Friday, July 11, 2014
Research topic
I am trying to decide on my research topic for my class. I have narrowed it down however I am having trouble deciding on which direction to go. I want to do something with children and risk taking and how this important for their development (Allowing stick play). I am also thinking about the topic of how conflicts are reduced when preschool children are exploring outdoors versus indoors. Does anyone have any ideas about the direction I should chose?
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Tisha,
ReplyDeleteI suggest you first find a research question; whatever your topic is you must have a research question. Remember you need think about what kind of research approach you would use quantitative or qualitative. You need to ask yourself who would you interview or observe. Here is a research question that you may want to think about; does playing outdoors reduce social conflict between young children? When you go to the library to research you could put in the words social behavior, children, outdoor play. Another question; how does positive behavior correlate between indoor and outdoor play? I hope this helps.
Tisha,
ReplyDeleteI think that you have some wonderful ideas on what you would like to focus on. I do agree with the advice that Danita gave you. I think that I would approach the question thing slightly differently and suggest that when you look at what you want to do with the topic that you have chose, what is the first question that comes to your mind? Is there a part of this that you really don't know much about that touches you personally? These are just a couple of suggestions for how to narrow down your topic. I hope that I may have given you something to think about.
Tisha,
ReplyDeleteI am assuming that due to the nature of your work that you may be familiar with the work of Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and Leave No Child Inside. If not, I strongly suggest you look into his work. His support and implementation of natural play methods and environments for young children is incredibly compelling. I was introduced to this branch of early childhood education by a teaching colleague who knew how much I valued the great outdoors and natural sciences. I know that specifically he has documented the benefits of natural environments for children diagnosed with autism and his works often provides exhaustive reference lists that may lead you in a more specific direction. I am interested to learn what you decide on and hope that you can hope to narrow down the aggressive tendencies topic in relation to stick/weapon play. I currently work with a child who is receiving mixed messages on the topic and a struggling with how to best approach it. Good luck!
I think measuring the conflicts of children indoors vs outdoors would be an awesome study! I also think it is doable..
ReplyDeleteTisha
ReplyDeleteI believe that the outdoor vs indoor topic is a great one. There are many theories about childrens' development and the outdoors. I like the resource that Dana has introduced to you, seem interesting enough to try it. There are fears and myths associated with stick play and I would just love to follow you through to see what you find out. Put all the good advice together and make your decision. I am thinking of changing my topic because I cannot find a lot of helpful information on the subject, I am looking into the impact of educating parents about vaccines and the effect on their children and childhood diseases. o