RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES- MY UPLIFTING STORY

Blog Entry - Week 3

http://kidgreen-donna.blogspot.com

February 21 near Phoenix, AZ

As many of you know, I have Lupus. I was diagnosed 18 years ago. My family and I will be walking (I will try anyway, I may be wheeling most of it in my chair, but I'll be there!) in the Walk to End Lupus event in Scottsdale on April 27th. Please come out and walk with me or donate to my team. I have seen first hand the advances in research and medications so I know just how important the money raised is. I am fortunate to be taking a new medication, the first in over 50 years specifically targeting Lupus and not just treating symptoms. It has worked miraculously for me and slowly but surely I am seeing my old life come back. I can walk again, even longer distances (walked all of Fry's for the 1st time in 2 years!) I can do yoga again. My hair is not falling out anymore, in fact it's thick and soft!! No hives, even in the sun. No sudden fatigue. And so much more. Eventually I hope all of the inflammation will be gone too.

So please join me for a very personal cause!!! And thank you to everyone for all of the support you've given me over the years, it makes more of a difference than you can imagine!!


http://lupus.donorpages.com/Arizona2013/WalkforMJ/

lupus.donorpages.com

lupus.donorpages.com

 

 

 

 

Photo of my cousin Michelle and her daughter visiting colleges last week. Michelle was able to drive her daughter up to Northern Arizona University from Phoenix (4 hours). This would have been impossible up until recently.

The information above was posted by my cousin, Michelle on her Facebook page recently. Due to research and a new medication, she is finally gaining back some of the movement she has not had in many years. As part of her family, we are super excited about these improvements. The new medication Michelle is taking, is still in the "testing" phase. However, the improvements in her mobility have been great. Yes, there have been minimal side-effects, however these side-effects are worth it to my cousin. After several years of having little mobility, she is know driving again, walking short distances and gaining back her old life.

My Personal Research Journey

Don't Underestimate the Value of Play

http://kidgreen-donna.blogspot.com

Many may think of play as something children enjoy doing when learning time is over. Actually, quite the opposite is true. When a child plays,they are learning. Many times when children are enjoying and embracing new things, it is through play that captures the excitement and love of new things (Bongiorno, 2012). 

The topic I have chosen for the research simulation is -The Importance of Play in Learning and How to Best use Play as part of a Developmentally Appropriate Practice. This topic is important to me for several reasons. We have become so caught up in teaching to the standards, that most school districts have shortened recess time, cut out extra-curriculum activities and all but removed free-play time in the classroom. Teachers seem to not know, or have forgotten how to incorporate creative learning into their lesson plans. It seems to be more and more children are becoming accustomed to being entertained through video games, media and the internet. The art of allowing children to entertain themselves through imagination and free-play seems to be dwindling. Could the art of free, physical play become a thing of the past?

However, new research has shown support for the value of allowing children time to explore and create freely. Center-based early learning programs that allow children time to make choices about their activities, have shown great benefits both socially and emotionally from pre-school through adulthood (Harvard, 2010). Yet, the value of play is still widely misunderstood and not utilized nearly enough.

Through my research, I am hoping to uncover even more evidence based information that I can share with my peers, parents and administration. If any of my classmates have advice or insights pertaining to my upcoming research, please feel free to share. If you come across a reliable article pertaining to the value of play, I would love to hear more about it. If you have any experiences or thoughts on this topic, I too would love to hear what you have to say.

References

Bongiorno, L., (2012). 10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play. Retrieved from:http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2010). The foundations of lifelong health are built in early childhood. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/reports_and_working_papers/foundations-of-lifelong-health/ by clicking on "Download PDF" link.

http://chosen4children.blogspot.com
 

Dorcas- What a fascinating subject you have chosen for your research simulation. Autism has so many facets. Some people have very minimal symptoms and others many. In my experience working with children who have autism and/or aspergers, the one common symptom most of them have is difficulty communicating and social issues. For several years I worked in a program where we would take these children out into the community to learn strategies to communicate better and get more comfortable learning how to depend less on others and become more self-sufficient. It was a rewarding and challenging job. Good-luck with your research and your upcoming journeys.
Donna

http://julievillers.blogspot.com 
 Julie- I have been a special educator for almost 20 years. Over the years I have seen students go from mostly "self-contained" to almost totally included in regular education. Personally, I think inclusion benefits all who are involved with the HUGE understanding that the regular education teacher has a strong support system in place. It takes a team to make inclusion work for all. I'm hoping the two students in your classroom, have a special educator or assistant working with them as well as the other students in the class. Without the proper support and resources, inclusion for children with developmental delays is a serious detriment to the all students in the classroom. It can also lead to "burnout" for the classroom teacher. Never be afraid to ask for help and resources.
Good-luck with your research.

Reflection for Issue & Trend Early Childhood
http://kidgreen-donna.blogspot.com

Our final blog assignment for Issue & Trend Early Childhood, we are to post several consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development.

Consequence #1-Greatly enjoyed learning about the differences the two countries have pertaining to early learning programs. One country seems on the very forefront of understanding and supporting the importance of high-quality early childhood education for all children, the other country seems to be struggling in most areas of early childhood education.

Consequence #2-Having known very little about New Zealand before this blog assignment, I am intrigued by this country now and really hope to visit in the near future. The majority of early childhood educators there have a commitment to professionalism.

Consequence #3-My international colleagues have supported me by responding to my blog questions in a timely manner. They both shared helpful information that gave me a better understanding of where early childhood learning programs and support are handled in their countries. 

A goal for the field of early childhood education related to international awareness of issues and trends, that I have personally set for myself is to study and learn more about the  "Pathways to the Future: Nga Huarahi Arataki". This is a ten-year goal plan that New Zealand has recently started. The goal is moving towards a fully qualified registered teaching workforce as part of the ten-year strategic plan.

(Photo of my international colleague & friend, Ali Lilley from New Zealand)

Classmates that I responded to this week were:

1. Susan Anderson

http://teachingearlyedu.wordpress.com

Susan- Thanks for sharing your reflection consequences. I relate most to your first consequence. When I read about classmates or friends who have the opportunity to teach in another country, I find myself somewhat wishing I could do that some day too. What an incredible experience to go and make a difference with young children in a foreign place.

Donna

2. Dorcas Adekola
http://chosen4children.blogspot.com
Dorcas-I agree with you about all the interesting information available to us regarding early childhood issues and trends internationally. The important part for you is that you have a new awareness of worldwide issues and it has peaked your interest in getting more involved in these types of issues and trends. Good-luck with the rest of your studies.

Donna