Research That Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

If I had the means and authorization to conduct a research topic, the topic would be parent/teacher partnerships and continuity of care. Years ago I operated a family home day care and seen the positive affects the children had by having one childcare provider. The children’s parents and I had a very positive relationship with one another and worked together as a team to provide the best child care and education services for their children. Most of the children I provided care for where enrolled in my program for up to 5-6 years. They were provided care in a family like setting. They attended my family celebrations and were considered as a part of my family. I believe that the benefits of continuity of care are the fact that children continue their education and provider care with the same provider. The children are comfortable and less stressed about changing providers. Children who have one provider over a period of time have a strong bond with their provider. Young children develop a secure sense of identity through consistent care practices, and an effective partnership between parents and early childhood teachers is imperative for achieving consistency (McBride, 1999).  

 A benefit that the parents had where the fact that I complied with the way they wanted their children to be cared for. If a parent wanted homework completed before play, which is exactly what was done. If a parent wanted their child to rest before play, which is exactly what I made sure happened. Parent and care providers are the driving force that helps to educate and care for the well-being of children. Successful partnerships have been shown to have a positive impact on the care and education of young children (Owen et al., 2000; Pelo & Davidson, 2003). Excitingly to say, the majority of the children that I provided care for are successful college students. One student is studying to be a fireman, another student is in the air force, and another student received a full scholarship to play college football. I believe that these are the positive effects of continuity of care and great partnerships between the parent and child care provider.  

Reference

De Gioia, K. (2009). Parent and Staff Expectations for Continuity of Home Practices in the Child Care Setting for Families with Diverse Cultural Backgrounds. Australasian Journal Of Early Childhood, 34(3), 9-17.

Your Personal Research Journey

The topic that I have chosen to study is Poverty. Poverty has been seen in just about all parts and areas of the world. It is devastating to see children and families have to suffer without having their everyday normal needs met. I have chosen this topic because as I mentioned before, I work at a preschool that serve many families who live at or below the poverty line. Many of my students and their families live from welfare check to the next welfare check. The funds that they are granted are barely enough to maintain their families for the entire month. As a teacher, I personally see the effects poverty have on my students. These children are unfocused, late to school, delayed in their education, stricken with disabilities, in lack of parental guidance, and in need of lots of love and resources that are available to them.

I understand that parents who are in poverty often have to deal with the daily stressors of caring for their family. When stress is in their home, often children are neglected unintentionally. Parents are often busy trying to make ends meet or fighting with one another from the pressures of life. This is when then relationships of children and their families take a dive for the worse. This can sometimes lead to parents separating or divorcing which also affects children lives.

Not having the proper nutrition can also be devastating to children. This alone can affect the wellness of children's developmental stages in their lives. Children's performance in school can also be affected by poverty. When children are a part of families who are fighting, hungry, cloth less, and struggling at having their basic needs met, they are not prepared for school. Often these children are not focused, delayed, aggressive, angry, depressed, and suffer from many other issues. I am sure that doing research about the different aspects of poverty will be interesting to research.