Thank you/Blog 5

I have gained many valuable insights from this course. I gained knowledge about the components of writing a research paper. I have written a research paper before, however the paper wasn't as lengthy as the one required for this course. The most valuable point I gained from writing this paper is the use of an outline. The outline helped me structure my paper. The use of an outline made the writing process a little more easier to tackle. Another insight that I gained was regarding my research topic "Learning Disabilities". After interacting with the staff on the administrative team, teachers, and the parents of the daycare where I completed my filed hours at, I was able to collect imperative information. I learned what the assessment process consists of and whom should perform the assessment. I also gained the knowledge of some tips and strategies of how to assist children that have been diagnosed with a learning disability in the classroom.

I would like to give a special thanks to all my colleagues who provided me with strategies to assist with writing my research paper. I would also like to thank each of you for your comments and posts which provided informative information to me. I would like to thank Instructor Puntil-Wilcek for your patience and all the assistance you provided to the class. Thanks for all the examples and step-by-step instructions on how to set up blogs, accounts, etc. This was extremely helpful and quite generous of you. Additionally, I would like to thank the administrative team, teachers, and the parents at the day care that provided me with an opportunity to observe, ask questions, and provided answers to me regarding my research topic.

Observing and Interacting With Families of the Children in Your Setting

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  I observed at a licensed day care center in Chicago. Over the past couple of weeks, I interacted with two parents. I will first begin by discussing my experience with the two parents. The first parent shared with me that she is very involved with the program. She volunteers frequently and is actively engaged with her child's learning development. This parent stated that parent involvement and positive relationships with the staff is extremely important. She engages with art activities (a few that she suggested), field trips, and assist with decorating the center especially for specific holidays. This parent also shared with me of the importance of daily communication with her children's teachers. She always inquire about her children's day. She ensure she asks and receive the topic/theme so that she can reinforce the learning at home. I then asked this parent about her thoughts/feelings about the importance of assessments. This particular parent stated that "Assessing children is very critical. It could scope out if there is a child is experiencing learning difficulties." I also had the opportunity of asking the parent if she's aware of the assessment procedures at the center, she stated that she's aware of her children being assessed by their teacher but that's all she's aware of. 
  
  
  The second parent that I interacted with is also involved with the center's program. This parent is apart of the center's parent committee. There is a monthly meeting where the parents are encouraged to expressed their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, as well as how to improve on the center's mission and goals. This parent stated that the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming which makes her feel comfortable and provides reassurance of her child's well being. I also asked this parent if she's aware of the assessment process of the center's. The parent responded "Yes I am. In fact, my child was assessed by his teacher and the results stated he needed to be monitored and re-screened 4-6 weeks." She explained that when she received the results, she was a little nervous. After the assessment was administered again, her child did not score well and she was informed that her child will be referred. This parent stated that her intuition informed her that her child was not meeting specific developmental goal, however, she assumed he would grow out of it. This parent expressed that she received early intervention because she can notice a change in her son's language now that he receives speech therapy services for him. 
  
  
  One insight that I gained from the interaction with the two parents is that building a positive relationship with the teacher's and other staff personnel is an important factor for enhancing a child's development. Both parents were engaged with the center's program in their own unique way. Another insight or idea that I gained is that I believe it would be beneficial for all parents to be knowledgeable of the assessment process. Even if there child is developmentally on track, he/she should be informed about the process. One way this could be occur could be holding a mandatory meeting based on the parents schedule. For instance, maybe there could be a morning session for the parents that work the afternoon and vice versa. I believe that all parents should be aware of the procedures. I also believe that it's important for parents to be knowledgeable regarding assessments because early intervention if needed, could assist children meet their developmental potential and have a successful learning experience.

Observing and talking with the Program Director(s) and other Administrative Staff

One person I had an opportunity to work with is the Executive Director. She oversees all three day care centers. I had the chance to visit the three centers and received a more in depth look at the day care center process for screening children for developmental delays. The Executive Director expressed that each center keeps a computer record of "each and every child that enrolls in the centers assessment details". I was shown the template that is used at the centers. The template consisted of each child's name, enrollment date, screening date, results, if the child need to be monitored/re-screened, if a child already have an IEP and/or if a referral is needed. The Executive Director explained that the centers are federally funded and there are specific requirements that must be met in regards to assessment screenings. For instance, the CPS program requires all children to be screened within 30-45 days of enrollment. If a child is screened and does not score within a specific range then the child must be re-screened in 4-6 weeks after the initial screening. After the second screening and if the results still indicates delays then the child referred. This step involves the permission of the parents/guardians to allow a professional (social worker) to come to the site and observe the child in his/her classroom. The social worker then consults with the teacher regarding activities/strategies to help the child meet his/her developmental potential. The social worker also set up a meeting with the parent/guardian to discuss the findings from the observation. If further services are needed, the social worker set up therapy services with a CPS school that is in range of the child's home. All the data that is collected, dates and results are placed in the computer, and documents are kept in each child's CPS folder.

Another individual that I worked with was an administrative assistant/teacher of one of the centers. She allowed me to review the assessment tool that the center uses which was Ages and Stages. In the assessment  box, the assessments were separated by ages. The Administrative Assistant/teacher pretty much communicated the same screening process as the Executive Director. However, the Administrative Assistant/teacher provided more details regarding provisions that are made within the classroom. For instance, she shared that when completing a lesson plan, activities are created for students that requires more learning assistance to meet their learning needs. These activities differs from one child to another. For instance, one student requires language development while another requires cognitive activities. She also expressed that one of her students goes to speech therapy sessions twice a week at a CPS school.

During these interactions, I understand more of the importance of assessing for developmental delays. These critical time frames are a necessity to ensure developmental growth. As a teacher, it is important to use reliable assessment tools for assessing children because accurate results will provide children with any necessary services if needed.

Observing and Interacting With Professionals/Colleagues in Your Setting

• Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during these two weeks

In the past two weeks, I've been observing and interacting with the Lead Teacher in a three year old classroom at a licensed day care center. The Lead Teacher received a bachelor degree with Type 04 certification seven years ago and began teaching shortly after. Although she recently began teaching at this day care center, she exhibits great teaching strategies and practices. For instance, there's a student in her classroom that lacks language development. The Lead Teacher plan learning activities that promotes language development. The Teacher worked with this child by engaging in an activity called "What Time is it Mr. Fox". The Teacher and the child decorated two old socks and used them as puppets. The puppets were then used to create a conversation between the Teacher and child. I was amazed to observe the child engaging in the activity. From the expression on her face as well as her brief conversation by the use of the puppet, I could tell the child enjoyed this activity.

Another individual that I observed and interacted with during the past two weeks was the Teacher Assistant in this classroom. The Assistant obtained an Associate degree in child development in August of 2012. The Lead Teacher and the Assistant worked well together. As I observed for several days, the Teacher's were consistent and practiced a set routine. The Teacher Assistant set up all the activities prior to implementing to avoid the children having to wait. This strategy/practice made transitions easier for the children.

• Any special learning experiences, insights, challenges, etc., related to your topics/focus questions and/or advocacy efforts in this setting, the community, and/or the field 

An insight that I gained related to my topic/focus questions (Learning Disability/Special Needs) is that Teacher's should know each child's learning strengths and weaknesses. The Lead Teacher was aware of the above mentioned child learning needs. She planned and implemented activities to strengthen the child's language development. Also, I like the idea that the classroom contained two assistants which provided the Lead Teacher with appropriate time to conduct a one-on-one correspondence.

Professional Interviews

I had the pleasure of interviewing a teacher and an administrator at a day care center. The interviewees shed light towards encountering children and their families as well as issues and/or concerns that exists regarding learning disabilities. 

Director Interview

What do you believe are some of the related topics? What are the current issues related to these topics?

"Some related topics regarding learning disabilities are developmentally appropriate practices, reliable assessment tools for screenings, and properly communicating with the families. A current issue related to learning disabilities would be inclusion."

2. What other issues do you commonly encounter in your work or in discussions with colleagues?

"A common issue that I have experienced is assisting and working with parents/guardians to progress or at least make efforts to move from the denial stage. Many parents become defensive after being presented with that child may have learning difficulties or developmental delays. Another issue that often arises is parents or guardians may be under the assumption that if they agree to or receive services to assist their child then their child would be "labeled" in elementary school."

3. What advocacy efforts are currently under way in your area of interest?

"Our center collaborates with programs such as Head Start and CPS. Thus, when situations such as parents who are in the denial stage and when our attempts fail, we receive assistance from a professional such as a social worker for assistance. Sometimes after speaking with professional, parents tend to become a little more at ease with the situation. But not all the time."

4. Which of these topics or issues are of most concern to you? Which do you believe are most in need of advocacy?

"The topic that most concern me is assuring that children who are in need of services receive them. Preventive services are there to assist children and their families to promote developmental growth. This concern is also the most need in advocacy. There are many services that are available to children and there families to help overcome this barrier."

Teacher Interview

What do you believe are some of the related topics? What are the current issues related to these topics?

"Related topics would be the various types of learning disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD, what measures that can be taken to help children and families and receiving appropriate services. Some current issues would be how learning disabilities effect a child's self-concept and working with children that have learning disabilities."

2. What other issues do you commonly encounter in your work or in discussions with colleagues?

"The issues that I commonly encounter at work is helping parents cope with or the acceptance of their child's learning disabilities and discussing with my assistants with planning and implementing activities that fit the developmental needs of a child with learning disabilities."

3.Do you currently work with a child with a learning disability? If so, what teaching strategies do you practice to accommodate his/her needs?

"Yes. I actually have a child in my class that was diagnosed as autistic. When completing a lesson plan, I must create an individualized plan for this student. This plan consists of activities that builds on his weaknesses which are usually completed individually or adult-child interactions."

4. Which of these topics or issues are of most concern to you? Which do you believe are most in need of advocacy?

I would have to say that planning and implementing activities for a child with learning disabilities. This can be a challenge because children have unique learning styles and their learning needs should fit accordingly. Another issue would be developing and encouraging a child's self-esteem. The one that is most in need of advocacy would be planning and implementing activities for children who experiences learning disabilities. This is a vital issue that intertwines with a child's developmental growth."

Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood.

I gained several insights regarding current advocacy efforts and needs regarding learning disabilities. I assumed that parents would be willing to receive services to help their child's development growth. I just always thought that parents would do all the had to do for their child to help their child achieve their learning goals. Another insight that I gained was the individualized planning. I was excited to know that teachers create activities to assist children with moving to their next developmental stage. 

How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which are of interest and topics to choose for your research paper.

This interview have definitely influenced my decision about learning disabilities. I was unaware of the issues that could be encountered  with parents regarding services that provide assistance for their child's developmental growth. I believe learning disabilities would be a good topic to complete a research paper on. There are many areas that could be touched upon such as the different forms of learning disabilities, parents reactions or the process of stages they may encounter, and planning and implementing learning activities.

Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as 3 related topics.

See previous paragraph.

Comment

Hello Everyone,

This is a post to allow my colleagues to start following me.