When I think of research.....

Before I started EDCU 6163 I knew very little about research. I realized that it takes many steps to plan an effective research study. While planning my research simulation I kept hitting dead ends. I questioned myself at every step. Research is not easy at all. Whatever you plan do in a research study has to be approved and if is wrong you have to fix it. I tip my hat to those who do research for a living. It takes countless hours reading, looking, and conducting your study. Some challenges that I kept running into was wording. I was having a hard time wording things in the way that I wanted to say them so that others could understand what I meant. To fix this challenge I talked to others that I let read over my papers. I found that if I could explain to them what was going on in my head then they could help me figure out how to word correctly. Another challenge I had when doing research was understanding. I continually became confused with the terminology of research. To understand the terminology I found myself googling words. Sometimes it took me looking at three or four definitions to finally get a word. As an early childhood professional I now see the importance of research. Research is done in such a way that it benefits the children. I know see that when we are told to try a new way of teaching because research has proven it works. I think after going through this course I will take the time to listen to the research and give it a chance, because I now know what it takes to go through the process.

Research Around the World- Week 5

What are some of the current international research topics?

In Africa there are a lot of motherless children due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 22.5 million people are living with HIV in the region - around two thirds of the global total. In 2009 around 1.3 million people died from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and 1.8 million people became infected with HIV. Since the beginning of the epidemic 14.8 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.” (Standley,E., 2009) A majority of the research topics center around the motherless children. People are trying to find out how these children are being cared for in orphanages. Research is also being conducted to find better curriculum in childcare. The country wants to find better ways to support families through education about AIDS no matter if it is a single parent, grandparent, or two parent house hold.

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

I found after exploring this sight that the people in the Sub-Saharan Africa have many of the same problems that we here in America have. They have to deal with orphaned children. They want to improve their educational system. Educating parents is a big part of what they are trying to do. People all over the world are dealing with these same issues.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

I found that people are coming to same conclusion about childcare all over the world. “The relationship between employment and support to working families for better childcare can no longer be ignored. As we become more aware of human rights there is a need to appreciate and respect humanity by recognizing what goes into nurturing a ‘whole’ human being right from the start that will contribute to national development. The cost of child rearing should be given due priority in all sectors. There is a need for multisectoral collaboration in supporting families to ensure that young children get optimum care from their parents and other competent persons as their parents contribute towards national development through employment outside the home.” (Nankunda , H. C., 2004) Yet, we still have our governmental leaders turning a blind eye to the facts about early childhood.

Resources

Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), (2005) Final Major Projects and Theses. Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

Standley, E., (2009) HIV & AIDS in Africa. Retrieved from http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-africa.htm

Nankunda , H. C., (2004) Policies and Programs in Support of Childcare for Working Families: A Case Study of Data Sets and Current Activities in Uganda. Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/documents/major_projects/Nankunda%20-MP%20Final%20-%20UVic%20LP.pdf