My chosen topic for the simulation is relationships. The three subtopics I chose were the effects of peer relationships, effects of continuity of care on relationships between children and teachers as well as social/emotional development and ways to foster healthy relationships between teachers and families. As I have been searching the literature, I have become more interested in relationships between children and teachers and the effects of those relationships on social/emotional development. The authors of our text talked about how sometimes the original question a person has changes as they work through the research process.
My general topic has been relationships however, when I chose my subtopics I did not anticipate the changing of question to occur so quickly. I have been searching the literature on both my original question, "how does continuity of care effect teacher child relationships and social emotional development?" and the new posed question of "how do teacher-child relationships effect social emotional development?" Both questions are very interesting to me and I seem to be struggling with focusing my question. Does anyone have any ideas on this? I feel that I am maybe "too close" to the situation and any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated. I know that it is very important to have a focused question and the two seem very closely related.
As I worked through constructing the research chart, I realized that I am not very knowledgeable within the context of the "research world". I spent a lot of time looking up definitions, taking notes and trying to understand the concepts presented. While I feel that I have gained some knowledge and understanding, I am curious if anyone has any ideas or resources that might help me through the process of entering the "research world" with more confidence.
One insight that I have gained this week is to focus the key words in my search for literature. When I began my search, the key words were too broad and I ended up with hundreds of articles to search through. When I focused the key words, I was left with articles more specific to my need.
Thank you all for any thoughts and ideas you might have!
I wish you well!
Good morning Rachel, I think that you chosen a great topic. Relationships and children. I believe that children need guidance and nurturing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis should be a rather interesting topic. I worked in a school where Continuity of Care was practiced. If you were an infant teacher, you stayed with the same children from birth - three. Preschool teachers stayed with the same children from three - five. The practice was successful in most cases, because parents seemed more relaxed knowing that their child was being cared for by the same teacher each year. In a few instances parents requested their child be placed with a new teacher, most often due to the child having behavior issues that the parent felt stemmed from the teacher or teachers in the class.
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies. I do believe that as I am reading and exploring the topics, I am leaning towards continuity of care and how it effects relationships and social/emotional development. At the center I work for we loop Infants, Toddlers and Two's. Then our preschool classrooms are multi-aged, 3, 4, and 5 year old children and they stay for two years with the same classroom teacher. Thanks for your input! I appreciate it!
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