Which developmental theories that you learned about most resonate with you, and how are they seen in your classroom?
When beginning the master’s program, I was already familiar with most of the child development theories due to my background in psychology. In the beginning research stages, I focused on Behaviorism, social development theories, and cognitive development theories. Based on my observations of my students, I found Piaget's cognitive development theory to be the most sensible. I consider Behaviorism to be outdated, and while social learning theory is somewhat relevant, I believe it would be misguided to use it to fully understand children’s behavior and development. What spoke to me about Piaget’s cognitive development theory is that it’s linked with developmentally appropriate practices, and this should be a focus in early childhood education. The theory proposes that children go through different cognitive development stages, and teachers can use these stages to tailor instruction suitable for the child's cognitive age. As an educator at a Montessori school, I encounter children with varying ages ranging from three to six years old. The developmental stages of these children are evident, as the activities that the younger ones aspire to do are not always feasible for them, even though the older children can manage them with ease. Hence, it is crucial for me to be mindful of their developmental stages and cater to each child's needs accordingly. It is imperative to understand that the instructions given to a three-year-old cannot be the same as those given to a five-year-old, considering their developmental abilities. It's fascinating to observe the interactions between younger and older children in the same class. Despite the potential drawbacks of such a significant age gap, there are some notable benefits. For instance, the older children can offer valuable guidance and assistance to the younger ones, particularly when it comes to physical activities.
How can you intentionally embrace diversity and include culture in your classroom?
As an educator, I have yet to fully embrace diversity in my classroom due to the lack of diversity in the environment I teach. However, I plan to change this going forward by finding ways to integrate diverse perspectives and cultures into my lessons. Even though my students come from similar backgrounds, I believe that I can still incorporate my cultural background into the classroom. By doing so, I hope to provide my students with opportunities to learn about and appreciate different cultures, as well as gain insights into the places and people they may encounter in their future travels. Celebrating diversity in the classroom can be achieved through various ways, and one effective method is through cultural celebrations. Many schools organize an International Day where students dress up in attire that represents different cultures. This event serves as an opportunity for students to learn about and share information on various cultures with their peers, and it promotes diversity not only in the classroom but also in the entire school. Another way to incorporate diversity in the classroom is by highlighting differences when teaching certain topics. For instance, when teaching about occupations, showcasing how professionals look in different cultures can be an eye-opening experience for students. For example, comparing Chinese and South African dancers can reveal the differences in music and dance styles in those cultures.
As an educator, what can you do to minimize the impact of school shutdowns on students in Early Childhood Education programs?
School shutdowns had such a big impact on China for an extremely long time. The impact of school shutdowns on students is big, especially where consistent learning is not possible. In my city, schools were closed down every two months, while most other cities and schools had opened back up. Unfortunately, since it was a kindergarten, we were not allowed to have online classes. Therefore, it is essential to minimize the impact of these shutdowns. Teachers play a significant role, and the support of the school is needed to achieve this. To lessen the impact, teachers can provide learning materials for students. In some countries, like China, it is easy to create or provide technologically based learning materials such as videos, Powerpoints, and e-books, which can be sent to parents for children to practice the content and continue learning. However, in some contexts, technology use is not prevalent. In such situations, teachers can create care packages for families, even if it is just materials they would print out at school and either deliver or send to children's homes for them to do the work. The most significant impact of school shutdowns is children forgetting the knowledge and content they have learned previously, making it essential to ensure that kids can continue to learn even when they are not at school. Teachers can provide support for parents and share with them things that they can do to increase social interaction for their children, depending on whether they are allowed to interact with others.
What is Developmentally Appropriate Practice and why is it important for young learners?
Developmentally appropriate practice refers to the concept that education and learning should align with a child's developmental stage and be relevant to their current needs and abilities. A baby cannot run a marathon because they are not developmentally ready. Similarly, teaching should not be solely focused on doing well on future tests but also on developing well-rounded individuals who can interact with others and function effectively in society. During early education, it's crucial to make learning enjoyable and play-based. Additionally, it's important to focus on the strengths and abilities of the children. By doing so, teachers can teach them how to develop skills. developmentally appropriate practices are research-based and help teachers make informed decisions in supporting children in their learning. A DAP approach to teaching can be advantageous for children as it promotes their healthy development and prioritizes critical skills such as executive functions, rather than mere memorization. I think this approach also eases the burden on children, enabling them to enjoy their childhood and grow naturally while being appropriately challenged.
What is the impact of proper scaffolding and differentiation in the Early Childhood classroom?
In the early childhood classroom, scaffolding and differentiation are crucial to support students' learning. It's vital to recognize that each child has a unique way of comprehending the content, and this doesn't imply that they can't attain their maximum potential. Every child is distinct and learns at their speed. Employing differentiation techniques ensures that every child learns the same information differently, catering to their individual learning needs. In my recent learning, I came across differentiation, which is a powerful tool for teachers to ensure that all students learn what they need to learn without feeling overwhelmed. There are many ways to differentiate instruction to cater to children's differences, and it doesn't have to be too much work for the teacher. Prioritizing that every student gets a chance and does their best is crucial to ensuring children thrive in the classroom. Differentiated instruction should have been implemented during my school years. It was common for students to feel inferior or inadequate due to unsuitable teaching methods that didn’t cater to their individual needs.
Why is it important to plan curriculum around social experiences in Early Childhood?
Throughout our lives, social interaction plays a vital role in our mental and emotional well-being. Research shows that the lack of social interaction can adversely affect our brain's emotions, leading to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Hence, it becomes imperative to encourage social interactions in early childhood. It is during this phase that children learn various skills like empathy, emotion regulation, sharing, and turn-taking, which are essential for their development as functional members of society. School, in particular, can play a significant role in facilitating social interaction, especially for children who do not have siblings. By learning how to share and wait for their turn, they can develop critical social skills that can help them lead a better quality of life.
How will the knowledge that you have gained about Early Childhood Education impact your students?
The knowledge and understanding I gained from this Master's program are invaluable. Although I had to take a long break between modules 18 and 19, I can already see the difference it has made in my teaching instruction and the materials I provide to my students. This has resulted in my students enjoying learning English more than ever before, and it feels great to be a better teacher for them. The experience of teaching while pursuing my Master's has helped me make many connections in their development and learning, allowing me to personalize my teaching for each student. I am constantly thinking of new ways to support them and ensure they have a positive experience as English language learners in a non-English speaking country. My ultimate goal is to provide them with a good foundation in English that they can carry with them throughout their lives.
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