study she was a part of.  She was so brave.  In the end the medication did help her and today she is raising her own daughter.  The trials and results of the study offered tangible hope to many that were afflicted with the same disease.   Many people are alive today because of that initial study.

6163 Critical Research week 2

Research has proven that play is such an important part of a child’s development.  Play in the classroom helps a child to explore their inner most and feelings a safe and effective way.  I would like to further research the correlation between play and effective early childhood development.  Three sub topics that I would research would be the following.   The first one would discuss the  how play helps children to develop effectively in all aspects.   The second sub topic would delve into effective ways to implement play into your classroom curriculum.  The third sub topic would discuss gender roles in correlation to play and development.

            I think that is very important that play is a part of every early childhood program.  Research has shown that play is an integral part to healthy development.  Some early childhood programs have incorporated a straight structured curriculum that focuses on future achievement tests. Incorporating play in a multi sensory curriculum seems to some to be a waste of time.   Administrators and families are concerned with their children learning the foundations of reading, writing and arithmetic.  These beliefs have been proven to not be true.  Neurologically speaking it is through play that children learn about themselves and their worlds around them.  This is when real life issues and situations becomes processed and compartmentalized in a way that understanding and coping are enhanced.  These understandings become the foundation for future learning no matter the environment.   The results from this study can serve as statistical data showing just how important it is to have a diversified curriculum that includes all avenues of expression.