Research in Australia

This week, we were instructed to look at the issues of early childhood internationally. I decided to look at Australia to see what issues Australian children and child care providers face. One positivie issue is one of childcare reform. 

As of January 1st Australia mandated one child care worker to every four babies. Hope is that this reform will provide higher quality of care and child care professionals will develop special bonds with these babies (Early Childhood Australia, 2012).

An interesting story I found on the website related to children's stress and anxiety when starting school. All children experience stress on their first day of school. I would stress about my outfit, would I still fit in with my friends, would my teacher be mean,etc. Even young children experience stress--especially when they have only been with mom or dad since birth. The website gave some great tips to help their child overcome stress of the first day of school. I think these tips would help American children too--check out the link: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/january_2011_tips_to_minimise_stress_during_your_childs_first_year_at_school.html.

This website features useful, interesting information on early childhood. Although it is designed for Australian families/professionals does not mean it can't be a good resource for American professionals/families. Our Preschool center sends out a weekly newsletter with early childhood information attached. This website may become a great resource for me!

References:
Early Childhood Australia. (2012). January 2012--Media release--Biggest reform of Australian childcare begins today. Retrieved March 31, 2012, from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/jan_2012_media_release_biggest_reform_of_australian_childcare_begins_today.html.

Early Childhood Australia. (2012).  January 2011--Tips to minimise stress during your child's first year at school. Retrieved March 31, 2012, from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/january_2011_tips_to_minimise_stress_during_your_childs_first_year_at_school.html.

Research that Benefits

My whole focus (so far) this semester is early intervention. I believe the earlier we intervene with our young children, the better chance they have at having a successful future. I decided to look up research conducted on early intervention and find the benefits--clear benefits and why we should advocate for this. There are many articles online that state the benefits of early intervention. Early intervention works well with children with Autism--in fact "children with Autism have a greater chance for successful outcomes when interventions are started at an early age" (The Help Group, n.d.). Early intervention --for all/any disabilities--also plays a "critical role in brain development" (National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center [NECTAC], n.d.).

I have a beautiful daughter, she does not have any disabilities. This being said I still believe in early interventions--I believe in reading to infants, teaching toddlers their colors and alphabet--I believe in teaching a child from the moment they are born. I think it is vital that other parents' see the importance of early intervention. I am so happy my job requires me to advocate for these services and I am gaining the skills to review research and share the information with my families.

References:
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (N.D.). The importance of early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Retrieved March 17, 2012, from http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/importanceofearlyintervention.pdf.

The Help Group. (N.D.). The critical role of early intervention in Autism. Retrieved March 17, 2012, from http://www.thehelpgroup.org/pdf/guide/Step_autismEarly.pdf.

My Personal Research Journey

I'm a little nervous in my new course, but did find a topic that I would love to learn more about. I decided to research Down Syndrome and the early intervention process/school readiness. Let me give you a little history on why I chose the broad topic of Down Syndrome. My husband's parents divorced when he was very young. His mother remarried a man with a young son--this man's name is Larry. Pryor to this man becoming my husband's step-father, Larry had been married with two boys--one aged 13 and one aged 7. Sadly the 13 year old had just lost his battle to complications of leukemia. Along with leukemia, this beautiful boy also had Down Syndrome. My father-in-law still morns his eldest son's death. Working so closely with the special needs preschool class, I have a true interest in special needs--especially Down Syndrome. Just listening to my father-in-law share stories of his bright, beautiful boy makes me want to understand the syndrome to its fullest. I decided to look into early intervention because the sooner we intervene, the better chance these young children have at a successful future.


I'm hoping my research journey will be successful and any tips along the way will help. I'm nervous and excited to begin my research journey and I hope you will help me!!!

Good luck!!