Researcher of Play and the influences it has on academic success in Kindergarteners.

If I were truly knowledgeable about research and had all the means to complete the research, I would conduct studies on play and the influences it has on academic success in Kindergarteners. As of right now, being a Kindergarten teacher in an area where play is extremely limited, I dream of proving to my supervisors, the public, and those who are making these instructional decisions as to what we can and can not do in the classroom, that play is the most significant part of a child's learning.

I would conduct a research study in Kindergarten classrooms that are play, literacy, and numeracy enriched, and study a Kindergarten classroom where "student centered instruction" is most important, preparing students for MAPs testing, and teachers instructed to use the data from standardized tests to teach the students. The term "student centered instruction" meaning instruction that is supposed to be student as worker, teacher as coach, yet teachers are limited to scripted programs, and continuous assessment of students, as well as very little time for anything, and no time allowed for "centers".

Through my research I would hope to find that the play enriched classroom proves that because children are truly learning through authentic "student centered instruction" and not scripted programs or curriculum, their cognitive, social, and emotional development is strong and progressing throughout the study.

I believe this would benefit the children because they will be having so much fun, learning through play, and truly learning for the love of learning. It would also benefit them socially, because as of right now, my experience with kindergarteners, many of them  come without being socially ready for school, and as the teacher struggle to find time to teach those social skills through all of the other expectations placed upon me. It will benefit them emotionally, because they learn through play and socializing with others, how to self regulate and understand their emotions. Cognitively, they will, through my support and the interactions with peers and their play enriched environment, learn how things work and develop problem solving skills.

I believe this would benefit parents, as well as the community as a whole, because through all of this play and learning, the children will continue to grow and develop the necessary skills to function as a well rounded, civil, young child, young adult, and eventually grown adult, who can contribute in meaningful ways to our community and world.

As you can see, I am extremely passionate about the significance of play, and all of the above is in theory, "if I could". My hopes are that one day it will be a reality, maybe not conducted by myself, but I would be able to show those the reality and truth to those who do not believe or see the significance of play for these young children, even in Kindergarten.

My Research Topic

I chose to research how play influences the growth and development of social, emotional and cognitive skills in young children. I chose this topic because I am very interested in play and the influences it has on a child's success. I have always been passionate about play and believe that for young children it is how they learn and grow. In my opinion, without play there is limited self discovery, child-centered learning, and without play children do not learn how to manipulate the environment around them. My hopes right now are that through my research, I can find valuable and significant information and proof that I can share with other educators to begin on the path of bringing more play back into public education in our area. Right now, the students at my school only get 20 minutes of play a day at school, and "centers" or "free play" and play in general is not suggested. Teaching Kindergarten, it is frustrating and difficult to teach under these circumstances.

So far in my research I have found a few articles that I want to explore further. It has been a learning process for me and will continue to be as I read and research more. My hopes are that I can become effective at finding articles that help my research and help me to grow more as a researcher and learner overall.

I would love any suggestions about ways that you attempt to research your specific points, or things that you find helpful in your research process. I feel the most challenging thing for me will be to quickly and effectively find research that will pertain to my topic.

Best wishes to you all as you continue on this journey!