Early Childhood Education
One of the key roles of childhood care providers is to prepare children for school through curricula that assist children nurture their individual cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills, and at the same time helps instructors respond to the needs, interests, and abilities of each child under their care. Cognitive development is of particular importance in this case, equipping children with knowledge on, among other things, measurement and patterns; shapes and numbers; and counting techniques (Childcare Aware, 2014). This area of child development is best built through play. A report by the Manitoba Early Learning and Childhood Curriculum framework, for instance, recommends the development of children's cognitive and intellectual skills through related experiences - such as allowing them to experiment with a variety of cardboard boxes and tubes.
Furthermore, such play activities nurture a child's social skills, equipping them with the skills necessary for interacting, negotiating, and engaging effectively with other children (Manitoba Early Learning and Childhood Curriculum, n.d.). In addition to boosting a child's problem-solving and communication, leadership, and organizational skills, such activities open up opportunities for children to become more appreciative of the cultures and backgrounds of others. This is of particular importance given the rising degree of diversity in school settings. Child care settings also prepare children for school by boosting their physical skills (Childcare Aware, 2014). Motor skills and coordination are, for instance, developed through ball-kicking activities.
The Childcare Aware Organization identifies two instructional approaches used in childcare facilities; i) child-directed instruction -- where children are given the lead in their own learning, and opportunities to direct their own play and learning activities; and ii) teacher-directed instruction -- where the teacher almost entirely directs children's learning activities. Concern has been raised over the falling significance of child-directed approaches in childcare facilities and kindergartens. By being allowed to design their own learning experiences, children develop feelings of self-confidence and competence, and learn to create their own knowledge. Persistent direction, on the other hand, inhibits children's creativity and impedes on self-confidence - making it difficult for them to learn leadership,...
Early childhood educators need to make a thorough study of the background family and community relationship in which a child is growing up. The findings of such investigations can then be used to optimize the teaching process and dissolve any negative connotations that may work to the child's detriment. On the other hand, both the family and community can work concomitantly towards the child's success later in life. The
130). Interestingly, the research suggests that there is no specific early childhood pedagogy that is inherently superior rather what is important is that children receive exposure to learning as soon as possible. "While no single curriculum or pedagogical approach can be identified as best, children who attend well-planned, high- quality early childhood programs in which curriculum aims are specified and integrated across domains tend to learn more and are better
Porch (2002) points out that research unequivocally shows that early childhood education paves the way for later educational success. As of now, few states offer fully funded early childhood education programs. As of 2002, only three states offered fully-funded pre-kindergarten programs (Porch 2002). The fundamental purpose of the Early Childhood Development Initiative was to increase awareness of the importance of early childhood education. Yet more work needs to be done
In its most basic sense, play provides a mechanism for a young child to address him or herself and engage with others in a way that precludes feelings of immaturity and inferiority. "Play" invokes a world not limited by temporal boundaries of age and accomplishment and forces a child to relate to the world around him or her. In dramatic, physical, and celebratory play, children are able to develop social
Early Childhood Diverse Learners Project Introduction ECE (early childhood education) programs include all sorts of academic programs used to educate children in pre-school years. The early educational system in America experienced significant growth during the latter half of the 20th century. This particular trend allowed most of the children in America to at least have access to some sort of ECE. There are different kinds of ECE programs, and they go by
".. other living species,... also with the total environment in which we live." They explain the human ecosystem to include three fundamental organizing conceptions: the human environed unit (HEU); the natural environment (NE); the human constructed environment (HCE). The following diagram portrays "The Human Ecosystem": Bubolz, Eicher, and Sontag (1979, p. 29) The human environed unit (HEU) displayed in the center is located in a specific space in time and can be a
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