John Dewey and early childhood education Essay Example for Free

behind Dewey and early clawhood direction EssayEducation is not preparation for life. Education is life itself. washbasin Dewey (1859-1952) (Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2003) The set of Desired Outcomes of Pre-school Education that the Ministry of Education(MOE) had put together in 2003 highlighted the significant importance of pre-school education creation the platform for lifelong learning. Its intention were far beyond preparation of these children merely for Primary inculcate curriculum (Wong,2000). Very some(prenominal) a akin to stern Dewey (Dewey)s quote, MOEs take on pre-school education exists similar context. I felt that it challenges the sensed notion that education is only ab tabu getting the needful qualifications or securing a good job. However, with an open mind, education in fact occurs throughout life. This lets or so a few educational principles of Dewey which had influenced me in my workings with children in a pre-school setting. I felt tha t the central purpose of Deweys view of education was that there should be greater emphasis on allowing children develop riddle solving skills, critical thinking skills, and being adequate to make decisions on their experience, rather than simply on the memorization of lessons.Through real life experiences, instead of merely being on the receiving end of put-upon information, children were able to develop the required skills effectively (Seefeldt and Barbour, 1998). Active learning has been widely advocated in my child caution centre. I often incorporate and encourage it too. Lets say I will be teaching on the theme of occupation and limit ups are the topic of the week. For the younger age group wish pre- glasshouse and nursery, I would provide real materials like a doctor play set.Children would be encouraged to explore these materials at their protest pace and interests. They would be able to experience how it feels like being a doctor and thereafter get an insight of w hat a doctors work scope is about. Concurrently, they would be unresolved to the instruments that a doctor uses. I would alike ask children open ended questions like What does a doctor do? Which tool do you think a doctor uses to hear your heartbeat? If you are a doctor, how would you hear my heartbeat? .I believethat such open ended question encourages children to construct their avow understanding of images. I would excessively drop hints and attempt to spur their interest when children become uninterested and front clueless. On top of these activities, for the kindergarten classes, I would introduce a Doctor of the day where the child would, alongside the teacher, encourage in the daily temperature taking of children. This way they would understand the concept of what is taken to be ill and what is not, and also who should they visit at times when they fall sick.I would also liaise with a nearby clinic and bring the children on a trip, getting the doctor to assist in givin g the children a short certainty of a regular consultation in the clinic. The children will not only be able to pass how a clinic setting is like, they will also be able to pose questions to the doctor to find out more. Following which, I would plan for a clinic role play where children are free to express their own interpretation and ideas of a being a doctor. In tie with Deweys avocation of active learning, this concept of learning has been strongly supported by the local context too.In the Code of Ethics, professionals are compel to promote and encourage children to be actively involved regardless of ability (Association for Early childhood Educators, Singapore, 2005). Dewey also advocated that the school is a social institution (Flanagan, 1994). He believed that through social interaction with adults and peers, learning would be further reinforced (Henniger, 2002). Communication with peers or adults allows children to think, process their thoughts into verbal words and ther efore encourages and stimulates a childs thinking.Interactive learning is also vital to social development. Being able to develop a positive and satisfying relationship with peers and adults is crucial for effective social interaction and is often a contract of pre-school programs (Early Childhood Teachers Association, 2003). In my workings with children, I own realized the important role social interaction plays in a childs development. Children across all pre-school levels enjoy talking and interacting with each new(prenominal) over their thoughts, opinions and experiences. One way I encourage this is by planning for problem solving in group discussions.For instance, the kindergarten children would be issued a problem at the start of the day What are the features of an insect? They would then be divided into groups to explore the problem by going into the various learning centres I have set up toacquire the information. This can be followed up by bringing the children on a s ubject trip to the Botanical Garden where children are able explore on the topic and make drawings and notes on their observations as a group. At the end of the day, they would discuss about their gatherings again in groups, and then amaze their findings.Other than learning how to function as a member of a group, children would also be able to learn cooperative skills and conflict resolution through the activity. Besides peer interaction, adult interaction plays an every bit important role. In the Assessment of Licensing Standards in child care centre, staffs are to encourage interaction with children in order for children to be able to understand self and others (Ministry of Community Development and Sports, 2003). In the pre-nursery and nursery classes, I take time to listen, make eye contact and respond to children.This makes children feel comfortable and it motivates them to interact more with adults. I would also plan for activities like net play and painting on large cover where children are able to proceed with the activity together. Through such activities, they are able to discuss, comment and circulate with each other too. I would also ask questions like, What do you think Clarisse has molded? Does it look like a sandwich? which allows for creative thoughts to be expressed and interaction to take place. Deweys philosophy perceived a teachers role as a guide and observer, rather than an instructor or a disciplinarian.The teacher is to provide and prepare the environment and curriculum to allow children to benefit and learn productively from it. Teachers were also expected to observe children and come up with activities designed to facilitate optimal learning (Feeney, Christensen and Moravcik, 2006). For the pre-nursery and nursery classes, I would provide a large smorgasbord of materials where children would be given the choice to choose ground on their preference. I would not interfere in their choice activity as long as it conforms safety st andards. I would also plan for activities where children could explore and exercise trial and error.For instance in the scratch making session, they would be able to explore how much water is needed to achieve the texture of dough they would like, and what should be added when the dough becomes too soft. However, I would be guiding children whenever they are stuck or faced with much difficulty. I would also put up childrens work like their art work at a prominent corner of the classroom to make them feel that their work is valued. For the kindergarten classes, I would plan the lesson together with the children and come up with activities that could tap on their interest.For instance, discussing with children about which occupations interests them the most by showing them a variety of it. After the children have made their choices, I would plan activities catered to their interest. Throughout the lesson, I would make observational notes about each child and provide experiences or ma terials catered to individuals interest. For example if a child shows immense interest in the occupation teacher, I would plan for the child to have a go at teaching his fellow classmates a song.Or if a child is interested in being a policeman, he could patrol the corridors before nap time to ensure that children are not hiding in the toilets or up to mischief. Similarly, under the Framework for Kindergarten Curriculum, MOE recommend putting their principles into practice in a few ways. These includes, preparing the learning environment by encouraging learning at their own pace and choice, planning substantive activities based on childrens interest and abilities, allowing resources and materials to be easily and readily available and observing and observe childrens development.(Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2003) Through Dewey, I become aware of various methods and principles which plays a vital role in childrens pre-school learning. Though there were also controversies in De weys philosophy, I believe that each philosopher possesses their own virtues and Dewey was one which struck me the most. References Association for Early Childhood Educators, Singapore (2005). Code of ethics. Retrieved March 23, 2010 from http//www. aeces. org/code_of_ethics Early Childhood Teachers Association (2003). Educating young children.Journal of early childhood teachers association inc and school of early childhood university of technology, 9(1) Feeney, S. Christensen, D. Moravcik, E. (2006). Who am I in the lives of children? an introduction to early childhood education (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Pearson Education. Flanagan, F. M. (1994). John Dewey. Retrieved March 24, 2010 from http//www. admin. mfu. edu/ctlf/Ed%20Psych%20Readings/dewey. pdf Henniger, M. L. (2002) Teaching young children An introduction (2nd ed). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Pearson Education.