A sustainable pedagogy is one that provides educators with a common understanding about children, families and the environment and lays out foundational knowledge about how children learn as well as the goals and expectations for children in early years’ programs (Ontario, 2014).
There has been a lot of supportive feedback for the pedagogical document How does learning happen? because it provides educators with four foundations of learning: belonging, well-being, expression, and engagement (Ontario, 2014). These foundations are considered to be essential for optimal learning and development in the early years. I believe that the pedagogical document How does learning happen? is sustainable because it fosters personal growth and provides early
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This document examines the current research as well as the views from theorists such as Vygotsky who believe that play supports children in all areas of development (CMEC, 2012). When children are playing they are learning and discovering a great deal of information about their world. In the document it provides information about the scientific evidence supporting learning through play and the benefits that it has on brain development (CMEC, 2012). It has been proven that children will develop better social, emotional and cognitive skills when they are playing (CMEC, 2012). Through play children are able to make sense of their world and acquire and practice skills that they can use for their entire lives. In the document that the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada released it emphasizes the need for children to play and to be actively engaged in their environment (CMEC, 2012). This documents states that early childhood educators should plan and create play- based learning experiences for children (CMEC, 2012). I think it is important that early childhood educators recognize the importance in play based learning and provide children with experiences that encourage them to challenge and expand their own thinking and
Play contributes to children’s “physical, emotional and social well-being” (Else, 2009, p.8) and through play, the child’s holistic development and well-being is being constantly accounted for as is it led by the individual. The child decides what s/he wants to do and does it; it is
The terms “play”, “learn” and “teach” are commonly used in the early childhood sector. This essay attempts to define and interconnect these terms to produce a holistic understanding of how play can be used as a medium to help children learn.
Did you know that play expands a child’s learning and development? Once parents understand that play is crucial in their child’s life then they can begin to help their son or daughter be the best he or she can be. According to Lev Vygotsky “play shapes how children make sense of their worlds, how they learn thinking skills, and how they acquire language.” After spending time at the Bombeck Center I learned that children play in many diverse ways, thus learning numerous new things within each center in which they interact. Lev Vygotsky along with Jean Piaget researched the need for guided social interaction as well as the necessity for spontaneous, self-discovered learning. The Bombeck Center focuses on a play-based learning curriculum to ensure a child’s ability to access social interactions and self-discoveries at the tip of their fingers.
Learning is possible when children are provided a high-quality environment. Early childhood educators will set an environment that promotes curiosity and encourages children to explore their environment. Children are able to learn through hands on experiences. “Hands-on learning is the most effective way young children make sense of their environment and form their own understanding of how the world works” (Browne, 2013. P.130). I believe that children learn through play. “Play is a natural way for children around the world to express themselves and is a basic need of children throughout their school year” (Browne, 2013. P.132). We can effectively provide this environment by emphasizing on providing children a
There has been much debate about the environmental sustainability since the 1970's-1980's after the Green Revolution took place to ban harmful chemicals used in pesticides. Recently in today's era what's constantly in the news is global warming and the decimation of species from human's neglectful actions towards nature, which brings up the idea if colleges should incorporate environmental sustainability into their curriculum to educate the student population about the effects of human impact onto the environment. Although people like Peter Woods and Rachelle Peterson argue that environmental sustainability inhibits the success of colleges as the education is costly and environmental sustainability is just an ideology, others such as David
Another success story regarding sustainability is the Environmental Charter School (ECS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On the surface, you would expect that an environmentally-themed charter school would already be doing everything, and although they had implemented many of the programs and practices that make up a green school, including composting, gardens, and outdoor learning, not everyone in the school fully embraced sustainability. As a result, they did have to shift their focus before truly integrating environmental sustainability into their school culture. According to Nikole Sheaffer, ECS’s Director of Innovation, “we went from checking boxes for a green ribbon to changing hearts and minds for a new way of seeing our environment.”
“Many early psychologists, particularly those influenced by Freud, believed that early childhood experiences were critical, especially for emotional/social and cognitive development” (Woolfolk, 2013, p. 5). Theorist like Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, and Lev Vygotsky believe that play helps with social development. In addition, play is important because it helps develops language and literacy as well. Play is also beneficial because it can be used to deepen the understanding of the content being taught in the classroom. Lastly, play is important because it teaches problem-solving skills.
Research, past and present, clearly points to the importance of play for the healthy and full development of the young child. Piaget theorized that a child's mental models, or cognitive structures, are based on the child's activities: engagement makes meaning. Many children today are not benefiting from a balance of intellect and imagination. Play is declining in our schools and preschools to meet the social
Play is the business of childhood, allowing your child free rein to experiment with the world around him and the emotional world inside him, says Linda Acredolo, professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis and co-author of Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk and Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love. While it may look like mere child's play to you, there's a lot of work — problem solving, skill building, overcoming physical and mental challenges — going on behind the scenes. Here are some of the things your child is experiencing and learning, along with ideas on how you can help boost the benefits of his play. Play builds the
In young children’s stages of early learning play is a crucial element as it has been acknowledged by early childhood education theorists such as Rousseau, Pestalozzi, and Froebel. Current research has and is further documenting the value of play in early childhood education. Research has shown, however, that play activities integrated into early learning programs can be a powerful medium for young children's exploration of many of everyday life and concepts. Play is the foundation for early childhood pedagogy, and; thus is cause for further research in areas of how young children benefit from quality play-based early learning programs. Also, it is critical to show the need for action to be taken in communities where disadvantaged families with young children may not have access to such quality programs
This report is designed to investigate the rationale behind teaching Education for Sustainability (EfS) in early childhood education, through investigating the relevant issues and concept of sustainability in relation to the pedagogies and principles of early years education. The initial part of this report will focus on three issues of sustainability, all falling under the greater sustainability concept of waste management. The report will then go on to articulate the role and importance of EfS in early years principles and pedagogies. Finally, some teaching strategies for teaching EfS will be outlined.
“Play is developmentally appropriate for primary-age children and can provide them with opportunities that enrich the learning experience” (Copple & Bredekamp 2009). Early childhood education holds two main focuses; a child-based focus and a family-based focus. Early childhood education has positive outcomes on the child through their learning experiences, and their growth and development. Based on the family, the results of early education happen through the communication that the family has with the educators and by the encouragement they get from within themselves, and also from the educators.
Play is usually a natural activity in early childhood and has significant importance in early childhood special education. Play assists in enhancing the children social competence, creativity, language development, and their thinking skills. Play is usually the key vehicle for the developing of language, social skulls in young children (Rogers ET all. 2009). Moreover, it serves as a functional behavior which contributes to the life quality of the children. .
“Early roots of play as a best practice for early learning was documented by Plato, a Greek philosopher, who insisted that play is considered a natural activity of childhood.”(Ingrid Crowther, 2011, Pg. 2) Early Childhood Education is a term that refers to educational programs that are devoted to children from birth to the age of eight. “Children of this age learn by exploring and investigating; therefore, their environment should support and encourage this process.”(Rebecca Isbell and Betty Exelby, 2001, Pg. 11) Early childhood environments should be attractive and exciting. These environments should allow children to work and play using proper resources, materials, and tools.
Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-