Planning effective teaching & learning in early years Flashcards
What is the childhood curriculum?
The written plan for learning experiences in which children will be involved
What does the childhood curriculum involve?
- Activities and experiences
- Materials, equipment, facilities and arrangement of rooms
- The planned and unplanned matters
How should a childhood curriculum be designed?
- Think about the goals and objectives
- Organise content (according to bloom’s taxonomy)
- Choose the appropriate learning approaches
- Determine most appropriate sequence for learning activities (easiest to hardest)
- Determine how to assess children’s growth and development
What is the developmentally appropriate curriculum?
Developed by the NAEYC for children from birth to 8 years old
What are the requirements for a developmentally appropriate childhood curriculum?
- Age appropriate
- Individually appropriate
- Uses all senses
- Provides hands-on activities
- No winners or losers
What are the guidelines for a developmentally appropriate curriculum program?
- Provide for all areas of a child’s development: physical, emotional, social, cognitive, linguistic, aesthetic
- Include socially relevant, intellectually engaging and personally meaningful (to children) content
- Build upon what children already know
- Promote the development of knowledge and understanding for the intentions to use and apply those skills
- Must be achievable for most children within the designated age range
How did the play and childhood curriculum begin?
It began with Froebel, who believed that all of the children’s developmental domains unfold automatically through plays
What is the purpose of play?
- Achieve knowledge, skills and desired behaviours
- Learn concepts
- Develop social, physical and literacy skills
- Practice language processes
- Master life situations
- Enhance self-esteem
- Prepare for adult life and roles (learn how to make decisions and become independent)
What are the types of play?
- Physical play
- Social play
- Constructive play
- Informal play
- Dramatic play
What is physical play?
Involves gross and fine motor development, as well as body coordination
What is social play?
When children play with each other in groups
What is constructive play?
Children engage in play activities to construct their knowledge of the world by experimenting with ways on how things go together: Manipulate play materials to create and build things (sandcastle, block building)
What is informal play?
Occurs spontaneously that contains people and materials (kitchen, music, art centre)
What is dramatic play?
Involves realistic activities and events by expressing themselves in different roles and interact with their peers
What are the teachers’ roles in promoting play? (7 are written)
- Plan to implement and integrate specific learning activities with play
- Be clear about curriculum concepts you want children to learn about through play
- Provide more time for learning through play
- Create indoor & outdoor environments that encourage play
- Provide equipment and materials that are appropriate for children’s developmental levels
- Supervise and participate by providing modelling and scaffolding
- Observe to learn how they play and what learning outcomes of play to use in future activities
What are the characteristics of a good learning environment?
Safe, healthy, predictable, developmentally appropriate
Name 8 types of classroom / learning centres
- Literacy centre
- Math and science centre
- Art centre
- Dramatic play centre
- Music and movement centre
- Sensory centre
- Technology centre
- Block centre
What is the purpose of the literacy centre?
To enhance reading and writing skills. Includes books, story props, writing materials, letter games
What is the purpose of the math and science centre?
To promote problem-solving and analytical skills. Features objects for counting, measuring, sorting. Helps children to learn concepts like shapes, numbers, patterns
What is the purpose of the art centre?
To encourage creativity and expression. It is equipped with art supplies like crayons, markers, etc
What is the purpose of the dramatic play centre?
To support social skills and imagination. It contains costumes, props and areas that mimic real-life settings (kitchen, market, etc) This allows children to role play
What is the purpose of the music and movement centre?
To develop motor skills and musicality. It includes musical instruments, CDs, space for dancing and rhythmic tools. Helps children to explore sound, rhythm and movement
What is the purpose of the sensory centre?
To stimulate sensory development and exploratory learning. It offers materials like sand, water, play dough or rice. Children can engage their senses through touching and learn properties of different substances
What is the purpose of the technology centre?
Integrates digital literacy skills. It is equipped with electronic devices where children can use educational software and apps to enhance math, language and critical thinking
What is the purpose of the block centre?
To encourage logical thinking and fine motor skills. Contains various types of building materials. Children can construct structures and learn about geometry, and engage in cooperative play
How do you set up stimulating learning centres?
1) Assess the space
2) Design the layout
3) Create engaging and educational centres
4) Use appropriate furnishings
5) Integrate technology thoughtfully
6) Implement clear rules and procedures
7) Evaluate and iterate
How do you assess the space?
Consider the room size and number of students to determine how many centres can fit without overcrowding. Position centres that require natural light (like art centres) near windows. Ensure all areas are well-ventilated
How do you design the layout?
Arrange centres in a way that minimises congestion. Common pathways should be clear to allow movement. Separate quiet centres from active ones to avoid disruption. Ensure that all centres are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities (eg, adjustable chairs and tables, easily reachable supplies)
How do you create engaging and educational centres?
They should each be decorated and equipped accordingly by theme. Keep them fresh by rotating materials and introducing new activities regularly
What are appropriate furnishings?
Use child sized furniture to ensure comfort and safety. Each centre should have ample, organised storage. Shelves and materials should be kept tidy to teach organisation skills
How do you integrate technology?
Where technology is appropriate, include electronic devices. Limit screen time
How should you implement rules and procedures?
Teach children how to use each centre, how long they can stay and how to handle the materials. They should also be taught how to clean up afterwards to understand responsibility and respect for the environment
How do you evaluate and iterate (to repeat)?
Continuously improve and look for feedback from the children
What’s the psychology on the colour red?
Energising and attention-grabbing. Ideal for high energy areas; dramatic play centre, physical activity. However increases restlessness & anxiety
What’s the psychology on the colour blue?
Calming and promotes concentration. Ideal for quiet areas; technology or literacy centres
What’s the psychology on the colour yellow?
Bright and cheerful, encourages optimism and creativity. Works well in art centres but should be used sparingly, as it is overwhelming
What’s the psychology on the colour green?
Soothing and relaxing, associated with nature and tranquility. Good for science and sensory centres
What’s the psychology on the colour orange?
Friendly and inviting, stimulates critical thinking and communication. Suitable for language and music centres
How do you choose colours for active areas?
Use warmer tones (red, orange) to stimulate movement and excitement
How do you choose colours for quiet areas?
Use cooler tones (blue, green) in areas where calmness and focus is needed
How do you choose colours for creative areas?
Yellow stimulates creativity and can be effective in areas like the art centre
How do you consider children with sensory sensitivity?
Opt for softer, pastel tones as overly bright or certain colours might be disturbing
How do you consider children with visual impairments?
Use high contrast colours for better visibility
How does the active learning strategy work and what are the benefits?
Engage the students in discussion, etc. It enhances retention, fosters critical thinking and encourages practical application
How does the differentiated instruction strategy work and what are the benefits?
Tailor teaching methods, materials and pacing according to diverse learning needs and abilities. This ensures all students have access to learning in a way that suits them
How does the cooperative learning strategy work and what are the benefits?
The students work in groups to complete tasks effectively toward academic goals. This builds communication skills, team-building, and encourages learning from peers
How does the inquiry-based learning strategy work and what are the benefits?
Encourage students to ask questions, investigate, and discover answers for themselves. This promotes curiosity, self-directed learning, and develop deeper understanding
How does use of technology benefit teaching?
Incorporating technology helps to enhance learning by engaging the students. It provides access to online resources and prepares them for the digital world
How does formative assessment benefit teaching?
They help monitor progress during learning activities. It can help to identify learning struggles, provide feedback and allow timely instructional adjustments
What is scaffolding and what are the benefits?
Temporary support provided to students when learning a new skill. It helps students achieve higher levels than when done independently
What are the benefits of using visual aids in teaching?
Using charts, diagrams, videos to supplement teaching enhances understanding and retention. It benefits visual learners
What are the benefits of storytelling and analogies in teaching?
It helps students to engage emotionally while explaining complex concepts, making learning relatable and memorable - simplified
What are the benefits of feedback?
It provides, clear, constructive feedback on students’ work and progress. This encourages reflection, personal growth and improve performance
How does the modeling strategy work and what are the benefits?
To demonstrate processes and expected outcomes before students are asked to complete tasks. It gives students a clear understanding of what is expected and how to achieve it
What is the cross-curricular integration and what are the benefits?
To link lessons to content from other disciplines to show how knowledge is interconnected. This helps broaden understanding, enhance relevance and cultivates well-rounded learners
