Introduction
- Research Design
- Population and sample
- Measures
- Procedures
Conclusion
Introduction
Position statement
The Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program
“Playing to Learn/Learning’
Methodologies describe systematic and theoretical analyses researchers employ to investigate phenomena. They are features applicable to specific disciplines’ conduct of research studies. Also, the definition encompasses principles used to gather data/information connected with a particular body of knowledge. Importantly, methodology applications embrace articulation of concepts inclusive of paradigms and theoretical models. Ultimately, methodology forces researchers into selecting either a quantitative or qualitative approach towards conducting a research project (Creswell, 2003).
In highlighting the expectations of employing a specific methodology to this study ‘ The Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program ‘Playing to Learn/Learning;’ it is imperative to state as well the limitations of applying methodology to this research practice. It is imperative to note that a methodology is not expected to offer solutions to the phenomenon researched. However, a set of criteria are offered in facilitating the researcher’s selection of the most appropriate method for the phenomenon being researched. The criteria offer best practice approaches towards selecting relevant methodologies (Creswell, 2003).
These criteria include carefully analyzing principles, rules and postulates adapted by the discipline into which the research is being conducted. A second consideration pertains to conducting a systemic study of applicable methods within the education discipline that can adequately provide the best outcome in the research practice. Thirdly, is evaluating descriptions of study methods and their applicability to investigating ‘Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program “Playing to Learn/Learning to play” (Berg, 2009).
Research Design
After considering the foregoing attitudes pertaining to selecting an appropriate research methodology for this investigation ‘Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program “Playing to Learn/Learning to play’ a qualitative research design as selected as being the most appropriate for this type of study. Qualitative research method contains an inquiry pattern whereby the researcher attempts to create a holistic, mainly narrative supporting descriptive analysis of the phenomenon investigated. Primarily, qualitative methods act as information building mechanisms within the specific science. It forces application of theoretical assumptions as foundation evidence derived from the practice (Gall, Borg, & Gall, 2006).
Importantly, the qualitative method is used mainly in natural environments. In these settings a number of data collection techniques are employed. They include interviews, document reviews and observations. Qualitative research methods encompass a process as well as application of strategies. The process embraces four major steps. They include categorizing data by selecting relationships within categories, implying that data and meaning emerge from within the research context. Bringing predicated underlying assumptions into the investigation is a second aspect of the process; thirdly is selecting reference points or variables and fourth is perspective clarification (Gall et.al, 2006).
In qualitative research designs phenomena are perceived holistically meaning that complex parts of an issue cannot be reduced into smaller or fewer interdependent or independent factors. This is so because researchers have to be very objective. For example, in this study ‘The Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program “Playing to Learn/Learning to play’ Play is the independent variable. This study focuses on play and not types of play. Therefore, at this point of the study the researcher cannot divert to investigating play broken down into subsets like outdoor play, indoor play; play with other children
Also, qualitative researchers focus on nature and do not attempt to impose their research values on the study because elements of subjectivity will surface and the results will lack objectivity and validity ultimately. The researcher is expected to record what is observed or communicated in a survey or interview. This data is retrieved from the natural environment in which subjects/ sample function. Recording must be accurate and unbiased. All conclusions are based on data retrieved and not influenced by the researcher’s culture or paradigms of the issue. (Gall et.al, 2006).
During the qualitative design phase, the researcher is expected to create research questions or word an hypothesis. These elements one or the other is applied to selecting populations, sample and data collection procedures. Research questions could be modified or removed and replaced altogether in the design phase. For this study two research question have been selected to direct the investigation. They are:-
- How does play influence Children’s Learning and Development abilities?
- How does the early childhood program “Playing to Learn/Learning to play” impact learning and development in children?
More importantly, apart from process aspect of qualitative design there is an application of strategies stage. During this dispensation the researcher has to decide from a series of strategies inclusive of case study; ethnography; phenomenology; grounded theory: focus groups and historical research. For this study a grounded theory approach is selected since the researcher seeks to develop theory from this investigation. Grounded theory is preferred above case study, which takes a much longer time and requires much more resources to conduct.
Population and sample
The population selected for this study is early childhood education teachers. These are the persons involved in teaching children and could observe and measure development as well as learning this being part of their daily execution of duties. The inclusion criteria are a qualified early childhood education teacher for at least five years and one whom has obtained a bachelor in the teaching strategy. The exclusion criteria are teachers not qualified in early childhood education and those who do not have a minimum of five years’ experience teaching in the discipline.
Purposive sampling would be the strategy used for selecting teachers to participate in this survey. This strategy is chosen when a researcher desires to select a sample due to some specific characteristic. In this research the peculiar characteristics are early childhood education teachers and those who have a minimum of five years’ experience. Purposive sampling is popularly applied in qualitative research because it is cost effective; time saving along with effort producing effort management (Patton, 2000).
Suggested reliability/validity measures are developing the use many items in the instrument conducting an inter-rater reliability coefficients test prior to administration of the instrument in establishing standard rating forms. Also, procedures for resolving disagreements among rater will be employed prior to selection of sample and administration of instruments. Combining strategies of persons involved in the execution of the instrument helps in establishing reliability in conduct of the research (Creswell, 2003).
Qualitative research focus is not on establishing generalbility when arriving at conclusions since no statistical measurements are used to accurately predict this criterion as in qualitative studies. However, by using purposive sampling techniques the qualitative researcher concerns turn towards external validity as it related with comparability. This means the extent to which other researchers following up on a study pertaining to the Importance of Play to Children’s Learning and Development in Early Childhood Program ‘Playing to Learn/Learning can detect similar features or alternative ones. It is also establishing the premise for other researchers formulate an understanding of the results applying scientific methods (McMillan & Schumacher, 2003).
Measures
The survey tool used for this study is the questionnaire administered through survey monkey software. Items are expected to reflect learning and developmental in early childhood education of the cognitive and affective domains in relation to play. Three sections are anticipated to be on this structured questionnaire instrument. The first represents a biographic profile, of the teacher; next section pertains to influence of play on learning and the third influence of play on cognitive; affective development in early childhood (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2009).
Reliability of the tool would be established by pretesting items on the questionnaire and removing ones that produce ambiguity or misunderstandings. Essentially, items in a questionnaire instrument must accurately reflect variables and concepts needing to be addressed in the study. For example, play in early childhood education; programs play learning ought to be clarified in terms of this research during the definition of concepts section. Subsequently, items must coincide to retrieve answers applicable to definitions of concepts. If they are not then, there is an external validity issue in either the sample of instrument (Creswell, 2003).
Procedures
The study will begin by seeking approval from my faculty board. After this has been obtained I will proceed by designing questionnaires or finding ones that can be used for the study. When those have been found approval from the producers to use the product in this research must be sought. A sample will be selected. After obtaining questionnaire approval the instrument will be uploaded on survey monkey and the sample notified of it availability. Survey monkey has software that codes and categorizes data.
Ethical considerations pertain towards data teachers may use in responding to items on the questionnaires that require some explanations regarding influence of play on cognition. A disclaimer regarding the information being used solely for educational purposes and no personal identity will be tendered in the results whereby individuals could be identified must be addressed. Once the relevant permission is obtained from the department of education this ought to cover the major ethical concerns pertaining to the conduct of this study.
Conclusion
This proposal is highlights the author’s intention to conduct an investigation into Importance of play in early childhood. Chapter1 outlined the basic of this study indicating that there is a need for analysis within the discipline of how play influences learning in early childhood education. Chapter 11 provided extensive literature to supportive of the hypothesis and research questions providing that play is significant to learning and development in early childhood education. It is the author’s expectation that this research produces new knowledge into reintroducing play as a very important aspect of early childhood since play among children is becoming unpopular in the society and school.
Some articles presented expert opinion while other offered evidence through trails. One expert opinion delivered profound evidence pertaining to the research topic under review. It exposes evidence suggesting that high quality pretend play has immense effects on perspective taking; abstract thought formation; higher level cognition development and social and linguistic competence. While these have been concrete findings revealed from this literature review content analysis the researcher recommended that more intense investigation be conducted to determine the extent of a relationship between pretend play and more specific academic skills demonstrated by children later in their academic pursuits. Policy implications relating barriers encountered in producing profound evidence based scientific were also highlighted as measures are taken to provide the industry with more evidence study in this field (Bergen, 2002).
Chapter 111 explained the methodology. A qualitative design was selected along with questionnaire instrument administered through survey monkey. A sample of early childhood educators is expected to be selected from the population. The inclusion criteria entailed activelyv engaged in childhood education for at least five years and obtaining a bachelor’s degree to teach the subject. The exclusion criteria were all teachers who did not have such qualifications. Data analysis is expected to be conducted using survey monkey software.
References
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Pearson Education Inc
Bergen, D. (2002). The Role of Pretend Play in Children's Cognitive Development.
Early Childhood Research and Practice. 15(1).
Creswell, J. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications
Gall, M. Borg, R., & Gall, J. (2006). Educational research: An introduction. White Plains, NY:
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Kaplan, M., & Saccuzzo, D. (2009). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and issues.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
McMillan, J., & Schumacher, S. (2003). Research in education: A conceptual understanding.
New York: Harper Collins
Patton, M. (2000). Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park,
CA: Sage Publications.
