Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Hello Everyone!

This week, we have been studying ethics issues in relation to research on children . While many may deem researching on children particularly risky, I think that there can be many educational benefits.

For example, I often think of Maria Montessori, the pioneer of Montessori schooling. Her research observations and experiments, while may have been risky at the time, led to a revolutionary take on educating children. Many of her methods are used in public schools as well as Montessori programs across the world. As an individual who was educated in the Montessori method as a child, I am a product of Maria Montessori’s work. I could read at the age of three and had highly developed communication and creative skills. Many of these skills have served me very well throughout my life. I owe a great deal to my education in this Method.

If you’re interested in Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method here is a link to The American MontessoriSociety’s official website, where you can find a lot of information on how the Montessori Method is changing education in our nation!

Your Personal Research Journey

Hello Everyone!

So I'm back and in a new class this semester called "Building Research Competency!! Considering the name, this class is all about RESEARCH!!! For this week's discussion, we were asked to divulge our chosen topics for this class' research simulation. My topic for this simulation is early childhood homeschooling. I chose this topic because I have two very small children and plan on homeschooling them throughout the early academic years.  I am a product of the Montessori Method and wish to educate my children in this same method. Unfortunately, there are no more public Montessori schools in my area (like back in my day) and all other options are private schools to which I would have to pay a ridiculous tuition that I could never afford. Coincidentally, homeschooling seems to be a growing trend in our field and I am curious as to what the consequences or ramifications of this may be for children, families and early childhood professionals. 

Deep diving into the research process has been extremely eye-opening for me. I know that by participating in this class, I will be more confident in the resources I choose to use in my research. I o realize that I maybe challenged in the amount of research I may or may not find pertaining to early childhood homeschooling in particular. However, I do enjoy a challenge and hope that I can find meaningful resources. As prospective early childhood professionals or even just as parents, we should be knowledgeable on all alternative forms of education. Thus, I do believe that my topic is relevant and will be an interesting read.

I am looking forward to finding out what my peers will be researching, and am open to any and all suggestions for good sources of information.