Personal Response
As someone who places great emphasis on content mastery and intellectual integrity, the classicist approach is one that most closely mirrors my educational style. I believe that exposure to an array of subjects, philosophies, and materials can broaden a student’s understanding of the world around them. Classicists strive to bring subject material to life in the most mentally stimulating methods possible, which is another tenet with which I agree. Likewise, the classroom environment is also important as it can inspire imagination and further academic pursuit. Overall, the classicist approach mirrors my belief of what an effective classroom embodies.
My second and third approaches, respectively, are the executive and humanist approaches. In terms of the executive approach, I believe that is important for the early childhood educator to manage and direct the classroom to ensure goals are met and lessons are taught. This approach is more structured, and I do believe that children need structure to feel comfortable in their daily routine. Likewise, I see the importance of the empathetic, facilitating teacher and that the learning process should be centered on the student, actively learning and acquiring skills that allow them to
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I believe that the most effective way to teach is to provide opportunities for children to be actively involved in their own learning. Research, projects, group assignments and many other strategies should be implemented so that a child can develop autonomy while developing content mastery. I am of the opinion that children learn best when they can add the material that is being presented to their current framework of knowledge. Integrating new and known material helps cultivate a deeper understanding and encourages prudent skepticism to strengthen their
I am a firm believer that the quality of the child care directly affects the child’s development in the classroom. By eliminating the need for competing preschools to continue to improve their curriculum and to remain relevant in the field of early childhood education, we risk falling into the same trap K-12 education has fallen into. In other words, individual classroom freedom will be lost when teachers are forced to follow the governments blanket and mandatory regulations. I choose this concept because I feel it is important to allow a wide variety of options to families in order for them the find the right fit for their
My most basic, fundamental belief in education has always been that every student is capable of learning. The learning may not take place on my desired timeline, but each child has the capacity to learn. I have always considered myself to be child-centered, rather that teacher-centered, in the classroom. I hold that most learning is accomplished when new information can be integrated into previous knowledge, and I also find that a balanced approach to any learning includes the repetition of information and a varied approach in delivery.
The behaviorist and constructivist theories pose a significant debate in early childhood education that questions if curriculum should be based on the children’s natural childlike dispositions or should adults determine and decide every aspect of curriculum. The distinction between the two theories determine what and how young children learn. The behaviorist theory believes that people of all ages learn the same and that behavior is controlled by outside influences and rewards. Whereas, the constructivist theory believes young children develop cognitive structure based on interactions with other people and the environment. Most early childhood programs follow the constructivist theory and are child-centered. According to Freeney, Galper, and
Everyone has a different way of teaching, but in the end, the method should help the students learn. In the
Thirdly both approach focus on educators to provide encouragement, warmth, and acceptance. They also provide challenges for creative and complex learning and thinking, helping children to extend their ideas and actions through sensitive, informed, well-judged interventions and support. Te Whᾱriki principles points out “children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things” (p. 14).
From the perspective I have at this stage in my journey in the early childhood education field, I would like to share what I have come to value and believe in regards to early learning and care by looking at my philosophy statement. To begin we will look at the statement and highlight three key features and find out why they are important to me, then we will see what they will look like in my practice, and lastly we will examine these ideas closely by looking at where they originated. By taking an in-depth look at my philosophy statement we will better understand the motivation behind my practice which I hope to continue to refine and refresh as I gain more knowledge and experience.
As a teacher in early childhood development, I believe that the teacher skills and personality influence how children understand, observe and react to the classroom environment and the world around them. Even though part of teacher responsibilities are academic, daily interactions that encourage social, emotional and physical development are important. One of a quality effective early childhood educators’ characteristic is that they should have patience.
(Wesley, 1998; Wood, 2008). More specifically, effective early childhood educators should be empathetic to the children in their care, the child's family and other co-workers. This reflects that the educator is willing to listen, relate to others and therefore be integrated as a respected and trusted member of the school and wider community. As an effective early childhood educator, create 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....
Morrison, G. S. (1976). Chapter 6: Early Childhood Programs APPLYING THEORIES TO PRACTICE. In Early childhood education today (10th ed., pp. 5-31). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill.
As an early childhood educator my job is not to simple play with children. I must plan, provide and supervise all while “playing” with my students. The classroom serves as the physical environment for the children for most of their waking hours. These classrooms need to be attractive and function effectively. Concerns for any early childhood educator should always include space, equipment and materials used, outdoor space and the daily schedule to ensure that all students are provided ample opportunities to learn and grow within a safe and secure environment.
There are various instructional methods in early childhood education including the Montessori Method, Direct instruction, Bank street developmental-interaction approach, high/scope curriculum, Kamii-Devries constructivist approach and the Waldorf way. Teachers play a huge role in imparting this learning method and ensuring quality early education for children (Pacini-Ketchabaw, Nxumalo, Kocher, Elliot & Sanchez, n.d.). They must, therefore, be accredited or certified child care professionals who are held accountable for preschool standards of practice, this they can achieve by getting a degree in early childhood education before working as an assistant teacher and continuing to other
My teaching philosophy has been strongly influenced by my field experience in the primary grades. It may be necessary to adjust some of these beliefs to fit the needs of the classroom in certain situations, especially if I were teaching one of the intermediate grades. There are five general philosophies that I believe are essential in creating an effective learning environment as an educator: setting clear expectations for students and creating a respectful environment, acting as a facilitator in the classroom, creating relationships with students and their caregivers, and using positive reinforcement. Though there are a plethora of responsibilities that educators have in the classroom, I believe that these five are the most imperative to being successful in teaching in an elementary classroom.
Students’ education focus should be knowledge, judgment and moral virtues. Teachers have the skills needed to understand, analyze and appreciate a classic. The Perennialist teacher is not concern with the students’ interest. (Gutek 2013; Robert Hutchins. (n.d.)
...uable life lessons as well as traditional ones. They should know basic facts and be able to apply them. Teaching is all about getting your students to become better students when they leave the classroom.
Teaching is a daunting task that I do not intend to take lightly. Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine for several years. I always knew that teaching would be the career for me, especially when I began working in the school system as a substitute secretary. I loved working in the school environment; coming in contact with children everyday made me realize how much I would enjoy teaching a classroom full of students.