Research that benefits children and families – Uplifting Stories: Option 1

Week 3 blog: Option 1:

Research that benefits children and families – Uplifting Stories

An article I found to be important for children and families regarding research is called, “WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S EDUCATION: In Relation to Academic Achievement.”  Michigan Department of Education. (n.d.).   Retrieved from http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVw9C5CxTaRgA4c5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTExZDhsNnNkBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1VJQzFfMQ--/RV=1/RE=1395537347/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fmichigan.gov%2fdocuments%2fFinal_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf/RS=%5EADAAb.VRHt7LqRcF5lmAKMSpLI.7iw-

      The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school. f The earlier in a child’s educational process parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects. The most effective forms of parental involvement are those parents who work directly with their children on learning activities at home.  Major Factors of Parent Involvement:  1. Parents’ beliefs about what is important, necessary and permissible for them to do with and on behalf of their children;  86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve the schools. 2. The extent to which parents believe that they can have a positive influence on their children’s education; and Lack of parental involvement is the biggest problem facing public schools. 3. Parents’ perceptions that their children and school want them to be involved.  Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates.  In addition better school attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem.  Although most parents do not know how to help their children with their education, with guidance and support, they may become increasingly involved in home learning activities and find themselves with opportunities to teach, to be models for and to guide their children.  Lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs and alcohol and fewer instances of violent behavior, family participation in education was twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status.  The more intensely parents are involved, the more beneficial the achievement effects. The more parents participate in schooling,  at every level -- in advocacy, decision-making and oversight roles, as fund- raisers and boosters, as volunteers and para- professionals, and as home teachers, the better for student achievement. 

 

 

My Personal Research Journey

Week 2: My Personal Research Journey

 

The subtopic I chose for my topic for simulation is “How toxic stress affects young children.”  I chose this topic because it can either negatively or positively impact children throughout their lives without early intervention.  Even if children receive intervention later in life, it is very costly and does not have the same effect as early intervention does on young children.  I went to school with children who grew up in poverty and/or abusive parents.  This children did not receive the proper services they needed to be successful in their developments and academically and always seemed to struggle throughout school.  Today, we know from studies done in neuroscience that our genes create the foundation for our brain’s development, but our early experience will decide how the brain get wired (Shonkoff, 2009).  A better understanding of adversities on children’s brain development, such as toxic stress, will help economists and policy-makers make better decisions on the type of quality care, education, and services needed for all young children, especially those in adverse situations.  Any information on toxic stress and its effects on young children would be appreciated in order to provide more information on this subject in order to expand my knowledge on it to be a better advocate for young children would be greatly appreciated.