Research Around the World

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3401029.htm

For this weeks blog, Research Around the World I chose to look at Early Childhood Australia at http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/. This Australian website is equal to that of the United States version of the NAEYC. I found so many interesting topics to read but the one that fascinated me is the news article Mixed blessings from new childcare rules. I have included the link to the Australian broadcast. This article discusses how their Federal government new rules demand childcare centers employ more staff and that these staff members are better qualified. Early Childhood advocates agree that it is a huge step forward towards a brighter future. In this article some feel that this will become a financial hardship and the price increases will create problems for parents and ratepayers. Others disagree as they say it will only increase to 3 dollars a day which is less than a cup of coffee and the better care out weighs the hardship. I also was interested in another argument presented and that is with more care providers the stress on the current staff is decreased. I will be interested d to see how this all pans out in the future it might be something the United States could examine and implement if it is a successful plan.

Resources:

Early Childhood Australia:  http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Mixed blessings from new childcare rules: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3401029.htm

Research that Benefits Children and Families

I would like to share positive research study that myself and my child were apart of. We participated in a literacy study that focused on urban area and a rural area which targeted three and four year old children. This program is called the SPARK Ohio reading initiative to improve children’s social emotional abilities, identify the needs of and challenges of children and the community before they enter kindergarten, improve parent’s abilities to educate their children. While my child participated, each month she had the opportunity to work one on one with a Spark teacher they would read a book, and then do an activity that was tied to the book. My daughter looked forward to seeing her Spark teacher monthly. I completed surveys that would ask an array of questions and I would mail my survey to the researchers. We participated in the program for three years they even followed her into her first year of kindergarten. As I good the SPARK Ohio program I see that they are supported by many different sponsors and they have expanded their program to five different counties. I am proud that I was on the research end of the program because they are now able to serve so many children that will hopefully have the same experiences as we did.

MY PERSONAL RESEARCH JOURNEY

            So many topics to be explored and how fast eight weeks will fly by. I have toggled back and forth with a variety of topics and have chosen to explore- The Social and Emotional Effects on Early Learners of the NO Child Left Behind Act.
I chose this topic as I find myself working with students of a variety of developmental different stages. I have students that are physically and cognitively ready for a school readiness program and then I have others that lack verbal skills, they are physically challenged, and behaviorally challenged. I find myself constantly working with the students who have needs and unfortunately not spending as much time with my typically developing learners. I leave my class feeling as if they were short changed which brings me to my topic as I want to know are they the ones being left behind because they don't have the opportunity to build relationships with the teacher like the other children who require more attention.I am looking forward to gaining knew insight on this topic over the next eight weeks. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions from anyone.