Research Choice

Option 2:

If I possessed the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field, the topic I would choose is resilience. I believe my research would engender infinite positive influences on the well-being of children and families.

The positive contributions would include a better understanding of the reality that resilience is not an innate ability that people cannot manipulate, rather it is a capacity that can be cultivated and promoted.

Another benefit of this research would be parents and caregivers adapting better ways to foster resilience in children. Increasing the awareness of the benefits of resilience would prompt parents and educators to pursue ways in which they can fortify children with this function. When children are able to develop a resilient mindset, they are more equipped to handle life obstacles and overcome adversity. When this happens, we gain more and more socially competent children who demonstrate prosocial behavior.

My niece and nephew have just lost their father, and I believe if their mother, grandmother, aunts, and teachers are familiar with strategies that enable them to nurture this function in children, they are not only more able to deal with everyday challenges, but can also confront calamities in such a way that no lasting damage would occur on their overall mental growth.

I have seen many children grow out of trials and ordeals, some of which even adults might struggle to confront, and I have often been intrigued by this ability.  I have always wanted to explore ways in which I, as a mother and a teacher, can foster such a valuable and indispensable function in children. In the face of growing global privation and various current threats on children, they need deliberate and mindful practices that foster the resilience capacity in them in order to protect them from emerging adversity during their lifetime.

Personal Research Journey

 

Self-Regulation and Dramatic Play


I chose the topic Self-Regulation and Dramatic play to research throughout this course. I was drawn to this topic since I have learned about the strong relation between dramatic play and the ability of children to manage their emotions. Some of the major problems that I encounter in my classroom are behavioral in nature, and because I  teach English as a second language to 4-year old children, a further challenge is added to the daily Kindergarten concerns. As there is some time constraint (Because I teach two sections), as an ESL teacher, I am not always capable of including activities that allow children to participate in dramatic play during the time I have with the children.
I would like to learn more about the benefits of social play to become more competent at advocating for time allocated to it, and practical methods in which it can be more thoroughly integrated in class.
I hope my colleagues will support me  through sharing resources and personal experiences they have about this topic.

Reflection

During the past weeks, I have been given the opportunity to strengthen my collaborative learning skills. By studying international websites and establishing connections with professionals from around the world, I was able to think outside the box. In this final post, I will share three consequences of learning from international professionals:

1. Learning to perceive issues and trends of early childhood education from different perspectives- something that has helped me broaden my horizon and explore other approaches in facing emerging professional challenges.
2. Increase my awareness of global struggles that affect young children worldwide; this has prompted me to extend my professional goals to support children beyond the walls of my classroom.
3. Empowering myself through professional support. Now that I have experienced attentive support from knowledgeable educators, who were willing to guide and advise me throughout this course, I am not willing to squander this valuable advantage.

 

From this last point emerges my goal related to international awareness, which is intending to keep in touch with my conversation partners and carry through exploring the websites, so that I stay current with global issues in other countries. I have met my last contact through the International Teacher Development Institute. The site offers a wide range of online workshops, and I intend to keep visiting it frequently, I recommend it to all my colleagues, and please do not forget to add me to your contact lists if you join in.

As this is my final assignment, I would like to seize this opportunity to thank my professor and all my colleagues for their valuable contributions and deep insight. I have benefited greatly from all of you. May our paths cross again.