Research that Benefits Children and Families

I found a really interesting research study called the "Spongebob Study".  This study evaluated preschoolers' attention spans after watching "Spongebob Square Pants" for several minutes.  The study did showed that after watching even just a portion of the show the children had "that the immediate effects of viewing very fast-paced programming could potentially affect how children learn, a conclusion consistent with other research showing a long-term effect of television viewing during early childhood and later attention problems and academic outcomes" (Kyle Snow, Ph.D., n.d.).  The study consisted of 60 children, all Caucasian from middle class families.  The kids were randomly assigned to three different groups, one group watched "Spongebob", another "Caillou", or draw with crayons and markers (Kyle Snow, Ph.D., n.d.).

I really liked this study because  of the reflection parents and educational professionals engage in.  Children's cartoons and t.v. shows today always make me feel uneasy in the sense that it just goes too fast, nothing is developed (in regards to a child's idea of "plot"), and most of the shows are plain ridiculous.  It also reminds us adults to monitor what children watch and take the time to watch the shows with them and to talk about the content afterwards.  

Resource

Snow, Ph. D, Kyle.  (n.d.).  Research news you can use: Dissecting the "Spongebob Study".  

           Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/content/research-review-dissecting-%E2%80

           %9Cspongebob-study%E2%80%9D.  

My Personal Research Journey

I have chosen to look at recruiting, training, and retaining high quality teachers in early childhood facilities.  This topic relates closely with my personal and professional life.  Personally, I have struggled with my love of working in the early childhood field solely because of the pay.  I know I can get a higher paying job, but do not want to leave the environment or people I work with.  Professionally, I struggle every day to recruit and retain high quality teachers for my center. 
So far, in this research process, I have learned a great deal.  I am now more attuned at looking closely at the sources I chose for my research and am more aware of the actual research process.  While, I have a lot of background doing research papers and the actual task of "researching" I never really embraced the process.  The chart I completed for this week's assignment helped me narrow down my focus and will be extremely helpful through the rest of this simulation.  I look forward to sharing new insights and suggestions with my colleagues.