When I Think of Research...

In this class I have learned many useful insights about research in early childhood development. One thing that I learn and that I find most valuable is that research has many forms and steps that have to  be followed to ensure that all work is ethical and valid. Another topic that I enjoyed discussing was triangulation. This term is used when evaluating and ensuring that a research has validity.

Pertaining to my nature of doing research this still is not one of my favorite aspects of early childhood development. Even though it is not my favorite I truly understand now through this class that it is important and serves as a life line for future and current professionals in the early childhood field.

The most valuable lesson I have learned is constructing a reseach design. This topic focus on planning, designing, and conducting research. It is the foundation of any research and is very important when researching any topic. I encountered many challenges in this class. My main challenge was expounding on my thought within my research. Also writing a research question and producing a research form it. I feel that these encounters have drawn me closure to my teacher because through our relationship she has walked me through each step to ensure successful papers. I have realized through this class that as early childhood professionals we wear many hats. Research is an additional hat that we were and its is a vita role that we play.

Research Childhood Austrialia

Early Childhood Australia

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

International Research Topics:
1. Moral and social development
2. Attachment theory and primary caregiving
3. Multicultural education
4. Play-based learning and intentional teaching in early childhood contexts.

While viewing this website I ran across one article of the many that gave lots of vital information about literacy development. This article was entitled " Bridges to literacy: early routines that promote late school success". One insight that I learned from this article was that reading to babies ensures both relational and literacy development skills. Also in this article it stated "30% of parents say they don't read to their preschoolers even once a week (Rosenkeetter & Barton, 2002, p. 34). This insight informed the me about the importance of literacy development in early childhood.

On this website under "About Us" there is a tab "About Australian Early Childhood" it discuss who they work with. This foundation pairs with government officials, early childhood professionals, families in the communities, and various peak organizations. One of their issues that they advocate are children's rights.

This website was very interesting and allowed be to get a view of what is going on in the early childhood field in Australia.


References

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Rosenkoetter & Carton, 2002. "Bridges to literacy: early routines that promote late school success". www.zerotothree.org