Professional Documents
Culture Documents
help and guidance as they need and ask for, listen respectfully when they feel like
talking and then get out of the way. We can trust them to do the rest. This incredibly
insightful quote is by John Holt, author of How Children Learn. I find this very inspiring
educators knowledge of how children learn and develop (Sue Bredekamp 73). The
most effective way for educators to teach is through a DAP. By understanding that each
child learns and grows in different ways and at different paces, educators can meet the
individual at his or her level to promote optimum development that is age appropriate.
practice as well. Play is sometimes taken for granted as a waste of time, but it is
actually one of the best learning tools children have right at their fingertips. The wide
variety of ways in which children play prove to promote development in a vast number
of areas, such as cognitive development, motor skills (both fine and gross), social/
emotional development and much more. Play should always be incorporated into early
Furthermore, it is the job of the teacher to make sure that activities, such as play,
are included in the day to day schedule and curriculum. This means they are
intentionally teaching. The intentional teacher plans carefully in advance, but also has
enough knowledge to make thoughtful decisions throughout the day, even during the
unplanned, spontaneous teachable moments that inevitably arise (76). No matter the
area of life, being intentional and organized always pays off. When applied to early
childhood education, the results are overwhelmingly positive and fruitful. An organized
curriculum allows for a positive environment, which then allows for trust, confidence and
continual learning.
puzzle. When standards and curriculums align, they progress as children get older so
that they acquire the foundations of skills and knowledge to continue to achieve (319).
This alignment is important because it sets the stage for life-long learning. People do
not stop learning just because they have grown up. We continue learning for the rest
of our lives and the education we receive early on signifies what that will look like for
each individual. Learning theorist, B. F. Skinner, has defined and discussed different
kinds of conditioning and behaviorism that we receive throughout our lives. Just like
intentional teaching and good curriculums, it shapes our lives. Skinner says that
Other areas that absolutely require positive reinforcement are special education
values of educators in these classes. It is important to cherish the diversity inside the
classroom and leave all bias outside the classroom. Only then can you give each
childhood education. Teachers and third party professionals can do assessments (such
as the DRDP, CLASS, ECERS and much more). More often than not, an outsiders
perspective is very valuable and a great asset to educators and parents. By observing
and assessing behavior of both students and teachers, the potential for growth and
Everything that I have mentioned thus far has become a part of my philosophy as
a future educator and as someone who works with children on a regular basis. I have
become extremely mindful in front of children, as to model positive and morally sound
behavior. I am intentional in conversation and during the teachable moments that Sue
Bredekamp references in the text. And finally, I really appreciate the role that play has
taken in the early stages of development. There is no replacement for that kind of
meaningful, hands-on learning. I can only hope that when I become an educator, I will
live up to these great standards that I have set for myself; that I can give children as
much help and guidance as they need and ask for, listen respectfully when they feel like
talking and then get out of the way. For, as John Holt says we can trust them to do the
rest.
Source