Uplifting Stories: Research that Benefits Children and Families

“Researchers in every discipline have been guided by explicit ethic guidelines and therefore exist numerous examples of children and/or families who have benefited from high quality ethical research” (Laureate, 2011). In this blog, I will share some of the findings that encourages me to think about such positive examples of research.

Research has proven to be a beneficial tool for many a children and their families in and outside of the early childhood field. By definition, we know that research is careful, diligent, and thorough searching for the purpose of finding and explaining new information.

A few days ago I came across an article concerning children that spark some interest. Working with children with special needs and trying to normalize them with typical children was something that I had been working on for quite some time. Within the article, tips were given as to how to go about doing that. The author stated, “Fair isn’t everybody getting the same thing. Fair is everybody getting what they need in order to be successful” (Martinez, 2018). I would agree with this statement. Although each child is seen as individual finger prints, they should be treated and taught in equality and in justice.

As professionals and teachers, we have to make “accommodations to support a child’s individual strengths and needs” and “all children deserve this type of individualization” (Martinez, 2018). She further says, “When getting to know children well, consider their individual differences” (Ibid, 2018). After much research, she pointed out some important things to consider when individualizing children.

• “Gender: Gender influences children’s behavior and your own expectations. Help children understand that your classroom is a place to explore freely.
• Interests: Practice to nurture children’s interests. This conveys the message that you value what is important to them and helps them gain new skills and confidence.
• Culture: Talk to families about their own unique child-rearing practices and beliefs to avoid assigning cultural labels based on ethnic, racial, and religious identification. Consider each family’s beliefs, values, and practices and how they might influence how the child thinks and interacts with others.
• Children with Disabilities: The ultimate goal for children with disabilities is the same as for children without disabilities—to give them full access to the curriculum and to help them develop and learn as much as possible” (Martinez, 2018).

This is a perfect and basic way of conceptualizing how to apply individualization to the classroom. Without research, trail and error, and results, this information would not prove itself valid.

Resources:

Martinez, C. (2018). Teacher Strategies: Individualizing to Include All Children. Retrieved on May 23, 2020 from https://teachingstrategies.com/blog/9-tips-responsive-teaching/