Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I would like to discuss my personal children and families research about a program called Children's 1st. My daughter was born premature. Although there wasn't serve health issues she is still consider premature and has to seek specialist once a year until 4 yrs of age. My daughter qualified for the Children's 1st program because she qualified by being born early and services were available in the county we live in. The coordinator reviews all the age development skills per the ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire), health, and nutrition. We met with the coordinator for three to four months once a month, reviewed assignments that were given to me to observe my daughter abilities/progress. If I wasn't able to observe, then I seek the child care lead teacher in my daughter's center for assistant. This program helped me to review my daughter as a parent first and not as one of my caseloads as an ECE Specialist. I had to take the work hat off and be the parent.  I felt because I have the ECE background I didn't need the services but it wasn't about me, its was about my daughter. Having the ECE background was a plus going through this program, but I was still able to gain information of infant/toddler care and use this program as a reference to my ECE colleagues.

Reference:
Georgia Department of Public Health  Retrieved from http://dph.georgia.gov/children-first

Building Research Competency: Your Personal Research Journey

The topic that interest me is the professional development of the EC teachers. This is an interest to me because the requirements are very high for the professionals to have credentials and yet are not compensated for their experience and/or their education. Within my profession, I have the opportunity to discussed professional development goals with the EC teachers. I discuss with the EC professionals on how to continue maintaining their strengths and how to build on their weakness in the areas/subject they feel are limited. Another part of the professional development is the continuing education for the EC teachers. At times, the financial support may not be there for the EC teachers and their trainings/education will only be limited to free trainings and that's even if they can take the time off work to attend the trainings.
The professional development topic can lead into other scenarios really quickly. I would like to discuss the way  EC professionals can have  options to continue their education and trainings in order to be informed of the changes in ECE. Please feel free to provide suggestions and resources.
Thanks,
Brittney E. 

Final Blog Assignment

Least three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development are :
Not being able to establish an international contact in ECE - had somewhat of a contact but he did not major in Early Childhood Education
Not being a member of an ECE organization/international
Time- management in where I could of research more to establish an international contact- I really wanted to contact an ECE professional overseas and really discuss the issues and trends within our field.

My goals is to be actively involved with communities I serve within my profession and to become a member of an  ECE organization in which I would like to be actively part of.

To all my colleagues,  thank you for all your knowledge and wisdom you shared during these 8 weeks. I appreciate each one of you and I apologize for not displaying my full potential as these weeks been very challenging, I will continue to strive in order for me achieve my goals at Walden University. Continue to aim high and reach for all your goals. Always remember we are the teachers of the future leaders! 

In order to save the world, we have to save one child at a time.....