Research Competency: Week 3 (Daycare vs. Home)

Option 2: Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?


If I could choose any topic to research and had no limits to my research capabilities, I would choose to research the impact of raising children at home versus in a daycare setting.  The debate between choosing a career over raising children is a topic that I have always been interesting in learning more about.  As a former professional (teacher), who had two young children in daycare and gave up my career during the pregnancy of child number three to stay home due to the high cost of daycare, I can see both side of the argument.  We loved our daycare and felt that it provided a loving, nurturing, educational setting for our children, but also see the value in them being home with me during their early childhood years. 

I would focus my research on the long-term effects and outcomes of children who were raised in a home setting (being cared for by a parent) and those who were cared for in an early childhood setting on a full-time basis.  I would look at different characteristics such as attachment, social abilities, educational success, and health issues.  I believe that this research could provide valuable information to mothers and families who are having a hard time deciding on the best option for their children.  The conclusions of the research could have a great impact on early childhood as it could create a positive light for daycare, or provide the opportunity for changes that could lead to a more home like setting for early childhood programs.  I believe the research would have a great impact on children and families who are looking for answers when it comes to daycare versus staying at home. 

Research Competency: Week 2

For my research topic, I would like to focus on behavior issues and discipline in the classroom.  This is an issue that faces many childcare settings and is something that many teachers struggle with.  I have decided that the initial subtopic of this broader topic will focus on the connection between parenting styles and child behavior.  I am a firm believer that parents play a crucial role in the behaviors of their child.  I understand that there are instances where all children will act out regardless of the parents, but that there is a larger connection between the interactions between the child and parent and the overall temperament and behavioral patterns in children. 

I chose this topic as it is one that I have dealt with in many areas.  In the daycare where my daughter was for the first year of her life, there were several children who displayed negative behaviors and they seemed to baffle the childcare providers.  I often felt that my daughter did not get as much attention from the caregivers as she was well behaved and had an easy temperament.  Once I became a kindergarten teacher, I was faced with many instance of children who displayed negative behaviors and I could often link them with certain aspects of the parenting styles that their parents displayed.  I believe that as we strive to work with children from all backgrounds, it is important to understand the role of parenting styles in the behaviors of the children.  This will provide the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the children and the background that may also provide clues to their behaviors.

My personal experience so far with developing a research simulation has been slightly frustrating.  I am not sure if I am on the right path with it and that is particularly discouraging.  I am also hoping that I have the information right when it comes to research versus a literature review.  In my mind, I am conducting my own research when looking up information regarding a question I have, but according to this course I am simply doing a literature review.  It is a little perplexing thus far.

I did enjoy filling in the research chart for this week's resources.  I think it gave me a better understanding of some terms that I would have simply read over and not understood in greater depth.  It allowed me to take the time to fully grasp the meaning of some research terms.  It also allowed me to reflect on the research process and think ahead to the parts of the research that I would enjoy the most.  I am still unsure that I am enjoying this class, but am finding the information worthwhile none-the-less.