Saturday, June 29, 2013

When I think of research


I have learned great insights about research from taking this course. I have a greater respect for research and researchers.  I have gained insight to the process of research. I have learned how to develop research in order to solve and/or understand.  It begins with a topic and then refined to sub topics and narrowed to a specific question.

I have no really desire to be a researcher. I feel that in early childhood we research daily to provide developmentally appropriate lesson plans and individualize to the needs of the children.  In my opinion, I feel as research is very important to young children, their families, and people who care about their well-being. Research provides new knowledge and understanding to issues that affect early childhood.

Before completing this course, research was something that I read when needed to help a child or family. Since taking this class, I feel that I have gained a better understanding how to read and apply research.  It gave me insight as to how difficult designing a research project is through our simulation.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course. As we continue to learn in our field I truly appreciate the efforts of past, present and future researchers.

As this course comes to an end, I would like to thank my colleagues for their support, comments, and encouraging words throughout this course. Thank you and good luck to you all.
 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Research Around the World


 

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) is an independent, self-governing international association that promotes research in early childhood. It is a nonprofit that has a worldwide membership. It shares information on traditional early childhood thoughts and explores new ideas in the ever changing world of early childhood. They hold the largest early childhood conference in Europe.

The first article that I found was “Introducing children's perspectives and participation in research”. It discusses that young children have the competence to engage in research that they important thoughts and communicate well on behave of children about their world. The next article was about 0-3, Understanding children from 0 to 3 years of age and its implications for education. What’s new on the babies’ side? Origins and evolutions.  I really liked this website and association it seems very much like our National Association Education for Young Children (NAEYC).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Harcourt, Deborah & Einarsdottir,  (Johanna 2011): Introducing children'sperspectives and participation in research, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 19:3, 301-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2011.597962

Rayna, Sylvie & Laevers, Ferre (2011): Understanding children from 0 to 3 years of age and its implications for education. What's new on the babies' side? Origins and evolutions, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 19:2, 161-172. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2011.574404