Teaching Preschool Children

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First of all, I would like to say thank you for this interview that is allowing me to discuss my qualifications and philosophy of education. Teaching children brings me great satisfactions because I am contributing to their education. Children are very special and unique as they are still going through their cognitive development. Every child is different and their learning abilities are too. As educators it is important that we provide children with a high quality education that promotes their cognitive development. I will bring to this preschool my teaching knowledge, creativity, enthusiasm, and my sensitive to all of the children’s needs. I will follow the school’s program according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, position statement of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children for Birth through Age 8. I will be including a one week-long plan that will demonstrate by ability to create a curriculum and an integrated activity plan that that follows the schools position statement. There are several different philosophers and theories that have had great impact on today’s early childhood education.

As educators we all have different philosophies on education and values. There are two philosophers that I believe that best correlate with my philosophy of education and values. The first philosopher that best correlates with my philosophy is Jean Piaget. Jean Piaget was a developmental psychologist and philosopher known for his epistemological studies with children. As Jean Piaget did studies on children he noticed that children constantly gave incorrect answers to certain questions. Piaget was not interested in the fact that children were wrong, but the fact that they made mistakes the older children and adults did not. It is through this research that led to the development of Jean Piaget’s theory that young children’s cognitive process is different from adults (Boeree, 1999-2006). Jean Piaget’s theory is referred to as constructivist theory because he concluded that children create or construct their own understanding through interactions with people and objects (Feeney, Moravcik, Nolte, & Christensen, 2010, p.145).

According to the text book “Piaget believed that understand must be discovered and constructed by the activity of the children rather than through passive observation” (Feeney, Moravcik, Nolte, & Christensen, 2010, p.145). The best way to support Piaget’s constructivist theory is by doing more hands-on activities and interactive activities with the children in the classroom. Children’s cognitive development is enhanced when the children participate in more hands-on activities and interactive activities. Jean Piaget’s theory best correlates with my philosophy of education because I am also a firm believer that children learn best through experiences. Children acquire these experiences as they interact with their surrounding environment. According to Jean Piaget’s theory and my own philosophy of education it is important that children be allowed to spend as much time exploring their environment, because it is through experiences that children gain their cognitive development.

Jean Piaget believed there are two basic principles regarding to moral education. The two principles are that children develop moral ideas in stages and that children create their own conception of the world. Jean Piaget developed his constructivist theory many years ago the idea still hold true to this day. Even though early childhood professionals have benefited from other theorist, but it is from Piaget that the current philosophy of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) has emerged (Eliason & Jenkins, 2012, p.5). Many early childhood educators and my-self feel that Piaget theory has influenced how classrooms are setup today and the activities that we do with the children. As teachers we need to make sure that our children are in an environment that provides them with developmentally appropriate experiences. Children that are in a developmentally appropriate environment will be able to construct their own knowledge and understanding of things. It is through experiences that children learn best, so therefore it is important that children are in an environment that is rich and stimuli that will stir children to be curious, active, and thoughtful leaners.

Play is also an important part of Piaget’s theory because it is through play that “children encounter a variety of opportunities to interact with their environment and create logical understand of how the world works” (Feeney, Moravcik, Nolte, & Christensen, 2010, p.145). The different opportunities that children encounter through play are that they engage in pretend play and it is during this time that children begin to use symbols to represent different things. The child may pick up a block and use it as a telephone or play dough may represent pizza. Play helps the child acquire the knowledge base that will later help them in their academic success. According to Jean Piaget children will develop three different kinds of knowledge as they grow. The three different kinds of knowledge are: physical, social, and logico-mathematical. According to the text book “physical knowledge is knowledge that is gained from the external reality. Social knowledge is learned from others such as: language, rules, symbols, values, and so on. Logico-mathematical knowledge is the understanding of logical relationships constructed as children observe, compare, think, and reason” (Feeney, Moravcik, Nolte, & Christensen, 2010, p.146).

Jean Piaget believed that children go through different developmental stages and children between the age of 3 and 4 years old are in the preoperational stage. Children in the preoperational stage are considered to be egocentric because they are unable to take another person’s point of view into account. Some of the other characteristics of this stage are that children learn from experiences, develop the ability to substitute a symbol for an object or event that is not present, children think base on the way things appear rather than on logical reasoning, and children begin to develop moral feelings and moral reasoning. There are different ways that we can help children overcome egocentrism by having the children play dress up and encourage the children to take on a character. Playing house is another good activity that children can play because they can take on different roles that they have observed in their own lives. Hands on activities should be facilitated because as we know children learn best through experiences. It is also important that we encourage children to play with toys that change shape because it will help them move towards the concept of conservation (Educational implications of Piaget’s theory).

It is important that we as educators take into consideration the developmental stage of the children when planning activities to with them. Erik Erikson is a psychoanalyst that I believe best correlates with my philosophy of education and values. Erik Erikson psychosocial theory has provided teachers, parents, and caregivers the ability to understand that every child go through different developmental stages as they are developing. Erikson believed that every child will go through eight different developmental stages throughout his/her life and each stage is connected to the next one. Erikson specified an age range for each developmental stage to take place, but I believe that every child will go through each stage throughout life but not at the same time. Every child is different and so is their developmental process. Children between the age of three and four years old are on the preschooler stage which is initiative vs. guilt. It is during this stage that children begin to experience a desire to mimic the adults around them and take initiative in creating a playful situation.

Also during this stage children begin to make up stories, plan activities, make up games, and initiate activities with others. It is important that as parents, teachers, and caregivers we allow the children to take the initiative to do things on their own even if they are not perfect. Also during this stage children begin to ask questions because their thirst for knowledge is growing (McLeod, 2008). It is important that we allow the children to take the initiative in doing things and also feel free to ask questions about what is on their mind. If the child is successful in this stage it will lead them to a sense of purpose and children who try to exert too much power experience disapproval resulting in a sense of guilt (Erikson’s psychosocial stages summary chart, 2012). During the preschooler stage it is important that as teacher we encourage children to make choices and take action on their own. Also during this stage children enjoy books being read to them. The books can range from informational books to story books.

There are different activities that as teacher can with children after reading them a book. Erikson also believe that children to should be allowed to explore their environment. The child teacher ratio is also very important for the development of this stage. This will allow preschool children to make choices about play activities, materials, playmates, and self-help routines that encourage the development of a sense of autonomy. It is also important that we encourage the children to be more independent, but we need to be available to provide physical and emotional support. As educators it is important that we provide the children with a curriculum that allows children to practice their emerging skills and also provide them with all the tools and materials needed for success (Feeney, Moravcik, Nolte, & Christensen, 2010, p.157). Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson have been of great influence to early childhood professionals. My teaching strategies, philosophy, and values go hand in hand with Piaget and Erikson theories. Jean Piaget constructivist theory focuses on that every child will construct their understanding of things as they experience them.

That is why I believe that providing children with an environment that is developmentally appropriate will help with the cognitive development. Erikson’s psychosocial theory focuses on the emotional development of children as they grow. It is important that we allow the children at this age group to be more independent, so they can develop a sense of purpose. If we prevent them for taking initiatives and being independent it can causes them to develop a sense of guilt. I will create a curriculum base on both Jean Piaget constructivist theory and Erik Erikson psychosocial theory that will benefit the children well-being. The following is a week-long plan for preschool age children with a unit theme on farm animals. Preschool Weekly Lesson Plan

Week of November 1st
Letter C- Number 5
Color – Orange, Shape Circle

As the children arrive every morning I will greet them and their parents as they are drop off. It is important for the children to feel comfortable with me and the environment. When parents drop of their children they will leave with a piece of mind that their children are well taken care off. Once all the children have arrived we will go into circle time to discuss the calendar, weather, song or book. I will read different books to the children each day regarding farm animals. The children will begin to learn about the different animals that live in a farm and what they look like. Once we have finished reading the book we will move on to song or rhyme part of the curriculum. We will sing songs that pertain to farm animals such as “Old McDonald Had a Farm, This Little Piggy Went to the Market, Ring around the Rosie, and On the Farm”. All of these songs will teach the children about farm animals and some will even teach them about the different sounds you can hear in a farm.

Art projects are great activities in which the children can have some hands-on time during these projects. It is important that the children spend some time doing activities that will help them learn from their experiences as they learn about the farm animals. During learning time we will be doing different activities in which the children will learn about animal sounds, sorting the animals by numbers, sheep letter match up and even making butter as part of science. The children will be learning the number 5 and the letter C. Making butter will be a great experience for the children as they will each make their own butter to spread on some homemade bread. The children will utilize some match skills and also practice some gross motor skills. We will also have some special activities for the children we will be play duck, duck, goose; learning how cows give us milk, and sheer the sheep. Under sheer the sheep the children will learn that sheep fur is wool and how it is used to make different things such as clothing, rugs, and other things that are made up of wool. The last day of the week will be taking a field trip to a farm so the children can have a first-hand experience of what life in a farm is like. The children will be able to see the different animals that live in a farm and what each animal produces and how it is used.

For example a cow produces milk that is used to make cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt and many other dairy products. The children will also learn the process of how milk ends up on the shelves at grocery stores. This week-long lesson plan will teach the children about the life in a farm and what lives in it (adaycare.com, Weekly calendar). The following is a sample of an integrated activity plan that will integrate language arts and math. WHAT it is grocery shopping activity that the children will do while they play in this center. WHO it’s for this activity is for a group of five children at a time. WHY this activity? Rationale: I have observed several of the children in the classroom play grocery shopping. I have chosen to do this activity with five children at a time, so that children can have more hands-on time. Objectives: By participating in this activity the children will learn about what they want to cook before they shop.

Then they will make a list using pictures or words with the assistance of the teacher. Then the children will go to the store and use the list they create to put things in their basket and pay for their purchase. The children will learn new vocabulary words that the teacher will use as natural part of the play process. During this activity the children will learn to play with others and also learn to negotiate activity roles and develop important social skills. HOW to prepare the children will use the materials in the shopping activity center. HOW to teach I will teach this activity to the children by participating with them in the process of creating the shopping list and purchasing the items they need. The children will be able to enhance their language art skill because they will be learning new words and they will also enhance their math skills as they will be using pretend money to pay for the items they are buying. HOW to assess and document I will document and assess each child as they participate in the activity (Malley, 2011). It is very important the curriculum goes hand in hand with your teaching philosophy. The classroom environment plays a great part in the way children learn and participate in activities.

The classroom needs to be well organized and have a welcoming feeling when the children and parents arrive every morning. Children learn better and participate more when they feel comfortable. Also it is very important that as educators we assess our children to make sure that they are not falling behind, because if for any reason they are we need to get them the help they need. According to the No Child Left Behind Act every child deserves to get the same education and no child should be left behind. It is also very important that we acquire and opening communication with the family of the children. Every child’s family will bring in some interesting details about each child and their families. I would like to create a newsletter that I will send home with the students every week with important dates and information that the parents should know. I will also include in the newsletter what the children will be learning that particular week. If for any reason there is a language barrier I will try to find a translator to inform the parents of the child what their children are learn in class.

I plan to accommodate any child regardless of their special need. I will make sure that the child with special needs feels comfortable, move around the classroom easily, has all the special materials need to accomplish his/her class work. Once again thank you for this interview opportunity that has allowed me to discuss my qualifications and philosophy of education. Teaching children brings me great satisfactions because I am contributing to their education. Children are very special and unique as they are still going through their cognitive development. Every child is different and their learning abilities are too. As educators it is important that we provide children with a high quality education that promotes their cognitive development.

I will bring to this preschool my teaching knowledge, creativity, enthusiasm, and my sensitive to all of the children’s needs. I will follow the school’s program according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, position statement of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children for Birth through Age 8. I will try to find different ways to incorporate the community into the preschool program. Making sure that the children and the teachers are all working to together for the well-being of the children. As teacher we find different ways to teach our children skills that will help them throughout their life, but we also learn many things from our students. As a teacher my goal is to provide my students with the best education that they will be able to use in their educational future. Preschool teachers are the foundation of a child’s educations, so it is very important that they get the best education possible.

References

Boeree, C. G., Dr. (1999, 2006). Biography. In Jean Piaget. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/ cgboer/piaget.html
Educational implications of Piaget’s theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://piaget.weebly.com/ educational-implications–activities.html
Eliason, C. F., Jenkins, L. (2012). A practical guide to early childhood curriculum (9th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc
Erikson’s psychosocial stages summary chart. (2012). Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/ library/bl_psychosocial_summary.htm Feeney, S., Moravcik, E., Nolte, S., & Christensen, D. (2010) Who am I in the lives of children? (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Malley, H. (2011). Our integrated curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.caterpillarcottage.com/node/ 9

McLeod, S. (2008). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik- Erikson.html
Novembers weekly calendar. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.adaycare.com/November.html

Teaching Preschool Children

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