Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Much of the study and discussion this week focused on the benefit that research has to children and society as well as the level of risk that children should be exposed to in the research process. Many of us did agree that exposing children to a greater than minimal amount of risk could be a benefit to society as long as it is did harm or cause long-term damage to the child or the family. Although I do not have any personal experience on the subject matter, I did locate an article that discusses the benefits that research can provide to children, professionals in early childhood, and society in general. The article is titled “The Effects of Divorce on Children” by Hughes (2009). It can be accessed at http://parenting247.org/article.cfm?ContentID=646.

In order to reach his conclusions, Hughes (2009) conducted a meta-analysis and a literature review on over 92 studies that involved pre-school children to young adults. Ultimately, Hughes (2009) determined that there were several factors that cause differences or negative effects on children that come from divorces families. These include: parental loss, economic loss, additional life stress, poor parental adjustment, lack of parental competence, and increased exposure to conflict between parents (Hughes, 2009). All of these factors increase the likelihood of psychological and behavioral problems in children of all ages (Hughes, 2009). With this knowledge and data families, society, and those working in the field of early childhood can better create strategies to promote healthy growth and development in children that have experienced a divorce situation. These parties can also better explain psychological and behavioral problems in divorced children and take preventative measures to avoid these problems.

References

Hughes, R. (2009). The Effects of Divorce on Children. Retrieved from http://parenting247.org/article.cfm?ContentID=646.

Your Personal Research Journey: Social Stories

The general topic that I have selected to further explore through the research simulation is social stories. Social stories are commonly used to help correct and teach behaviors with children suffering from Autism. They are also commonly used with children that suffer from behavioral disorders and young children that have experienced traumatic situations. Thus far, there has been a limited amount of research that has been conducted on the general topic and its effectiveness. There are a couple different reasons as to why I selected this topic. One reason is that social stories and their effectiveness and something that impact me directly on a professional level. Part of the work that I do for children in the field of early childhood is to create general personalized stories for children that suffer from Autism or behavioral disorders. A second reason why this topic has been selected is that if impacts me on a personal level. Several of children that are close to me have been diagnosed with Autism and/or behavioral disorders. By understanding more about this general topic, it will reinforce my professional mission and provide all children that I come into contact with on a personal and professional level with additional benefits in the growth and developmental process.

So far, my journey through the research simulation process has been easy and enlightening. By participating in the exercises in the course and by constructing the research chart, I have become more educated on the research process and have been able to select a specific sub-topic for further exploration. I have also been amazed with the amount of resources that are available to me in order to discover more about the effectiveness of social stories and the research process. Although I am finding a sufficient amount of information of the effectiveness of social stories in the field of early childhood, I kindly ask any classmate to make me aware of, send me a copy of, or send me a link to a credible source or journal article pertaining to the topic that I have selected for the research simulation. Again, that topic is the effectiveness of social stories in the field of early childhood.

My Supports

Support, in any form is a critical component of functioning and achieving objectives in everyday life.  There are several supports that I heavily rely on in my personal and professional life. Due to the nature of my profession and in my private life, one of the biggest supports I rely on is technology. Without technology I would not be able to access my computer or the internet. I would not be able to write my books or social stories. Finally, I would not be able to effectively communicate or participate with clients, participate in social networking, and participate in school.  This item of support provides many benefits to me. In addition to convenience, it also provides with a social outlet, and a way to learn and grow. A second item of support that I rely on in everyday life is financial support that I obtain from my job. Without this item of support I would not be able to afford the technology that I need. I would also not be able to fulfill my basic human needs. A final item of support that I rely on in everyday life is my friends, family, and fur children. This item of support provides me with love and guidance. It also provides me with comfort and reassurance. Without this item, it is not believed that I would be as stable, understanding, and well-rounded. Overall, all of this supports are believed to be critical in my life.  If I did not have access to them it would be extremely difficult and I would not be able to fulfill my personal and professional goals and objectives.

Often times, we take for granted that other people may possess challenges that do not allow them to access these items of support in a traditional manner. One challenge that I do not posses s that would have this impact is blindness. If I were blind, I would still be able to access my items of support but may have to do so in a different manner. In addition to access the item of technology, I would have to rely on special computer software and instruments in order to utilize my computer, the internet, and other forms of technology. For example, I may rely on Braille keyboards and computer software that assists in an auditory manner. If I possessed this challenge, I would also require additional financial assistance. Not only would the technology needed in order to conduct my personal and professional life be more costly, but I would also require additional financial support in order to function appropriately in my daily life. Finally, it is believed that access to my family and friends would be limited upon my geographic location.  It is also believed that I would require more support from these individuals. As a result of this, I may find myself having to be closer to these individuals on a regular basis. It is also a possibility that one or both of my fur children would be trained to help me in my daily life. All of these modified supports would be very beneficial in my life. Not only would they provide me with the assistance that I need in order to live a normal life, they would place me on an even playing field so I can accomplish my established goals and objectives. Similar to my current situation, if I did not have access to these supports it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill my personal and professional goals and objectives.   

My Connections to Play

There are two quotes that I have selected that summarize what play represents for me in my childhood.

“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” – Plato

This quote is applicable to my childhood because play was a very effective way for me to learn and become educated on a variety of levels.

“You can do anything with children if only you play with them”- Anonymous, German Proverbs.

This quote is also applicable to my childhood because I was able to accomplish many things and learn a variety of skills because my parents, siblings, friends, and peers played with me on a constant basis.

There are many things that I played with at a child that allowed me grow and develop. However, three of my most essential play items were legos, books, and my Barbie dolls and Barbie dream house. These items are featured below.

Play was extremely important within my childhood. Although video games were just becoming popular during this time, my brother, my friends, and I spent the majority of our time using our imaginations and creativity and participating in cognitive play, physical play, and other forms of play that have been described within the course. All of these types of play were supported by our parents, peers, educators, and the entire community.

In some ways, play is similar today as it was during my childhood. However, there are many more differences. Play in today’s world is very focused on whether it is or not age appropriately and politically correct. At the same time, play today relies much more on technology and does not challenge children socially, physically, or in terms of his or her imagination.  The differences aside, it is believed that play has been a very important part of my life and remains to be very important of children of today in order to ensure healthy growth and development on a variety of levels.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships and partnerships are extremely important to me because it allows me to better serve and understand the needs of my clients and their children. For example, if an honest and effective relationship or partnership has not been formed, I will not be able to understand the challenges that the parents and child face. I also will not be able to understand the objectives or goals that parents and children wish to achieve. This will compromise my ability to develop a social story that is effective and addresses the needs of the child and his or her parents. At the same time, relationships and partnerships are extremely important in my personal and educational life. In addition to providing support, these relationships allow me to meet my social needs and experience personal and professional growth.

Currently, I have several positive relationships or partnerships in my personal and professional life.  These individuals include my mother and other family members, my friends Lynn and Rose, and my classmates and clients. The relationship with my mother and other family members are positive because we support one another and provide each other with love and guidance. The relationships with my friends Lynn and Rose are positive because we assist each other on a professional level and share our love for dogs. For example, without this positive relationship I would not have my children’s books available in the libraries of several hospitals in Manhattan nor would I be privileged with having my books be part of the exit packet for children at St. Jude’s Hospital. Finally, my relationship with my classmates and clients are positive because we push each other to learn and grown, provide each other with guidance, and provide benefits to each other.

Several factors contribute to the development and maintenance of these relationships.  In addition to honesty, effective communication, openness, and correspondence all contribute to the development and maintenance of these relationships.  Overtime, I have encountered challenges in developing these and other relationships. Overall, it is believed that active listening, compassion, persistence, and the belief to agree to disagree have allowed me to overcome conflicts or challenges.  There are several charachteristics which I believe allow these relationships to form into of a partnership. In addition to a certain degree of “give and take”, the charachteristics of mutual respect, admiration, and working together to achieve a common goal would allow these to relationships to become partnership.

Because I have the ability to develop strong relationships and partnerships will all types of individuals, I see this as a benefit to working in the field of early childhood. As a result of this skill I possess the ability to establish trust, facilitate growth and development, encourage collaboration, and meet the needs of children, parents, and community members.

When I think of child development....

The quote that I have selected is as follows:

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.  ~Neil Postman, The Disappearance of Childhood (introduction), 1982

I selected this quote because it really symbolizes the impact that adults and those working in the field of early child development have on children, the world, and the future. Like many working in the field, I also entered the field to make a difference and have an impact of children and the community.

I would also like to extend a personally and professional “Thank you” to Rebecca and Chelsia. Both of you have played a role of pushing me outside of my comfort zone and making me rethink the other side of the argument. You have also educated me further on the field of early childhood in your Blogs and discussion posts. Thank you again, for everything.

Testing for Intelligence?

Testing is an excellent way to fully understand the needs of children. As a result of this, I fully support all types of testing and measurement processes as long as they do not compromise the well-being of the child or hinder the growth and development process. In additional to cognitive testing or measurement, I also believe that children should measure and tested on an emotional, physical, and social level. Without knowing where children measure up on these levels, educators, professionals, and care givers would not be fully of where how to provide these children what they truly need in order to foster healthy growth and development. In turn, professionals and care givers will be able to provide children with all of the resources that they need.  Without these tests and measurement processes, professionals and care givers would be blind to the needs of children and may not be providing them with the resources that are needed.

This belief is also held in the country of England. Within its school systems, children are subjected to national tests and SAT tests for English and Math as early as six to seven years of age (Woodlands Junior School, 2011). National tests and SAT tests are utilized throughout a child’s education in order to assess his or her cognitive abilities, social abilities, and physical abilities (Woodlands Junior School, 2011). Once children reach the age of 14 or 15 years of age, he or she is  tested in order to receive his or her General Certificate of Secondary Education (Woodlands Junior School, 2011).

One concern that I have about the testing and measuring processes that are utilized on children is their accuracy levels. If tests are inaccurate, it can compromise the healthy growth and development of these children.   A second concern is the invasiveness of these tests and whether or not they do have the potential to compromise the well-being of a child. If testing or measurement processes are highly invasive, it is believed that it can disrupt his or her holistic environment and have a negative impact on his or her self-esteem or self-image.

References

Woodlands Junior School. (2011). School Tests in England. Retrieved February 12, 2011 from http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/education/tests.html