When I Think of Research

When I think of Research…

            When I think of research, I think about a scientific investigation. Research is a process of collecting and analyzing information to increase our understanding of the phenomenon under study (Mac Naughton, Rolfe & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). I have learned that research gives early childhood practitioners and policy makers’ essential knowledge to use in making decisions on behalf of young children and their families.

            When planning and conducting research in early childhood, it is important to think about ethics-risks benefits. Methodological and ethical issues involving children must take certain issues unto consideration, such as informed consent and the confidentiality of data. There are three ethical issues in relation to conducting research with children. They are power relations, informed consent and confidentiality.

            A challenge I encountered was deciding on a topic for research. I met this challenge through conducting research about early childhood development and reading early childhood journal articles. Ideas of doing research were applied to solve questions that I had about children early learning experiences. I was able to relate it to everyday life as an Early Childhood Manager for a Head Start program.

            As a result of this course my perception about the early childhood field has been enhanced. There is a great wealth of literature on early childhood development. Topics allow the early childhood professional and researchers to examine links between schooling and academic environment and the child’s overall development as well as more specific aspects of growth and learning.

            I like to thank my colleagues for their insights about research competencies. I look forward to continuing this journey with each of you.

Reference

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A. & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research:

International perspectives on theory and practice (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Research Around the World

I chose to explore available research from European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).  European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research one early childhood and its applications to policy and practice.

            Some current international research topics include Birth to Three, Equity and Respect for Diversity, Leadership and Integration, Leadership Mentoring for Early Years Services, Learning and Participation, Mathematics Birth to Eight Years, Outdoor Play and Learning, Professionalism in Early Childhood education and Care, Transitions, Young Children’s Perspectives, and Working with Parents and Families.

The purpose of Birth to Three Special Interests Group (SIG) is bringing together international perspectives on children birth to three to promote the well-being of children birth to three, and their families, explore and debate emerging curricula and pedagogy, in relation to children birth to three, strengthen understanding of integrated services for children and their families. 

The principal aims of (EECERA) are to provide a relevant academic forum in Europe for the promotion, development and dissemination of high quality research into early childhood education, to facilitate collaboration and cooperation  between European researchers in this field and the wider early childhood community across the world, to encourage the learn articulation and communication of the links between research, practice and policy, to offer interaction, development and support to those interested in early childhood education, and to raise the visibility and status of European research in early childhood education throughout the world.

Reference

European Early Childhood Education Research Association. Retrieved from

http://www.eecera.org