Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
What is the importance of early childhood education
What is the importance of early childhood education
Diversity in early childhood education essay
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: What is the importance of early childhood education
Early childhood is a time of curiosity, a time for play, and a time of rapid development. Every child is unique and deserving of an early childhood education that facilitates academic, social, and developmental growth through a variety of enjoyable experiences. Differentiated instruction adapts content, products and processes to meet the diverse learning needs and preferences of students (Thousand, Villa, & Nevin, 2007). Friedrich Froebel, the creator of Kindergarten, believed that children grow and learn as they play (Bruno, 2009). Play-based instruction not only enables young learners to have fun, but it also encourages interactive and cooperative learning, passion for discovery, and a foundation for later learning experiences (Moore & Campos, 2010). This early childhood education program relies on differentiated instruction and play-based learning to educate and care for children in a way that is developmentally appropriate and personal. The vision of this early childhood learning program is to form successful partnerships with families and the community, promote positive child development, and to foster students’ confidence, creativity, critical thinking, multicultural awareness, and passion for learning. Our mission is to recognize the unique gifts of each student, excite students about the world around them and the power of knowledge, provide inclusive and adaptable learning experiences, facilitate growth that enables students to move through the different stages of learning, build relationships with families and the community to form mutually beneficial partnerships in education, and to further the professional development of the program’s staff. It is our goal to provide the best possible experience not on... ... middle of paper ... ...Edition). Boston, MA: Higher Education. Kostelnik, M., Soderman, A., & Whiren, A. (2011). Developmentally appropriate curriculum: Best practices in Early Childhood Education (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson. Moore, M. & Campos, D. (2010). Inspiration to Teach - Reflections on Friedrich Froebel and Why He Counts in Early Childhood Education. YC Young Children, 65(6), 74-76. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals. Rettig, M. (2005). Using the Multiple Intelligences to Enhance Instruction for Young Children and Young Children with Disabilities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(4), 255- 259. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals Thousand, J., Villa, R. & Nevin, A. (2007). Differentiating instruction: Collaboratively planning and teaching for universally designed learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Dr. Seuss wrote, “You’re off to great places. Today is your day, a day. Your mountain is waiting for you. So get on your way”. The role of the early childhood educator, while rewarding, can sometimes feel like you are climbing a mountain.
Hedges, Helen. ""You Don't Leave Babies on Their Own": Children's Interests in Early Childhood Education." Early Education. Ed. Janet B. Mottely and Anne R. Randall. New York: Nova Science, 2009. N. pag. Print.
Decades of research proves partnerships between schools and families not only enhance children’s learning and achievement, it is also mutually beneficial to the families and educators. As an early childhood educator, my philosophy is rooted in establishing and maintaining a strong and effective partnership with families and communities that can help children and their families thrive. My approach focuses on effective communication between family and school, respect for diversity, and promoting learning at home.
The Child Development Center of College of San Mateo provides early care and educational programs for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Children are divided into classrooms with a “master” teacher, a “regular” teacher, and two or three “associate” teachers. Klara attended Classroom, “A,” a stimulating and well-resourced classroom. Klara was observed for two hours on Monday from 9 am to 11 am and for two hours on Wednesday from 9 am to 11 am. During these two hours, classroom activities consisted of “free time,” “story time,” and an outside “play time.” A “master” teacher, a “regular” teacher, and two “associate” teachers were present during observations. Additionally, a total of eighteen children were in attendance during the observed days.
Early childhood education, although constantly evolving, was actually established and practiced as early on as the times of Ancient Greece and Rome. The foundation that early childhood education is based upon is to instill in children the skills needed to succeed later on in life, while making sure young children enjoy their time in schooling. Throughout chapter 3 in the textbook Who Am I in the Lives of Children, the reader is capable of evaluating just how greatly the methods for teaching today’s youth have evolved and changed for the better.
My desire for children in my care is that their learning journey would be meaningful as they explore the ideas and activities they are interested in. This means that I believe that children are naturally motivated learners and should have the opportunity to learn through their own explorations and through collaboration with other children and educators. I believe this can be done through both teacher-initiated and child-initiated activities and supported through play. I also believe that play is a natural and enjoyable means through which children learn. In my practice I aim to encourage children’s natural ...
Curriculum is the organized framework that explains the content that children are to learn, the processes through which children achieve the identified curricular goals, what teachers do to help children achieve these goals and the context in which teaching and learning occur. The best curriculum for early childhood teacher is developmentally appropriate curriculum that allows teachers to set-up an effective learning environment for children.
As an effective early childhood educator, creating strong partnerships with children and their parents, as explained by Shonkoff et al. (2000; as cited in Wood 2008) has shown that to provide a productive learning environment a teacher must have a positive relationship with children and their families.
Early Childhood Education teachers know that our children deserve to learn the important lessons from us and to acquire important habits with our help. Teachers and future teachers want our children to grow up to be responsible adults. Also, teachers are trying to find the perfect way to deal with children with different type of behavior. Teachers have to deal with parents, giving them a satisfactory result of their child developmental progress and security. My philosophy of guiding young children behavior is to use the combination of collaboration, positive attitude, and patience.
As early childhood educators, we have many responsibilities to countless people and institutions. The most important responsibility that has been reinforced to me over the years is the responsibility for the well-being of children. Not simply the ones in my care, but all children everywhere. This can be accomplished in many ways such as advocacy. Organizations such as NAEYC, of which I am a member, engage in collective public policy advocacy which involves speaking out for and participating in activities that support and protect vulnerable populations such as children (Freeman, Decker & Decker, 2013). By volunteering at the Judy Center and after-school enrichment programs such as Bridges, I have had to opportunity and privilege to meet and collaborate with many wonderful social workers, advocates, and others who toil so diligently to improve the lives of children. “Helping young children become what they are capable of becoming is what the field of early childhood is all about,” (Colmer, Waniganayake, & Field, 2014, 103). In order to accomplish this, early childhood professionals need to continue to grow and develop as professionals. And so, the professional development of every early childhood professional needs to be seen as a lifelong task (Livingston, 2014). Research shows that teachers with more preparation for teaching are more confident and successful with students than
..., J., & Garzoli, E. (2007, November 11). The Effectiveness of a Play-Based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://teachplaybasedlearning.com/8.html
Froebel believed that the kindergarten's primary focus should be on play–the process by which he believed children expressed their inner thoughts, needs, and desires so that's why Froebel's emphasis on play. For Froebel play is facilitated by children's process of thoughts, imitation of adult vocational activities, and socialization. By playing, children socialize and imitate adult social and economic activities as they are gradually led into the larger world of group life. The kindergarten provides an environment that encouraged children to interact with other children under the guidance of a loving teacher he also believed in outdoor play and nature. (hardy, 2013) (Notes, 2013)
Those who support children in starting school at an early age, claim early childhood education is of critical importance during a child’s early developmental period. They believe it is important for early social interactions, play, and learning among peers to be best ingrained early on in a child’s youth. Gunilla Dahlberg, a psychologist specializing in childhood education, wrote a book on the success and factors that play into success a child will have in their education. In Dahlberg’s chapter, “Constructing Early Childhood”, he talks about factors
Early childhood education plays a key role in a child’s academic development because he or she learns soft skills, job skills, and develop positive traits. Preschool is not like kindergarten, but instead a stepping-stone that prepares young students for the years of schooling they will have later in life. As more schools began to open families wanted to be able to verify that programs would benefit and protect their children. In response, the National Association for the Education of Young Children was made to help families find the best care for their children, by providing the early childhood educators with training and ensuring the quality of children’s daily experiences. (“NAEYC”5).
There are many documented theories about early childhood development, contemporary research still concurs with some of these theories. It suggests, however, that we should be thinking more holistically, taking into consideration; respect for diversity, the wider community and equity, play based curriculums, intentional teaching and ongoing reflective practices when planning for optimal educational experiences for children (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 2009). I acknowledge that ongoing professional learning and reflective practices are a key element of the Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009). I accredit working and collaborating with other teachers, families and local communities collectively contribute