I believe that children
learn through play.
I have developed this philosophy from theory about development, which I have studied and read about at Harold Washington College, and from personal experience. Based from Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Theory, which supports children’s cognitive development, and Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, which supports children, social development, I believe that children need to develop in all these areas in order to fully flourish within the adult world.
Through personal experiences I have seen children grow cognitive skill, social skills, and in all other areas of development if the environment is consistent, full of child initiated activities that the children can freely explore, anti- bias, and challenges each child while supporting the developmental stages each child is in. For example, in the beginning of the school year I started student teaching at Christopher House. Many of the students were Spanish speakers that barely spoke much English. We also had some students that have special needs and need extra help; while other students excelled within the classroom. The lead teacher had a consistent schedule that the children followed. In the morning they had free play with art. At first I noticed the Spanish speakers only played by themselves with table toys, the children who have special needs played with manipulatives, and the children that were excelling in the class only stuck together. But due to the many fun child initiated activities that the lead teacher provided, I now see a well-integrated classroom where the Spanish speakers are playing in the dramatic play area with children who have special needs, and scaffolding between children who need help completing activities and children who are excelling in the classroom. As a result of the many opportunities the children have to play within the classroom, I have not only seen social and cognitive growth but also other areas of developmental growth.
I have developed this philosophy from theory about development, which I have studied and read about at Harold Washington College, and from personal experience. Based from Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Theory, which supports children’s cognitive development, and Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, which supports children, social development, I believe that children need to develop in all these areas in order to fully flourish within the adult world.
Through personal experiences I have seen children grow cognitive skill, social skills, and in all other areas of development if the environment is consistent, full of child initiated activities that the children can freely explore, anti- bias, and challenges each child while supporting the developmental stages each child is in. For example, in the beginning of the school year I started student teaching at Christopher House. Many of the students were Spanish speakers that barely spoke much English. We also had some students that have special needs and need extra help; while other students excelled within the classroom. The lead teacher had a consistent schedule that the children followed. In the morning they had free play with art. At first I noticed the Spanish speakers only played by themselves with table toys, the children who have special needs played with manipulatives, and the children that were excelling in the class only stuck together. But due to the many fun child initiated activities that the lead teacher provided, I now see a well-integrated classroom where the Spanish speakers are playing in the dramatic play area with children who have special needs, and scaffolding between children who need help completing activities and children who are excelling in the classroom. As a result of the many opportunities the children have to play within the classroom, I have not only seen social and cognitive growth but also other areas of developmental growth.
My ideal classroom would be a preschool classroom in a non-public school because although I do believe in public school education I would just like more flexibility in teaching my style. My classroom would be consistent, child initiated, supportive, and free from biases because as a teacher I value those aspects. I would do those things by upholding the NAYCE standards and code of ethics. I would also have small group time, large group time, and outdoor recess because those play times provide an opportunity for all children to scaffold, gain social and cognitive skills, and grow in all other areas of development.
Jean Piaget focused on the logical and cognitive development of children while Lev Vygotsky focused on the sociocultural influences. I feel that both aspects are needed for a child to fully flourish and it is through play that a child can develop in all areas. Through personal experiences within classrooms, I have seen children become logical thinkers, gain socialization skills, and learn about the world around them due to the opportunities of hands on experiences and the interactions with one another. As a result of my personal experiences, I know children fully flourish if the learning environment is enriched with child initiated free play activates. These actives must also be developmentally appropriate for every child. Through this environment, the children are able to develop and grow in all the areas of development; therefore as a teacher, I will create an environment that supports these characteristics. In conclusion, I believe that it is through play that children learn and develop.
Jean Piaget focused on the logical and cognitive development of children while Lev Vygotsky focused on the sociocultural influences. I feel that both aspects are needed for a child to fully flourish and it is through play that a child can develop in all areas. Through personal experiences within classrooms, I have seen children become logical thinkers, gain socialization skills, and learn about the world around them due to the opportunities of hands on experiences and the interactions with one another. As a result of my personal experiences, I know children fully flourish if the learning environment is enriched with child initiated free play activates. These actives must also be developmentally appropriate for every child. Through this environment, the children are able to develop and grow in all the areas of development; therefore as a teacher, I will create an environment that supports these characteristics. In conclusion, I believe that it is through play that children learn and develop.