Hello all! I have had the hardest time finding resources on the link between standardized testing and play based learning! I have changed my focus to Standardized Testing in Kindergarten and will update you with more soon! Thanks, Danielle...
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The topic I have chosen to research is Learning Through Play - and whether or not children perform better on standardized tests because of it. I am having a hard time finding research that supports or negates this. I am following up with information from the Goddard Schools here in the U.S. and will also look further into Montessori data and Reggio frameworks but would like to find specific studies. If you have any insights, please do forward on!
I chose this because as a preschool teacher, we of course teach through play. Some of this is continued into Kindergarten, but usually by first grade, this learning through play mantra disappears because of the rigors of the Common Core and unrealistic expectations for true learning to take place. I would like to see some data that our efforts in learning through play extend well beyond the preschool years and help children perform better on standardized tests throughout their school careers because of the foundation work of creativity, exploration, and interest based studies we have exposed them too.
The simulation process was a great way to start to see how my research will unfold. I am very uneasy about this process -or should I say scared! Designing research and processing the data seem way out of my realm. Hopefully I can find some good research about learning through play and standardized testing to guide my research question and then research! Thank you!
Hot topics, research, and other information in Early Childhood Education.
Danielle your choice of research topic is very interesting. There is no learning in the early childhood program without play. Play is very vital in the development of children pro-social behavior. Goodluck
ReplyDeleteI love this topic I wrote a paper related to how important learning through play is for a conference that I attended. The NAEYC has a ton of information on play based pay and childcare aware also has information along with links.
ReplyDeletenicely done and I am also out of my realm on this one.
But as I have always been told and believe it is only when you leave your comfort zone do you learn, do you grow so I say lets both leap and learn together.
Mary
Thanks Mary and Chidinma! I posted before I submitted my paper. I was really having a hard time finding sources through the Walden Database for my research. I of course found a ton of information through NAEYC, DEC, Zero To Three on play based learning but not on the link to standardized testing. I have changed my topic to Standardized Testing in Kindergarten and hope to talk with Dr. Dartt about this further.
ReplyDeleteDo any states currently do Standardized Testing (ST) in Kindergarten? As a whole, the state of Texas does not do ST until 3rd grade, but each school/teacher can do ST to assess knowledge at anytime.
ReplyDelete~Heather C.
Danielle, sorry to hear you are having trouble finding the information you need. I understand play is very important to young children. Good luck!
ReplyDelete