Topical Study Flashcards
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Framework
- Focuses on how the larger community influences development
- The microsystem most directly affects development
John Dewey
- Believed that experiences for children should be planned according to their needs, interests, and abilities
- Children learn by “doing” in environments that support their whole development
- Introduced the ideals of constructivism
- Modern tradition thinker
Rousseau
- Emphasized that childhood was a distinct period of life
- Believed children were good by nature
- Education should occur in a natural environment based on children’s experiences
- Education should support the individual to learn within a social group and focus on life experiences
- Parent involvement is necessary
- Classical theorist
Dahlberg and Moss
- Ethics are always present in our professional practice, even if not recognized
- Ethics should be present and transparent in every encounter
- The image of the child connects closely with our professional or self-image
Rinaldi
- To truly listen to children, we need to be present and focused on the moment
- Listening to children is a way of thinking
- Listening requires that we see ourselves in relation to others and the world
- Early learning professionals need to empower and give voice to children
- Pedagogy of Listening
Define the pedagogy of listening.
Searching for meaning and understanding through listening
Gardener
- Devised the theory of multiple intelligences based on the concept that children learn from the different ways they interact with their world
- 8 intelligences
Bandura
- Behaviourist approach
- Believed children’s learning and behaviours occur as a result of how people respond to that behaviour and the consequences that follow
- The frequency of positive/preferred behaviour increases with immediate positive reinforcement
- Modern thinker
The Classical Tradition
- Prevalent before WW1
- Children were seen as small adults
- Early learning was unimportant and childhood was not valued
- Education was focused on religious learning and trade skills
- Believed children were born evil
- Punishment was acceptable
- Rousseau is a classical thinker
The Modern Tradition
- Evolved after WW1
- Many diverse types of early learning programs evolved
Influenced by progressive ideas, societal, economic, and political changes - Changed education at the elementary level
- Curriculum had broader focus than just academics
- Dewey and Bandura are modern thinkers
The Post-Modern Tradition
- Accept that there are many different voices and styles
- Don’t privilege one set of values over another
- Question what we know and trust our experience and the claims of experts
- Look at theories critically
- Looks at age and individual appropriateness
- Howard Gardener
Define curriculum framework.
An organized plan providing the components to shape and guide the design and development of early learning programs
Curriculum Frameworks
- Multiple provincial frameworks exist in Canada, but there is no national plan for early learning
- Support and guide early learning professionals by making specialized professional knowledge accessible
Name 1 important part of curriculum frameworks and explain why it is important.
`An important part of curriculum frameworks is the theories from which they are built. Knowing the theoretical foundations is the basis for creating high-quality programming. Through praxis (linking theory and practice), we improve our ability to teach and support learners.
Curriculum Models
- An idealized description of a program that can be copied or reproduced across practice and setting
- Models serve as conceptual frameworks for curriculum decisions
- Vary in the amount of freedom in implementing the model
