RESEARCH AROUND THE WORLD

The European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) is one of many influential international web sites dedicated to early childhood.  “EECERA is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice” (http://www.eecera.org/).  Every year in Europe, the EECERA holds an early childhood research conference in order for scholars, policy makers, researchers and practitioners to network and have cross-national collaborations.  Some of the current international research topics that are covered are improving quality of professionalism and leadership, parental participation, outside play and learning, and children's learning from birth to three.  

I was surprised to learn that EECERA has Special Interest Groups (SIGs).  SIGs are for members of the EECERA to be involved in cross-national collaborations that focus on a specific theme.  Other noteworthy information that I discovered was the EECERA publishes the Journal of the Association (EECERJ).  It is one out of four journals located in the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI).  The SSCI is very notable because it only includes the world’s leading social science journals.  “Through its Annual Conference, its Journal, its SIGs and the activities of its distinguished membership, EECERA is a leading international contributor to the development of research, policy and practice in the developing field of early childhood” (http://www.eecera.org/).

RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDEN AND FAMILIES - UPLIFTING STORY

There is an uplifting story concerning a family, which I would like to share with my colleagues.  It is the true story of Anissa and Marissa Ayala, and the Ayala family. 

Anissa Ayala was born a healthy baby girl.  But when she was 16 years old, she discovered lumps around her ankles and suffered from excruciating stomach pain. When her parents Mary and Abe Ayala, took Anissa to the emergency room, they were told that she had chronic myelogenous leukemia.  The doctors explained to them that Anissa would only have five years to live if she did not receive a bone-marrow transplant.

The Ayalas and their 18 year old son were all tested, but were not a match for Anissa.  So they decided to have another child, in hopes that the baby’s bone marrow would match Anissa’s.  The Ayalas only had a 25% chance of conceiving a sibling donor match.  But that didn’t stop them.  At age 44, Abe Ayala had his vasectomy reversed.  Four months later, he and his wife, Mary, who was also in her forties, were expecting their third child. 

Many people criticized the Ayala’s decision to “play God” and their situation created a national ethical debate.  But, they were determined to save Anissa’s life, and they stood firm in their decision.  On April 4, 1990, Marissa Eve Ayala was also born a healthy baby girl.  Thankfully, she was a match for her sister, Anissa.  Fourteen months later, Marissa underwent anesthesia and the bone marrow transfer procedure was performed. 

Today, Anissa is married and her disease is in complete remission and she is living cancer-free.  Marissa Ayala has since graduated from college with a degree in speech pathology.  Marissa saved Anissa’s life.  Without Marissa, Anissa wouldn’t be alive and without Anissa, Marissa would not either.  Even today, Abe and Mary Ayala have no regrets.  Now the Ayalas are proud parents of three healthy children. 

Many people are still debating this issue of conceiving children for the main purpose of saving others.  Especially, because unborn children and newborns are not able to give their consent.  However, I will say this.  I am a proud parent of two boys.  Fortunately, I have never had to conceive a child for the purpose of saving the life of another.  But in a heartbeat, I absolutely would.

References

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20104516,00.html

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23300477/born-save-sisters-life-calif-woman-graduates-from

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Health/story?id=3826596&page=2

MY PERSONAL RESEARCH JOURNEY

My topic is the benefits of choosing a play-based curriculum in an early childhood program.  I chose this topic because I feel that play is essential in childhood.  Standardized testing has forced preschools to provide an academic curriculum, so children are not being exposed to opportunities to learn through play.  Personally, I am pleased with the simulation process.  I am learning and starting to understand the ways research can help me find out more about my topic.

There is one insight that I have gained so far from constructing the research chart.  The research chart enabled me to take the key terms and definitions I learned this week and really break down what each word means and how it is used in research.  Another insight I have gained so far from this course, is how to effectively evaluate whether information sources are or are not credible when conducting a literature search.

Should anyone have any advice or insight that might help me along this process, please feel free to let me know.  I encourage constructive criticism as well.  So far, I have not found any resources that I can share, but I will continue to search for some.  If you have any resources that you believe would be helpful and beneficial to me, I would appreciate those as well.