Society for Research in Child Development

This post reflects the information gleaned from the 

Society for Research in Child Development

While reviewing sections of the  website  I found a  publication called:

Social Policy Report Brief.
 It is an open publication and provides a wealth of information. The focus of this publication is multilingual children. This is my bread and butter, and I am always interested in new information on this topic. One section offers information about research,

What the Research Says 

• Multilingual children in the United States 

often come from immigrant families that are 

disproportionately low income and are often 

exposed to risks low-income families face. Many 

fail to develop enough English to keep pace with 

peers or lose competence in the home language as 

it is gradually replaced with English.

• However, when children are raised in high-quality 

language environments where both first and 

subsequent languages are valued and used, 

learning multiple languages has cognitive, social, 

and potentially economic benefits.

• Children need to hear responsive, diverse, and 

complex talk about objects and events that 

interest them. Because it is best when such talk 

comes from native speakers, parents should be 

encouraged to speak the language(s) with which 

they feel most comfortable.

• Studies of children in environments that actively 

support multilingualism indicate that, if children are 

spoken to (with high-quality language) and learn to 

speak two languages, by about 10, they can do as 

well as monolingual children in both languages and 

experience the benefits of multilingualism.

Reference.
Society for Research and Development. (2014) Social Policy Report Brief. Retrieved from 

http://www.srcd.org/sites/default/files/documents/washington/spr_brief_2014_04_09_multilingualchildren.pdf

When reading through the website, I have come to realize that the many layers of economists, neuroscientists that are involved in this organization are far removed from the classroom. Although the research support the early childhood field,  it takes time to filter down to schools and programs. Honestly, it seems like the focus is not on what is happening in our classrooms, rather on research, data, and funding sources.

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When reading any article or publication that deals with adoption, my "uh-oh" meter rises. It seems that not many researchers and or publications feel successful children who were adopted do not make it to print..One day, maybe one day someone will do a study on children adopted from orphanages and find that when the transition to a family occurs, many of the orphanage behaviors slowly fade away..Maybe, but this article references a study that proved children adopted from orphanages or hospitals have a high chance of iron deficiencies and may suffer cognitive deficits because of this. The research may be sound,  but I found it odd that there were only 55 children studied. Given the number of children adopted from orphanages, institutions, foster care, and hospitals I am not sure the outcome relates well to the pool of adopted children. I would think that the participant pool would need to be larger in order for the study to be accepted.

Baby #2 Adopted from Novosibirsk. First medical at home gave her a clean bill of health. No iron deficiency here!

Baby #1 Adopted From Siberia, Russian Far East. 13 months old. This is her first picture outside of the orphanage. Came home with exact immunizations, and a clean bill of health. No iron deficiency here

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• What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain from exploring the website or e-newsletter.  This week I spent a lot time reviewing the funding sources of Society for Research in Child Development. Although this is a non-profit, it must raise money to support it's programs. It must raise millions through the variety of organizations and government agencies who support it. Wouldn't it be nice if child care centers, HeadStart programs, and schools had that kind of monetary support?

Conversations and New Region

What I have learned trying to establish relationships with Russian professionals, is some cultural differences are beyond logic..After contacting 4 well established Russian owned, yet expat supported preschools...NOTHING

After contacting countless resource agencies, non-profits (both US and Russian based)  NOTHING

After getting a lead or two, even through friends, NOTHING

This is the culture of Russia. There is a basic level of trust that is absent. I want nothing but a conversation, yet it feels like I am asking for a state secret.
I spent years dealing with Russian officials while adopting. There was one big difference, they wanted money, and would move mountains to make sure they got mine..When it's a simple favor or act of random kindness, not so much...
So, I am moving onto Romania..

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Information on Poverty in Romania:

Low agricultural productivity is one of the main causes of poverty in rural Romania. Poor small-scale farmers do not have the collateral to secure loans that would enable them to invest in agricultural inputs and equipment to improve their incomes. And in rural areas there are limited opportunities for formal employment opportunities, partly because of minimum wage regulations, high payroll taxes and the rigid labour code. Inadequate social services, reflected in the poor condition of rural health centers, long distances to schools and poor sanitation facilities, also contribute to rural poverty.

Reference: IFAD

IFAD’s strategy in Romania focused on supporting rural credit services so that farmers could invest in inputs and equipment, and develop on-farm and off-farm opportunities for generating income. The objective was to improve rural people’s incomes and standards of living, reducing rural poverty.

Country strategic opportunities paper (2003)

Source: IFAD

SRCD

About the:

Society for Research in Child Development

The field of child development received formal recognition in 1922-23 through the appointment of a subcommittee on Child Development of the National Research Council. In 1925, under the direction of Robert S. Woodworth, an eminent experimental psychologist, this group became the Committee in Child Development with offices and staff in the National Academy of Sciences. The purpose of the committee was to integrate research activities and to stimulate research in child development. The committee awarded fellowships, initiated conferences, and began publications. In 1927, 425 scientists were listed in the Directory of Research in Child Development and that same year the first volume of Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography was published. In 1933 the Committee on Child Development disbanded and passed the torch to the newly organized Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD).

Retrieved From http://www.srcd.org/about-us

From the Organization Newsletter “Developments”

http://www.srcd.org/sites/default/files/documents/572.pdf

Important Changes in Research Reporting

http://www.srcd.org/sites/default/files/documents/washington/common_rule_electronic_use_pages_1-4_4.1.13.pdf

This is a key change to the way research of children and adolescents is conducted and reported. We learn how detailed the process of scholarly research must be when children are involved.

Research Bank

The SRCD works specifically with peer reviewed research. When a topic study is needed this site offers a databank of approved topics and studies.  The site given for the sharing of information is:

http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/index.jsp

This site will be helpful for all doing research and study in the field of psychology, education, and sociology.
This is my favorite site this week!


Most Interesting is an article of the most controversial studies in child psychology since 1960.
I'll give you the top study, so you can get a taste of what is there.

 Belsky, J. (1986).  "Infant day care: A cause for concern? Zero to Three, 7, 1-7.

I can imagine why this was controversial..Can you?

International Professionals-Russia

Establishing professional contacts is difficult in any given situation, but finding Russian early childhood professionals willing to share ideas, experiences, and methods is proving to be difficult. Beyond the language barrier, there are the issues of trust, US-Russian relations, and a simple matter of time differences and distance.

I have reached out in several ways:

*) Contacted TS,  Americangirls.  A teacher friend who lives and teaches in a Russian school was my first step.  Reached out through Facebook.    

*) I also reached out to the Facebook page of the Russian Embassy's Cultural Centre page for advice and direction. https://www.facebook.com/RussianCulturalCentre

*) Contacted the INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION DIPLOMACY  with requests.

*) Contacted AK for an introduction to a couple of her friends who are involved in Russian children's charities. These folks are Russian born and familiar with the educational system.

*) Contacted through email Russian Education Development Fund "Soobchestvo" including several representatives in the organization. Received a reply with an additional name.

*) Contacted early childhood teachers at    www.littleangels.ru

*) Contacted on YouTube;  WELS Mission in Russia. (Missionaries working in Novosibirsk Siberia Russia).

Schools  and educational practices are Very Different in Russia. This young lady explains the system well. 

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I spent the weekend reading and reviewing this website. There is a lowered fee of $75.oo that I may just pay to join this society. There are many articles and research results.

emotionally, practically, and physically.

No, we don't choose our family, but if I did, I'd probably choose the same people who surround me today.
And today, we are very much struggling with grief, sadness, and worry. Today is Sunday, and my father has driven to North Florida to be with his only surviving brother as he winds down his time on earth. He has been sick for almost a year, and now the family has been called into be with him. We are at the end...As a family of 8 siblings, my dad has been here before. All that remains are his two sisters. He is in the middle of the group, so both older and younger siblings have gone before him. I will wait for the news that he has passed and plan a quick trip to Florida for the funeral..I won't take my girls. The emotional tole on them ups the stakes, and right now, I don't want them putting it together that their cousins grandpa has passed away, A grandpa who is younger than their own. The last funeral they attended was their great grandmothers. We were able to keep them out of the chapel until the casket was closed, but when it was time for me to do a reading, I sort of lost it up there...And both of my daughters screamed in the middle of the service, "MOMMMMMMYYYYY..." and had to be held from running up to me. They are empathetic children to their core, and if mommy is hurting, they are aching with me. So they will stay home with my every devoted mother who will step in for me. Support, practical and dependable support.

These kinds of situations bring me to realize the most epic shows of support from my family. It was almost 7 years ago, and I was in the final stages of my adoption. I was scheduled to fly to Siberia to meet the baby that would become my youngest daughter. The way international adoptions work in Russia is that you take two trips. One to meet the baby, fill out the last bits of paperwork, then come home for a month while Russia finishes its paperwork. The first trip is for a little over a week. The second trip is typically a little bit more than a month. During my first adoption, my mom went on my first trip and my dad went with me for the month long trip. Some struggle while in Russia for that length of time. We loved and adored it! Magical. For adoption number two, we had decided to switch and let my mom go on the second, longer trip.
We had set our travel details, rec'd our visas, booked hotels, translators and coordinators, for the first trip and then the unthinkable happened, my grandmother, my dad's mother took ill, and passed away. She was 97. My thought was to go alone. Of course my dad couldn't go and miss his mother's funeral..I begged him to let me go alone. The trip was organized by both Russians and Americans, and not a detail was missed. But he wouldn't think of it. At 38 years of age, he still felt the need to protect me.Support, practical and dependable support.

And the support continues. He travels from Florida each month or so to visit my girls and I. (And my sister too). And my mother lives less than a mile away in order to be there for us. I walk around my life with an invisible net of practical, dependable, support. It allows me to take the risks of international adoption, being a single mother, homeowner, graduate student, and teacher. No one can see that net of support, but it's there..

PLAY TIME!

The Essential Toys of a Florida Child of the 70's into the 80's~

You had to change into "Play Clothes", and of course your mother had to redo your hair before you went out....

In Florida, you better be near a pool..

Family Support of Play

 I wasn't encouraged to play. I was ordered to play. When we all arrived home from school, it was a standing order to change our clothes and GET OUT! We had boundaries in our neighborhood, and we stayed well within them. Mom locked the door, and we went to her window when we needed something. It was blissful! She called us in near dark, and we went in and straight to the bath..Supper after, and a little bit of family time, then off to bed. We loved our friends and all of the parents made sure that no one was left to play on their own. We were a big gang of muck lovers, and are still friends to this day!

It's rare to see kids outdoors like it was when I was a child. My family is lucky to live on a child filled cul-de-sac, so my girls do play outdoors. With families not knowing their neighbors, and living in apartments the physical landscape of homes is so different. Kids now a days live for television and video games.

I was a busy child. Always outside, always doing something "pretend." My parents encouraged us to play and enjoy being outside, even if we only had our bikes..

Personal Relationships

Personal Relationships

Family Is First

       I attended a workshop in Richmond, Virginia last year. In order to make it a field trip for my girls, my mom came and took the girls on a tour of the hotel. The hotel is full of historical value, and yes that included the pool. My relationship with my mom is very close, and we work on it. She yells about our messy house, we buy her treats to make her forget!! She is a more than a grandmother as she watches my girls before and after school each day. We are constantly working on plans and outings with the girls. My mother adores my daughters and helps me tremendously!

My dad is a vigilant helper as well. Although he lives in Florida, he makes a trip to the Nova area at least every 4 to 5 weeks. We maintain our relationship with him through his monthly-ish visits and our summers in Florida with him. The girls think of South Florida as their second home. On his latest trip, he did something huge..She is a Town and Country, and we named her “Milkshake.” My former SUV was ten years old, and he couldn’t stand the idea of my little ones being in a vehicle that could possibly break down…Now that is a good visit!!!

 The girls are with their “Dadushka” last summer on the fourth of July-

 And my sister….Sometimes I want to punch her in the head for being too intrusive, but she loves my girls so much. She thinks nothing of keeping the girls for the weekend, taking summer vacations together, and teaching my girls how to do all the “outdoorsy” stuff I am not great with…My sister and I have the most challenges in our relationship. She is single with no children and therefore she feels responsible to parent mine. It all comes from a loving place, but again, sometimes….

.

                                                             Just Kidding!!!

Daughters
The one, or should I say two, elements in my life that keep me going are my girls. I do nothing that somehow doesn't either directly or indirectly affect them. We are intertwined in a way that I cannot explain. They are the only people in the whole world who I would die for...They are growing up and becoming wonderful young ladies and I simply adore them. We are settled into our new schedule of "mommy's school" and they are helping me to complete my graduate work by giving me the time to ready, study, and write. They know this will only take a little less than a year longer and promised to CELEBRATE when I have completed my studies. We are always together as a family, in that I don't go anywhere that wouldn't have my daughters on the invitation. I am blessed to afford what we need in our life and with the help of my family, we actually get to do a few trips and special events each year.

New York City for the Thanksgiving Day Parade

In the coolest little pedi-cab-

Personal Relationships

Friends

My dearest and favorite friend has been so since the 7^th grade. She is in Florida but we chat on the phone a lot. (Not so much lately, grad school is more time intensive than I expected!) But I adore her. There is nothing that could ever come between us. Nothing. My girls used to make her videos when they were little, but they are too cool for that now. Here is one from a few years ago. We love you Aunt Lee and I promise, really, I will call you soon!

Professional Relationships

Teammates

The Ties That Bind…..I teach with an amazing group of women. One has been at our school her entire 2o years of teaching, and her heart is in early childhood education! Three are new to our school, but have joined in as if they have been here forever. First we are friends and care about each other as people and not just coworkers. Secondly, I respect each of them for different reasons. Each lady brings to the table a unique and respectful attitude about teaching, learning, and children. I learn from each of them, and this impact my teaching. We meet twice weekly, one formal CLT collaboration and one less formal planning meeting. We leave both meetings giggling and whispering about something or other that made us laugh! Two of our newbies are young, very young. I say that with admiration and love. We balance our team’s relationship through support of each other. And honestly, when you like someone, it’s easy!

            

   I need a cohesive team in order to feel confident and less anxious about the current requirements. I need support, ideas, constructive criticism, and friendship. They say, “If Momma’s not happy, nobody is happy,” well I think that applies to Kindergarten Teachers as well!