Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

 

I chose to focus on the website, Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children, the Australian equivalent of the United States, National Organization for the Education of Young Children organization. A few of the research articles listed on the sight were: Developing Social and Emotional Skills (https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/professional-learning/developing-childrens-social-and-emotional-skills ), Sign Posts for Building Better Behavior (https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/programs/signposts-building-better-behaviour ) and Managing Life’s Ups and Downs (https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/about-emotions/managing-life%E2%80%99s-ups-and-downs/ups-and-downs-resources-families-and )

 

 What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

 

One insight that I gained is that many of the common early childhood issues we are dealing with in the United States are also being dealt with in Australia. Dealing with difficult childhood behaviors, separation anxiety and stress among parents and care givers.

 

 

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

 

This website was very informative and easy to navigate. One thing I thought was interesting was that they hold a “Live Wire Forum” focused on educating teachers how to use and utilize technology in the classroom. I found this very impressive. Technology is a big part of our everyday lives, it is important that teachers understand how it can help accelerate learning.

 

References

Early Childhood Australia http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

After doing some research online for this week’s blog assignment, I found a great example of research involving children with a very positive outcome! The article that came across, Promoting Social Behavior of Young Children in Group Settings: A Summary of Research (Dunlap and Powell 2009), explains the positive effects of preparing typically developing children to interact with “Focus Children”-children with social and emotional behavior problems. In this experiment, the typically functioning child was coached by the teacher on how to how to initiate interactions with the focus child, what to say and how to say it. Dozens of studies, including this one, with children described as exhibiting behavior and conduct disorders and autistic have demonstrated that this basic approach can be effective in increasing social responses by the focus children and also in promoting the focus chil­dren’s initiations with other child interactions (e.g., Odom et al., 1999; Ragland, Kerr, & Strain, 1978; Strain, Shores, & Timm, 1977; Strain, Schwartz, & Bovey, 2008).

In my opinion this is an ethical way to conduct research with young children. No one is harmed and in fact both parties involved learn and gain skills from the research experiment.

I understand that inclusion and equality is important among all children, despite their differences. But, the truth is that throwing children social and behavioral issues into a room together and hoping that everyone plays together happily is not a reality. It actually does an injustice to both parties. The typically functioning children may be afraid to interact with the focus child for fear of upsetting the child. The focus child will have difficulty improving social skills if never given the chance to have peer interactions.

Giving children skills to work with peers who may interact differently than they do, will help teach them to be compassionate and caring.

This was a great article and I encourage my classmates to read it if they have a chance http://challengingbehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/do/resources/documents/roadmap_3.pdf

 

References

Dunlap & Powell 2009. Promoting Social Behavior of Young Children in Group Settings: Summary of Research, Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children, Retrieved from: http://challengingbehavior.fmhi.usf.edu/do/resources/documents/roadmap_3.pdf

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose for research simulation project is, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Young Children. I have always been interested in the nature of learning disabilities and what it is like functioning with one.

My brother was diagnosed with ADD while he was in elementary school. I remember how hard school was for him. My mother would work with him for hours after school, just trying to get through his homework assignments. She would make flash cards and charts and other tools to help him retain information. Seeing his struggle to learn and my mother’s struggle to assist him, inspired me to want to become a teacher. Seeing his progression through the support of my mother and his teachers showed me that all children can flourish when given the chance.

Of all of the learning disabilities I am familiar with, Autism Spectrum Disorder amazes me the most. I have worked with several children who have the disorder and as the name suggest, there is definitely a spectrum when it comes to the level of the disorder that the child displays. To me this disorder shows that cognitive abilities are not the only factor in a person’s ability to function in society. Autism makes it difficult for the individual to express themselves and cope in social situations. This lack of social skills makes living a completely independent life hard.

As a teacher, I would like to learn more about this disorder in order to fully guide and facilitate developmentally appropriate learning in children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If any of my colleagues has personal experience working with children who have ASD or a family member who has it, I would love to gain some personal insight. Thank You!