I have never been part of a research project but I do think it would be a awesome experience for me and the children I teach. I would be very interested in the results of what ever the research project was.
There are many topics out there that would make a good research project. If I was able to conduct a research project I would do it on home based programs vs. center based programs. Working with Head Start we offer both home based and center based. I would want to see which one is better or are they equal. I know the home-based programs have socialization groups but it is not required for the parents to bring their child there. I think the main thing that is learn in preschool is social skills. I feel that children in home base programs would not get that even if they attend the play groups because it is not an every day thing.
I am not against home based programs because I do think it is best that the children get some education if their parents are unable to take them to the school. I think a positive outcome of this research project would be having more socialization times. Possibly requiring the parents to attend if they want to be part of the program. It could also work out that home base programs are just as effective as center based programs. That could lead to Head Start programs offering more home based programs. Where I work Early Head Start have many home visitors but in Head Start we only have one home visitor that covers all of the county I live in. She can only offer services to twelve children. Proving that it is effective could make it so more children receive services.
My blog this week was about special socialization resulting from mixed age group settings in preschool, which mirrors home day care settings. Socialization is learned in home care because each age group experiences those with emerging skills and those with advanced skills to learn from. Empathy and family essence is experienced like in the old days when families had lots of kids, and grandparents lived with them, learning about each other and from each other on a day to day basis.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about one of the benefits of research in the early childhood field. If research studies prove how beneficial different types of programs are than hopefully we would have more programs for more children. I have never worked for HeadStart, but from what I have read, one of the very important components of the program is family involvement. It is a great model for how to involve parents in their children's early education. If we can educate parents and children, families have a much better chance at future success in further education. -Mary Malepsy