Research Simulation Update

 If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.

Franklin D. Roosevelt 

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/relationships.html#ouSRoRCbESZmx7ig.99    

A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.
Stephen Covey 
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/relationships.html#ouSRoRCbESZmx7ig.99 

I feel passionately that relationships are the foundation to high quality education so I have decided to focus my research simulation on relationships.  

My original general topic:

The role of relationships in early childhood programs.

          “Research tells us that family-program relationships influence young children’s outcomes” (Lopez, 2010) and that the establishment of positive, personal relationships with children and families enhances children’s development and learning (Gallagher, & Mayer, 2008), but these relationships are time consuming, can be difficult to develop and are often lost among other program priorities.  As a former program director I have reflected on my strengths and have come to understand that my ability to develop relationships has been a major contributor to my professional success.   During my course work this personal understanding has been supported through professional articles and research.  I identified the three subtopics with the intent to establish the generalisability (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010) of relationships in early childhood settings, to understand practices that help to institute program-family relationships and to begin to understand what skills and tools the early childhood workforce needs to create effective relationships in the classroom. 

            “Most teachers enter the early childhood profession because they enjoy being with children. They do not necessarily have an interest in children’s families, nor are they always prepared to work with them. The professional culture has promoted this mindset, emphasizing the child and paying less attention to family and community roles in child development. ” (Lopez, 2010).  By researching the importance of relationships in early childhood this mindset can be challenged, programs can refocus their attention to include the establishment of strong relationships with families, and effective professional development can be designed to help teachers to be more prepared to establish relationships with children and families. 

References

Gallagher, K. C., & Mayer, K. (2008). Enhancing development and learning through

teacher-child relationships. Young Children, 63(6), 80-88.
Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ProQuest Central database.


Lopez, M. (2010). Valuing families as partners. Retrieved from

            http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/valuing- families-as-partners

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research:      

          International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

I have chosen the subtopic:

The effects of specific relationship training for early childhood professionals on child outcomes

So far I have found the research simulation fascinating and time consuming.  Because I have chosen a topic that really resonates with me I found the literature review to be great, however I found that I read more then 3 articles.  I am glad to be finishing up this week's assignments now so I can have a break before I start next week's work.

I am wondering how my colleagues are feeling?