If Only...

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 could conduct any research in the early childhood field and had no limitations I would send a researcher into at least 2 centers in each major city to record and observe the types of curriculum that work best and why. Early childhood educators could benefit from a comprehensive study like this because they would then be able to implement a cohesive, well designed and researched curriculum in their classrooms. Families could trust that they were being served with the highest early childhood education possible. 

Research Topic

I have decided to further research early childhood curriculum basics. Here is my thought  process: I am a middle grades teacher right now, with no personal or professional experience with small children. Because of this I want to first research what children need to know and what works best. I am looking for early childhood education best practices. I am very interested in curriculum and planning. It's my favorite part of teaching, which may sound weird, but someone has to do it! Sure all teachers say their favorite part of the job is molding the young minds of children, which is great. However, some people have to have their passions in different parts to make education complete and whole. Someone has to want to run a budget for a school, someone needs to organize all of the extra curricular activies, someone needs to be head of discipline. I want to be a curriculum designer for early childhood education. I want to build a system that is flexible and easy to implement in different settings. My dream to build an extensive and complete early childhood curriculum model.