When I Think of Research

When I Think of Research

I believe that my simulation is important to the field of early childhood because, knowing how poverty effects children academics helps us to better work with them, and help them become successful in life. As educators it is important that we encourage our kids and help them to understand that it is not all about fashion and the latest trends, because they are plenty of "fashionable" children, but what do they know? It is also important that we build the confidence of those who live in poverty so that they know they are able to succeed just as the richest child in the class is able to succeed. You have to give children of poverty extra care and constantly build their self-esteem because they may not always get it at home. This is why I feel that my research simulation is important because it give guidance eon how to help children of poverty become successful in academics. 

Conducting the simulation proposal would benefit the children, the parents, the educators, and anyone who deals with the child on a daily basis. This simulation is not only for educators and parents, but for any and everyone who deals with the child(en) because they all need to learn and understand the importance of how poverty really effects education, especially minorities because the have more to fight for. It is imperative that we all work together to help a child succeed and not become another statistics that can go down in someone's research. 

There were times when I went back and forth with myself if rather I wanted to continue this road of early childhood because of the constant changes and unsupport from politics and sometimes parents, but I quickly realized that they do not have someone who will constantly push them to strive for better and constantly push them then they, too will fall by the wayside. This is why I have decided to push myself along with the kids I serve because they need someone who will help them become better and successful and build that self-esteem that all things are possible, no matter where what the current situation is. 

I really appreciate all the comments that were left to my blog, because they helped to make my blogs better and better by the week. I wish you all the best in the future and once again, thanks!

Research Around the World

Research Around the World

Sub-Sahara Africa

The website that I chose to research was Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). My reasoning for choosing this topic was to discover how children in sub-Saharan Africa were benefiting from the Early Childhood Development University. In the past 17 years, the school has had major success in achieving high completion rates. Year one – 90%, year two – 96%, year three – 100%. The graduates of the program had nothing but positive things to say about the program, and said that they will highly recommend it to others of the Sub-Sahara area. The purpose of The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Sahara Branch is to address ECD capacity building and leadership development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). 

The overall purpose of the Early Childhood Development Virtual University program is to  promote and further develop ECD leadership capacity as a key strategy in support of child, family and community well-being and broader social and economic development. This is why the program is so highly favored among those in the sub-Sahara region because it makes a difference for their people and helps to give them avenue to better beginnings. The research conducted by the students is very helpful in giving insight into the problem and conditions in the countries in which they live.

Research and its Benefits for parents and/or family

Research of Academic Success of Children in Poverty

The topic of discussion that I would choose to focus my research on is The Academic Success of Children in Poverty. My reasoning for choosing this topic is because many children who live in poverty are either failing, taking remedial classes or dropping out completely. This is why I feel that it is important that we research this topic so that we can figure out different solutions of helping children who suffer from poverty remain successful in academics throughout life. Every child in poverty are not failing in academics, but some educators like to out bad apples with good apples and not even attempt to help those who can. This topic that I chose will help both children and families to realize that just because everything is not going good at home, you are still able to make something out of yourself, no matter what anyone says different.

The positive contributions for families and children on the topic of Academic Success of Children in Poverty would be that it will give them the encouragement to keep striving and also that all hope is not lost. In the research there will be studies that show the link between poverty and how it affects academics, and the ways in which it affects academics. Once children and families start seeing the numbers and reading the stories about the different teachers, lawyers, doctors, counselors, etc., who had to overcome poverty to make their dreams a reality and success, they too will see that they can accomplish whatever they set their mind too.

My Simulation Topic

All three subtopics that I chose for this course are ones that explain how poverty plays a role in the lives of families and the children in those families. But the topic that I chose to focus on more for this course is Poverty and how its effects on families and children. The reason that I chose to make this topic the focus for this course is because as an early childhood educator, I see a lot of children who suffer from poverty and do not have all of their needs met. There have been children in my class who have came to school with dirty clothes or the same clothes from a few days before. But it is not for me to judge them or their families, but instead give them the resources needed so that they can help the child gain confidence and pride. 

The research chart was a good learning tool because it helped to give me insights on how to conduct research on my topic throughout this course, and also have to decipher between the needed information and non-needed information. This is why I thoroughly completed the assignment because I knew that this is what had to be done in order to have successful research skills. The discussions thus far has taught me about the importance of fine details, rather it is a article or website make sure it is a resource that is compute. 

My advice to you all, if looking for any, would be to really utilize the Walden Library. I have tried finding scholarly articles on my own through google, but not so successful.  Also the scholar.google is a very great to and I am glad that the professor recommended it to us. 

Because I am new to being a researcher, is there any advice that can be given on where to start on how to make researching successful? Do you think that my topic is a good topic to begin with or is it to broad?

International Professional Goals

International Professional Goals

Learning about early childhood at an international level is beneficial for professionals because it helps us to know how to help others. The three consequences that I experienced from learning about the international early childhood field is that once you become involved, it's hard to let go. Every week I longed for podcast and readings that enlightened me about what is done in other countries so that I can learn and incorporate them into the classroom. The second consequence that I felt was on a personal level, and this was that the children in third world countries receive a better lifestyle and education. These children deserve the best opportunities that they can get, and it saddens my heart that they do not have the access to quality education. The third consequence is that the international early childhood field allows us to become more involved with ourselves and our community. When we begin to look at the lives of others and how they live it makes us better people to help ourselves.

The goal for international issues is that others can become major contributors to a country and help them develop so that we all can become internationally successful. When we all help each other, we see what each person has and how it can benefit us. This is why we all need to work together and not against each other, and think about the children and families who could benefit from the advancement of other countries. 

I really enjoyed this course and all the websites and readings that came along with it. I have never been so involved with international studies, and now that I have been enlightened, I will gladly continue my studies in International early childhood studies. 

Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

Professional Goals, Hopes, and Dreams

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

      Where I live, the issues being discussed regarding quality is that the professionals do their job in a proper manner in which is pleasing to the parents.  Some professionals could care less of the feelings of the child and/or parents and this issue affects the quality of the professionals and the work that they produce. Where I work, the issues being discussed are privacy and how it effects the confidentiality of families. When we as early childhood professionals talk among ourselves, or tell parents information regarding other children and professionals, it weakens the quality of the professional field. This is why it is important that early childhood professionals, we keep information regarding our families confidential because we never know who is listening and who knows who.

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

         When a professional practices professional development, it leads to them giving their very best to that child and their family. We early childhood teachers conduct themselves in a professional manner, it allows for other to see your glow and doors become opened that you never knew existed.

What are some of your professional goals?

       My professional goals consist of becoming employed with the states "Bright From the Start" program in which they manage all Pre-K over Georgia and the Quality Rated accreditation program. Working with Bright From the Start is a goal because it means that I am able to give back to the programs in which I currently work and help them become more developed to help those in low-income families and prepare them for Kindergarten. If I am not able to become employed with "Bright From the Start" my next choice will be a program in Georgia called Babies Can't Wait, where they work with children who are developmentally delayed. They work in the homes of their clients and help them accomplish developmental milestones that they have not yet mastered. Both programs are beneficial to the development of children in order for them to be successful and ready for preschool and kindergarten.

What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?

     The challenge that I can see right now is not be able to reach my potential because of experience, but my hopes and dreams are that someone would take into consideration all that I have accomplished thus far, which is more than most my age have. Although I may not have been on jobs long, I still learned a lot from all of my experiences, which can help to take me a long way in my future endeavors.

Walden University M.S. in Early Childhood Studies

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National Center for Children in Poverty

For the past few weeks, whenever we have been asked to discuss our websites it has been predominantly about what their mission and expectations are for the poor. I am glad to be able to focus on a different aspect of the website and the other benefits that they have to offer for those who are poor or living in poverty. 

NCCP has blogs that help others to better understand the situation of the poor and needy. One of the blogs I chose to read was "Why Do We Expect Food Stamp Users to Make Perfect Food Choices?" The blog explained how others viewed SNAP participants because of their choice to make unhealthy choices in food and drinks. It also said that the reasoning behind these poor choices stem from the convenience of the grocery stores. Participants of SNAP are on SNAP for a reason, and this is because they are living in poverty, and they have to buy cheap. Everyone knows that if it's cheap, it is not good for you. 

The section that I chose to dig deeper into was the newsroom. The newsroom gives insight into what the NCCP will be working on throughout the year, and where they plan to go into the future. The NCCP has news that enlightens its readers on what is going on with the organization and how they can be a contributor to helping them grow as they help those in poverty.

The newsletter for this month focus on the undergrad interns that worked with NCCP this summer. Their mission is to help fight poverty in America and improve the public health for those who live in poverty. One is a graduate of the public health community and the others are still studying public health in their junior years of college. 

The main focus of this website was ways to help those who are in poverty and to give statistics of the poor and poverty rates. I would say that the website helped my understanding in the equity segment because it explains that no matter the race, shape, or size poverty has no particular person. It has no reference to the educational point. 

The insight that I gained from this website is that they are dedicated to helping those who are poor and in poverty and providing them with avenues for a better life.