Hi Colleagues,
Great to be blogging with you all once again!
Beginning My Research Simulation
I have decided to focus on the topic 'Transition'. I want to research this area because it is important to children and their families and also because it needs much attention in my country. My research topic will likely read:
"Ways of improving the transition program from nursery to early primary".
One may ask why it is important to give
attention to children’s transition in school. The answer is quite simple. That
this is the time when systems fail children the worst and that is the time they
most urgently need attention (Rodrigues, 2000). A quality Transition to School continues
children's development and learning, building resilience at this key life cycle
transition point for school and life generally. Pianta (2004) writes that
a good transition to school process
ensures children will start school ready to learn and schools will be ready for
children. It should build on children's prior learning and develop strong
links between parents, prior to school and during school. There is much
to be learned from parents and prior-to-school services about what children
already know when they enter school.
Currently, the state of transition from nursery
to the early primary levels in Guyana is unacceptable.The time period is clearly inadequate.
I believe that this process does not give the young learners a fair chance to
succeed. Preparation for success is the best way to achieve it and it is my
belief that a quality transition program can prepare the children to achieve
much.
I believe that this process needs to be examined
thoroughly and this can be done through a research of this nature. If the
problems can be identified and rectified, then many children may have a chance
at success during those early years. Parents must be educated about the
importance of this process to the child and know how they can contribute to it.
However, there is a need to find out how best this should all be done.
Thus far I am enjoying this research simulation process. I like the way Dr Todd is taking us through the various aspects of this course bit by bit with examples and explanations to help clarify and help build our competencies in research. Hope the entire process will be a similar experience. I am still somewhat nervous about getting to the analysis and calculations. Do you have any advice on how I can master this particular aspect of research? Will be happy to hear your thoughts.
Hi Nicola,
ReplyDeleteGreat to be blogging with you again! You chose to research a great topic! I didn't think about transitioning. I am excited to learn about your findings. Yes, I agree that Dr. Todd is guiding us in a great manner. I like how everything is Not presented at one time. I also hope that the rest of the process is similar to the beginning. I think that we will run into areas that we are nervous about, but I know that we will all help each other get through it successfully. Good Luck!
Ashley T.
Hi Nicola,
ReplyDeleteI am happy you have chosen this topic as you can assist me as I guide my son through this experience. The Grade one curriculum does not cater for transitions once the term begins and teachers usually try to move ahead with their planned curriculum this is factual. They are already making plans to demote children to other classes after just the first week. Preparation for success is the best way to achieve it and a quality transition program can really prepare the children to achieve much. All the best as we work together!!!
Hi Nicola,
ReplyDeleteI love your topic for research. No matter where in the world a child lives at the age of transitioning from the infant room to the preschool room and so on through their educational development, it is a difficult process. The desire to make it smoother and bring the parents on board with contributing to their children's successful educational transition is great. You made some very good points in this blog post. I agree with you that preparation for success is the best way to go. I feel that if we as educators show the children that we believe in them they in turn will believe in themselves as well.
Hi Nicola,
ReplyDeleteVery nice and well written blog! I love how you stated that transition is something that as educators we need to take a closer look at in helping children tranisiton from nursery to school.
Thank you for sharing and good luck in your research.
Maria
Nicola
ReplyDeleteThe topic of transition and school readiness is of great importance to me as well. I strongly believe that school readiness begins at birth.
During the infant/toddler/twos phase children focus on learning experiences, such as alphabet and number introduction, listening and speaking skills, making friends, getting along with others, confidence, and self-help skills. During the preschool/pre-k phase, children work on pre-reading skills like letter recognition and exploring rhymes, pre-writing/small muscle activities, and pre-math skills, such as, counting and identifying shapes and patterns. During this age, children also focus on cooperation and communicating with others and developing independence and self-control. These are all skills needed for kindergarten and children who gain these skills in quality early childhood programs benefit greatly.
I am also a little nervous about the analysis part of research, but I am sure Dr. Todd will take us through it step by step and give us a better understanding.
Felecia
Wow Nicola,
ReplyDeleteGreat job, and point! As a pre-K teacher, one of my biggest concerns is preparing the children in my class for Kindergarten. Not just learning how to write and read, but gaining social skills, controlling emotions, and conducting themselves in a group setting under the proper circumstances. I think that this topic will be a great one to research, I can't wait for the outcome. many blessings with finding ways to bridge those gaps.