When composing my interpretation of this assignment, I have found many purposes for this paper. The first purpose is focusing on the materials in the math/science center. After focusing on the materials, the next step is analyzing the materials to see if they support a math and science based learning. In addition to analyzing the materials, connecting my observations to the resources provided is a core part of this assignment as well. The final purpose involved in this project is exposure to the Reggio Emilia approach in early childhood education. I have never been in this type of environment before. I thought it was very interesting.
In addition to the purpose of this assignment, another thing to focus on was the role of the environment. The preschool environment
…show more content…
This preschool is located at the Henry Doorly Zoo. Before taking this class, I had no idea that there was a school there. This school practices the Reggio Emilia approach in education. Entering this class, I’ve never had experience with this type of education. Two sessions of class every day were offered during the school week. I observed an afternoon section. It took place on January 23rd. The demographics pertaining to the students changes from day to day. On the 23rd there were fifteen students. Twelve of them were caucasian and the other two were hispanic. There were a few kids absent from class that day as well. As far as socioeconomic status goes, my inferences lead me to believe that the children fit in the middle class range. The students were using moderate language skills, wearing new clothes, and were discussing various materialistic things they have at their houses. There were six adults in the room as well. Two were teachers in the classroom, three were a part of the zoo academy program, and the last one was a Creighton student. The afternoon class was girl heavy. There was fifteen students all together (eleven girls and four
Environment says a lot about identity, past, and future. Primary environment has the most effect on shaping a child. According to a US National Library of Medicine research study, ”The physical environment and child development: An international review” it says, “What we do know suggests that the physical environment experienced by children impacts their cognitive and socioemotional development across the lifespan, from the prenatal period through adulthood.” In children this is especially important because a child develops most between the ages of two and five. There are three key elements that contribute to a healthy physical for young children, an adequate standard of living (mainly sufficient food, clothing, and housing), healthcare, and safety from injury, violence, and environmental hazards. In The Other Wes Moore, Wes(a) had
The student’s future profession of early childhood development grow deeper when the vital role is played by the relationship. Children develop through their relationship with their parents and caregivers, but the stage of development will be ongoing with others in their lives. The relationship with their parents matter and will affect relationship with others. (Bronfenbrenner 1989) all the relationship the child had, the relationship with their parents had the most significant impact on the development and well-being of those involved. People learn how to be with others by their experiencing how others are with them. Parents are warm, sensitive, responsive, consistent, and available for their babies is internal models (Gowen and Nebrig, 2001, p.8).
Soler, J., & Miller, L., 2010. The Struggle for Early Childhood Curricula: A comparison of the English Foundation Stage Curriculum, Te Whariki and Reggio Emilia. International Journal of Early Years Education. London: Routledge.
When I arrived to the preschool class that was outside, the ratio of teachers to children was 3:21, or 1:7. There were a couple of stations/areas for the kids to have social interactions, but I did notice all the kids were very tight, they all seemed to know each other well. The interaction between the teachers and kids were the teachers would stand in a group talking as the kids were outside.The child I did my observation on was 4 years old and her name was Tru. Tru had on white jeggings with colorful polka dots, a white shirt with a pink cat on it, pink vans and her hair in a low ponytail. For the two and a half hours I was there, the children were outside and Tru was sitting by herself on the play structure.
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an ideology and program that is practiced to this day in Italy. It has a deep rooted history in their culture and has inspired the American “Emergent Curriculum;” a program which uses a lot of the same philosophy, principles, and practices (Bertrand, 2012, pp 52). The Reggo Emilia Approach bases its practices on five very influential men and theorists; Jean Piaget, John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Urie Bronfenbrenner, and Hugh Gardner (Bertrand, 2012) and has a very respectful view of the child and how they learn. (Bertrand, 2012; Edwards, Gandini, & Forman, 1998).
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.
Most of the work educators attempts to do in any program are necessary constitutes that may help determine the usefulness of the program and the number of benefits for the children and their families. Besides having knowledge about child development, educators need to use a curriculum designed for the active learning environment. Each document came out under professional educators, and each one has its own interest for any program. Every document directs early learning environments for children from zero to eight years old.
Origin from a city in the north of Italy, the Reggio Emilia approach in Early Childhood Education is adopted by multi-countries over the past decades. This approach has a core philosophy, that children should play a leading role in education. Children are seen as full of knowledge and intelligence, with full capabilities to express themselves if only given the proper ways to do to so. They are protagonists of their own learning and have a say in what topics and problems they will study and research. Teachers provide resources to assistant children’s learning and developing. The curriculum is emergent, meaning the teachers choose topics and projects based on careful listening and observations of their student’s interests, needs and inquiries. Children are encouraged to use materials and media to demonstrate their learning and understanding of a topic or project. Documentations and environment have direct influences in helping children’s learning. Parents and community also play a supportive role in children education (O.E.C.D, 2004).
The results of quality preschool programs can be seen early after they begin. Children learn many important life le...
Preschool is a highly debated area of a child’s educational journey. One of the primary goals of preschool is to prep the child for traditional elementary school. There are various contemporary models of early education that have been constructed to help children develop their educational career. A few examples of these models are the Bank Street Approach, The Reggio Emilia Approach, The Montessori Approach, and the Head Start Program just to name a few. The Waldorf approach is the program of discussion in this particular paper. The Waldorf Approach was originated in 1919 with the basic analysis that children can learn traditional educational subjects through artistic activities. The assumption is that children should dictate the classroom curriculum, and that the material learned should benefit the child as a whole. There are four conditions that teachers focus on when using the Waldorf Approach. The four conditions are Aesthetic, Social, Symbolic, and Sensitive conditions. In a classroom setting these four conditions are put into practice by ...
Mercilliott Hewett, V. (n.d.). Examining the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://static.squarespace.com/static/51ed94d0e4b03bd18bdcc998/t/526c8eabe4b0f35a9f0216e3/1382846123076/ExaminingtheReggioEmiliaApproach.pdf
With the success of working with these children she was asked to open a school in a housing project in Rome, which was opened on January 6 1907, which was called Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House. Montessori was focused on teaching the children how to develop their own skills at their own rate, which was a principle Dr. Montessori called “spontaneous self-development”. [Early Childhood Today, p. 74.] Montessori discovered that children’s innate power for learning worked best when the children were able to be left alone in a safe, and a hands on environment. When the children were given furniture, equipment, and supplies they were able to work by themselves, they were also self-motivated to explore experiment and reach new understandings. Montessori found self...
Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870 and influenced childcare massively in the 20th century. Montessori believed that children learn best through using their hands. She felt that one of the main factors that contributed to the child’s development was the ‘prepared’ environment. Children learn through exploration and the adult’s role is to create an environment where they can do
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.
I am around children seven days a week; every day I am amazed at how much children’s personalities are influenced by the environment they are in. My o...