Issues in Early Intervention: Children 0 – 8
Learning is still considered as one of the most popular subjects or issues regarding the development of individual, particularly about children development. This is because of the fact that there are different factors that are being considered in learning process of children, particularly the relationship of a child to his or her environment, the society and even the individuals that are connected to his or her learning process such as his or her parents, teachers and even peers.
The case of Liz who cared for 15 children for 2 to 4 years of age shows different events and situations that shows the different principles and theories that are connected with children’ learning and development.
Liz believes that early childhood education is considered as early childhood education is considered as a vital stage for the children. Just like what John Locke stated, children are born as a blank slate or known as tabula rasa, which states that children learns from their experiences, activities and sensations rather than the inborn traits. Thus, early education is important, and it is vital for schools to focus on the interest of the children. Therefore, it can be said that children’s learning and development is being affected largely by the environment, particularly with those individuals that are directly connected to the learning process of children, especially their parents. As a result, although it is important to developed school experiences that are based on the interests of the students, it is vital to focused on the fact that learning dos not only occur simply via the initiatives of the children, together with their exploratory behaviors, because there is a big chance that their learning process will lead to no directions at all. Just like what Liz believe, it is vital for develop a program that will be based or centered towards the students.
Therefore, children needs guidance from adults, whereas, teachers need to construct object lessons in order to balance the self-guided experience of the students. Consequently, as what the Father of Kindergarten, Friedrich Wilhelm Froebel (1782 – 1852) introduced, the main role of the teacher must focus on helping the children learn if and only if the children are ready to learn because children is like a flower that blooms from a bud, they would grow with accordance to their own natural laws of development. This can be observed on the commentary being done by Liz towards the actions of the children. Aside from that, Liz is also participating in any activities that she conducted inside the classroom. In addition, aside from regular participation with the children, Liz tends to interrupt her own activities in order to acknowledge the creation and efforts of the children.
Play is considered as the natural activity for children, thus based on the theories given above, it is vital for teachers to focus on developing learning objects that will let them perceived that they are just playing, which will help to bring out the best in them. Knowledge can be transmitted by using different symbols; therefore, it is vital to devised different teaching materials that will help the students to play, at the same time enables them to learn new things. It is also important to consider the fact that children are known for being curious, thus, it is important for teachers to use this curiosity in order to drive learning and enjoyment for children. As what John Dewey stated, it is important to focus on the fact that learning happens through real-life experiences and education is the process for living. Play was included in the natural impulses of the children rather than in the need to manipulate the materials in order to teach the children regarding their symbols. This theory focuses on the observations that children are spontaneous regarding their interests, thus teachers must take advantage of this situation and build up learning. Due to that, curriculum cannot be done in advance, because what to be taught will be based on the children’s perspectives and interests. This can be seen on the programmes that are being implemented by Liz, it starts with the different designs and concepts that were planted in the classroom. As a result, the children inside the classroom have been able to learn new things by their own. Aside from that, this kind of classroom scenario enables the children to be more aware of the environment and use their curiosity in order to learn new things. On the other hand, Liz is always there in order to answer the queries by the children.
This is connected to the theory of Maria Montessori (1970 – 1952), where she believed that education during the early years is considered as critical to the later development of a child, thus, those children who have passed in the sensitive periods, or those development stages where in children, shows strong curiosity which made them learn more easy. Liz had been able to smoothen the learning process of the children, by creating an orderly or already prepared environment that includes special tasks and materials. In addition, Liz also implemented educational programs that will focus on three growth periods including practical life experiences, sensory education and academic education. In order to use the curiosity of the children towards learning, it is vital to create an environment that will interests the children, particularly installing attractive and child-size materials, together with different tools and furniture that can be moved. Particularly, Liz focuses on inculcating knowledge towards the students including the proper way of communicating with their peers, academic aspects including symbols and the way of maintaining hygiene.
This can help the children to feed their curiosity, because according to Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980), development is a continuous process which is the result of maturation and relations between the children and the social environment. This theory is supported by Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1896 – 1934), that the development and learning process of children is being affected by their social as well as cultural worlds, together with the individuals that are directly connected with the learning process including their parents, teachers and classmates or peers. Children are more likely to complete a given task with the help from their teacher as well as their peers in a supportive environment because it motivates the children to socialize.
References
Corbett, J., & Slee, R. (2000). An international conversation on inclusive education. In F. Armstrong, D. Armstrong, & L. Barton (Eds.), Inclusive education : policy contexts and comparative perspectives (pp. 133-146). London: D Fulton Publishers.
Keogh, B. K., Gallimore, R., & Weisner, T. (1997). A sociocultural perspective on learning and learning disabilities. [Electronic version]. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 12 (2), 107-112.
Garguilo, R. M., & Kilgo, J. (1999). Foundations of early childhood special education. In E. O’Connor-Traylor, S. Nelson, M. Riveglia, & A. Tucker (Eds.), Young children with special needs(pp. 3-24). USA: Delmar.
Shonkoff, J & Meisels, S 2000, Handbook of early childhood intervention, Cambridge University Press
Smith, P. (1999). Drawing new maps : a radical cartography of developmental disabilities. Review ofEducational Research, 69 (2), 117-144. from http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/00346543069002117.
Wien, C. A. (1995). An image of developmentally appropriate practice. In Developmentally appropriate practice in real life : stories of teacher practical knowledge (pp. 76-94). New York: Teachers College Press.
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