Thursday, May 17, 2012

~EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH~

-"Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?"-

If I had this opportunity I would conduct a longitudinal research project that studies the long term affects of a fathers absence in young children.  The components of this research will require analyzing 15 boys and 15 girls from the ages of 0-18, and once again when they turn 25. The children will be separated into 3 groups of equal boys and girls.  Group 1 will have a 2 parent household, Group 2 will have a single mother with minimal contact with father, and Group 3 will have a single mother with no contact with father.  All of the children will have the exact same circumstances as far as social status, income, parents education level & age, and religion.  

The research team will collect data across all developmental domains, as well as social interactions, peer relationships, family relationships, and school success.  With the data collected from the research, ec professionals can incorporate programs to encourage fathers involvement, and also develop therapeutic services with the intention of preventing any possible harm to the child.