Research that Benefits Children and Families

There are many topics that came to mind when trying to find a topic that I would like to have the means and knowledge to conduct a research on. One that struck my attention despite the fact that it has been the study for many years is “Parenting Styles, and its impact in Delinquency. As everything evolves and changes, so have parenting styles need to change in order to adapt to the different needs of young children.

We have various types of parenting styles such as Authoritative, Rewarding, Inductive, and Authoritarian. Many articles have examined the association between harsh discipline practices and negative outcomes, such as aggression and delinquency. Authoritarian parenting was associated with more delinquency, while authoritative with less delinquency.

I believe that the findings of my research will reinforce the importance parenting has in the present and future well being of the children and future adults. It is of vital importance that society realizes how vital it is to proper care for their children in order to avoid future problems as they become adults.

Your Personal Resouch Journal

Among the various issues that I have found important interesting and relevant to research, in regards to early childhood and its impact in the development of a child is “Parent Involvement”. These are the subtopics I would like to focus on:

a)    The influence “Parent Involvement” has in the student’s achievement

b)    Ways to foster “Parent Involvement”

c)    Reasons why “Parent Involvement” declines as children get older

d)    The impact Male/Dads participation has in the child’s school achievement

The reason why I choose this topic is because; I have observed the lack of participation from the parents in the education of their children. I worked for many years in the field of early childhood for a head start program, and I have seen very little if noon improvement of the parents involvement in the various events, meeting and conferences. It seems that parent involvement is been placed at the end of parents list due to various reasons that I would like to research. As a working mom with 3 children and going to school I can relate to many of the parents that find it difficult to participate in their child’s school, but at the same time I  can say that it is not impossible if you try and prioritize your numerous commitments for the better of your children current and future education. I have also come across those parents that do not understand the importance their predication has in the development of their child and how it can impact their future achievement.

I would really appreciate any insights you may have regarding this topic, experiences or thoughts. If you have any good resources you would like to share that will provide me with valuable information that I could use n my research of “Parent Involvement”.  Have found some articles that I would like to share with you in regards to this topic:

Resources:

Article: Graue, Elizabeth; Clements, Melissa A.; Reynolds, Arthur J.. Education Policy Analysis Archives, v12 n72 Dec 2004. (EJ853535) More than Teacher Directed or Child Initiated: Preschool Curriculum Type, Parent Involvement, and Children’s Outcomes in the Child-Parent Centers. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Research Database.

Article: Webster-Stratton, Carolyn; Reid, M. Jamila; Stoolmiller, Mike. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, v49 n5 p471-488 May 2008. (EJ812883) Preventive Conduct Problems and Improving School Readiness: Evaluation if the incredible Years and Child Training Programs in High Risk Schools. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Research Database.

Final Blog Assignment

After having the opportunity to learn how other cultures view early education, as well as well as the challenges they face that are often very similar as the ones we face in our country. Among the many consequences from learning how other cultures as well as my own understand and value education, my awareness and interest has grown in regards to learning from other parts of the world. Another consequence would be being able to value the opportunities of early education that our country offers to our children and advocate for those services to continue and improve. Not all countries have this opportunity despite our need to improve the quality and equity of these. Another consequence that personally affected me by reviewing various international resources was the need to be more informed of the various issues that affect our children not only in our country, but all over the world.

One of my goals is to learn and encourage other colleagues in the field to learn from other cultures views, customs, values and needs of education in order to understand the children and families we serve that come from various parts of the world. It is easier for us to understand their issues and interests if we actually take the time to learn from them for the better of all.

Thank you to all, and good luck as dedicated professionals in the field of Early childhood Education.

Getting to know Your International Contacts - Part 3

a)    New Policy Videos

 This is a sections found in the ZERO TO THREE website that provides the  access to short policy and advocacy videos that can be used to create awareness of the various ways you can become involved in becoming an advocate for the continuing services of the various early childhood programs. Videos between 3 and 5 minutes long, such as Babies and the Budget, which explains how important the existence of quality childcare is for all the working parents in our country. It also mentions the impact that would come with the cut of these services, and the need to increase programs for all those families that are waiting for an opportunity to enroll their child in a program. Another video is titled “Stop the cuts! Babies can’t wait” and “Total Budget Amount Matters”, these two videos provide valuable information in regards to budgets granted to education since 2007 as well as the possible cuts that are seen to occur in 2011. Cuts in funding that will affect millions of families and children today.

b)    Coming Together Around Military Families

ZERO TO THREE is a proud supporter of military families working to increase awareness and collaboration throughout the military community so that parents and professionals can more effectively care for very young children and their families.

On April 12, 2011 the ZERO TO THREE joined forces with Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to support service members and their families by educating citizens, businesses, and nonprofits about the challenges that military families face and by encouraging them to take action. Supporting military families, strengthens the resilience of young children and families across all military service by increasing awareness and collaboration throughout the military community.

      c)    School Readiness Interactive

I also was able to find that the ZERO TO THREE Web contains an exclusive interactive learning tool designed to help parents and caregivers encourage their young children's early learning.
This Tool Includes

·         Core information about how children develop school readiness skills and how parents and care givers can nature and support these skills in young children.

·         Video clips that show children learning these skills through everyday interactions with their parents.

·         Parent-child activities which provide fun ideas for helping children develop school readiness skills.

·         Frequently asked questions that offer answers to common questions about learning.

Among many of my professional goals and dreams as a professional in the field of Early Childhood Education. Being an advocate, and providing the resources and knowledge for all those interested in making a change for the better of children and families.

Sharing Web Resources

As I follow some of the outside links to"ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families" website http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/ , I found some links to Early Head Start for Family Child Care Project, this project is design to implement and evaluate a replicable framework that supports a partnership between Early Head Start and family child care. This project will increase quality for low-income children in family child care homes by implementing comprehensive services that include health and social services

What I was able to find, is a list of their goals in order to improve the service of low income families and their children. Such as “Higher quality care for low-income children in family child care homes, Coordinated comprehensive services for families,  Support to increase capacity for family child care providers and Strong partnerships that support coordinated service delivery in communities”. I also was able to find a list of all the participants of this program, these programs serve more than 3,000 children, of which more than 500 are served through family child care.

This website also provides valuable information regarding online courses to child care providers, child care licensing staff and parents on quality infant and toddler care. Courses include Professional Development for Infant and Toddler Caregivers, Infant and Toddler Training for Child Care Licensing Staff and Infant and Toddler Care Training for Parents and Families. Most courses are free of charge.

As I explored the various resources available from the Zero to Three programs, I realized that there is a lot of information and resources available for parents. Resources that many of our families ignore, due to the lack of information and limited exposure of these, providing information to our parents is so important, especially if they do not have the language or resources to obtain it.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

After reviewing the Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/, a was able to obtain many information in regards to early childhood issues that I ignored as well as have the opportunity to explore this wonderful website.

One important insight that I learned is the mission that the Center on the Developing Child has. It believes that all society depends on the amount of positive experiences providing to children as soon as they are born. These experiences will help them develop at their fullest, as well as to become responsible and productive adults and members of our society. They strongly believe that a healthy child development is that foundation of a countries economic prosperity as well as society. Among the things they are committed is to prepare current and future leaders to make science-based policy decisions, create an understanding on how to reduce preventable disparities in well being, creating and conducting effective science-based policies.

A second insight I gained was on the effects chemicals have in the development of fetus. Toxic substances have the capacity to disrupt the development of all of the body’s organ system. The nature and severity of the disruption depend upon the type of substance, the level and duration of exposure, and most important on the timing during the developing process (Harvard University). These toxins can weaken the structure of the brain resulting in permanent impairments that can impact the child’s learning, behavior, and health. Currently each year between 2000 to 3000 new chemicals are brought the United States, and only 43% chemicals are tested for human toxicity, and only 7% have been evaluated for their potential effects on development.

The last insight I gained was on a community psychologist Hirokazu Yoshkawa, his expertise revolves around improving the lives of children and families. He is a professor of education from Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and a Center-affiliated faculty member. As a member of the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs, he co-leads the team that is building the nation’s most comprehensive database of early childhood program evaluation studies. Yoshikawa also studies early childhood development internationally, conducting a project on the development of young children and adolescents in Nanjing, China, as well as evaluating a program for young children in Santiago, Chile known as Un Buen Comienzo (UBC). He has been conducting research in early childhood development since the early 1990s, well before his arrival at Harvard in 2006. His job is good example of what many of us could do and promote all around the world, improving early childhood services is a growing interest in many countries of the world.

Sharing Web Resources

The specific section that seemed particularly relevant as it reinforces current issue that we are discussing in regards to the importance of supporting children and their families, in order to ensure a better future adults and member of our society. This section titled "Infant-Toddler Policy Agenda",  promotes good health, strong families and positive early learning experiences. It starts with an overview of the importance of focusing our attention on babies, why it is critical such as its impact on brain development and its impact on language, cognition, social emotional and physical development. This section also shares insights from investigations done by leading economist Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate and Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. These investigations lead to the value of investing in early childhood programs, as soon as possible, because for every dollar invested you can expect savings up to $3.78 to $17.07. Apart from these savings you will have reduced crime, abuse, neglect, and welfare dependency while increasing educational performance and job training, what will eventually lead to higher income and a more productive workforce.

After hearing this information again and again, it has made me see how important our role really is as advocates for the children and their families. I have always valued the work that as early childhood professionals we do with the children and the families we serve, but I never actually stopped to think in the enormous impact that we have on these children and how we support parents in providing their children with the foundations of early learning. I also see how important the need of advocating for these programs in order for them to continue and improve their services by advocating for those that can't speak, and finding others that can join and support our mission,by presenting this to policy makers and other government representatives.

As, I learn more about the work 0 to 3 programs and their services among infants, toddlers and their families. I am able to understand the how valuable and necesary their sercice is among our children, according to the state efforts to expand or enhance access to Early Head Start services, a Federal Early Head Start program was created to help reduce the disparities caused by poverty by supporting the healthy development of expectant mothers and low income infants and toddlers. However, less than 3 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for Early Head Start are currently receiving services, because of the limited funds supporting this program.