Early Childhood Perspectives

Chapter two discusses various theorists that helped to mold and shape early childhood education to where it is today. There are several different theorists that contributed to the development of early childhood education. Some of these theorists include Alfred Adler, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey. Each theorist developed a unique theory that has caused early childhood guidance and education to flourish like it has today. Without learning and building on these theories, early childhood guidance and education would never develop or change. The chapter explains how some theories may seem strange to the contemporary families, but these theories are the foundation of how early childhood education got to where it is today. The book goes

My philosophy of Early childhood education is based on research that indicates that a child’s growth is developmental. Every child is unique in terms of life experiences, developmental readiness, and cultural heritage. A high quality early childhood program that provides a safe and nurturing environment, which promotes physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development will ensure a positive continuation of the child’s education process. The National Association for the Education of Young Children states that high quality, developmentally appropriate programs should be available for all children. Bredekamp, S., and T. Rosegrant. 1992. Reaching Potentials: Introduction.

My values and beliefs about early childhood are, that kids should be allowed to play and have fun while they are learning. Young kids need someone who will be patient, funny, and above all, they need someone who will be loving towards them. “Teaching young children is hard work” (Bredekamp 3). Children who fall under the category of early childhood, should have hands on activities, colorful visuals, and time where they get to choose what they want to do.

The foundations of early childhood education are based on a number of developmental theories. These theories are based on experiences and provide teachers with an understanding of how children develop and learn. It is important for teachers to be well-versed in these theories because they shape the trends and standards of early childhood classrooms. Developmental theories not only play a role in trends of early childhood education, but also shape the laws that impact classrooms today. These laws, whether set at the state or federal level, are important in ensuring children receive a fair and appropriate educational experience.

Norton, B. et al. (2011) "Somatic Expressions of Trauma in Experiential Play Therapy" in International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol. 20, No. 3, 138 152.

Within my ten hours of observation, I witnessed an Early Childhood, Childhood, and Middle Childhood classroom. Through the duration of these hours, I visited School 17 and School 30. My seven hours at School 17 consisted of experiences within an Early Childhood and a Childhood setting. The Early Childhood hours occurred in a Pre-Kindergarten classroom setting with Ms. Mitrakos. The Childhood observations occurred in a first-grade classroom with Ms. Hordan. My three hours at School 30 involved experiences within a Middle Childhood setting. These observation hours occurred in a 6th-grade math class. My observations within both schools inspired me to continue my passion for Early Childhood Education.

Children from instable families during early childhood are at risk for school failure, so recognizing protective factors for academic accomplishments for these children is very important (Burchinal, Robert, Zeisel, Hennon, & Hooper, 2006, p.79). Black children that are exposed to various risk factors during their early childhood are more likely to experience issues with academics opposed to other races (Burchinal et al., 2006). The way a child is raised or their home life can affect them as far as their developmental growth. A child’s early home environment has an intense outcome on his well-being (Burchinal et al., 2006). As an infant negative experience within it can distort the brain’s stress response system, decrease the quality of caregiving

I am writing to you to express my intent to take up professional studies at Jackson State University. I am aspiring to pursue a Doctor of Education with a specialization in Early Childhood at your esteemed university. I have over four year experience working in the education field. I have dedicated my life to the area of Education in the field of Early Childhood. I believe that pursuing a Doctorate at your university will enhance my knowledge and productivity in the workplace and in Educational Administration.

Think about your early childhood education (or your child’s early education), was it flexible to suit individual learning experiences or were children required to conform to the teacher’s methods of teaching? If you answered the latter, do you think the former would improve the quality of education? The initial years of education are crucial to learning, development and growth, during these first years children’s experiences shape their learning methods and they are able to learn rapidly, for this, early childhood educators must use teaching methods that are suitable for each child. Teachers must consider the attitude they bring to the classroom; how it affects children’s learning and the value, of the information and knowledge that

TH has finished his first year of 6th grade at Rose Hill Middle School and is excited to start the 7th grade. TH is a good student that gets A’s, B’s and C’s. Math is one of his favorite subjects. Currently, he receives special education services in reading and math. His teachers give him many questions to challenge him. He states that he likes P.E., because of all the running that they do. He likes being able to hang out with his friends. After school lets out, he usually takes the bus back home. This was the first year riding the bus for him and he thought it was scary, not only because it was a stranger picking him up but also the bus driver drove crazy down the dirt roads (TH, 2018). On days that he has to stay to participate in extracurricular activities, he is picked up by one of his maternal grandparents.

The education of the young mind is an important step in preparing the child for future learning experiences. The evolution of early childhood education has changed how adults and parents view the importance of offering stimulating and exciting opportunities to the very young. Early childhood Education offers the young child learning experiences that benefit them throughout their educational career. They soon embark on a whole new world of learning. These children are not only experiencing standard brain growth, but verbal and physical skills as well. Early childhood education teachers use a variation of techniques for instructing. They use lesson plans, worksheets, and even teacher resources for these young minds.

What I value most in early childhood programs as a parent would be a facility whose teachers have knowledge of the of the development of children, and how to use that knowledge to create and implement a nurturing, and educational classroom environment. I would seek out a facility in which the staff was not only knowledgeable of early child development, but one in which I felt the teachers generally liked their job working with children. I would value finding a facility in which I felt the instructor where kind and caring, that would be provided nutritional meals, and engaged my child in interesting, and creative activities. My own personal philosophy is that as a teacher of a facility, I would want to create the same quality environment that I would seek out as a parent.

Chapter 5 “Early Childhood: Body and Mind” section “Thinking during Early Childhood” teaches about the cognitive development of children during early childhood at around ages 2-6 years old, in which, children targeted at this age do not use logical operations (reasoning process). Such a term is called the “Preoperational Intelligence” conducted by Piaget. Furthermore, Piaget’s preoperational thought establishes that children have language but use symbolic thought where “words can refer to things not seen and that an item, like a flag, can symbolize something else (in this case, a country).” Symbolic thought proves Animism; the belief that young children have thinking that “natural objects are alive and nonhuman animals have the same characteristics of a child” (Berger, 173).

Early childhood education is one of the most important policy topics out there. Research has proven that the early years in childhood is a critical period for opportunity to develop a child’s full potential; as well as form academic, social, and cognitive skills that determine not only success in school but also their entire life (The White House). The right to a free, public education is guaranteed to all children in the United States. Early education is voluntary, and therefore some children are not given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In this essay, I will discuss my experience during middle and late childhood. I will address three stages which are the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. The physical development consists of body and brain growth, health issues, and motor skills. The cognitive development consists of language, memory, and attention. Socioemotional development is based on relationship, employment, and personality.