EDUC-6163~My Research Journey

This semester we are engaging in a research simulation, which means we will be creating a “mock” research study to become familiar with the process and all that is related to conducting field research in the Early Childhood realm. The domain of research for this simulation falls into social and emotional development and relates to attachment.  Some subtopics of interest are:

1.      How are healthy attachment made in the early years?

2.      What are the types of attachments that children can have, and what implications do they have for measuring success or failure in building relationships with others, and becoming resilient?

3.       In what ways can parents, teachers and practitioners help children repair less than desirable attachments and what are those less than desirable attachments?

This is important to me as an Aunt of two boys who have attachment disorders/difficulties. I currently have custody of my two nephews; they have been with my mother and me for three years.  We have been working through these difficulties ever since.  We have had some behavioral problems at school, both boys are being medicated at this time for ADHD/Bi-Polar, and we are seeking outside help from a psychologist or therapist to work on getting through these difficult times.

As a professional I can use the information to help with children and families in my child care program, I can also use this new knowledge to serve as an advocate for better mental health and early childhood services for at risk children. The third way I can use this information is to create trainings for early childhood teachers, staff and administrators on the importance of building secure relationships with the children they serve.