My Personal Reserach Journey
The topic
I have chosen for my research simulation is using play-based curriculum to support children’s
learning. From my teaching experience, I realized that many teachers, parents,
and school administrators reckon play as a waste of time, and children learn
nothing but have only fun from spending their time in
playing with their peers. In some cases, I find myself helpless to convince
parents, and others that in a play- based curriculum children are learning new
experiences, attitudes, habits, skills, and important knowledge that will aid
them to be successful in school and later life. Additionally, during my journey
in early childhood field, I have come to understand that play is a crucial part of
making learning fun, and enjoyable, and
helping children to explore, and
discover their uniqueness. I also have come to realize that because of new
emphasis on state standards and school accountability, many early childhood programs
are trying to cut down recess time, and eliminating play from programs. For this
reasons, I felt it is highly important
to further my research using this topic so that I can find, and gather
information, and gain the knowledge that
would help me as professional in supporting children’s development and
their well being, and in advocating for their right of having time to
play.
The research chart will be very beneficial to narrow down
my information, and focus on the area that I need to execute my research project.
IF anyone has insights, sources, and information about the importance of play,
I would love to hear it. I am open to any positive ideas in pertaining to my topic that can help us be better
educators who can positively contributing in supporting children, and their
families.
Bushra, your choice is another sub topic to my own focus. I have chosen the relation between play and self- regulation. I look forward to learning from your findings. I encourage you to look into Tools of the Mind, Vygotsgy, Deborah Leong, and Elena Bodrova's work for your simulation. They consider play as a tool for learning, and I am sure you will find their findings useful for your research. Good luck in your endeavor.
ReplyDeleteBursha, I really enjoyed reading your post. I agree that play is a big part of child's growth and development. However, there are many people that believe play is not a source of learning. I think it is great that you want to show teachers, parents and administrators that play can facilitate learning. I can wait to read more on your findings. Good luck to you on your research.
ReplyDeleteHi Bushra,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are so right about the importance of play. It enhances learning in so many ways. It is one of the reasons I teach kinder. There are so many fun ways to deliver info through play. The children are learning while having fun. It is sad how so many programs are cutting back on play to fulfill standards and so on. Hopefully, policymakers will begin to realize the importance of play. I look forward to learning more from your research.
Cindy