When I Think of Research...

          Wow! I cannot believe that this past eight weeks have flown by so fast! I have learned so much from the course work, our professor, and all of my colleagues.  Research has always been one of my least favorite things to do.  I have always dreaded the process and never saw as one of my strong points.  However, some an insight that I gained about research from taking this course is that it doesn't have to be a dreaded process!  It can be actually enjoyable!  I know this seems silly, but to look at how I felt about research before this class to how I feel now, is a tremendous change!  A lesson that I learned about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood is that all three are so very important.  Without all three of them, a study could not be possible.  As a researcher, you have to accurately perform all three, planning, designing, and conducting in order to aquire proper results for your study.
          A challenge that I encountered during this course was how to review and study a research study article.  In the past, this was something made research dreadful for me.  I did not know that there was a proper way to review these articles.  Reviewing articles was a challenge that I anticipated, however when we learned how the process of reviewing them, it made a world of difference.  Reviewing research studies are no longer something that I dread.  My perceptions of an early childhood professional have changed to some extent, my perceptions have grown.  An early childhood professional is someone who works with children during their early childhood years, nurturing, educating, encouraging, caring for, and providing for them.  However, early childhood professionals can also be someone who works to understand more about particular aspects of young children, such as how play is an influence to children, or how parental involvement is important. An early childhood professional can also be a researcher. 
          I want to thank all of my colleagues and my professor for all of your support, encouragement and knowledge that you have given me over the past eight weeks.  Without you, I would not have made it to this final week.  I appreciate everything and I wish well to all of you.