A Reflection on Research

It came as a shock to me to receive the outline of Week 7 and realize this could actually be the beginning of a research project. During the process I had more questions than answers and most of the assignments were sent in a bit of a haze. Now to think this novice could have set the foundation for a workable project is a bit of a surprising discovery  - a happy one but none the less a surprise.

I remain with questions of how to set up a team, who could oversee it and keep it accountable and on track. I believe I got a taste of how exhilarating it  could be over coffee with my master's in research holding good friend. She called me to critical thinking and put ideas into researchable chunks. i feel a little like this is what grown-ups do and way out of my league. However, I guess it is people like us who do these things.

The fact that research is a long, involved and introspective process has been impressed on me during the past weeks. However, taking each aspect bit by bit and securing each position on the journey by retrospection and accountability a final product is attainable. With this in mind, the subject must be important enough to be worth the time and effort to complete. It seems to me also that it would be possible to lose your way in the maze of doing it right and maintaining validity and respect for the subject.

I have become aware of the importance of making the research credible. In the start of planning the questions must be ones that make a difference and that can be asked and answered honestly and fully. I learned that here are predetermined ways to validate the research. I have been made mindful of the problem of the researcher being set apart from reality as a power figure.

I resonate with the idea of the researcher coming to the situation as a learner and that the date received is a gift from his population. Akin to this idea is that of the researcher and his population finding or constructing the reality together.

I am not certain this could be considered a challenge, but thinking about the difference between equity and equality made my brain hurt! My colleague said that she and her fellow Masters' students spent an entire week bringing these terms to task. This reminds of another idea that has become clearer to me and that is critical thinking. Being good enough is not enough in early childhood research. Each researcher must be held accountable to ask the right question, that the method will bring out that answer and that the interpretation remains true to the information received.

 I have gained a deeper respect for the responsibility we have as early childhood educators. To do our job well we need to be aware of our biases. This has come out in previous courses but here we have been encouraged to be critical of our thinking and approaches to what we do. The word reflexive has resonated with me. Putting assumptions away we check what we believe and do in the best interest of the child remembering that the child is a their own social agent and must be respected as such.

I started this course with something like dread, feeling absolutely unable to understand or complete the project. But here I am and here you are. Thank you for sharing your journey  this blog and the different stages of the discussions. Thanks for your help.

And Happy Holidays! Wishing you all the goodness that this season has to offer.

Merry Christmas! 

RESEARCH BENEFITS

When I started this course, I thought I knew nothing about and had no experience to draw from with regard to research. But the very life I enjoy at this time in history is because someone thought outside the box.

I was born in 1953, so had the benefits of penecillin. Members of my family in years before died from the same infections from which I was quickly and fully healed.

The story from my family that I had not even thought of in relation to research demonstrates positive effects, My mother has passed away so I am unable to verify specifics of this story. I am recalling it from stories heard through my life. My brother and sister were both very young at the time and I had not yet been born. But with all those qualifications, here goes:

Due, it is thought to complications during pregnancy and at delivery, my brother had some paralysis on his right side and he experienced seizures. So little was understood about epilepsy in 1948, especially in a tiny province on the east coast of Canada . Somehow and this is a question I wish I had the answer to, but certainly due to my mother's ingenuity and tenacious bent to get answers, she heard of research that had or was going on at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. My mother grew up on a farm in rural New Brunswick. She went to work in the 'city' when she was sixteen. This 'city' was reached by a bridge that her father had helped build and its  dimensions were wide enough to allow two loads of hay to pass. You get the picture.

From this environment, she took my brother who I believe was in his third year on a train to Montreal. She left her probably 5 or 6 year old daughter and husband behind. I know how difficult it was to move outside the norm in our family and community in my life time, so I can only imagine the opposition she received. One comment I remember her saying is 'You're just wasting your husband's money.'

This is the part I remember the most - she found someone who understood the symptoms she described. Someone who listened to her, showed her images of my brother's brain, meeting her where she was. These doctors were leading the way, thinking outside the known or expected. They asked questions that had either unacceptable or inadequate answers. They helped give definition to my mother's dilemma.

There were still many years of struggle during my brother's growing years with dosage changes. However, having been given this clear understanding, she was able to operate way above her education and experience. I do not know all it took to get to this point of medicine but it surely benefited my family.

The other research that immediately came to mind for this assignment if Dr. Brazelton's (1978) neo-natal research. While reading a paper in an earlier course, I came across a statement about assessing an infant's mental health. I was immediately intrigued and in the search found Dr. Brazelton. Many mothers have difficulty connecting with their newborn and naturally blame themselves. Dr. Brazelton's research shows that because of the intrauterine environment as well as the special blend of DNA each child is born with, his unique temperament that may not be what the mother is expecting. This kind of information can support her in those early days when she is forming attachment to her little one. His idea is to start out right rather than waiting for something that needs to be fixed Brazelton & Sparrow, 2003). He is so absolutely right but until him the medical world did not work that way. His research spread light into many tense nurseries. Thank you, Dr. Brazelton.

References

 Brazelton. T. B., (1978). Organization and Staility of Newborn Behavior: a Commentary on the
     Brazelton Neonatal behavior assessment Scale. (Mongraphs of the Society for Research in
     Child Development, Vol. 43, No. 5/6). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1165847.

Brazelton, T. B., & Sparrow, J., (2003). The Touchpoints model of Development. Retrieved from
     www.touchpoints.org.
 

LET THE RESEARCH BEGIN

The question for the exercise in research is:

     Can the sensitivity of the teacher ease the stress of separation anxiety in early childhood?

I will look at three groups:  1-2 yrs; 2-3 yrs; 3-6 yrs.


The events that sparked this interest have to do with the crying, especially at the start of the school year. Questions of how much should be permitted before the parents are called have come up often. We find ourselves on uncertain ground and with differing perspectives.

I initially thought defining the physical and associated social and academic effects of this behavior would be be the way to prove the point. To test this, resources and skills beyond my present situation would be needed.

My purpose now is to show how steps taken by the teacher to form secure attachments with the child will lessen his stress during his early days and also on 'not so great' days. In the process, secure attachment will be defined. The importance and possibility of secure attachments formed apart from the family will be stated.

There is much written about the importance of secure attachment in the early years and its lifelong effects. As a child gets older and his play is interactive some security can be gained from his peers. I am expecting to show that at each of these age levels a sensitive teacher who takes the initiative to secure the child in this new environment provides a necessary service to his well being.

I have chosen these three groups because that is how our classrooms are set apart at my school.  The purpose will be primarily for improving the life at our school. It may also move to a statement of policy on some aspects of this issue. My principal has asked that I forward pertinent papers to her.

I would be interested on knowing if anyone has comments on whether this is a workable and/or needed question to be asked. Also if anyone has experience with this or works with schools that have existing policies, I would be appreciative of your input. Also, if in your reading you have come across some articles that speak to this, could you pass the url along.

Thanks everyone and Good luck!
 

The International Teacher Web Experience

I had something of an advantage in this assignment because of living abroad.

The advantage of having a reason to contact these teachers has put them in the teacher position. Being a foreigner here, especially North American, places you in a pedestal situation. The assumption is that we have the answers and the resources and they need to learn from us. However, this inquiry had nothing to do with me. I needed to know from their perspective. The result is we find we have many of the same frustrations, challenges and rewards. At the same time there are areas that by working together we can help each other.

Wendy and her assistants hand painted bags with their school logo on it. The teachers were happy to do this and giving this to each of her parents made them part of the community. What a great, homemade idea. It also made a personal connection.

Living here we hear horror stories about education that were ameliorated by these professionals from the classroom. I am reminded that these teachers are just like we are, trying to do their best even though the situations may not be the best.

I have been reticent to bring up the issue of the migrant children because I did not want to offend or sound like I was being accusative. However with the subject of inequity and poverty Wendy offered this on her own. We have a common interest that I would have not otherwise have discovered.

I will say that Chinese teachers are incredibly conscientious. I had to be quite firm with Wendy to not do a lot of research. I would like to continue our emails periodically and did not want it to be too much trouble. But in true Chinese spirit, she assured me that it was her pleasure. She even asked me to contact her on her holiday. I am not sure if that was her or her culture speaking, so I decided to give her a break. It was lovely that Lily was able to answer.

It is interesting to me that the teachers did not seem to be aware of the work of international organizations in their country. However, it would appear that  UNICEF and WHO are collaborating with the Chinese government to ensure  children continue to be considered and provided for.

I do want to stay connected to the plight and solutions for the migrant children. I do know they would be appreciative if I just showed up. However, I would like to do something more substantive and perhaps on a regular basis. Now that Wendy is aware of my interest, perhaps she can hold me accountable.

The web searches into international children concerns has made me more aware of this country I reside in. this has sparked interests that will continue over the months ahead.

International Web-contact on Professionalism in Early Childhood Field

Wendy is on holiday this week. Lily responded and another of her colleagues sent along some comments, as well. Her name, CoCo.

Coco mentioned that she works in a Montessori school, so the conversation with colleagues is about developmental issues and how best to meet the needs of their students. She feels by virtue of being Montessorian you are by what you do professional.  Their approach  is based on observation, assessment and individual curriculum. (Coco received her certificate in Chinese in Beijing with the American Montessori Institute).

Lily mentioned that up to four or five years ago no one was too concerned about education before Kindergarten. The interest has intensified since then, especially from the parents. It is possible to hire a professionally trained Ayi (this is something similar to a nanny) for your child. Often new mothers will have one for the first month. However, increasingly families are hiring them for during the early childhood period as well.  This can be rather pricey - 5-6000 RMB (approximately $1,000 US) per month. This is too expensive for most so they are enrolling them in schools and expecting quality in the physical space, administration and teachers.


Both teachers felt there was opportunity in their school for professional development. In fact Coco is going to a course this weekend on how to teach ESL in Kindergarten. 

Coco also mentioned that she learns by observation of her students.

Both teachers said their goal was to be the best Montessori teacher possible. Lily would like to take more training on the weekends.  She would like to have training in other areas of education as well, like Art and Music. (Kindergarten teachers do not get holiday in the summer. They do have a month holiday at Spring Festival. However, even that is shortened by special programs set up at their school.) 

Lily's dream is to be a Montessori trainer. She would like to provide for more  teachers to understand Montessori.

Coco would like to study at Harvard or Cambridge.
 
Lily made an interesting statement to the question of what she would expect a professional teacher to be like. She said she would be calm, patient, happy, want to be with children and love them. She went on to say that she can teach them about development and academics but if they do not have these first qualities it will not last.

Both teachers stated that they were challenged by assistants who are not Montessori or early childhood trained. They come into the classroom with an idea of what they are to do and  so the lead teachers are having to do on -the- job training. They find this can be difficult especially if it happens at the first of the school year.    

I continue to enjoy the email chats we have. I see that our goals are not that different. The challenges may be from different sources but are basically the same. 

Thank you again to these ladies for sharing their lives with me. 

 

 

ACADEMIC IMPACT

 A link from the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI) went to Academic Impact.

This is a collaboration of the United Nations with universities around the world. Topics like human rights, equity in access to education, as well as providing for higher education in areas where it is not available. These students are sent on quests to find pathways to peace through open dialogue, information sessions and summits. Inter-cultural relationships are formed and I suspect there is sharing of ideals. Reading about this, I  could not help but think if the political uprisings and statements that have been made around the world in the past months were not at least in part fueled by this healthy discussion and sharing of ideas.

One further goal of this venture that  resonated with me was the reversal of intolerance.

 I am a firm believer in giving children and young adults a voice at solving the  problems that we see as insurmountable. They have a way sometimes of seeing the core value and finding a way to it.

I do not receive a newsletter from ACEI, but I do from NAEYC. This month there is a connect to 'Let's Move Child Care Program'. (http://www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org/welcome.html). This is an initiative head by First Lady, Michelle Obama. It targets nutrition and physical exercise. The goal is to find a solution to the growing obesity problem among children in the United States.

This is a good place to say thank you to this country for setting a model for caring and finding solutions. Obesity is becoming a problem around the world where economies are expanding.

My Supports

My first and most important daily support system is God. Like Moses of old (Exodus 33:15), I have often times dug my feet in and said to Him, 'I will not move unless I know You are going with me.' Daily He gives me guidance, grounding, wisdom and security from His Word and His Presence. Thankfully, I do not have to imagine His ever not being there. Hebrews 13:5 promises He never leave me or give up on me.Thankfully He is a Person of His Word.

My next support is my friend, colleague and principal. Even though a generation apart, we complement and support each other. She is the one I want to text when I have successfully completed a difficult task, if I made a good grade or if I just heard a funny story. I do not make close friends easily and to have to think of doing this without her is difficult. I would flounder, be disjointed and have difficulty going on at my job and life here. We were separated when she first came to Beijing but still kept in contact by phone, text and email. But to be estranged, I do not want to and do not think I can imagine.

I have a few bi-lingual friends who literally get me through the day. In the complex where I live Lily helps me with Chinese workmen, housing issues and even directions. At school Annie advises me professionally as well as personally. I honestly do not know how I could manage without these two ladies. I have panicked called them from half way across the world and even from the Police Station. I suppose there would be other supports that could take their place, but they know me and I them. There is probably more dependence than I realize.

My assistants not only physically support me in keeping the children safe and happy. They also guide me culturally. They translate, not only language but intentions. They are incredibly patient. I want to be like them when I grow up. I simply could not do my job without them.






Being able to deal in the local currency and use a Bank card is such a convenience. When my wallet has been stolen there were emergency numbers and English speaking people to assist me. Life would be untenable without the ability to operate in this currency.



Taxis, buses and subways make travel here very convenient and inexpensive. I have vowed, I would never drive here but of course I could if need be.It would take quite a bit longer, but I could bicycle or walk to most places that I need to be.

CHALLENGE

The challenge is buying a house. 
Barriers: Language, legal system, knowledge of the housing market, quality control, any kind of better business information, foreign ownership regulations.

Emotionally,I would need the support of a Chinese person who either is a property owner or is familiar with the Chinese housing regulations. This would need to be a person that I trusted and that I knew had my interests at heart.

I would need English legal representation whom I also could trust both who knew the system and was honest. 

I would need financial advice and guidance, also in English.


Frankly, this is an undertaking I have thought about but backed away from because of the enormity of the barriers. I have been thinking about this sort of thing lately. I have the security of my job helping me find lodging and paying for it. I cannot imagine coming here and having to do it on my own. And I have no dependents that I am responsible for.  Thinking of doing that as a foreigner in this country is a formidable task. I sympathize to immigrants everywhere and admire their courage and fortitude.

However, there is the thing of following your dream. Sometimes things have to be difficult before we can enjoy the benefits.