Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I came across this article http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2008/09/early-programs-isaacs while looking for information for another class. I did not use the article for the other class because it was not what I was looking for; however, I did read the article because I found it interesting. The main focus of this research study was to examine the impact on early childhood programs and children over a span of 24 years. One study actually went to children who reached 40. The results of the study showed a positive impact on children and their families in many areas. “Most early childhood interventions also have had positive impacts on children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes, including long-term reductions in criminal behavior. There also is some evidence of improvements in children’s health and safety, and some programs have had positive effects on the children’s parents” (Isaacs & Roessel, 2008). One of the things that I loved about the results of this research study is the fact that the findings will be used “to provide policy-makers with a user-friendly summary of up-to-date, high-quality evidence on several early childhood interventions and their impact on children and families” (Isaacs & Roessel, 2008). This is in hopes that more funding will be available for expanding future early childhood programs state and nationwide.

 

Isaacs, J., & Roessel, E. (2008, September). Impacts of early childhood programs. Bookings. Retrieved from http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2008/09/early-programs-isaacs

My Personal Research Journey

I have started to research how and why different curriculums are chosen for the early childhood field. I would like to know what type of research is done and if teachers are considered during the process. Teachers spend the majority of the day with the children and in the agencies I have worked for, they are not given time daily for planning like in the public school. This will affect the way teachers complete paperwork on each child; not giving a true individual plan based on children’s needs. My 3 subtopics include how a curriculum is chosen, the proper or improper use of curriculums and what is expected of teachers when using different curriculums.

I chose these topics because I work with a curriculum that maybe good for the children in the classroom; however, it seems to be overwhelming for teachers and the work is not being done correctly. If the work is not being completed correctly it defeats the purpose of using the curriculum. Teachers need to be able to complete the work and submit data on a daily basis. If there is too much to do, teachers are just using one observation for an entire class. This is not creating a plan that is individualized for each child; so many children may not be receiving the instruction that they need for learning. I have also found that if teachers are completing paperwork correctly it is because they are doing it during teaching time and just allowing children to do what they want so they can jump on the computer to get work done. Either way the children are the ones who will suffer.

I have found a site that I think will help with my research process, but I have just really started exploring it. You can reach it here https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/eecd/Curriculum/Planning/HowToChooseaP.htm

I would love to hear any ideas, comments, or insights regarding curriculums and teachers so please leave comments.

 

Final Blog Post For Issues and Trends

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field that pertain to my professional and personal development include being aware of the issues of poverty across the globe and how it affects children and their learning, how some countries are trying to include technology into learning to help increase learning and skills, and how the importance of the early childhood field is growing around the world and how different countries are trying to improve learning for pre-school children.

One goal for early childhood relating to international awareness of issues and trends and collegial relations would be to continue to explore the web sites that I have been for the past 8 weeks and keep myself attentive to the issues and trends that I have been exploring. Changes in this field are constant, and for me to be completely in tune with all that is going on I need to keep myself alert and aware of all aspects of early childhood, not just here, but around the world. I would like to continue to receive newsletters and blogs from the sites that I already do and continue to read up on issues and trends at least once a week so that I am conscious of all the changes and problems that arise in the early childhood field.