Research that Benefits Children and Families

A Positive Example of the Effects of Research 

on Children and Families

My nephew participated in a study comprised of forty 8- to 11-year-old.The study is called SMART study. The study was led by researcher Dr. Catherine L. Davis, of Georgia Health Science University. The study examined the effects of after-school programs, including recreation and cognitive activities, on children’s health and brain function. My nephew was chosen to participate in the program because of obesity. The research study benefited my nephew, he got outside more which caused him to lose weight. He ate more healthy foods which means his family exercised more and ate healthier. To read an article on the study click the link below.

http://www.gpb.org/news/2011/02/21/exercise-could-make-obese-children-smarter

Building Research Competency

My  Personal Research Journey

The research topic I chose is Technology as a Tool in Early Childhood Education. My three related subtopics are 1) ways technology nurture early learning to development. 2) Technology as a catalyst for social interaction and conversation in an early childhood classroom 3) how technology help toddlers develop socially, emotionally and physically. I chose this topic because young children are engaging with technology. Parents are handing their mobile devices to their children to play with, for respite, for learning and a whole range of reasons. Children are continuously exposed to technological devices. Technology is greatly embedded in our society, and it is a teacher’s responsibility to use this engaging and widely used tool to educate children. I also chose this topic because the research will provide me the knowledge to utilize my degree in instructional technology to be utilized on a larger scale. This research will benefit young children, families and the early childhood field. I’ve learned thus far in this course that the research design portion of the research process is vitally important to having research results be valid.  I’ve learned that this portion of the research process is time consuming but worth it. I have not done research in along time and any help would be greatly appreciated.