This week I was charged with responding to the following prompt:
Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?
I would choose to study families and poverty. Previously this has not been a huge interest for me however I have always recognized the significant impact it has on families in all aspects of life for generations. I know that any research with significant findings would be beneficial to these families. While I am not sure exactly what the research would focus on I would like its findings to provide practical guidance for impoverished families. The research would give hope to families proving that the means that are available to them are enough for their children to overcome the cycle. Such means would include the ability to instill love, a sense of safety, and self-worth in their children among others. The research would even give examples of how this can be done. In time and with hard work these sensibilities could help children lift themselves at least one level higher within the income level of their community. This would lead to a new cycle of prosperity. I am not naive enough to think that just one study can do all this but I am hopeful that it can be a catalyst to a few who with hard work ,and opportunity can improve their way of life and that of their family for generations to come. The most important part in the research and quite possibly the most challenging would be to share its findings with families and to get them to believe in the study and put forth what is sure to be hard work. Great research is beneficial to no one if it is not first believed in and then implemented with fidelity.
Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?
I would choose to study families and poverty. Previously this has not been a huge interest for me however I have always recognized the significant impact it has on families in all aspects of life for generations. I know that any research with significant findings would be beneficial to these families. While I am not sure exactly what the research would focus on I would like its findings to provide practical guidance for impoverished families. The research would give hope to families proving that the means that are available to them are enough for their children to overcome the cycle. Such means would include the ability to instill love, a sense of safety, and self-worth in their children among others. The research would even give examples of how this can be done. In time and with hard work these sensibilities could help children lift themselves at least one level higher within the income level of their community. This would lead to a new cycle of prosperity. I am not naive enough to think that just one study can do all this but I am hopeful that it can be a catalyst to a few who with hard work ,and opportunity can improve their way of life and that of their family for generations to come. The most important part in the research and quite possibly the most challenging would be to share its findings with families and to get them to believe in the study and put forth what is sure to be hard work. Great research is beneficial to no one if it is not first believed in and then implemented with fidelity.
Hi Kara,
ReplyDeleteYour research ideas regarding breaking the cycle of poverty in families are excellent. I found an article you might find interesting on this topic stating that while schools can go a long way in helping poor children achieve more, ending the cycle of disadvantage requires prevention and early intervention programs that help families who are desperately struggling to do their best for their children. Author, Neuman explains that to close the gap, childcare, family support, and community based programs working in public settings and social service agencies are a vital component of the equation, (Neuman, 2009).
References
Neuman, S.B., (2009) Use the science of what works to change the odds for children at risk, Phi Delta Kappan, Retrieved from:http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=33c64775-22ab-48b4-ac5e-adda5915e810%40sessionmgr4002&hid=4204&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ836637
Kara,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of research being used to break the cycle...I would imagine a lot of this type of research would look beyond the family and into the community. We could use these studies far beyond poverty...it could be closely linked to violence, nutrition, teenage pregnancy and much more. Great idea!
Leigh Ann