When I Think of Research....

    


     This course has truly been an eye-opener for me! I knew very little about the mechanics of research coming into this classroom experience so basically everything was a new insight for me. I think the biggest thing I learned from this course is you can not just go into a question about Early Childhood and say, "I think I will research that." There is so much that goes into it behind the scenes as it were. For instance, making sure the children give their full consent to be a part of the study and not just their parents. To have the proper consent forms and to make sure all terms are completely understood by all involved. Is the research ethical and is it being done for the benefit of those who come after it? There are different designs and different methods to obtaining data I never heard of while looking at the logical aspects of research such as how much time will it take getting to the research area, setting up, observing, and so-on.  So for this reason all my thoughts about research has changed and, I think, for the better.  I know I need to be diligent at looking to myself within the research context asking questions such as, "why am I doing this?" or "is this ethical?". There is still so much for me to learn.
     My biggest challenge was the actual research vocabulary and what it really means. I have used every Google search I can find along with our text and resources to try and jump this hurtle. I am still struggling a bit with the terms' actual meanings but I will not give up!
     The biggest thing I take away from this course is the need for respect of those I am observing and working with in my Head Start classroom. I have always worked hard to honor each of my students and their families. After learning about power relations, the deficit model, and detecting biases I believe I will be a much more conscientious observer and evaluator when working with my students and families.





     On a side note-I also learned from this class to order your text books well in advance as mine did not come until about week five! This can also be equated with research, make sure to have all your ducks in a row before you even step in the door.

   
   

Reseach Around the World

I chose to talk about the International Early Childhood Research Program Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). I found this site extremely enlightening because there was so much to look at and I am excited to sit back and take my time to look at all it has to offer. I narrowed my search down to the http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php. site which features research papers and thesis written by students in the Sub-Sahara African continent. There were a variety of papers to choose from which addressed training programs for community volunteers of the early childhood stings, teacher training programs, family training programs (moms, dads, and grandparents), using community and indigenous materials to educate young children, and so-on. 
     The research paper which caught my eye was entitled Incorporating Indigenous Stories of Basotho in an ECCD Program At Leseli Community Centre (Ntšonyane , 1990). Though this paper is a bit dated it fits closely to my research simulation topic of teaching through music. The people of Malawi (where this study was conducted) sue folklore, songs, riddles, etc. to pass along indigenous knowledge. This are is being lost due to failing memory, and the little that is remembered is distorted or completely changed over time (Ntšonyane , 1990). Grandparents in this region used to tell these stories and, though parents might have heard them as children, the adults must work and do not have time to sit with their children to relate this custom. Children are put into daycares and preschools so this researcher thought these settings a perfect place to do the research plus bring back an age-old tradition and learning style. I do not know why I didn't put this together but listening to these methods of storytelling styles will help build literacy skills with listening skills at its base.
     One noteworthy bit of information I took away from this paper was the fact that Western way of doing and teaching was brought into this region and it is replacing a beautiful and valuable way of teaching and interacting with children which is a vital part of growing up. These stories, riddles, and songs not lonely teach listening skills but moral values as well. Could this possibly be one of the many reasons we see less and less empathy in the world? I have to say, this paper truly made me have to think of my own teaching styles.

Resource
Ntšonyane,P. (1990).  Incorporating indigenous stories of basotho in an ECCD program at leseli community centre. Retrieved from 
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php