When I Think of Research

The research simulation examines the benefits of high-quality childcare and universal prekindergarten. I believe that this study could contribute significantly to the field of early childhood education due to the number of children enrolled in low-quality childcare centers and the lack of sufficient high-quality childcare center in many communities, cities, states, and counties. Benefits of high-quality childcare are key for parents to know and understand when looking for potential childcare for their child or children. High-quality childcare has many factors that are essential to the social, emotional, and cognitive development. This study will also outline the contributing element of high-quality childcare that parents can use to evaluate centers.

My perception of an early childhood professional has been modified by understanding the impact and influence a professional can have towards a child or children and their family. There is a significant responsibility to teach these children to the highest level in preparation for the next grade school.

Research around the world

1. What are some of the current international research topics?

From the websites provided, I choose to review the “Child research net from around the world”, and I liked it because it provided articles from all around the world about early childhood developments. I took the time to read several of the articles listed to understand better what early childhood education and development looks like in other counties and compare them to what I have learned and know about ours here in America. Some of the topics consisted of free play, effective activities, and program development.  

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

While reading the article “Fostering children emotional development in the childcare environment by providing real things” by Masayuki Sato, I liked the ways they built an exploratory area for the children to play and explore. Also, during the construction of the new area, they gave the children pieces of the equipment for them to touch and feel. The educators discussed the construction, and the materials with the children as the transformation of the new area occurred.   

Another article that I found interesting to read was “Pre-school in Senegal”. This article talked about the struggles they have with education in the country of Senegal. One of the things that stood out to me was that the educators there are posting their wages just like the many of educator here in the U.S have been. To me, it shows that it's just not an issue here in the United States, and that educators millions of miles away in a different country are fighting for the same rights.