Action Research, Article Critique Example

Lee, S.& Goh, G. (2012). Action research to address the transition from kindergarten to primary School: Children’s authentic learning, construction play, and pretend play. Action research, 14(1).

Purpose

The purpose of this action research article was to establish how children adapted to transition from kindergarten to primary school. This period is important in the development of young children because previous research carried out on the subject showed that initial social and academic success of a child influenced their success, adjustment, and achievements later in life. Using their experience as childhood teachers in Singapore, the researchers used pretend-to-play and construction activities to determine how success in this activities influenced the performance of the children in a real classroom environment (Lee & Goh, 2012). Results of the research study showed that success in this activities lowered anxiety and stress in the children, and this enhanced their positive attitudes towards learning and school before moving to the next level.

Summary of key themes

The transition phase from kindergarten to primary school is a challenging experience for all children in both developing and developed countries. The transition period should focus on connections, continuity, and close harmonization between kindergarten programs and primary school programs. This article emphasizes the importance of equipping children with the necessary and sufficient skills to enable them manage the transition period without affecting their performances and achievement.

Description of what was learned

From this action research, the researchers established that by exposing children to challenges involving problem solving, their transition to primary school would be smooth. This study used common problem solving challenges such as how to buy food from a school canteen and how to pay and receive the right amount of change. By pretend-play, and then taking the children on an actual field trip to the primary school to practice how to pose questions and buying of food from the canteen. Using these tasks was important for the researchers because they are common challenges that children entering primary school will face. Responses from parents showed that the teachers were successful in their research initiatives because they reported that the study offered the children an opportunity to experience a real primary school. All parents concurred that their children had acquired vital skills that will enable them manage common responsibilities in a primary school setting such as buying food and asking for direction (Lee & Goh, 2012). The use of pretend play in the study was significant in that it exploited children’s natural interest in play to help them learn vital numeracy and literacy skills.

Implications for classroom practice

The results from this research study will have wide implications on classroom practice. First, children have the ability to develop their own strategies in solving real life challenges. This will highlight the essence of according children an opportunity to sharpen their own skills with minimal supervision from the teachers. Secondly, teamwork was useful because learners were able to create their stalls by cooperating with other learners. This finding shows the importance of cooperative learning in a classroom environment. Lastly, real life experiences are important in the learning process, and this can applied by teachers in the classroom setting by using practical examples during learning.

Methodological questions and issues

Despite the success of the study, methodological issues such as the failure to incorporate an individual with knowledge in qualitative research methods who could have undertaken coding and triangulation of interpretations was a setback. There was also the failure to incorporate the views of the primary school teachers in the research findings. Another issue was a failure to undertake follow-up despite the challenging environment, which is subject to other factor such as parental effort (Lee & Goh, 2012). Overall, this research article was useful in understanding the importance of preparing children for the transition period to primary school.

Reference

Lee, S.& Goh, G. (2012). Action research to address the transition from kindergarten to primary School: Children’s authentic learning, construction play, and pretend play. Action research, 14(1).