Wk 3 - Research Experience

When I was 8 years old my best friend was diagnosed with leukemia.  At first thinks were not looking very good for her.  Then her parents were told about a new research study that was testing a new medication.  There were many risks involved but after careful review her parents decided that she could be a participate.  I remember the medication made her very sick but she still came to school as often as she could.  During an assembly one day she got up in front of the whole school and explained what was going on.  She discussed all aspects of her illness and the research study she was a part of.  She was so brave.  In the end the medication did help her and today she is raising her own daughter.  The trials and results of the study offered tangible hope to many that were afflicted with the same disease.   Many people are alive today because of that initial study.

6163 Critical Research week 2

Research has proven that play is such an important part of a child’s development.  Play in the classroom helps a child to explore their inner most and feelings a safe and effective way.  I would like to further research the correlation between play and effective early childhood development.  Three sub topics that I would research would be the following.   The first one would discuss the  how play helps children to develop effectively in all aspects.   The second sub topic would delve into effective ways to implement play into your classroom curriculum.  The third sub topic would discuss gender roles in correlation to play and development.

            I think that is very important that play is a part of every early childhood program.  Research has shown that play is an integral part to healthy development.  Some early childhood programs have incorporated a straight structured curriculum that focuses on future achievement tests. Incorporating play in a multi sensory curriculum seems to some to be a waste of time.   Administrators and families are concerned with their children learning the foundations of reading, writing and arithmetic.  These beliefs have been proven to not be true.  Neurologically speaking it is through play that children learn about themselves and their worlds around them.  This is when real life issues and situations becomes processed and compartmentalized in a way that understanding and coping are enhanced.  These understandings become the foundation for future learning no matter the environment.   The results from this study can serve as statistical data showing just how important it is to have a diversified curriculum that includes all avenues of expression.