The topic I have chosen for this simulation is the effect positive teachers-child relationships has on child outcomes. As a Head Start teacher we use the CLASS observation tool to evaluate our classroom environment, management, and interactions. Since we began using this tool a few years ago it has improved the outcomes of all of our 90+ classrooms. I have found that it has helped to focus teachers on how to interact with their students form the positive and negative interactions to more in depth interactions that cause children to dig deeper and think through what they are doing when playing. I want to look more specifically at how these interactions affect outcomes.
Through the first two weeks of this class I have found it difficult to decide what to research. There are so many questions I have about early childhood. It is difficult to narrow it down to one. It is also difficult to get a concrete topic that isn't subjective. When looking at relationships the data that is collected is a lot of asking people how they feel. One person's good feeling is anothers mediocre feeling.
I would appreciate any help in narrowing down my topic. Sometimes when doing research my mind becomes focused on one hypothesis, but if an outsider takes a look it may help me to see the obvious.
I think you are definitely heading in the right direction in regards to your topic choice. I for one, believe it is extremely important for teachers to interact with their students in both positive and negative ways. My son had a teacher in the past who would only focus on the negative and it drove me CRAZY! The most aggravating part of it all was he was only in Pre-K at the time.
ReplyDeleteHello Kaysha, I think you are on track and that what you may need to do further is to pick one or two children only to do your investigation.
ReplyDeleteThere so many questions to ask, but as the course text suggests, even the well funded intentional research is broken down into bits that are then put together to form a whole.
I wish you all the best in your research.
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.
Kaysha,
ReplyDeleteThis is great topic, but you may want to choose a specific age group as well. I listed a few resources on my blog that might assist with your research. I wish you the best!
Just a note, my name isn't Kaysha. Two of you used that name, and I just thought I'd let you know my name is Amber...
ReplyDeleteExactly Amber,
ReplyDeleteI realized that after posting my comment to you, pardon me. I guess we ll get to know each other better. I like your expressiveness.
I think that your topic is a great one and I love that you are focusing on positive relationships with children. I was wondering what the CLASS observation tool was. Is that something specific to Head Start? I applaud your work in Head Start. I am sure you have a very challenging, yet rewarding, position.
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