Question 1
American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey made substantial contributions to education. He stressed experiential learning and education’s role in democracy. Significantly, Dewey’s view on children, education, teachers, and families is that education promotes social and personal growth. First, Dewey thought children learn via hands-on experiences stressing the significance of letting kids experiment, solve issues, and connect with their environment. Dewey believed education should be relevant to children’s lives and foster curiosity and critical thinking insisting that education should be progressive and student-centered. In addition, he felt that education should enhance children’s social intelligence so they can participate in democracy and society (Ash 2021). He stressed the importance of integrating academic courses with real-life experiences to help pupils apply their knowledge which has led to modern project-based and experiential education founded on his principles.
Additionally, Dewey believed teachers should facilitate learning rather than merely transmit knowledge. He felt that teachers should understand students’ needs and interests and establish a conducive learning atmosphere that encourages exploration and critical thinking (Ash 2021). They must be able to adapt to pupils’ different learning styles, according to Dewey. Further, Dewey also stressed the family’s role in education noting that families are vital to a child’s growth and that home values and attitudes affect educational experiences. He advocated for strong school-family ties to establish a unified learning environment that supports complete child development. In general, Dewey’s ideas emphasize the importance of a child’s active participation in learning, the need for an education system that prepares students for democratic society, and the role of teachers and families in this development. From his sediment, education should foster critical thinking, adaptation, and responsible citizenship, not just academic accomplishment. His emphasis on experiential learning, student-centered approaches, and school-family partnership to foster children’s full development has shaped modern education.
Question 2
Many early childhood education programs promote holistic development. Some of the major practices are play-based learning and inclusive education which help children grow and thrive. To begin, play-based learning is vital in early childhood education which focuses on letting kids naturally explore, experiment, and understand the world. Through this practice, children learn cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills through play. In addition, play-based learning fosters creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making which is crucial in helping children develop language and communication abilities by letting them engage with peers (Tyilo 2021). The method encourages children to appreciate learning for life. In this case, I believe youngsters make choices and handle problems on their own through this activity boosting self-esteem and independence. Therefore, play-based learning helps kids succeed academically and socially.
Subsequently, another important technique in early childhood programs is inclusive education. It stresses the necessity of allowing children of different skills, backgrounds, and needs to learn together. It fosters empathy, compassion, and understanding in children, helping them respect differences early on (Tyilo 2021). Moreover, it gives kids a feeling of community and helps them develop strong social skills and meaningful interactions with classmates. Inclusive education helps children accept and celebrate difference, making them courteous and responsible global citizens. In my support, inclusive education helps students develop social and emotional skills especially by teaching them to work together and support one other. Inclusion in early childhood programs promotes acceptance and inclusion from an early age, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable society. Overall, play-based learning and inclusive education in early childhood programs help children become well-rounded, empathic, and capable, preparing them for academic and social success.
Works Cited
Ash, Abigal J. “The Effect of Project-based Learning on Student Motivation and 21st Century Skills.” (2021).https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/745/
Tyilo, N. “Pedagogical fundamentals of play-based learning in early childhood care and education (ECCE) centres: Lessons from the literature.” EDULEARN21 Proceedings. IATED, 2021. https://library.iated.org/view/TYILO2021PED
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