EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DOWN UNDER:

A LOOK AT AUSTRALIA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO RESEARCH

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When looking at research studies it is important to look at professional outlooks on a global scale. This helps to see the bigger picture of discoveries that can be made possible in furthering fields such as Early Childhood. When we look at research on a global scale we find that there are MANY efforts leading toward helping contributions to child learning and developments.

This week I wanted to look at an empowering organization that seems to be supporting Early Childhood research and this exploration has led me to the website, “Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children” (n.d.). Looking down under, I wanted to focus on what current research studies were entertaining scientists and educators in regions such as Australia. “CRIKEY!” This is what I found….

The website, “Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children” (n.d.) is a resource that advocates importance of schooling, health, ambitions, insights, and support that look over parent expectations, education, policies, and child welfare (Early Childhood, n.d.). This particular resource contributes to research such as observing child behaviors and health. In their findings, they have addressed research in psychological aspects and health, to list a few... 

Young children who demonstrate fear of separation from a caregiver or fear in unfamiliar settings are known to have what is known as separation anxiety. Due to research, children who suffer from separation anxiety are likely to have social and emotional discomfort toward learning and development. But, with the help of educators and easing transition for young children, separation anxiety can wither away (Early Childhood, n.d.). Another research study I find interesting is childhood nutrition. This research suggests that children who benefit good nutrition are more likely to engage and make good decisions. Children who have poor nutrition are less motivated, struggle to concentrate, and development is not as sufficient (Early Childhood, n.d.). With good nutrition, children benefit from learning and development and they become their own leaders!

With the help and advances from research studies production in the field of Early Childhood Education offers hopes and many benefits toward child learning and development. Research gives scientists and educators ability to support and help children aspire and looks over welfare. This is not just a trend happening locally but it is happening globally which I find insightful. Knowing ALL children are looked at and supported is noteworthy.

Also, finding international organizations such as Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children (n.d.) who advocates development and health in research studies is insightful because I realize the field of Early Childhood Education is leading the way near and afar. We just have to see the prodigies on a global scale.

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au FOR MORE INSIGHTS OF THE RESEARCH TOWARD BEHAVIORS AND HEALTH.

Works Cited

Early Childhood Australia, (n.d.). Early Childhood Australia: A Voice for Young Children. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

The benefits of research that support children and families: A Look at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

I can’t help but share a recent moment I had that I find insightful toward the meaning of this blog…

It wasn’t until this blog that I did not recognize the astounding movement of research that benefits children and families. I became fully aware when I opened my mailbox just yesterday and saw a letter from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital asking for donations and giving celebration to the upcoming holidays. As some might see this as junk mail, I saw this as opportunity to really involve myself, to see what St. Jude works toward, and how they specifically benefit children and families.

This is what I found…

 According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (n.d.) their mission is to work with children who have been diagnosed with cancer, infectious diseases, or other health risks that threaten the will to live. St. Jude states that more than 80% of children who have been diagnosed with cancer have remained in remission due to extensive research and therapies (n.d.). Gathering data, identifying effects and engineering therapies have saved over a hundred thousand children’s lives for over fifty years! It is impressive thinking that research has helped so many children and families battle illnesses such as cancer in what seems like a short amount of time.

Research studies like the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is dedicated to find existing knowledge and new knowledge exploring the effects of cancer designing tools and therapies to help children fight cancer and illnesses looking over well-being (St. Jude, n.d.). CCSS also educates children, families, and professionals applying treatment and programs to detect late effects and squash cancer altogether (St. Jude, n.d.).

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital focuses on neuromuscular, neurocognitive, psychosocial activities, etc. that can benefit child treatment and recovery in part of evaluation that research offers. With the support and many different realms of research finding cures, advocating treatment and programs, and giving children hope to battle -to live- is worth sharing. 

In this blog, I want to share with my colleagues that we cannot just focus on what is in front of us (e.g. this assignment) but we must acknowledge what is given to us (e.g. mail) so that we can become more aware, give to research, and work harder in the field of Early Childhood Education so that the risk of facing threatening illnesses such as cancer that obstructs a child’s chance to live long-term is decimated. The mail that I received has led me to understanding why research is important because it is what saves lives and for me, it is what helps me endeavor my own research regardless what topic. Ultimately, it is about the benefits of children and their families.
Please check out St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online for more insight.   www.stjude.org

Work cited
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (n.d.).Retrieved from http://www.stjude.org

A Personal Journey:

Autism

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A research topic that I would like to examine and share with colleagues involves finding correlations between behavior and symptoms of Autism and how early childhood programs help Autistic children succeed the same academic excellence as others in a learning environment. I find this topic personal because of my nephew Jordan. 

Jordan is my first-born nephew. It was the first time in my life I got to hold a newborn baby, and I was officially an Aunt. I got to watch Jordan grow in the first year of his life and helping my sister, I enjoyed it so much. 

It wasn’t until Jordan started lacking motor skills, strength, emotions, and when he got older, he was fixated on sequences, patterns, shapes, and numbers. This fixation turned into OCD. At 4 years old, my sister was concerned and told me what Jordan was doing and how he was behaving. I used what I have learned with psychology and told her he may be Autistic. She took him to get evaluated, and sure enough, Jordan was diagnosed with mild Autism. Since then I have become interested in Autism, how children and adults behave, interact, and adapt. I have watched Jordan grow into such an intelligent second grader still showing signs of OCD and behavior issues, but because Jordan gets assistance at school since preschool, I want to know what it is in early childhood programs that distinguish an actual academic excellence. Does one program such as and IEP trigger more brain activity than another? Does early screening challenge the effectiveness of programs?

After watching my nephew Jordan grow into such a remarkable little boy, with personal experience, I am excited to use research to find the correlations between autism and early childhood programs that look over well-being for children and parents. I am happy to contribute my time and studies to Autism with Jordan in mind and in my heart.

                          

Here are some resources I have found that will help me in my research journey:

Boyd, B. A., Odom, S. L., Humphrey, B. P., & Sam, A. M. (2010). Infants and Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Early Identification and Early Interventions. Journal of Early Intervention, 32. DOI:10.1177/1053815110362690

Cohen-Baron, S. (1988). Social and Pragmatic Deficits in Autism: Cognitive or Affective. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18(3), 379-402.

Courchesne, E., & Karns, E. A. (2001). Unusual Brain Growth Patterns in Early Life Patients With Autistic Disorder: An MRI Study. 57(2), 245-254. DOI:10.1212/WNL.57.2.245