Research Around the World

 A Continuation of Sharing Web Resources
International Research Topics

 There are many current topics of research published in the Early Childhood Australia's ECE WebWatch online news journal.  

• What parents consider to be high quality childcare.  This research was conducted through a survey.  Surprising to me was that only 22% listed quality education as important.  52% said the relationship between the child their family and the educators was the most important. 
• Research has been conducted through the University of Canberra t discover whether children in urban settings could identify which food products are a result of farming, and whether they are plant or animal products.  This was done revolving around where they believed yoghurt was from.
• Students from wealthier backgrounds tend to perform according their genetic abilities, children from lower SES can achieve more when they are enrolled in early childhood services. 
• Research on domestic violence and children examines the motives and backgrounds to 'filicide' - parents who kills their children. 
• Preventing childhood obesity - what kinds of interventions will prevent and counter childhood obesity and the associated problems with health and wellbeing.

 These are just a few of the current research topics offered in through Early Childhood Australia.  More on these topics and others can be found at ECA WebWatch.

Surprising facts/ insights/ new ideas from ECA  

 The international Criminal Court began it's work in 2002 and has just had it's first conviction of a warlord enlisting boys and girls under the age of 15 for war.  This sends a strong message that the rights of children are recognized internationally, and people who abuse children will be identified and punished.
Congolese Warlord Convicted, in First for International Court

The government in Australia is taking a strong stand with families with young children.

• Offering dad's two weeks paid parental leave
• Rebate incentive for families hiring nanny's
• Investing in parenting centers 

New Ideas for partnering with families can be found through their website with the use of their online learning video series Partnering with Parents.  This is just one of many available videos.  I found this one very useful. 

Noteworthy Information

Beginning this year 2012 there is a new early childhood reform act in Australia and many changes are being made there to improve their early childhood programs and services.  This will take place over the next several years.  I am a subscriber of their webwatch online journal and I was highly recommend a subscription to it.  It doesn't cost anything and is very informative of events there and around the world.  This is also noted on the sidebar of this blog under expanding web resources and at the link below.
January 2012 - Media Release - Biggest reform of Australian childcare begins today