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.