Research Around the World

After much browsing the given websites for this assignment, I decided to look at Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa  (SSA)  http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php  and http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php websites. I have always found interesting to learn about their developments concerning their early childhood education programs. Many of the studies and reports focus on the application on several tools implemented in early childhood classrooms, statuses on the administration and coordination of center in Ghana, parental involvement in the schools and the importance of male involvement. One thing I did notice is that the publication on the website was last updated on 2007. Many of the reports given where significantly old. Another point I gained from the several reports was the importance of how to implement an early childhood development focus in the region. Despite the lack of resources available, there are movements who focus on creating a better environment for the children. Another need with regards of early childhood is the lack of administration and coordinators educational backgrounds and policy procedures practices. Many of them are not following appropriate policy procedures giving their center poor quality. I found interesting, how hard they are working to integrate parent involvement and spread out the importance of it as well as their children's self stem outcomes; which is no different to what we are doing in this country as well. It is very interesting and exciting to see how early childhood education is getting more and more attention around the world.

                                              

Research that benefits children and their families - Uplifting stories

Research that benefits children and their families - Uplifting stories

Throughout my years working with low income children and families, I have become very passionate about promoting literacy and how important is to read to their children. I make sure families become aware of the activities happening in their local library, getting them a library card if needed, providing literacy workshops at our centers by inviting a lady from the community to talk about the topic, etc. I think is so important or families to understand that if they can spend at least twenty minutes a day just one on one looking and talking about a book to your child, it will help their language and vocabulary skills. I have worked very closely with my Latino families and having them understand how important it is to spend time with your kids, many times I got responses such as: I don't have time, he does not sit, I have to take care of the house, he gets read at home, and many more excuses. One thing I share with them is that I use to say that because I did not know any better, I was a young mom, no experience or support and bad relationship. Many of the times I am able to relate to their stories, but it is why I will promote how important and its benefits for their children.

My research will be to study the importance of spending a minimum of twenty minutes either reading, looking, sharing stories with your child and compare their increase of bonding, increase of vocabulary. I would do it as a longitudinal study. 

Sharing the positive results and outcomes will be such an important asset to help families get educate on how they can help their child from early years.

                                

                                             

Personal Research Journey

I have chosen Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets for Autism.As an early intervention teacher/ABA therapist I have seen the benefits of a Gluten free diet on children with Autism and behavioral disorders.

·         What is a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism?

·         How does a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism work?

·         Which foods contain gluten?

·         Which foods contain casein?

·         Are there tips for eating at home or eating out on a gluten-free/casein-free diet?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders that affect children by disrupting their ability to communicate and interact socially. To reduce a child's symptoms of autism, parents often try alternative treatments such as specialized diets. Lately, the gluten-free/casein-free diet has grown in popularity. Some parents report improvements in autism symptoms with this dietary regimen.

Little research has been done, though, on the gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism. Consequently, many parents wonder whether this diet really does, in fact, make a difference in the symptoms of children with autism. Some also believe that children with autism restrict their own intake, because they prefer bland food like white bread. Thus the question becomes “Chicken or egg.” Is the gluten causing the autism, or, more likely, is the autism limiting the child’s variety of food intake?

What is a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism?

A gluten-free/casein-free diet is also known as the GFCF diet. It is one of several alternative treatments for children with autism. When following this strict elimination diet, all foods containing gluten ( found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein ( found in milk and dairy products) are removed from the child's daily food intake.

How does a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism work?

The benefit of a gluten-free/casein-free diet is based on the theory that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity to  foods containing gluten or casein.  Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals. The reaction to these chemicals, they say, leads a child to act in a certain way. The idea behind the use of the diet is to reduce symptoms and improve social and cognitive behaviors and speech.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-casein-free-diets-for-autism