Katie Anderson

Intern-Mentor G/T, Period 6

Annotated Source List
Bindley, Katherine. "When Children Text All Day, What Happens to Their Social Skills?"
Huffington Post. Huffington Post, 9 Dec. 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Summary:
Parents are always concerned about technology and everything it ensues, but one of the
bigger questions people do not ask as much is, will kids be able to hold a conversation?
Conversation seems to be becoming a thing of the past, but it potentially is not good for our kids
future. Many kids today do not exercise face to face conversation as much as they used to before
smartphones. Now instead of engaging in conversation, kids look at their smartphones. Kids
today are dependent on their phones and it is being questioned whether or not they are able to
handle spontaneous social interactions. Children today do not know how to initiate a
conversation or be in small talk situations. They do not have experience in these areas because
there is always something going on in their gadget. Technology it not a bad thing, but it needs to
be used in moderation and should not be overused. Extremely young kids are even more at risk
because they are raised on technology and they become attached to it. Devices are used to soothe
the children and entertain them and it causes them to lose connection with their parents. There is
no creativity, imagination or self-initiation because the kids are not entertaining themselves, but
are being entertained by devices. For a child who is socially successful, technology will not
change their ability to interact, but they will use it as a tool to be even more social.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses how technology affects young
children and their ability to socially interact with others. This is one of the aspects of my research
that I am looking into and this article provides a good perspective.
Caucutt, Elizabeth. "The Real Reason Why Poor Kids Perform Worse in School and in Life."
The Washington Post. Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
This article states that research has shown kids with poorer parents have substantially
worse skills in math and reading when they begin grade school. Other studies have shown that
the skills kids do not attain in pre-school, continue into adulthood and contribute to the fact that
if you have lower educational abilities, you will have a lower salary. Sadly, these findings show
how the fate of generations of poor children are set before they even enter a classroom. This
suggests that school systems are at times, ineffective.
All the research contributes to the unanswered question of why less well-off kids perform
poorly. Once the answer to this question is found, this gap in education can be fixed to create
economic and social policies to improve the generations to come. This study also shows that
there are many differences in how the parents live and invest in their children. Wealthier parents

are twice as likely to have at least ten books in the home rather than the less wealthy parents.
Wealthier parents are also more than 50% likely to read to their child three or more times a week.
Many kids from ages six to seven who are more wealthy are twice as likely to be enrolled in
extracurricular activities than the kids who are less well-off. This leads to another question which
is why do rich and poor parents invest differently in their kids? One reason parents invest time
and money into their childs development is to improve their chance of having a better career
when they grow up. Economic theory states that if this were the only reason parents invest in
their kids, then all families would invest money and time until they could put all that money back
in the bank. This is part of the reason why kids from higher income families get better
investments and do better academically. These investment gaps still shrink when taking into
account maternal ability which is an key part to the story. Overall, if a parent is able to invest
what they have in their child, it will provide a direct benefit for the child, and the parents.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses very important questions that
correlate with my research. Kids with more wealthy and involved parents are more likely to do
well in school, while kids who are less well-off with parents that are not as involved have worse
academic skills.
Colker, Laura J. "12 Characteristics of Effective Early Childhood Teachers." Beyond the
Journal. Beyond the Journal, Mar. 2008. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses what it takes to be an effective early childhood teacher. A childs
success mainly relies on who is teaching them and how this teacher effectively teaches. Many
families worry about putting their childs education in the hands of another adult. The article says
that skills such as being organized, asking probing questions, and having command of the
classroom are more teacher abilities, not characteristics. There was a study done in an Indiana
public school and 227 teachers and 14 principals were surveyed to determine the characteristics
that they thought correlated with being an effective teacher. According to the responses, effective
teachers: know the subject matter, take an interest in each students personally, show enthusiasm,
and establish a good environment. According to the principals, an effective teacher is: child
oriented, organized, and enthusiastic with students.
Another study was conducted to find out what characteristics make an early childhood
teacher effective. The researchers took a different approach to this study and instead asked a
wide range of teachers with different backgrounds in terms of gender, ethnicity, and experience.
This study is a qualitative analysis of 43 participants. Based on the study the participants strongly
felt that the profession of early childhood was a good match for their life goals and personalities.
Based on multiple studies and responses, the researcher made a list of the characteristics of what
makes a early childhood teacher effective. The number one characteristic was passion. It is
important to have passion for what you do, especially in the early education field. This is the
time where kids soak up the most knowledge, and are ready to learn. Early education is not just a
career for someone who is looking for a job working with kids because kids are cute, but because
they are passionate and know they are called to be a teacher. The second most important thing
needed is perseverance. Many respondents referred to this as dedication, and others thought it
was tenacity. All of those included, teachers need to be willing to improve the life of a child and

their family through education. While there are ten more key characteristics of a teacher: risktaking, pragmatism, patience, flexibility, respect, creativity, authenticity, love of learning, high
energy, and a sense of humor, early childhood educators each have their own style.
Application to Research:
This applies to my research because it states ways for teachers to be more effective in the
classroom. When a teacher is being efficient and helpful in an early education classroom, the
students greatly benefit. These are just a few characteristics teachers should have to get the most
out of their students.
"Factors That Influence Childrens Social and Emotional Development." Early Childhood
Mental Health Consultation. Georgetown University, 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
Summary:
This article talks about the many factors that influence a childs social and emotional
development. Children express their social skills and emotions in many different ways. One part
of this is the environmental risk factors. An example of this is living in a harmful community, or
having a lack of policies, such as healthcare, to support families and the children. Another part to
a childs social and emotional development is family risk factors. This could include maternal
depression, mental illnesses in the family, family members having substance abuse issues,
poverty, and violence in the home/community. Lastly, there are child risk factors such as a bad
temper, delays in development, and other serious health issues that can affect a childs emotions
and harm their social interaction with others. These factors are crucial to take into account when
trying to understand their development. Even if there are other factors that are helping a child
develop, these negative factors can be detrimental.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses the factors that can hinder a
childs social and emotional development. My hypothesis states that the most important factor to
social success is how the teacher incorporates the child in the classroom. This article provides
another point of view when it states that there are many other factors that are more important
such as environmental factors in the home, family illnesses and depression, poverty, and health
issues in the child. These factors can override the fact that teachers need to incorporate social
skills in the classroom.
Fisman, Ray. "The Profound Effects of Having a Good Grade School Teacher." Slate. Slate
Group, 2015. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses how recently it was found by economists at Harvard and Columbia
that teachers who boosted standardized test scores prepared their students better for later in life.
This study was done by following students in grades three through eight into adulthood. Students
who had great teachers in grade school were more likely to attend college and earned more in

adulthood. Teachers are responsible for their students education, but it is extremely hard to
evaluate teacher performance. Most schools rely on standardized tests to look at student
performance and these tests are often used to also evaluate the teachers who instruct the students.
With this method of evaluating teachers it can often not be an effective way to measure teacher
effectiveness. This method could reward teachers who educate in schools with students who are
already ahead of curriculum. To escape this issue teachers are evaluated by their kids
performance at the end of one year compared to the previous year. If test scores are raised each
year, most likely it is because of the teacher. Another study was done to try to link the effect of
teacher beyond the classroom. The study was done on 2.5 million students. This study showed
that when there was a new and improved teacher, the students performance increased. Lastly, it
was found that there were lasting effects of a high-value teacher which went into adulthood.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses how to evaluate a teachers effect
on a childs education. This article also states that teachers are vital to success in adulthood and
without a good teacher, a child is at risk of not being successful.
Frederick, Barbara. Personal interview. 20 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
In my interview with Barbie Frederick, my mentor, I asked her various questions relating
to my topic. She thought that some kids excel more at a young age than other because they are
reading all the time and their parents limit their TV and handheld device time. For the social
aspect, Ms. Frederick thought that some students are more social than others because of what
they learn from their parents. If a childs parents are outgoing mostly likely the child will be. If a
childs parents are reserved, most likely the child will be quiet also. Also, some kids are involved
in so many sports, clubs, and activities, they never have time to just be a kid and play. Mrs.
Frederick also subtly incorporates social skills into certain activities. She has her students work
in groups very frequently and they have to learn how to work together. Once a month, the
counselor comes in a does an activity with the students to help them improve social skills. It is
very beneficial for the kids to do these activities, but for some it takes time to use these skills in
the classroom.
For the topic of private school versus public school, it varies whether or not this plays a
factor into education. Some of Ms. Fredericks students from public schools are wonderful, and
based on their report cards, the school systems are doing a great job. At Catholic school, Ms.
Frederick is able to talk about Religion, and not just in Religion class. She can incorporate faith
into certain lessons she teacher, and in public school, that does not happen.
Application to Research:
This interview applies to my research because Ms. Frederick taught me many new things
about my topic, and she also discussed and expanded upon the topics I am planning on
researching/have already researched this year. I am looking at the different factors that help a
childs education, and Mrs. Frederick touched on many points to help support and improve my
research.
Fuller, Cheri. "The Impact of Home Environment." Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family,

2015. Web. 9 Sept. 2015.

Summary:
This article discusses how the home environment has a major impact on how well a child
does in school. It is stated that, The most important work you do takes place within the walls of
your home.. This applies to the issues explained in the article that some students do not do work
with their parents when they get home from school, but rather the kids just watch television, or
play on the computer. This is detrimental to how kids learn and correlates to how well they do in
school. The author of this article says that when she taught high school English, she was always
able to tell which students worked at home with their parents frequently. They did better in the
classroom writing and typically enjoyed writing more. This is what was observed on the high
school level.
On the elementary level, it was confirmed through research that children who were more
successful at writing had a lot of conversation and reading at home. One adult in the family
interacted with the child and helped them with their writing. The adult either let their child read
stories, poems, and encouraged their kids to express themselves through writing. It was not as
formal as it sounds, but was more like making lists of their favorite foods, or dinners they would
like to have. These parents were very involved and saw writing as a vital lifelong skill, which it
is. There are well over 30 million jobs in which people use writing to transfer and convey
information.
Writing is not the only important skill to encourage at home to kids, but also math. For
example, having your kids count toys while they put them away, or giving them experience with
money. These experiences will transfer to the classroom and help kids be more successful in
school. Another way to improve the home environment to help kids in the classroom is to
decrease television time. Playing board games or just having conversation will help motivate
kids and help them to not be couch potatoes. The environment at home is vital to success in the
classroom, so why not make it a positive environment.
Application to Research:
I am currently thinking about researching how a childs home environment affects their
academic success, and this article provides me with solid background information. This topic
interests me, and it provides me with a solid point of view of ways to positively enforce
involvement at home that will translate into the classroom.
Hein, Vanessa, and Becky Smerdon. "Predictors of Postsecondary Success." American Institutes
for Research. American Institutes for Research, Nov. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
This article provides the point of view that success or failure in early childhood, and
elementary education does not correlate with post secondary (college) education. While
longitudinal studies have not been in existence long enough to accurately support this analysis,
more focused studies have been done to try to answer the question of whether or not success in
elementary, middle, and high school relates to success in college. Instead, in this study, the
researchers looked at studies across all grade levels which show factors that can predict future
academic success. For example, studying kindergarten readiness in correlation to third-grade
reading proficiency. To do this, the researchers chose three benchmarks of future success to show

the findings. The categories are: indicators, predictors, and other potential factors. Indicators are
measures with a threshold that is established. For example, a student with a 3.0 grade point
average. Predictors are measures correlated with improved postsecondary outcomes with a nonestablished threshold. Lastly, other potential factors are skills that are important to a students
success, such as collaborative skills.
The study was broken up into different categories. I am going to specifically look at early
childhood (prenatal-kindergarten) and elementary (grades 1-4). For early childhood relating to
success in college, there are no indicators of success, but there are some predictors of
postsecondary readiness. The predictors that were found were components of classroom
competencies. Early approaches to learning helps for college readiness, and these predictors
include persistence, and attentiveness. Other potential factors that relate to school readiness are:
memory skills, positive interactions with other kids, teachers, and family members, and the
ability to stay engaged in a certain task. These skills have found to be related to spelling and
writing scores through age seven and students who can perform these skills are more likely to be
successful in reading and math until around fifth grade.
For elementary school, there were no indicators of postsecondary success. The research
did however identified two indicators that provide future academic success. Achieving literacy
by third grade is key to being successful in English and Language Arts. Certain social skills and
behavioral predictors are also correlated with academic achievement. When students are able to
interact well with peers, it improves social adjustment as well as academic achievement. The
most common other potential factor is the ability to demonstrate social competence. This is being
able to have interpersonal relationships with other people. The definition of social competence is
not consistent across studies, but it still is a potential predictor of social and academic progress.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it gives me a point of view if early education
and elementary education affects success in later academic years. This helps me find out more
about my potential research question which is whether or not success in elementary school
correlates with success in high school or college.
Jones Harden, Brenda. "Family Stability and Healthy Child Development." The Future of
Children. Princeton University, 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.
Summary:
This article discusses child development and how it can be understood as emotional,
physical, cognitive, and social growth of humans into adulthood. Of all environmental
influences, the family of a child has the largest impact on child development. Exploration of
family processes relating to stability can be more useful when determining how a family supports
their childs development. As an example, parental mental health, caregivers stable relationships
and good parenting are qualities of family stability. Other parts of the home environment like
warmth, emotional availability, how the family gets along and day to day activities also can
provide help to a childs development. The most important piece for kids to have positive
developmental outcomes is having trustful relationships with their parents who are consistently
involved in their childs life. Even if a child is in poverty, consistent and quality parenting can
compensate for these risk factors. On the other hand, maltreatment of kids can highly impact

their development including cognitive, language, and academics. This can even affect their social
skills and cause these kids to have poor relationships with their peers. Overall, kids who are
exposed to high levels of stress in their home environment hinders a childs relationship with
their parents and affects their education and social skills.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it supports my hypothesis by saying that the
home environment is the most important aspect for child development. It also gives good insight
to how parents/caregivers are able to achieve a positive home environment.
Kern, Margaret, and Howard Friedman. "Early Educational Milestones." NCBI. National Center
for Biotechnology Information, 21 July 2015. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
Summary:
This is a study that examines the relevancy between reading and age at school entry and
grade school academic performance. The earlier the kids were able to read, the more successful
they were academically. Reading is one of the most valuable skills that is developed during early
childhood. Some children begin reading before it is introduced in school, while others first learn
how to read in school. Those who learn how to read before it is introduced are more successful in
grade school, while those who do not know how to read early, struggle throughout elementary
school. Learning to read before school can set the tone for success throughout the rest of
elementary school. There is also a debate that parents have whether or not their kids are ready for
school. The age at which kids start school is usually dictated by the state, but some parents put
their kids in school earlier. It is still unclear whether or not outcomes associated with school
entry age relate to chronological age and who their peers are, or whether it is driven by a
students age compared to the age of their peers. It has been found that if a child is younger than
their peers do not have as good of outcomes, including lower self-esteem. Kids who enter school
later most likely adjust better socially. Overall, being able to read at an earlier age, will put kids
on the right track to success. On the other hand, entering school earlier lowers academic
performance because the kids are not used to being in social situations with kids who are older
than them.
Application to Research:
This applies to my research because it discusses how some students are more successful
at an earlier age than others. Some of the factors are; when kids begin to read, how early they
enter school, and what age their peers are when they enter school.
Kim, Christine. "Academic Success Begins at Home: How Children Can Succeed in School."
The Heritage of Foundation. Heritage of Foundation, 22 Sept. 2008. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Summary:
This article states that spending on public education totaled $553 billion in 2007 yet
student achievement was not increasing, but staying the same. Even though research shows that
increased spending does not correlate with better academics, it does show the parental influence

has a big affect on a childs education. Two main parental factors that were found were: Family
structure (the number of parents in the home and their relationship with the child) and parental
involvement in a childs schoolwork. The solution to having kids do better in school starts at
home through strong parent involvement. There was also research on family structure and
elementary education. A study showed that first graders whose parents were married when they
were born were less likely to engage in disruptive behavior. Children ages three to 12 that live
with intact families had higher average scores in math than those with peers whom had a
separated family. These students were also more engaged with their schoolwork and had higher
reading scores. In early childhood it was shown that responsive type parenting encourages a
child to engage in play activities and it helps their social and emotional development. A study
showed that even in low income families, if a parent was involved enough the child is more
likely to graduate high school rather than a parent who is not as involved.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses how to home environment and
parental involvement is vital to a childs academic success. Spending on education does not
increase academic achievement in Elementary school.
Klein, Joel. "The Single Most Important Factor in Improving Education: Great Teachers."
Linkedin. Linkedin, 8 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses the importance of teachers and how they are the key factor to
improving a childs education. There is nothing more important to a child in a classroom than the
teacher. There are many ideas that teachers should be self-directed, creative, and professional,
and many teachers are like this. This idea means that teachers will all naturally progress and
makes it seem as if the educator will not improve at her profession or be challenged. Because
teaching happens mostly free of being assessed, malpractice can occur. Teachers who are not
very good can commit malpractice against students and still receive the same benefits as their
peers who are more effective. Teacher quality is a problem that has existed for many years, and is
uneasy to fix. While there are many spectacular teachers, some do not have the skills or
knowledge to be an instructor effectively.
The author of this article, Joel Klein, discusses his experience of being a teacher in New
York City. He states that any openings in the schools could be filled by veteran teachers only
based on seniority. Even if a teacher had bad evaluations, if they teacher had seniority, the job
was theirs. Even after a great teacher had been hired, there was still the possibility of that teacher
being fired because a more experienced teacher could be placed in that job if they needed one.
Because of this, many students suffered. There are also state laws regarding if a teacher can be
fired and under what circumstances. To fire a teacher is takes almost two and a half years and it
cost New York City over $300,000 dollars. It is nearly virtually impossible to remove a teacher
based on incompetence.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it provides the aspect to my research that
teachers are the most important part to a childs academic success. It also states the importance

of having a good teacher in the classroom because it can affect a child for the rest of their life.
This article helps me gain another point of view for my research.
Lareau, Annette. "Your Letter." Message to the author. 22 Oct. 2015. E-mail.
Summary:
In this email, Annette Lareau tells me to read How Children Succeed by Paul Tough.
She states that it is clearly written and she likes the book very much. She also attached two
articles she has written and told me about her book, Unequal Childhoods, which is about a
childs home environment. Lastly, Dr. Lareau told me about a book called Meaningful
Differences by Hart and Risley.
Application to Research:
This email applies to my research because it is very helpful and Dr. Lareau offers me
many resources I will be able to use for my research.
Lawson, Candy. "Social Skills and School." The Center for Development and Learning. Center
for Development and Learning, 2015. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses how school can be a positive social experience for most kids, but
for others, it can be really hard to interact with their peers. School is a place where kids learn
academics, but it is also where kids are given the opportunity to develop social skills. While
students do not quite get grades on their social skills, they are constantly being evaluated by their
peers and teachers each day. If a child is able to properly communicate with others, elementary
school will be a breeze, but if not it can be difficult and the child may feel left out at times.
Social skills play an important role in a childs health and well-being. Without creating
friendships early, a child may want to avoid going to school. Many kids are ill-equipped and may
not have certain social competencies other kids are simply born with. Often times kids who have
good social skills and get along with their peers are more confident, and take on more of a
leadership position in school. Similar to other abilities such as academics, kids vary in how well
they can make friends and become accepted by peers. Kids earn social status, which is a childs
standing compared to other members of the class. There are many different types of social
statuses such as; popular kids, shy kids, and the kids who go unnoticed.
Application to Research
This article applies to my research because it discusses how learning social skills in
elementary school is important not only for making friends, but for your health. It supports my
hypothesis that social skills are mostly influenced by how a teacher incorporates these skills in
the classroom.
Levine, Madeline. "Raising Successful Children." The New York Times. New York Times, 4
Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.

Summary:
This article discusses whether or not overparenting hurts or helps kids. It was found that
the most effective parenting style is authoritative. This type of parenting motivates kids and helps
them academically, psychologically, and socially. In a study, kids were taken into a room and
asked to solve an easy puzzle. Some kids were then told how intelligent they are and some were
not told this. It was found that kids who are not told they are smart were more motivated to
accomplish the tasks and had higher levels of confidence. This may seem odd, but praising kids
hinders their confidence and kids are afraid to lose the status of being smart. The happiest,
more successful kids have parents who do not help their kids do what their kids can already do.
Once a child is able to do something, move on and continue to let them do it. Allowing kids to
make mistakes can be hard, but in the long run it helps them learn new things. The other side to
this article is unnecessarily doing things for your kids. This reduces motivation and increases the
amount kids depend on their parents. Overall, a good parent is kind, but sets limits. Parents also
have to create values and present them in their own actions. If parents are role models for their
kids it makes them want to live the same life you live which is appealing to them.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses how parents need to set limits and
create values to help their kids in and out of school. Overparenting is very possible, and can
hinder a childs learning experience if a parent does everything and anything for their child.
LoBello, Karen. "How Education Affects Early Child Development." mom.me. Whalerock
Digital Media, 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Summary:
Children are born ready to learn, so why should we wait to take advantage of this?
During the first few years of a childs life, their brains are like sponges. When being engaged in
certain activities, kids make significant improvements physically, socially, emotionally, and
cognitively. When kids are educated in early childhood it paves the way to success in school.
Whether a child is learning at home or at school, learning social and some academic skills builds
confidence. The focus should be on creating interest and curiosity for kids in the early years,
while also having fun.
Kids thrive when they are in enriching environments whether they are at home, or at
preschool. These situations are great for introducing kids to a setting that promotes social and
cognitive development. When kids are placed in group setting, they develop more socially and
build meaningful relationships with their peers. Early education helps create an understanding of
how kids relate to each other and eventually become friends. When kids interact with each other
they learn to respect boundaries and limits. They learn to listen, wait, take turns, and share. These
social skills are critical to developing ones personality, and should not be dismissed.
Preschool is the foundation for academic learning. During this time kids learn phonics,
and reading skills through songs, and poems. These are the building blocks to success, therefore,
a good preschool is highly beneficial. It lays the foundation for helping kids get ready to learn
academics, and prevents them from struggling in school. Overall, kids who attend a high-quality
preschool are more likely to go to high school, then college, and get a higher paying job. These
kids are more optimistic about school and their futures.

Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it talks about the importance of preschool, and
how it affects a childs long term academics. It also talks about how early education greatly
improves a childs social skills and social awareness. This helps give me information about why
some kids are more successful at a younger age than others.
Lynch, Sharon, and Cynthia Simpson. "Laying the Foundation for Success." Dimensions of
Early
Childhood June 2010: 3-10. Print.
Summary:
This article discusses the importance of a childs social development. Social development
is a key issue with young kids and many methods have been created to help improve social skills.
Social skills are behaviors that promote positive interaction with others in the given environment.
Some ways to promote skills include; setting up the classroom to encourage social skills,
providing play activities with peers, and directly teaching social skills. Social skills are so
important for young kids because they are behaviors that promote positive interactions with
others. Certain social skills include; showing empathy, generosity, helpfulness, negotiation, and
problem solving. Kids learn these skills from adult, and other children who model behavior.
Teachers are one of the most important parts of helping improve kids social skills. They
are given the ability to set up environments to have teachable moments. They need to take
advantage of these situations when kids are younger so they can learn social skills as soon as
possible, and so the kids can build on these skills. While some kids skills may be improving,
inappropriate behavior needs to be avoided. Problematic behavior attracts attention from peers,
and teacher. Many kids seek this attention even though it is negative. This negative behaviors
provide negative role models that some other kids may imitate. Lastly, problematic behaviors
create situations where some kids may not feel safe.
Promoting peer learning is also important for social skills. By grouping children,
individuals learn from others. For example, if a child has difficulty being social, place this child
between two very social kids. During play time, encourage the students with strong social skills
to invite a less mature child to play. Overall, experience is vital to developing social skills. When
these social skills are formed early, interacting with peers later in life will come much more
naturally and will be easier.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it gave me insight to another question I could
potentially research which is: How do the early education years affect a childs social skills? This
article gave me background on how social skills are formed, and how to help kids form social
skills.
"Motivating Learning in Young Children." NASP Resources. National Association of School
Psychologists, 2015. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
Summary:

Children are naturally curious and they always want to explore and discover new things.
During the early years of a childs life, attitudes about learning will form that last a lifetime. Kids
who receive the right support and encouragement during their younger years will be creative, and
adventurous learners throughout their lives. Kids who do not receive this treatments are more
likely to have a much different attitude about learning later in life.
Some characteristics of motivation in young children is that some children do things
because they want to. They also engage in activities because adults tell them to do so. When a
child makes their own decision it is called intrinsic motivation. Intrinsically motivated kids are
more involved in their learning and they are more likely to retain information. They do this
because they are pleasing themselves. Parents can build upon this by guiding their childs play
and activities while still giving their child options. Unstructured playing is essential to a childs
motivation, development, and learning.
There are certain characteristics that are indicators of high motivation. One is persistence.
When a child is not able to concentrate for long periods of time, they are most likely not as
motivated. If a child can stick with an activity for a while, they are more inclined to be
motivated. Dependency on adults is another factor. Children who are intrinsically motivated do
not depend on the help of adults during certain activities. If adults help their children too much, it
will affect how they learn, and their motivation to do well. Kids should be able to do many
activities with little help from adults to help them learn better. Overall, for parents of young
children, the goal is to appropriately support their kids during development to provide a proper
foundation for optimal education growth. The way children act when they are younger helps to
determine how they will learn when they are older.
Application to Research:
This applies to a possible research question of why some kids are farther ahead than
others at a young age. This provides an aspect that motivation is key to success as a child and is a
large component of why some kids are more successful at a young age.
"Private versus Public." GreatKids. GreatKids, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
Summary:
There are many obvious differences between private and public school, but which is
better for certain kids? Currently, nearly one in four parents are considering switching their kids
from private school to public school, or public school to private school. People say that public
school provides more real-life experiences, while private school is more reserved. The most
obvious difference is that private school costs money, and public school does not. Private school
costs thousands of dollars, which is why many kids do not attend a private school. Many private
schools are highly specialized and offer advanced curriculum , and classes geared towards
religious beliefs. Private schools also have admissions procedures. Public schools must accept all
kids into their school. For some people, getting into public school may not be as easy as you
think. Not all public schools have resources for helping kids with special needs.
Teachers, curriculum, and class size are also factors of how private and public school are
different. All teachers working in public schools are state certified, or are working towards
certification. Teachers in private school may not be required to have certification, but rather have
subject-area expertise and a degree in the subject they are teaching. With the curriculum, public
schools must follow state guidelines that set out specific standards for the year. Private schools
can choose the curriculum they wish to teach. Lastly, private schools have smaller class sizes and

keep the size below a certain level. In public schools, and students advance to higher grades, the
class sizes grow.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it outlines the basic difference between
private and public school. This gives me background to a potential question to see if private or
public school better prepares students for high school and college.
Raspberry, William. "Good Homes, Good Students." The Washington Post. Washington Post,
2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses good homes, and the relation to good students. The relationship
between parental competence and academic success is not perfect for many reasons. There are
some homes where the parents are indifferent and do not care very much about their childs
education, but the child is very eager to learn. There are also homes where the parents are very
involved and seem to be doing everything right, but their kids do not care, and are mentally
check out. Even still, the relationship between good home and students stands. The most
significant characteristic of a good school is a large amount of children from good homes.
If this is the case, then why do public policies pay such little attention? It might seem like
common knowledge to think that school success relies on the superintendent, the school budget,
and the teachers, but in reality, school success is mostly due to parents. They are the ones with
the money to help support their kids, and they are in control of putting their kids in a good
school. This is why charter schools appeal to low income adults because they think their kids will
benefit from the type of learning environment made up of kids from good homes. Of course, it
matters that there are qualified teachers, and principals, but it matters most what parents do and
believe.
One of this biggest issues is that less-wealthy parents do not understand the power of
education. Many of these parents are poor because they did not attend school for most of their
lives. There is something being done about this. There are many parent-education programs
across the nation. These programs inform parents that it is critical to help their kids at home.
They learn certain tricks to prepare their kids for learning and for life. Many things will have
limited impact until the parents understand that they are the most effective teachers.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it provides another aspect to my research. I
can find out more about the parent-education programs. This article also gave me insight to how
there are different relationships in some homes between parents and their kids and how
sometimes, the child does not care about their education, but the parents does.
Ryan, Mackenzie. "Most Vital Part of Education Takes Place Early: Child's First Five Years."
StatesmanJournal.com. Gannett, 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Summary:

This article discusses how a childs most formative years are from birth until age five.
According to some studies, 90 percent of a childs brain develops during this time. It is vital for
kids to build a foundation for their knowledge during this time of their life so it benefits the
childs academic achievement in later years. One way to do this is having a parent read to a child
on a regular basis. When children are not interacting with their parents it has been shown that
these kids do not do as well in school. Kids are not in school at this young of an age so it is the
parents responsibility to support and encourage their kids. Most public spending on education
occurs after the age of five, starting in kindergarten. Randy Fishfader, and early education
instructor states that We are really shooting ourselves in the foot by not putting out resources
where they will have the most impact. He is saying that more resources should be put towards
the early years rather than all of it towards the rest of the education years.
If kids are not exposed to reading, or literature before kindergarten, it is very hard to
catch up. Once kids are behind, they typically stay behind. Many kids when entering
kindergarten, and not prepared to start. A child behind in first grade has less than a 13 percent
chance of catching up to the grade level they are on. This can follow kids throughout their
education for the rest of their lives. It has also been shown that 74 percent of kids who are poor
readers in third grade, are still poor readers during the ninth grade. One of the best ways to
ensure kids are prepared for kindergarten is by having a high quality preschool program. The
earlier a child begins to learn and is exposed to peers their own age, the more likely they are on
the road to success. In preschool, students learn vital skills that lay the foundation for certain
skills they will need in life. For example, they learn how to behave in a group and how to follow
rules. Many people think the way to be successful in school is to have a lot of information about
math and writing, but it is really all about social skills. Having conversations between kids and
parents, and in school, with peers, is the key to school success. Students who do not attend a
quality preschool may not be building the social skills they will need for the rest of their life.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it gives me information about why some kids
are more successful in the early years than others. I have noticed in the class I am interning in
that some kids are much farther ahead than others and I am curious to know why. This article
provides some insight to why this occurs.
Seefeldt, C. "Factors Affecting Social Development." Education.com. Education.com, 20
July 2015. Web. 9 Sept. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses how the development of a childs social skills depends on the nature
of the family and early education experience. Children learn social patterns and skills within
their homes and find attachment to people who care and protect them. In the early years of a
childs life, they become socialized through interaction with siblings, parents, relatives, and
neighbors. When they begin in a school setting they need to adapt and find different ways of
socializing to be able to relate and communicate with their peers. Kids who have not developed
strong attachments to their parents may have trouble adjusting to social situations with kids their
own age they do not know. On the other hand, if a child has experienced the security of their
parents and they trust their parents, they will be able to reach out and relate to others more easily.
Through these interactions, kids are able to gain experience in these social situations.

Parents who are social themselves are role models for their kids. If their kids see them
interacting with others, they are more inclined to build their own social skills. Also, if parents
enforce rules such as no hitting or telling their kids to share toys, the kids learn from these
experiences and are more likely to be cooperative, share, and initiate social activities. Parents
who are too authoritarian may have kids who are not comfortable in social situations, and these
kids have trouble relating to others.
Gender differences also play a role in how kids adapt socially. In a study, a father's
negative attitude towards his child cause problems for the child in school. If a kid lives in an
unsafe community, the may be fearful and not focused when in the classroom. These feelings of
insecurity sadly interfere with total development, especially social skills. To deal with this type
of situation, it is good to keep a positive environment at school and to create opportunities to
have the kids to express themselves safely in play, art, and stories. Overall, developing social
skills is ever-present in school. Kids must share materials, play with one another, and work
together. All these factors, and more contribute to how kids grow socially.
Application to Research:
This article relates to my research because I am also looking at how the early education
years affect a childs social skills and personality. This article provided me with some knowledge
about this from both ends of the spectrum.
"Teachers Matter: Understanding Teachers' Impact on Student Achievement." Rand
Corporation. Rand, 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
Summary:
This article talks about how teachers have a large impact on a childs education. It was
confirmed through standardized test scores that some teachers are more effective than others and
being taught by a good teacher is vital for student achievement. There are many factors that
contribute such as individual characteristics, family, and their homes, but research shows that for
school-related matters, the teacher matters most and has the most impact. When kids are tested in
math and reading, a teacher has two to three times more of an impact than any other school
factor. Non school factors such as the family of the child or their neighborhood can have four to
eight times the impact on academic achievement, but effective teaching has been shown to help
level the playing field.
Despite the typical perceptions, effective teachers are not able to be identified based on
where they went to school, their licensing, or how long they have been teaching. While these
factors are important, the teacher could still be ineffective. The best way to evaluate a teacher is
to look at their job performance. This includes what they do in the classroom and how their
students perform on certain tests. Overall, a teachers impact on a childs academic success is
very consistent regardless of non school factors.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it provides the point of view of how teachers
are the most important factor for academic success. It also addresses that non school factors are
important, but not as important as a good teacher.
Tough, Paul. "How Children Succeed." Paul Tough. Paul Tough, 2012. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.

Summary:
In this article, Paul Tough discusses the book he wrote called, How Children Succeed.
He states that success is typically measured by who scores higher on tests from admission to
preschool to SATs. Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter most and relate more the
character are skills such as curiosity, perseverance, optimism and self-control. The book is about
educators who use science to solve the mysteries of character. Scientists trace back to the link
between childhood stress and life success. He tells stories of the surprising ways parents prepare
and do not prepare their kids for adulthood. He also provides insights on how to help children
who grow up in poverty. The effects of a childs life also effects the development of their brain
so innovators are trying to find ways to help kids overcome the constraints that go along with
poverty.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it provides me some insight to the book I am
going to read by Paul Tough. The book really relates to my research and helps show how the
home environment can highly affect a child.
Trei, Lisa. "Study Links Reading, Social Skills in Children." Stanford News. Stanford University,
2016. Web. 13 Jan. 2016.
Summary:
In this article Stanford researchers studied low-income children from kindergarten to
fourth grade. This study showed that kids who are poor readers in their earlier years are assessed
by their teachers to be more aggressive. On the other hand, students who have good social skills
in kindergarten, are better readers in the third grade. According to Sarah Miles, and student at
Stanford, Children's social behavior can promote or undermine their learning, and their
academic performance may have implications for their social behavior." (Miles). This study
shows that kids social skills in elementary school are just as important as academic skills. It was
also found that when children are having difficulty in school, it can affect other things in their
life, like social skills. In another study students in kindergarten or first grade were assessed and
then assessed again when they began third or fourth grade. Every student in the study was below
the poverty line. Teachers were given questionnaires about these students social behaviors and
then in third and fourth grade, the students were given reading comprehension skills. In the final
results of the study it showed that good social skills were associated with good reading scores.
On the other hand, kids who were aggressive from kindergarten to fourth grade had low
achievement later in school.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses how high reading scores correlate
with good social skills. Most kids who do not do well in school have poor social skills because
they compensate for their weaknesses and it translates to aggressiveness towards their peers.
"Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life by Annette Lareau." WOWO. WordPress, 27
May 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Summary:
This article is a review of Annette Lareaus book called Unequal Childhoods. The book
talks about parenting among several social classes and it focuses on how someones social class
affects parenting whether it is their parenting style, or their philosophies. The book looks at
several different cases of children from three different background that include the middle class,
working class, and poor. In Lareaus findings the middle class parents do concerted cultivation
where they use team sports to help their kids grow. Middle class parents also talk more to their
kids, encourage them, and help them build up their vocabulary. Poor and working class families
used natural growth by having their kids control their own lives. The parents do not see value in
sports teams and they think it takes up too much time. These parents do not engage with their
children as much. Lareau claims that there are pros and cons of both styles. Kids who are poorer
are happier, almost never bored, more creative, and more relaxed. Middle class kids are entitled
which can benefit them to get ahead of others.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it discusses some of the factors of success in
education and social skills which can depend on your social class, and parental involvement.
Kids whose parents are not as involved are more creative because they have to figure out most of
their life on their own with little guidance. Kids whose parents sign them up for activities, and
are involved in their education are typically academically farther ahead, and are more entitled
which benefits them.
Wolpert, Stuart. "In Our Digital World, Are Young People Losing the Ability to Read
Emotions?" UCLA Newsroom. UCLA, 21 Aug. 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
Summary:
This article discusses how childrens social skills are decreasing due to electronics and
less face-to-face interaction according to a UCLA psychology study. This study showed that
sixth-graders who went five days with no electronics did much better at reading human emotions
than those who were on their devices for hours each day. Many people simply look at the
benefits of electronics and education, but it in fact can be harmful. In this study, two sets of
sixth-graders were examined and two kids went to a camp and were not allowed to use
electronics, while the other two were able to use electronics whenever they wanted to. At the
beginning and end of the study, the kids were tested on their ability to recognize peoples
emotions in picture and videos. They also watched videos of actors and the kids had to describe
the characters emotions. The kids who went to the camp significantly improved over the 5 day
course of them camp, compared to the kids who were able to use electronics. The kids who were
in the study stated that they watch television, text, and play video games for about four and a half
hours each day. Other surveys report that that number is even higher nationally. From this
research it was found that kids need more face-to-face interaction because they are losing
important social skills and are unable to read nonverbal cues. Humans are social creatures, and
need time to interact with others in person, without devices.
Application to Research:

This article applies to my research because it discusses how kids need face-to-face
interaction time. The less time spent on electronics, the better your social skills will be.
Zorigian, Kris, and Jennifer Job. "Social Skills in the Classroom." Learn NC. UNC School of
Education, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Summary:
This article states that teachers are responsible for teaching students social skills, and that
these skills are just as important as academics. Many students come to school and they are
unaware of the certain skills it takes to be in a classroom such as sitting quietly, listening well,
and following directions. It is considered a hidden curriculum as teachers incorporate these
skills into basic activities done in the classroom. It has been found that there is a close link
between good social behavior and academic achievement and that students with stronger social
skills are more likely to have relationships with their peers. When planning a lesson a teacher
should decide which skills are most important to learn and then incorporate them in the
classroom. There should be a natural environment where the skills can be exhibited. Then there
should be successful instructional delivery when telling the children what to do. Some kids may
pick up the social skill, such as taking turns, while some may be resistant. Praising the children
for doing a good job is also important. Overall, the classroom is the best place for a child to learn
social skills. Rather than expecting good behavior, a teacher is able to give instruction and set
rules about how he/she want their students to act with each other. Teaching social skills benefits a
childs academics, and how they interact in and out of the classroom with family, friends, and
other adults.
Application to Research:
This article applies to my research because it talks about how teachers incorporating
social skills in the classroom is important for a childs social and academic success.