Foundations of Early Childhood

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) publishes The European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) is one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world featuring peer reviewed, scholarly articles based on research which is interested in research which has application. “EECERJ aims to provide a forum for the publication of original research in early childhood education in Europe. With this as its principal focus, it should be emphasised that its definition of education embraces care and that its approach is multidisciplinary, embracing all related fields including psychology, sociology, child health and social work”   (European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA):, 2012) . One topic I found interest was the emphasis on children’s outdoor play. In the most read column there were several research studies concerning the benefit of play and children’s healthy development and learning. There are articles...

The increased focus on early learning standards has resulted in a decline in the amount of time preschoolers’ engage in physical activity. A recent study indicates physical activity in the form of exercise increases preschoolers’ cognitive function. The study examined the impact of acute exercise on preschoolers’ cognitive function. Preschoolers engage in physical activities such as, planned movement programs, recess, physical and center-based activities throughout the day (Palmer, 2013). During the study preschoolers participated in planned movement programs that were part of the curriculum. They were provided opportunities to exercise while developing movement patterns that promote motor skill development. For thirty minutes the preschoolers engaged in a variety of  Activities targeting various motor skills such as, hopping from target to target, throwing, dribbling a ball, were found to enhance executive function more than running, jumping in place, or crawling (Palmer, 201...

`           I have chosen to research poverty’s influence in infant’s stress/anxiety. Stress, both maternal and after birth effects infants development. While stress is a normal occurrence in our daily lives toxic stress during infancy has long-term effects. The child can become hypervigilant or emotionally flat, the results of over production of stress hormones  (Berger, 2012) . There are multiple causes of stress/anxiety in infants one in particular is poverty. I am interested in learning more about how poverty affects the infant prenatal and after birth. I have located several resources on poverty’s impact on both maternal and infant stress. I have a tendency to get absorbed in reading once I find something of interest, so I must focus and stay on task. Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.