E1 One of the practitioner’s roles in meeting children’s learning needs could be to understand and work with other practitioners and staff. This can help to provide different learning opportunities to individual children because each child is unique as practitioners should take into consideration all diverse learning needs, for example there are many activities that could be changed to suit individual children. The practitioners’ role would therefore be to plan and resource an environment that is challenging and helps children learn in many different areas of their learning. The role of the practitioner in supporting the learning needs of children is they have to complete regular assessments on their development and learning to identify their progress and plan their next steps to help the children achieve further. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), (2012) states that the role of the practitioner is crucial in observing and reflecting on children’s spontaneous play, building on this by planning and providing a challenging environment which supports specific areas of children’s learning and extends and develops children’s language and communication in their play.
Considering the work of key pioneers and current experts with links to child development theory. There are many theories about how children learn and develop. This area of study is called developmental psychology which covers subjects such as cognitive, language and emotional development. The research methods are based heavily on the on going assessments carried out by observing children over a period of time. Assessment is part of the process of understanding what children know, understand and can do so that future teaching steps can be appropriately planned.
C8- Analyse the importance of play in children’s learning, giving reasons why play should be included in planning. It is important to include play in a child’s learning and experience, this is because it enables them to explore and learn new things independently and through a way in which they understand. From play they are able to express their feelings and thoughts on the subject through interpreting the situation, events, or experience they’ve seen. It’s a good way of allowing children their own space to make choices of what, when, and who they play with, giving them many opportunities to build on relationships which is a good aspect in enhancing their communication skills and ability to work with others and co-operate efficiently. Play is a ‘’free flow’’ experience which enables a child to progress at their own pace.
Actively encourage and support learners in becoming independent. Will lead learning “guided” groups, modelling concepts and language that the adult leading the learning has used. Will alter an activity or change the apparatus if an activity does not meet the learners needs to enable them to achieve or exceed the expected outcome. Are acutely aware of learners capabilities/prior learning/understanding and plan very effectively to build on these. The areas that I have assessed as “good” and therefore need improving are: Enable learners to access resources appropriately – I feel that I need to make more time to be able to show the children how they can get the best from the resources that they have available to them.
Their thought process is more idealistic. Vygotsky's theories stress the fundamental role of social interaction in the development of cognition. Vygotsky believed in a continuous development versus the thought of stage based development. He believed that while children can develop knowledge and lead in their own development, development cannot be separated from social context. Meaning a child will only learn things within their instructors
Piaget and Vygotsky both identified the most important source of cognition is the child itself. They both identified that children are busy, self motivated explorers, forming ideas, that they then test against the world (Berk, 2013) to form and develop communication skills for communicating with others. Piaget’s ideas have been of practical use in understanding and communicating with children, particularly in the field of education. Piaget became interested in the way children at different
Susan Scholz Both have important similarities and differences exist in Piagets and Vygetski’s descriptions of cognitive development. Both are widely accepted ideas that learners’ are actively constructing knowledge for themselves. Piaget thought that children learn primarily on their own and Vygetski thought knowledge was first socially constructed and then internalized by the individual. They both view social interaction important but differ on the role it plays with a learner. Piaget’s idea of social interaction is a mechanism for disrupting equilibrium, and as individuals must adapt their schemes though accommodation and assimilation then cognitive development happens.
I feel it is important to take into account the personalities of the children, as learning may be inhibited if one child is particularly domineering or intimidating. It is also necessary to look at the subject being taught and be flexible in the grouping of children. I personally feel that for subjects such as Literacy and Numeracy, where there is pressure for academic success the children should be split into ability groups. I feel by working in ability groups, the children are still able to support each other and there is still a hint of Vygotsky’s ZPD theory being practised, as there is still a range of abilities within an ability group and the more able of one particular ability group, can support the others in the group. It is important to remember that no one child is the same as another, even if they are classified as being of similar ability.
Cognitive Development “Cognitive Development always takes place within a social and cultural context.” Vygotsky believed that cognitive development is strongly influenced by social and cultural factors. Vygotsky agreed with Piaget that children may be able to reach a particular cognitive level through their own efforts. However, Vygotsky (1978, 1987) argued that children are able to attain higher levels of cognitive development through the support and instruction that they receive from other people. Researchers have confirmed that social interaction, especially with older children and adults, play a significant role in a child’s cognitive development. One of Vygotsky’s important ideas was his notion of the Zone of proximal development (ZPD).
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.