Teachers who truly value the family’s role in a child’s education, and recognize how much they can accomplish by working with families, can build a true partnership (Dodge, Colker, and Heroman, 2002, pg. 211). The curriculum is based around the theories of: Abraham Maslow (basic needs and learning), Jean Piaget (logical thinking and reasoning), Lev Vygotsky (social interaction and learning), Howard Gardner (multiple intelligences), and Sara Smilansky (play and learning). These theorist help mold the foundation for the curriculum that is used in many classrooms today. The Creative Curriculum enhances social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
E6 – Describe the initiatives which influence the provision of challenging environments for children C1 – Evaluate how the two initiatives contribute to the provision of an enabling environment for the children Rudolf Steiner was an influential initiative for the provision of challenging environments for children. Steiner designed a curriculum that is responsive to the developmental phases of childhood and the nurturing of the child’s imagination in a school environment. Steiner thought that schools should cater to the needs of the child rather than the demands of the government or economic forces, so he developed schools that encourage creativity and free-thinking. His teaching seeks to recognise the individuality of the child and through a balanced education, allows them to go into the world with confidence. "The need for imagination, a sense of truth and a feeling of responsibility – these are the three forces which are the very nerve of education."
As a parent, Dewey allowed his children to play in the same room in which adults were socializing in which was very forward thinking for the time. Dewey was noted for his school of thought known as pragmatism, which favored a more natural approach to learning rather than a passive approach. One of Dewey’s most notable beliefs was that he felt education should be integrated with life and should provide a training ground for life. He has many notable quotes and I’ve included a few below: The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action. Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.
How do these theories of development influence current practice? Piaget - Adults should provide a play based curriculum and a stimulating environment through which children can construct their own knowledge and understanding. The adult should not intervene unnecessarily in children’s play as play should be child-led. * This theory influences current practice because we provide a play based curriculum which is the Early Years Foundation Stage. This covers: communication & language, physical development, and personal, social and environmental development.
Linking theory with practice enables practitioners to plan age appropriate activities and experiences for the children in their care and thus enhance their development and help them to acquire new skills and knowledge. In this essay the author will discuss the following theorists whose work has been very influential in the field of childcare. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), Lev Vygotsky (1896-1943), Jean Piaget (1896-1980), B.F. Skinner (1904-1990). Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Sigmund Freud’s main area of study was emotional and personality development, he was the first psychologist to recognise the importance of the conscious and unconscious mind. Freud’s work is considered important because he showed that childhood experiences and relationships significantly influence the development of personality in later life, (Beaver et al 2002).
John Dewey’s Educational Theories in Use Today John Dewey (1859-1952), was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer. Dewey’s three theories on education were; education must engage; education must be an inspiration; education is an interaction and social life. According to Dewey, in My Pedagogic Creed (1897) he states “To prepare him for the future life means to give him command of himself.” Dewey was believed that the student must take a hands on approach to learning and make a connection to their life. By allowing the student to take that approach the student is allowed to make a connection in their life which will aid in the learning. In a time where you have various ways to gain the education and knowledge are we still using the foundational elements Dewey wrote about in My Pedagogic Creed (1897) and The Child and the Curriculum (1902)?
I agree with Lickona (2009) when he said that “family lays the Foundation”. In order for schools to be successful in teaching character education there needs to be open communication between parents and educators. Lickona (2009) also stated that “schools build on the foundation”. Parents need to be informed and involved with the character education curriculum the school is implementing. Kohn (1997) changed my opinion on how to teach character education.
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development Jean Piaget (1896-1980) studied how children’s thought processes develop and has been very influential in our understanding of children’s cognitive development. He believed that interaction with peers was the most critical factor in children’s cognitive development. ‘He described children as ‘"little scientists," actively constructing their own theories about the world, testing these theories, and adjusting to new information’ (quote taken from Kendra's Psychology Blog at about.com: Psychology). He suggested mental plans - schemas (schemata) function as guides for action, as structure for interpreting information, as frameworks for solving problems. (For full explanation on schemas, conservation, assimilation and accommodation and explanations of terminology see appendix 2).
They are both constructivist, holding that children learn through constructing meaning with their world. Where these perspectives diverge is in how each child constructs knowledge, the role of the teacher and how imagination plays into development. There are many beliefs in common between Montessori’s and Froebel’s education philosophies. Both believe in the child's right to be active, explore and develop their own knowledge through investigation. Both see activity as a guide to education and do not believe in repressing it.
When we take care of children, we are also helping the human species find the truth and understand the world. (Gopnik et al. 1999: 211) This chapter begins by looking at what elements need to be in place to ensure that children develop to their full potential and have opportunities to explore and extend all their capacities and capabilities. It will further explore the generalized impact on children’s development of social breakdown because of war and conflict – looking in detail at the developmental processes of early childhood, and noting what happens when that progress is interrupted. The major theories of play will be outlined, with the emphasis here on play not only as a necessary feature of childhood and essential component of development, but also as a means to regain ‘lost childhoods’.