Early Childhood in Australia

            I explored Early Childhood in Australia (http://www.earlychildaustralia.org.au/). This organization is the equivalent to the United States organization, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The website provides early childhood professionals with a Code of Ethics which reads like a pledge. The Code of Ethics values respect, democracy, honesty, integrity, justice, courage, inclusivity, social and cultural responsiveness, and education.

Early Childhood Australia also provides it members with journals, magazines, and newsletters. The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) focuses on early childhood research, innovation, and development. Some of the current research topics were moral and social development; attachment theory; play based learning; and the physical environment and early learning. Their main early childhood magazine, Every Child, spotlights issues on health, education, and social trends in the early childhood field.

I found their Research in Practice Series to be very interesting. This publication focuses on the “hands-on” aspects of early childhood. It offers its readers new approaches to challenging issues within the care and education of young children. Some of the research topics include assessment; resilience; learning and teaching through play; engaging families; and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The Everyday Learning Series provides its readers with suggestions on how to create positive learning environments for young children. This resource is geared towards parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Some of its topics include feelings; promoting positive behavior; managing change; storytelling; and confidence and coping skills.

I enjoyed exploring this organization. It would have been nice if some of the resources were not so costly. One of the books in the Everyday Learning Series cost around $16. I think that such a valuable resource should be more accessible and less costly to families.

My Dream Study

If I had the means and the knowledge to conduct a full research study I would focus on lupus and young children. As an adult with lupus, I know the symptoms and the seriousness of the illness. My research study would not only help children, it may help adults suffering from the disease as well.

 Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body such as the kidneys, lungs, or heart). Although many different parts of the body can be affected, sometimes only one or two organs or organ systems will be involved. Lupus is the same disease in children as it is in adults.

This research study will benefit the children with lupus, the adults with lupus, and their families. Lupus is a very serious illness and this study could possibly lead to a cure, which is unavailable at this time. I know people are hard trying to find a cure for illness now; I would just like to give them a hand. Many do not know about lupus. The more people know, hopefully the more they would want to help the cause.

For more information, you can check out www.lupus.org

Week 2 - Personal Research Journey

            Hey everyone! So, I am now in the 2^nd week of my new course – Building Research Competencies. Everyone taking this course will be conducting a research simulation. I have never conducted a research study before, nor have I ever been a participant in one. I am nervous but excited to conduct this simulation. A lot of valuable information can be learned through research studies. In the week and a half that I have been in this course, I have learned new vocabulary and techniques involving research. However, I am glad that I will not be alone on this research journey. I am looking forward to learning from my new professor and my colleagues during this simulation and throughout this course.

            My chosen topic for the simulation is play. If you have been following my blogs throughout my journey through grad school, you should have seen a few blogs written on play. I love play! I think that everyone, no matter their age, needs to have time throughout their day just to play. Little children learn a vast amount of information and skills through play. They acquire social skills, language skills, and problem solving skills, just to name a few. After reading through our text on early childhood research, I have realized that my topic of play may be a bit too broad (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). However, I am still very interested on what can also be learned about education and play.

            The simulation process thus far has been slightly overwhelming and frustrating. Picking a topic was easy, but narrowing my topic was difficult. I tried doing research to see what has already been done and the information (or on some sites, lack of) has been overwhelming and frustrating. I also do not know how I am going to conduct a study during the summer because I do not have access to group of children. This simulation will definitely be challenging.

            If anyone has any advice, please share. If you are interested in learning about a certain subject and play, please share. As I stated earlier, I am looking forward to gleaning any information I can from my colleagues throughout this course. It is also my hope that I will be able to share information with you and provide you with assistance when possible.

Resources

 

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.