Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I do not know anyone who has personally participated in a research study but I do know people who I believe have personally benefited from the research process. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. She is currently in remission but I believe if it had not been for scientific research and the people who participated in the medical studies prior to my mother’s diagnoses she may not be here with us now. I believe the research process is critical to the preservation of life and for the betterment of our society but only when it is done is a safe and ethical manner.

I also located an interesting article that relates to my simulation topic of social/emotional development and its influence on a child’s future. In this study 1000 children were followed for 30 years in order to see how their ability or development of self-control as a child affected their health, wealth, and criminal offending. This study suggests that parents should focus on strategies that will encourage their children to develop self control as early as toddlerhood. Children will benefit from the development of self control and may be less likely to suffer from ill health, substance abuse, poor finances or perform criminal acts in the future. The study can be found at: http://www.pnas.org/content/108/7/2693.full.pdf+html

                                                                                                                                      

Reference

"A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety," Moffitt et al., 2011, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Volume 108, p. 2693 - 2698.

Personal Research Journey

The simulation topic that I have chosen is school readiness. I would like to know what factors contribute to a child being ready for their elementary school journey. How does a child’s parental involvement impact their readiness, does a child’s social/emotional developmental state play a factor and also how does play contribute to a child’s school readiness.

I currently work with preschool children and have a child who will enter preschool next year and one who is in Kindergarten this year so the topic of school readiness is a personal one for me. I would like to be able to provide the parents that I work with researched based information and I would also like to make sure that I am doing everything possible to ensure that my children are ready for school.

I look forward to learning and sharing with my colleagues as I continue on this journey so please feel free to provide me with any insight or resources that you feel are relevant to my topic and I will do the same. 

Consequences of Learning about the International Early Childhood Field

1.       Outlook – I was able to make contact with Eric Atmore in South America who provided me with information on the challenges facing early childhood development in South Africa. I only received one correspondence and then did not receive any further responses despite my efforts. Never the less I have a new outlook of how early education differs from the United States.

2.       Guilt – The information that I have obtained from my correspondence and viewing of the international websites makes me feel guilty that I cannot get out there right now and do something to help. If I had the funds to travel there and study abroad or make a financial contribution I would. I also have new found appreciation for the efforts that have been made in the United States.

3.       Motivation -  I am now motivated to continue in this programs as I have learned a lot in this short period of time that I have been enrolled in the program and my eyes have been opened to a lot of things that I would not be able to see if I were not in this program.

My goal is to one day travel overseas in order to experience early childhood education first hand whether it is as an observer or as an educator.