Research

When I think of research

     Directly and indirectly I have learned a great deal. Prior to taking this class I knew very little about how to conduct research on a topic. I must say it was a challenge for me one that I am glad that I did not give up on. As I look back I now realize that research requires a great deal of detailed work.

     I would say the biggest challenge for me was trying to put into words exactly what I was trying to say. I knew what I wanted to say but how to narrow it down and come up with a topic was a challenge. With the help of Dr. Davis I was able to get on track and work towards achieving my goal. With help and support of my classmates I managed to stay positive and not give up.

     As an early childhood professional this course has taught me the importance of research especially when it comes to children. Children play an important role in research and should be viewed as participants with a voice.

     To all my classmates thank you so much you have no idea how much you encouraged me. I have enjoyed reading your discussions and receiving your comments. As we get closer to graduation I look forward to meeting you. Thanks again.

Ekikyere Nyamabondo : The Lazy Frog

     Indigenous storytelling in Uganda plays a big part in early childhood learning. Story telling is part of their education, moral beliefs, history, and culture. Story telling is so important that according to (Gamurorwa, 2004)it is used for early childhood development in their modern environment.

     Through research it was learned that fables, tricksters, tales, legends, myths and other stories are mainly told at night. Their sole purpose is for educating, entertaining and helping to shape character. Storytelling basically will have two themes good and evil.

     Although some may not view storytelling as important study shows that storytelling is very important and should be implemented in the early childhood development program. According to (Gamurorwa, 2004) storytelling in early childhood development promotes physical and social development which includes:

·         Stimulating the child

·         Comprehension

·         Verbal communication skills

·         Preparing children for their role as adults

·         Problem identification and resolution

·         Developing listening skills and improved memorization

·         Increased awareness about indigenous cultural and societal values and beliefs

·         Molding character through themes such as cleverness and intelligence, hard work and bravery, greed and corruption, care for others, discipline and good behavior, and marriage and family life.

     As a child I grew up listening to storytelling and even today children love to hear stories. I was surprised to learn that story telling was viewed so high in the educational part of learning and all the areas that are developed through story telling.

     One of the stories from the study that I would like to share with you is the story of” The Lazy Frog” (Ekikyere Nyamabondo)

Ekikyere Nyamabondo (The Lazy Frog)

A long time ago, there lived a frog that had jiggers in its feet. It was very lazy but liked to eat very much. So, one day its mother said to it:

“Lazy frog, lazy frog.”

“Hm,” the frog answered.

The mother said, “Please go and harvest some sweet potatoes.”

“I am too weak to go,” it answered.

 The mother asked the frog’s sister to go and harvest the sweet potatoes.

Then later the mother asked the frog, “Lazy frog, lazy frog.”

“Hm,” the frog answered.

“Please go and collect firewood,” the mother said.

“I am too weak,” the frog said.

Then someone else went for the firewood.

The mother again asked. “Lazy frog, lazy frog.”

“Hm,” the frog answered.

“Won’t you go at least and fetch some water?”

“I am too weak to go,” the frog answered.

The mother asked the frog to wash and peel the tomatoes, make the fire, cook food and wash the plates,

 but the answer was always, “I am too weak to go.”

 And the other family members had to do all the chores until food was ready to be served.

Then the mother said, “Lazy frog, lazy frog.”

“Hm,” the frog answered.

Please bring your plate so that I can serve you food.”

“Let me try and bring it,” the frog answered.

But the mother said, “I think you are too weak to bring the plate,” and sent him supper-less to bed.

     This study was performed by Ann Barabogoza Gamurorwa a student working towards working towards her master’s degree in the School of Child and Youth Care. I fell her information is noteworthy because she is supported by the staff, Dr. Alen R. Pence, supervisor (School of Child and Youth Care), Dr. Beth Swadner Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Innocent Najjumba-Mulindua In-country member.

Reference

Gamurorwa, A. (2004). Utilizing indigenous stories in the promotion of early childhood development programs in uganda. (Master's thesis).

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php  

Nassau County

Breast Cancer Survivor

    The Department of Health and Human Service issued a report on the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project. There is reason to believe through research that there is a possibility that environmental factors may have played an important role in the elevated number of breast cancer reports.
     In 1997 16 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer after living in Nassau County, New York for 11 years. There is no one in my family that has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have never smoked a cigarette, drank alcohol, or did drugs. Since it is believed that breast cancer can be heredity and there is no one in my family three generations back that has ever had it how did I get it.

     In one study it was stated that the breast cancer could have come from contaminated drinking water, indoor/outdoor air pollution, aircrafts, pesticides, other toxic chemicals and hazardous waste.

     Over the past 30 years research has been done to try to find out why so many women from Nassau County now have breast cancer.
     Truthfully I can’t explain why or how I was challenged with breast cancer. What I can say is that 16 years later, 7 surgeries, no Chemo, no Tamoxifin, only using what has been put on this earth for the healing of the body I am still here. Through continued research I hope one day there will be answers to these questions. Until then I continue to embrace each day with the positive attitude that “It Is Good 2B Here”

Rererence

http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/LIBCSP/InterimReport/index.html?view=plain#BCStats

My Personal Research Journey

     I have narrowed down my topic to Bilingual and Multilingual. I personal never thought that I would be interested in other languages. Growing up in New York we were introduced to a second language around the 5^th grade. I cannot remember how often we were taught a second language but we had a choice of Spanish or French. I remember taking French from 5^th grade to the 10^th grade and changing over to Spanish. Big mistake I became so confused between the two languages.

     Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Caribbean Islands and was amazed at how young their children were when they began to learn a second language. Children were introduced to a second language as you as kindergarten and once they entered the first grade they were no longer taught in their native language but are taught English. I found this to be fascinating that these children started so young learning another language.

     In St. Maarten children are taught 4 languages Dutch, English, Spanish, and French. These children start a second language as young as 4 years old. As I traveled through the Caribbean Islands I found it to be consistent that a second language was very important. It is not like they have a choice it is required.

     I have often wondered how children of Hispanic families knew English so well but their parents did not know the language. I learned through travel that by being taught at an early age these children become bilingual and multilingual at a very early age and then become their parent’s translators.

     Through research I would like to eventually know how the United States compare to other countries when it come to a second language. Personally I do not believe that we can compete with other countries who teach their children our native language. At the school I work at we start our students taking a second language at the age of 6^th grade and they only have class twice a week for one period. It bothers me that our children are not even interested in learning another language they often take Spanish Class as a joke.

     As I research this topic I am hoping to better understand where we stand and what can be done if anything to help our children become prepared for the future which will definitely have Spanish as a big part of their lives.

Week 8: International Contacts Caribbean Island

To see is to believe

To hear brings about understanding

To internationally correspond one on one up close and personal is a dream come true.

     It is amazing how fate allows some things to happen and the timing can be just right. Months ago we planned a family trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and St Thomas all located in the Caribbean Island. I had no idea that week 8 would place me international territory. With a little creativity I turned this beautiful trip into my international classroom. I must admit that while others were having fun I was trying to locate childcare centers and schools.

     Over the past week I have learned so much from my contacts that I am not able to write it all. As I take you through the Caribbean Islands come and go with me as I share with you what I have learned.

Consequences of learning about the International Early Childhood field:

·       They are bilingual and multilingual

·       They are not as advanced in technology

·       Education is a privilege not a right

My one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends is that the United States should work towards setting themselves in alignment with other nationalities. While other countries are working hard teaching their children English we should be working harder to help our children become bi- and multilingual.

     San Juan Puerto Rico: Our tour guide stated that there are 50 schools located on the island. Once a child reaches 1^st grade they are no longer taught in their native language. Students are taught in English from 1^st grade to 6^th grade. All students are required to wear uniforms. In San Juan the U.S. government helps to pay for section 8, WIC, Food Stamps, Medicare, and Social Security. Private Child Care can cost as much as $400.00 per week. As I traveled through the island I noticed that family time appeared to be very important. One could see families just out flying kites, playing ball, running, talking and just have fun on Monday midday.

 The House of Orange School  

     St. Maarten has two sides Dutch and French. While on the island I visited the Dutch side. I think I was fascinated by this island because of their beliefs and teachings and their diversity. I had the opportunity to visit House of the Oranje School (Oranje is the Dutch word for orange). This school is 150 years old and too many may appear to be primitive. As I entered the school I was met by Ms. Donella office worker/educator. Although busy working she sat with me for almost 2 hours and shared her island with me.  Ms. Donella stated that daycare is not backed by the government and there are no educational requirements to open or direct a daycare. All childcare centers on the island are private owned. Present also was Mr. Anthony who stated they believe that the grandparents and the community help to raise the children if the parents have to work. For children kindergarten starts at 4 years old with the native language being Dutch but they are required to learn 4 languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, and French in that order. According to Ms. Donella the demographics have changed so much that there are over 101 different languages on this small island. Ms. Donella located a 2008 Foundation Based Education handbook written by the Island Government “The Department for Educational Research, Policy, and Innovations titled “Putting Children at the Center of Learning”. Looking through the book I began to see topics that had been discussed in my class at Walden University: Curriculum Approach, the Child-Centered Approach, the Value of Play-Cognitive Development, Social Development, Emotional Development, and Physical Development. Ms. Donella stated that someone came along talking about changing the way they should teach school. We don’t change we like the old way. With change come problems from the students, disrespect and aggressiveness. Students are not in control here. Hard work brings about results. 

St Thomas Virgin Islands: Ms. Detra elementary teacher for Faith Alive Christian Academy states that it is not all about me I have the knowledge and I impart it to the children but I allow them to experience and express themselves.  Most classes have 2 levels in one class. Everyone receives free lunch and all students wear uniforms. Spanish is a required language for Kindergarten – 8^th grade and then in High School the students are required to learn Spanish and French.

Ms. Wilma 28 year retired elementary teacher from Leonard Dober School and the mother of Detra states that today you do not get a chance to bond with the students. You have a lot more demands; you are required to do a lot more with a lot less time because we are focusing on testing and yearly progress instead of the students. This has made the students more aggressive and disrespectful towards teachers, parents, and adults. In the past you could raise your voice and ruler, you can’t do that anymore it is called abuse and threats. What has caused the most aggression is the children do not have any outlet, everything is held inside. Teachers are under contract to meet guidelines.

As I travel back to the United States I would like to say to all my classmates thank you for all the encouraging words posted on my discussion board you have been a great help to me and I thank you. I look forward to future classes and then graduation when we will all can come together to share our victory. Stay encouraged and thanks for sharing

Unfortunately I was not able to post the beautiful pictures taken at this time due to technology problems in the caribbeans.