Blog #7: Reflection
1. Address the following questions:
a. What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about
overcoming these challenges?
The challenge I overcame was finding reliable sources. For example, I overcame this challenge by using Ms. Martin’s tip on looking at the credibility of the author. Furthermore, I had trouble finding the negative effects of play on child development because the play was highly recommended by many authors on Google. An example I solved this problem was by looking at the Charles Best Learning Resources because it had a lot of variety of information for me to create a non-biased post. Next, it was challenging for me to condense my information into one blog post because there was so much information on how child play impacts a child’s mental health. For example, I resolved this issue by constantly asking myself, “If I was a student in this class, would I find it interesting and informative?” This helped me create a detailed, engaging, and concise post, so my peers can have fun learning about child’s play and mental health.
b. How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry changed how I think because I am so much more interested in the importance of child’s play for a child’s mental health. For example, I choose to spend more time with my baby cousin while she plays with her toys. I try to talk her through the process of playing, so she can improve her social skills. Furthermore, I have a bigger appreciation for moms because I realized how much work my mom put in trying to encourage my brother and me to engage in child’s play. An example is when she used to create a Lego competition, so we could work on our motor skills. Lastly, I realized I enjoy learning about psychology (specifically mental health), so I am motivated to learn more about career paths in that subject. For example, I talked with my mom’s friend who is a psychologist, and I found her work exceptional.
c. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation impacts hugely on future decisions because I am more involved with kids. For example, when I volunteer at summer kids camp, I realized I talk more with kids. With this project, I realized how much kids learn during child development, so I am encouraged to help them find activities that include many skills like literacy, numeracy and crafts. This impacts my future decision because I realized I love kids. For example, I used to feel a bit hesitant about being a mom because my mom said it was a 24-hour job. Now, I feel more joyful about having kids because I can be a part of their path to being an important member of today’s society. Finally, this impacts my future decision in having an open mind about my career options. As an example, I will investigate more psychology-related options, so I can find a job I will be interested in.
d. What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
This investigation will have an impact on the global level because I can help parents and kids engage more in child’s play. I will be able to help them avoid the negative effects of child’s play like addiction and unhealthy comparison by educating them on this subject. For example, by informing this topic on social media, I hope this information will reach globally. Kids are the future of today’s society; we need to focus on them! This project will also have an impact on the local level because I will be able to help my aunt find beneficial play specifically for the right age for my baby cousin. For example, since she is almost 2 years old, I can encourage my aunt to show her how to read children’s books! Lastly, when I become a mom, I will be able to have a local impact on my children by helping them to feel happy during their childhood. For example, I will try to do at least one educational play activity per day (literacy or numeracy), to help them feel loved and knowledgeable.
Thank you,
Sarah Kim
