Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2024
Abstract
This action research study was based on my own need to discern if children who attend child development homes, also known as family childcare homes, are effective spaces for children to learn academic and social-emotional skills using play-based learning. In this action research child development home, family childcare and play-based learning were defined, with a review of how children learn. My study was conducted in my own child development home family childcare program with chilren ranging in age from 12 months to 4 years old. In total, nine children attend my program Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This study was conducted through observation, anecdotal note taking, and recording documentation of the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment in one academic area that included mathematics and one area for social emotional skills. The study included GOLD assessment scores from Fall 2023-2024 screening time and Spring 2024 screening time. During this time, children used problem solving steps to work through mathematics asn social-emotioanl challnges. Findings from the study showed there was evidence of academic and social-emotional skills growth. From this finding, it is evident using pay-based learning and some intentional teaching, from the teacher is an effective way to teach students both academic and social- emotional skills.