My Philosophy
Theory
My philosophy is partly based on Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky theories that young children build their knowledge through hands on experiences, and develop their own intellect through exploring their physical environment as well as through their social interactions with other children and adults. It is the role of the teacher to provide opportunities for these experiences. We must be aware of what stage of development, through observations and assessments, a child is currently at so that we can provide stimulating experiences to further their development.
My philosophy is partly based on Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky theories that young children build their knowledge through hands on experiences, and develop their own intellect through exploring their physical environment as well as through their social interactions with other children and adults. It is the role of the teacher to provide opportunities for these experiences. We must be aware of what stage of development, through observations and assessments, a child is currently at so that we can provide stimulating experiences to further their development.
Approaches
It is hard for me to pick just one approach when it come to teaching young children. Each theory/approach has helped me to shape my own philosophy when it comes to early childhood education. Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development gave me the idea that children's ability to learn comes from 2 factors, nature and nurture. All children are born with an internal, biological ability to learn. I also take a part of B.F. Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning. Young children need to know when they are doing something right, not just when they are doing something wrong. Skinner suggests that we use positive reinforcement for positive behavior that we wish children to continue to exhibit. This requires a teacher to be nurturing and responsive to children's behavior.
It is hard for me to pick just one approach when it come to teaching young children. Each theory/approach has helped me to shape my own philosophy when it comes to early childhood education. Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development gave me the idea that children's ability to learn comes from 2 factors, nature and nurture. All children are born with an internal, biological ability to learn. I also take a part of B.F. Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning. Young children need to know when they are doing something right, not just when they are doing something wrong. Skinner suggests that we use positive reinforcement for positive behavior that we wish children to continue to exhibit. This requires a teacher to be nurturing and responsive to children's behavior.