Head Start REDI

The purpose of this research was to observe children who attended the Head Start REDI program and compare them to children who did not attend Head Start REDI. The researchers purposed the question: does the Head Start REDI program have an effect on a child’s social-emotional functioning? 356 children between the ages of 2-5 were selected in 25 head start centers in the state of Pennsylvania with the majority of the children living in poverty. The majority of the children were girls (54%) with boys being 46% of the children. The researchers collected assessments that measured various aspects of social behavior, learning behavior and interpersonal relationships that were completed by the Head Start REDI teacher’s right before the child entered

Having the research be longitudinal is also really good when it comes to presenting the effectiveness of Head Start REDI program. I wonder why they chose to end the study at third grade instead of continuing it up until they leave elementary school. The researchers provided a lot of information about the Head Start REDI program and how it was more a benefit for kids who live in poverty. A weakness that I found is that it was hard for me to read the data. Typically, a research paper should be at a 5th grade reading level but, I often found myself lost in the paragraphs and unable to understand how the data was measured. The result section of the paper was really short which, would have made it easier to understand the relevance of the data. A weakness of this test would be consistency. Every classroom is different. Different teachers, directors, children, and families. Some Head Start REDI employees might only be in the class room for their paycheck while other teachers really want to provide an enriching learning experience for the child but, the parents aren’t continuing the practices at home. The researchers have no idea what is happening to the children when they leave to go home from the program. I found myself asking “How to the teachers and the researchers know for sure that these kids are gaining something from this

It was pleasant to read that my work as a preschool teacher will actually make a difference my student’s lives in both social behavior and academic success. The Head Start REDI program is not just a place where kids get dropped off to play. In fact, they still get a lot of social-emotional benefits just by playing. It is a program where kids learn and shape themselves. I knew that preschool and Head Start REDI programs were beneficial for kids but, I never knew the extent of the benefits until after reading this study and the exact skills they learn in a preschool of Head Start REDI