Research Around The World

The web-site that I chose to view is the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

During my search I located and viewed two research articles. The first one, Developing an international network to support early childhood development (ECD): Results from experience in Africa describes an early childhood development (ECD) network for Africa and its multipronged approach of regional partnerships, south learning exchanges through international conferences and seminars, and an ECD virtual university that uses 21st-century technologies and distributed learning methods to provide systematic training and build capacity among cohorts of ECD leaders in the Majority World.

Surprisingly information quoted from Grantham-McGregor and colleagues (2007) estimate that more than 219 million children under age 5 will not reach their developmental potential due to illness, malnutrition, and a lack of nurturing care, early stimulation, and education. Quality ECD interventions can reduce the risk for vulnerable children, yet in 2008, 86% of children in sub-Saharan Africa had no access to an early childhood program (CGECCD 2010). Through initiative such as The World Bank’s Africa Early Child Care and Development  with their efforts to improve the capacity of African countries to attain the education MDGs by laying a strong foundation of early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

The second research document that I reviewed,  Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Care and Development by Rosemary Hua The study examines fathers’ role in early childhood care and development in Shanna Community, a Tiv tribe in Benue State, Nigeria. The study highlights the role of fathers and their involvement in child upbringing. From this research study it was concluded that  it is also apparent in other places: that men’s failure to relate with their children is not something that is inherent in males but in the culture and norms of that society. Overall the research findings suggest the need for a range of interventions to target father-child relationships to increase male involvement in children’s lives.

From this article it provided insight for me on how children in other countries are brought up. From the survey used to conduct data for this research paper it was determined that the parents in the Shanna community teach their children according to their children’s sex. Women in Shanna are considered as subordinates early in girlhood with the division of household labor by gender. Girls assume domestic responsibilities as early as the age of six. I found this paper informative and interesting. From the research paper I reflected on the relationships that must be established with children and families from other cultures. What I perceive as norm is not necessarily norm to others. I thought on the fact that in situations as this it is important to remain objective and not attempt to persuade an interviewee based on your views.

The research document, Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Care and Development provided me with a great example of peer written research paper.

 Reference

Garcia, M. & Pence, A. (2010). Developing an international network to support early childhood development (ECD): Results from experience in Africa. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, Vol.13 No.2 pp. 119-137

Hua R. (1986). Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Care and Development., University of Jos, Nigeria,

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

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

                         Research that Benefits Children and Families- Uplifting Stories

         In this week’s discussion I mentioned that throughout my life I was a participant in a Longitudinal Study. Over the course of 13 years I participated in Add Health Study designed by researchers at the University of North Carolina and funded by the National Institutes of Health. Add health began as a study of more than 20,000 adolescents in 1994 and 1995 and states as being the only source of longitudinal data about the health and health behaviors of nationally representative sample of men and women who were followed from adolescence to adulthood. 

          As a Wave I and IV participant I was provided with a pamphlet which described the nature of the research, what was expected of me, the benefits of the project as well as an incentive that was available once the interview was completed. The first phase consisted of an in-home interview that consist of questions on health status, peer networks, decision-making  processes family composition and dynamics, educational aspirations and expectations, sexual partnerships, substance use and several others. In addition to interviewing me my mother was also interviewed.  In Wave IV the topics were similar to phase one asking questions about physical and mental health, friendships and romantic partners, family relations, education, and community involvement . The information provided was stated as being essential to the research community and important in improving the understanding of the health and well-being of young  people as the mature and influence public policy. The information  combined information from all four  waves of interviews, physical measures and information  about  neighborhoods and school, public health professionals can examine how a wide variety of experiences during  adolescence are related to  health behavior  and  health  outcomes in adulthood.

         From the research that I participated in over 1000 published articles and reports from around  the world have been presented from the data conducted gained through Add Health. A few examples of findings that have been contributed are drug use puts teen, especially girls, at risk for future depression. From findings it was concluded that this finding contradicts the common idea that teens take drugs to Self-medicate their depression.  Another finding from the research is that parents have a strong influence on teens over a period of time. One of the most consistent factors associated with not having had  sex is a teen’s knowledge  that a parent disapproves.

          My participation was very vital in the development of  health and identifying and assessing  the various factors that place  adolescents at  risk for a host of  potentially health-compromising behaviors ranging from eating disorders to vehicular safety to early sexual activity. The studies and continued  research using  the Add Health data has promised to help parents, communities and policymakers understand the factors  that protect against or promote risky behavior among adolescents and also provide a role in interventions that will ultimately improve the overall health of teenagers and the population. For further information on the Add Health findings visit www.guttmacher.org/pubs The Guttmacher report on public policy, August 2001,Volume 4,Number 4 and www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth.

My Personal Research Journey

What are the positive consequences of early interventions on language development?

      For my research simulation topic I have chosen the benefits of early intervention on childhood language development. This topic was chosen because language is a key part of child development. Children must understand language before they can use language effectively. Through this research I seek to provide positive consequences and negative consequences of fostering language development through early interventions.   Not only is this topic of great  interest  to me; but is significantly import for many reasons. Currently I am working specifically with infants, toddlers, and preschooler as well as I has children of my own. At this stage in life children begin to acquire language and recall simple words. Many children by the age of four begin experiencing difficulty with receptive language. I see this type of research topic as being an important topic for those wanting to assist parents in the early stages of development. I am currently seeking any suggestions in completing this process. What have some of your experiences been in regards to language development and benefits of early intervention versus  very little intervention’s?

        So far I  have  grasp that  concept that anyone can complete research with that knowledge of establishing the steps to the research process. My weakness previously was thinking that I was required to read an entire article. Thus far I have found out otherwise and see this being essential to the research process.  Through the research chart I have established that the jargon alone will require that I apply critical thinking skills and apply previous knowledge to this course. There is a connection to each course that is required. This week’s course reading allowed me to take a closer look at design research. This is the planning phase of research and requires a systematic  approach be followed in preparing a research project.