Blog assignment; Research that benefits children and families-uplifting stories:

Option 2: Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?

The topic that I would choose would be Childhood hunger. Hunger prevents kids from reaching their full potential. It is an epidemic that's threatening America's future. More than 16 million kids live in houeholds that struggle with hunger. (USDA Household Food Security in the United States). 10.5 million kids eligible for free or reduced-price school breakfast do not get it. ( Food research and action center, school breakfast scorecard). Six out of 7 eligible kids do not get free summer meals. (Food research and action center, "Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report). According to the Source for USDA food and nutrition services, in 2010, 40.3 million people in over 18.6 million households (18.9 million) were households with children about half of those households recieved SNAP (food stamps). 15.7 million children (21.6%) in America live in poverty. ( U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports).

Why is Childhood hunger Important?
Health: Children who suffer with hunger are sick more often, rcover more slowly, and are more likely to be hospitalized. They experience headaches, stomachaches, colds, ear infections and fatigue. They are susceptible to obesity and the harmful health consequences as children and as adults ( Annual, national-level statistics,2013). 
Cognition and Academics: Undernourished children 0-3 years of age cannot learn as much as fast or well. Lack of food or nutritious food impairs their ability to concentrate.(2013).
Emotional and Social Well-being: Children who do not get enough nutritious food have significantly higher levels of behavioral, emotional and academic problems and more aggressive behavior.

The positive contribution (s) to ending world hunger would be to help in joining the fight for hunger through campaigns, and community projects. As educators if we experience children in the classrooms with problems in getting food, we must be able to direct them to the proper resources that are available. The goal is to make sure that every family that needs to seek help from different programs and are eligible for assistance they become aware of how to go about getting help. Child nutrition programs make a positive difference. There are many organizations that help in eliminating childhood hunger. We can join them, recieve free newsletters, and most importantly make a huge contribution. 

References:

Share our Strength. No kid hunry (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nokidhungry.org/problem/overview.

Blog Assignment: Your Personal Research Journey

My chosen topic for the stimulation research is Culture. The reasons I chose culture for my research topic is with the many students and families entering our school systems I would like to know all there is to know about how to handle and be prepared for the many changes they bring along with them. I feel that if I am not prepared I would do an injustice to them. As educators we must always be prepared because the field of education is ever changing. From a personal perspective I like to have a relationship with all of my parents. Learning about their different beliefs, values, within their culture backgrounds will help me to become successful in teaching them.

Some insights I have gained from this research experience so far is so over whelming. There is so much information to chose from. The research chart has help me to keep notes of word I do not understand, and also how to chose from the information that will be useful when writing my research paper. It was easy to chose a topic. But, It was and still is narrowing down a subtopic for my paper. I am still working on that. I would like an information, insights as far as where to locate information on my topic. I located some good information from using our Walden library resources. They have really good articles in the Academic Research Complete and also ProQuest database. I found articles relating to my topic.

So, I can use all the help that you are willing to give, and also remember I am here to help you also.

GOOD LUCK MY PROFESSIONAL  COLLEAGUES ON YOUR RESEARCH JOURNEYS!