Benefits of Research for Children Since I had no personal stories to share about the positive effects of research I decided to find an article that discussed positive research findings on a topic I am interested in. As I searched the Walden Library, I came across an article concerning an arts- integrated approach to emergent literacy and school readiness. I had thought about this and wondered if we under estimate the use of creative arts as a method of teaching academic areas but never had any reason to investigate it further. This article peaked my interest. My experience and formal education both support the notion that children learn best through multi-sensory approaches. The article reported out on a study that looked at the impact of using an arts-integrated approach to introduce emergent literacy skills. Often we tend to silo learning into specific domains. In early childhood education, experiences children have in the arts are often viewed as brief opportunities for creative expression and not real learning (Phillips, Gorton, Pinciotti, Sachsen, 2010). The goal of the research was to investigate the premise that young children acquire many of the skills that support emergent literacy in a variety of ways including experiences they have in the arts. The findings of the research were not definitive but did show there was a relationship between the skills gained through all forms of creative arts and emergent literacy. The conclusion the researchers came to was that young children gain knowledge in many ways that can than tie into many domains related to school readiness and also that additional research was necessary to more clearly define the specific details of what works best when integrating the arts into introducing the skills in the area of emergent literacy ( Phillips, et al, 2010). I found this especially interesting since I personally believe that young children are learning in all that they experience be it formal teacher led instructional experiences or completely child driven learning. it also aligned with my thinking in terms of children's learning being very individualized. By giving children as many multi-sensory experiences as possible and integrating different methods of introducing the knowledge, I feel there is a greater possibility for more children to be gain the knowledge and be successful. Reference Phillips,R., Gorton, R., Pinciotti, P., & Sachdev, A., (2010). Promising findings on preschooler's emergent literacy and school readiness in arts-integrated early childhood settings. Early Childhood Education, 38, 111-122. Retrieved from the Walden Library Education Research Complete database.

My Personal Research Journey

  As I pondered what topic to use in designing my research simulation, I tried to think of something that was related to my work so whatever the end result of the project is, it would be useful.  I am very interested in social and emotional development in children as it relates to school readiness.   I decided I would investigate the effectiveness of a new curriculum we have implemented in our Head Start program that teaches social and emotional skills.  The curriculum is called PATHS which is an acronym for Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies. I have mounds of data related to the children’s progress in this area since the assessment tool we use to monitor children’s progress has a section that specifically measures this domain so it seemed like a good idea.  I must be honest; at this point I’m not sure I’m on the right track. I’m concerned that what I am considering may be too broad. I am most definitely a novice in terms of understanding the process of conducting research and I am finding it daunting!  As I started the research chart, I began to get a better understanding of at least some of the terms.   Knowing if I’m traveling in the right direction on this journey remains to be seen.  Is anyone else feeling like this?  I would appreciate feedback and any suggestions that might help point me in the right direction.   So far, the road I’ve taken for my research journey seems a bit bumpy