There have been many theorists which have influenced todays early on years as a child education. From as early as 1698 with John Comenius to the most mentioned Jean Piaget in the 1920s? John Comenius was one of the first manufacturers of the childrens picture books. Comenius paved the way for subsequent development in education. His understanding of learning through the senses and of the alternative dynamics of learning remains the cornerstone of educational theories today.
Friedrich Froebel also believed that teachers should not coach by rote but should encourage self-expression through play. He presumed that the education of young children was a essential part of these development as individuals. Froebel was the 1st theorist to articulate a theory about how children learn and offered detailed training for adding this theory into practice. This is the first educator training programmer for small children.
Rudolf Steiners theory is centered on all areas of expansion and development, including spirituality. He wanted to create an education which gave children a well-balanced experience. The teachers attempts to activate the childs complete being in what they certainly, in as an imaginative way as possible, by providing a warm and joyful environment where the child can feel nurtured with east, happy to explore and play, be active and be still. The room is painted and in a warm colour has few hard rectangular corners, and is also often furnished with soft muslins to indicate off another type of area or draped more than a window to provide a softer quality of light. The quality of sound is that of real human voices somewhat than of mechanical gadgets. The materials in the room are natural and are in childrens level and are stored in aesthetic containers such as easy baskets or wooden boxes which may themselves be included in to the play (Drummond, MJ. Lally M. And Pugh, G. (EDS) (1989) Page 59) (Working with Children: Developing a Curriculum for Early on Years). This theory and concept of teaching has affected various kinds of early on learning frameworks and curriculums. But his opinion in the non-introduction of print to children before the age of 7 years remains a controversial part of his theory. Even as know today, small children have a huge understanding of print out, not merely from books but using their environment.
Maria Montessori was one of the most influential theorists. Her seeks were to harness childrens natural capability to learn and then offer defined experience and materials to make clear abstract guidelines. She wrote the kid can only be free when the adult becomes an serious observer. Any action of the adult that is not a response to the childrens seen behaviour limits the childs flexibility (cited by MacNaughton in Shaping Early Child years) (Open up College or university Press, 2003). She developed a range of equipment and materials to help develop the childrens daily living skills such as number concepts, terms development, education of senses and exploration and science. Today these methods are still widely used and have been some of the most popular ways of early child years education in the present day day.
Jean Piagets theories dominated developmental mindset in the 1960s and 70s. Like Sigmund Freud, Piaget discovered phases of development but while Freud focused on the psychological and intimate development, Piaget centered on intellectual development. He discovered these 4 stages as Level 1: Sensorimotor, which was between the age ranges of 0 - 2 years. Level 2: Preoperational, came from the age of 2 to 6/7 years. Level 3: Concrete Operational, discovered itself at age group 7 years to 11 years. The ultimate stage, Level 4: Formal Businesses, begins at the age of 12 and proceeds through into adulthood. His ideas were protected during educator training and affected the education of young children during the 1970s. Today his ideas are still taught but within a range of ideas. He was made a sense of curiosity about how exactly children learn but his emphasis on logic mathematical thinking led to his experiments being over-generalised from a narrow range of things. His theories were most influential to the present day curriculum of Highscope.
ACTIVITY 1
A
Using Highscope within the creche, I can identify many features from Steiner, McMillan, Froebel, Piaget and Melanie Klein.
Froebel theorised about the importance of outdoor experience. Inside our creche we ensure that all the kids get outside to try out every day. That is an important area of the daily routine, Froebel emphasised nature walks and gardening. The creche has limited yard and the kids have plenty that can be played with, which promotes their gross electric motor skills. Because of the safety floors, we have little areas of gardening outdoors. Melanie Klein presumed that children use play expressing and show their activities. That is emphasised within the creche as a lot of the childrens learning/coaching is play-based also to manage challenging behavior, we re-enact situations through play cases, i. e. puppets or tales. But we do not solitary children out, only see them in group situations.
B&C
Rudolf Steiners theory concentrates on the child as a whole, controlling the childrens experiences. I can see through observations and toy selection that this is the thesis of your creche. As being a supervisor, I see every child as unique. They may go through particular stage but not always at exactly the same time! Each child needs to have positive and constructive encounters which develop their brain, emotions and will. We allow the children freedom of preference and support needed to help them make those alternatives. With group-time we provide them with the independence to speak which develops self-worth and their tuning in skills. We encourage them to problem-solve which builds their self-confidence and teaches them perseverance and esteem.
But unlike Steiners perception in not launching these to the printed word, we show the books and flash credit cards from the babyroom up!
McMillan brought the importance of cleanliness and nourishment to the forefront. In the creche we encourage the children to be aware of self-care. Through role-play and report time, we show the kids the importance of cleaning hands and face, of brushing their pearly whites and self-grooming. That is also trained to them through example (personnel washing hands regularly, etc. ). The creche has a daily well balanced and nutritious menu for the kids. We liaise with parents to show them the value of well balanced meals.
Maria Montessori got many contributions to creche curriculum but the one I see regularly in our creche is her theory and observations. The creche revolves around watching the children and planning their regimens around that. Individuals need to see what the children are interested in and how to improve that so that their experience is full! Also when watching the children personnel can see problems or issues which happen through play situations, i. e. interpersonal issues, developmental delays or problems. But we do not use any of the Montessori equipment as we use the maximum amount of natural material as possible.
D
Although I could see principle from each theorist, Personally i think that Steiner/Piaget theories would be the most influential with the creche. Steiners theory about development of the child all together person is strong and his focus on the value of play and imitation play a huge part in the creche. Piagets ideas of development were very influential to the Highscope strategy which is employed throughout the creche.
PART 2
Children love to play! It really is an important part with their development. Play offers children the chance to maintain control also to feel both assured and qualified within relevant and open-ended encounters which are important to them. It can help children seem sensible of the world around them. Children gain an understanding of their feelings. When children play it consists of the exploration of ideas, thoughts, romantic relationships, materials and their environment. Play encourages creativity and creativity, and offers the youngsters a chance to explore at their own tempo and developmental stage without restriction or prospects. There are different types of play which can overlap and lead into each other.
These are symbolic play:
The child may use this type of play to reinforce, learn about and imaginatively alter painful experiences. Children imitate parents or pretend to be heroes theyve seen on T. V. or read in a book. This sort of play helps children manage fears.
Expressive play:
This gives children opportunities to express their thoughts by using many different types of materials.
Physical play:
This has a large social aspect to it since it generally will involve other children and it offers exercise which is essential for normal development.
Dramatic play:
This can be spontaneous or adult-guided. The children respond out situations that they feel you can do or are fearful of or may have witnessed.
Manipulative play:
This starts off in infancy. Children control and change their environment and people around them. Children change and move objects to better understand how they work.
Familiarisation play:
This is when children handle materials and explore activities in an interesting way.
Surrogate play:
This is when an incapacitated child watches and loves through other children or individuals.
Therapeutic play:
This is guided play utilized by specialists to help children understand their emotions and suggest to them through play.
There are three main stages of play that happen to be:
(0 2 years) Solitary Play where a child plays by itself to explore.
(2 three years) Parallel Play in which a child will play alongside other children but not join in.
(3-5 years) Writing Play where children co-operate and use conversation when doing offers. This also consists of children taking converts and using creativeness.
Our role as Early Years employees is to facilitate and support each child in play.
Through observing experts can arrange for play. Planning for a day to day routine and planning the environment surrounding the childs play is important as through organized play a specialist can best support the kids. No matter the age group of the children they need adult support during play. By talking to the kids about their play, recognising and supporting their selection of play (without interference) provides children a feeling of competence and self-worth. Only take part in childrens play when invited or if you can help them develop the skills of playing. Specialist can also support by performing as mediator teaching children skills such as problem dealing with and to be respectful of others thoughts. Practitioners understanding of equality and variety will protect children from harm in play intervening in satiations that may be potentially harmful for children. Further to experts planning and assisting them also need to review play. Observing the kids during play can show the way the equipment materials and the environment is supporting or possibly hindering the childrens abilities to continue or to improve in the play.
Children today are growing up in a culture where they are really over-protected and parents are fearful of permitting them to play outside and explore residences are made so safe that children are stifled in their development. Things that we did to have fun and play developed our gross motor unit skills. We problem fixed situations to be able to stay out longer but today children have a lot of house based mostly games such as PlayStation, etc. , which are generally play only and are intellectually based. I believe children approaching to an Early Years setting up enjoy playing. Having materials and space which is suited and facilitates their hobbies, means they can go to town readily and helps them explore and understand the ever before changing world around them. As Froebels theory highlighted, children should be allowed to be children and revel in things that children enjoy.
1) What's the current platform available in Ireland? Siolta and Aistear will be the latest frameworks produced by the Centre for Early Years as a child Development and Education (CECDE). Now the responsibility of Sioltas execution lies with the Department of Education and Science. Aistear is the first Childhood Curriculum Framework.
2) What will the Framework for Early Learning do?
Siolta targets every area of quality within ECCE adjustments for children aged from labor and birth to six years of age. Aistear takes on its part in presenting children opportunities to learn based on their interests, advantages, culture and specific needs.
3) Who will the Framework be for?
The framework protects children from delivery to six years old. This includes all Early on Years configurations, childrens own homes and newborn classes in primary school.
4) How can the Framework consider the kids?
Our modern culture today is becoming more diverse. In allowing the kids to figure out how to their abilities. It'll give them quality connections with other children and an enriched environment that encourages play indoors and out-of-doors, adult/child connections, exploration, dialog and observation.
5) What themes are contained in the Framework?
a) Well-being
b) Communication
c) Exploration and thinking
d) Individuality and belonging
6) What are Siolta and Aistear?
7) How can you as an Early Years as a child Supervisor promote a quality Construction in your service?
Introducing the National Construction to the service will involve educating both the staff and the parents. Training the staff and promoting them as a supervisor with the changeover is very important. Aistear will broaden the range of strategies the staff will have for getting together with the children. Bringing out new assessments and methods that will improve the childrens learning over the curriculum. The staff must support the kids in the learning encounters by observing, being attentive and interacting, when asked by the kid or if involvement is necessary. The engagement of the father or mother is essential. To greatly help them understand the benefits to the children of quality play time and aiding them understand the restrictions paperwork can have with children, because so many parents prefer to see their childrens progress through pictures or writings.
The introduction of project literature for the kids as a group so that individuals is a superb way to review activities and allows the kids express themselves through pictures and images.
PART 4
Highscope and Country wide Curriculum
The curriculum used at my service is Highscope. This was developed by Dr. David Weikart to provide children at risk of failing college. It originated in the united states in 1962 and is now used in many countries around the world. It could be used throughout the childcare setting with children aged from delivery to six years. Personnel encourages children to be decision manufacturers and problem solvers. This can help them to build up skills that enable them to become successful students as they increase and improvement through institution. The central ideas are given by using a Wheel of Learning. With the centre the effective learner (the kid) and encompassing that the principles that will support the kid while learning they are adult/child discussion: learning environment: daily routine and analysis.
These give staff and management basics about how to offer an environment and day to day routine that will enrich a childs activities within my service. My vision is to have a quality service that children will come across every morning with smiles on their faces and by the end then to view them become completely rounded, suitable children as they make the changeover to national college. I want my staff to enjoy approaching to work, feeling satisfied that they have made a notable difference in each childs life. That they have helped each child reach their full probable and have positive experience in the setting. I want parents to feel secure in entrusting their children to my service, that they know that their children will be nurtured and encouraged favorably during every step of your day. They feel still contained in every part of these childrens day, whilst they are away from them.
I believe that the new National Framework can slot machine game in easily to something that is High scope-based, as there are a great number of similarities. Aistear curriculum can be used during a Highscope daily routing as both are play-based, learning and emphasise the worthiness of observations to plan exercises and activities.
Because of this, Personally i think the move to national college should be clean. The kids have developed the talents to problem solve and make decision and selections for themselves. This builds confidence both socially and academically. Personally i think the greatest problem for children when progressing in the beginning to national school is more communal than academic and if a kid is assured, self-aware and happy in themselves, the change may bring more positive experiences than negative which places a good bottom part for a child to progress efficiently as a student.
