Research that Benefits Children and Families- Uplifting Stories

                                                       

Research has positive and negative effects on children and/or families. Quality research requires knowledge, skills, and experience. However, not all research is accurate or precise. Research may be difficult due to the way individuals view the world; however, if the research is transparent and well designed, it can make positive differences in the lives of children (Naughton, 2010).

One positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families is that research allows us to advance in our knowledge in regards to human development. My niece was born with a rare birth defect; which lead to her having a hole in her lung at birth. She was transported to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas Texas for further medical treatment. This center is dedicated exclusively to care for and to meet medical needs of children. Research has proven that this issue stems from something going wrong with the development of a baby’s lung throughout pregnancy. Research offers new knowledge in order to discover the cause of the problem, its symptoms, and/ or treatments to reduce the effects. Without quality research we could not effectively work with children or alleviate the issues/problems that they face.

Without searching for answers and solutions to situations that occur in the world, we would not be well informed in order to understand children and their families.

 

Reference

          Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

 

My Personal Research Journey

           As a child, I can recall enjoying and being passionate about working with young children. The innocence on their faces and the love in their hearts has always drawn me to this age group. I have always known that many aspects in a child’s life will affect their development. However, I have recently realized that providing high quality education and care is vital in order to ensure that all children are given an equal chance to succeed in school and in their lives. I strongly believe that lessons begin at home and there is a need for parents to become more involved in their children’s learning and development. Adequate and excellent teaching is needed for children to stay ahead to ensure that they are reaching their full potential.

           While providing high quality education and care, I also want to discover more information in order to implement skills and to provide children with tools to survive and maneuver outside the classroom. Education is now focused on academics alone; however, I have gained great insight on the importance of looking at a child holistically instead of having a side track vision on only academics.

          As educators, we should not sacrifice the things that children need by solely focusing on academics. Children need tools to develop social skills so that they will grow to understand how to cope in life as well.

          Please feel free to offer any advice or knowledge about this issue. I would appreciate any insight that may be beneficial in my process of completing research on this topic.  

Final Blog Assignment

 

I was unable to reach out to an international contact for this course; however, I gained insight from my colleagues and the podcasts provided throughout the 8 weeks of class. As I look back to review the information that I have obtained in regards to the international early childhood field, my professional and personal development has improved and expanded.

Three Consequences:

1)    The US and other countries are struggling to adequately take action in regards to the reality that children are lacking basic material in their home environments; in which, the deprivation is affecting young children’s school performance and their ability to retain information in the classroom.

2)    Although we come from different worlds, professionals from the US and other countries have similar views about the need in providing children with high-quality education and care, even though implementing the urgent need is not up to par.

3)    The US is doing away with other methods of teaching; such as, play, creativity, exploration, etc. US school systems are now focused on drilling children to obtain information instead of remembering that different forms of teaching can be more beneficial for children to succeed in school and in life.

One Goal:

I plan to apply myself more in discovering ways to stay aware of and bring awareness to others in regards to children who are suffering the most in the world; particularly, the lack of quality care and education, poor living environments, etc.

We must remember that one day we will age and become just as vulnerable in our future as young children are today. If we fail to build up our children toward success, the failure falls back on us. We will be unable to leave the responsibility of the working field in the hands of generations to come, due to the lack of education and/or competency. We will be denying not only our children, but ourselves for a better future.