As I looked through this website, I saw many different current studies that grabbed my attention.
The first one was called, "It's a mystery!" A case study of implementing forensic science in preschool as scientific inquiry.
The reason this grabbed my attention of course was the title including the words, "forensic science," I mean really, forensic science for young children?? It sounded a little scary if you ask me. However, it explained how young children are born with curiosity and desire to explore. It takes us through a preserve teacher that "goes on a bear hunt" to discover the mysterious bear paw print. This papers focus is on arguing that such a complex topic can still be implemented with young children.
Another topic I found interesting was on the physical environment. This study was titled, " How design of the physical environment impacts on early learning: Educator's and Parent's Perspectives. Its focus was on how feeling homely and welcome enhances the learning environment. This is something I truly strive to provide in my classroom and am drawn to any study regarding its benefit.
One observation I made about many of the topics I saw, was how parents perspectives was incorporated within many of the studies.
As I looked into the Early childhood Australia website, I found it was similar to some of the organizations within our country like NAEYC. Both of the organizations work together with government, early childhood professionals, and families I also loved seeing the WEALTH of free resources it provided for families regarding numerous topics like baby and toddler sleeping, school readiness, and childhood health.
Finally, as I searched through the links I found one regarding past speeches. This includes many past conferences in which Early Childhood Australia members commented on certain topics. My favorite is regarding what needs to happen in child care. I encourage you to check it out. http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/early_childhood_news/speeches/what_needs_to_happen_in_child_care.html
Hi Jo...I am jealous that the website you chose had substantially more info than the one I chose-but good for you...I can see how the term forensic science made you stop and think, "huh?" but after reading your explanation it makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed to find out that the other site we were encouraged to check out required you to become a member to get ANY information, lame.
Hi JO!
ReplyDeleteYou and I are always on the same page, I also thought it would be a good idea to review the website of an organization in Australia. I reviewed the website of an organization named Early Childhood Australia. The website was quite insightful; I even located an article on the website targeting the misconceptions that the United States has concerning the learning practices of children in math development, very interesting and also liberating. If you have a chance please review the article on my blog site at www.myvisionisclear.wordpress.com. I enjoyed reading the part of your blog that discuss the “forensic science” that Australia is implementing in its science portion of the curriculum for children in early childhood, which is quite interesting. I actually love forensic science and at one point I wanted to be a Forensic Science with the FBI, its funny how life will take you down a path that you had no knowledge of, this is my case and how I fell into the world of early childhood. As always, I have enjoyed reviewing your blog. Great Work Jo!
Warmly,
Alice Jones
JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post! I was enlightened by the free resources offered to Australians concerning Early Childhood! Thanks
Janille
Jo Ann:
ReplyDeleteI really like the concept of forensic science in early childhood classrooms. I think this subject capitalizes on children interest, and I really think it would be appropriate for your second graders. Also, I really enjoyed perusing Australia early childhood website as well; I even wanted to subscribe to their newsletter. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the subscription right now, but I will take advantage of the multitudinous resources provided.
Jo i think you did a great job of identifying areas that caught your attention, i found the study, "its a mystery" to be a great way to engage preschoolers to learn about mysteries and a way to solve problems.
DeleteIt is always great to see resources used and passed on the parents. I passed to information on to my child development coordinator and she thought it had great information that we can use. This woiuld definitly be a resource that I can use in my future with children.
ReplyDelete