Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Option 2. If I were to conduct a research study, it would be on-the positive outcomes of play in the development of young children. Play is my focus of study because I believe children are teachable at birth (Zero to Three, 2012). Positive contributions from this study are the social emotional skills and abilities that help preschoolers prepare for kindergarten (NAEYC, 2006), such as:

·         Confidence

·         The ability to develop good relationships with peers

·         Concentrating on and persisting with challenging tasks

·         Attending and listening to instructions

·         Being able to solve social problems, and

·         Effectively communicate emotions

Participants in this study would include three groups of 25 children, parents, and childcare providers. Group 1-actively enrolled in a childcare center that utililitizes play-based curriculum. Group 2-actively enrolled in a home daycare where children are guided by caregiver’s weekly activities log. Group 3-remains home with babysitters. The length of this study is 12 months.

 

Reference

Ostrosky, M.M. & Meadan, H. (2010). Helping children play and learn together. NAEYC: Young Children. p. 104. Retrieved from: http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201001/OstroskyWeb0110.pdf

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2012). School Readiness: Birth to Three. Retrieved from:

            http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_012_think