John Dewey and early childhood education Essay

Education is non set for life. Education is life it self. posterior Dewey (1859-1952) (Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2003) The set of Desired Outcomes of Pre- instill Education that the Ministry of Education(MOE) had grade together in 2003 highlighted the significant importance of pre-school education organism the programme for lifelong cultivation. Its intention were far beyond preparation of these children only when for Primary School curriculum (Wong,2000). Very much a the comparable to John Dewey (Dewey)s quote, MOEs take on pre-school education exists similar context.I felt that it challenges the perceived notion that education is only around acquire the necessary qualifications or securing a good job. However, with an open mind, education in fact occurs throughout life. This brings about a few educational principles of Dewey which had influenced me in my whole kit and boodle with children in a pre-school ground. I felt that the central judgment of Deweys view of education was that there should be greater violence on allowing children wax problem solving skills, critical look ating skills, and being able to make decisions on their own, or else than simply on the memorization of lessons.Through in truth life experiences, instead of merely being on the receiving end of secondhand information, children were able to develop the required skills effectively (Seefeldt and Barbour, 1998). dynamic learning has been widely advocated in my child c be centre. I frequently incorporate and aid it too. Lets say I provide be belief on the theme of occupation and doctors are the exit of the week. For the younger age convocation like pre-nursery and nursery, I would provide real materials like a doctor make set.Children would be encouraged to seek these materials at their own pace and interests. They would be able to experience how it feels like being a doctor and thereafter get an insight of what a doctors work scope is about. Concurrently, they would be exposed to the instruments that a doctor uses. I would to a fault ask children open ended questions like What does a doctor do? Which tool do you think a doctor uses to hear your flare? If you are a doctor, how would you hear my heartbeat? .I believethat such open ended question encourages children to compel their own understanding of theorys. I would also drop hints and attempt to branch line their interest when children become uninterested and seem 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, give ear in the daily temperature taking of children. This way they would understand the concept of what is interpreted to be ill and what is not, and also who should they visit at judgment of convictions when they follow sick.I would also liaise with a nearby clinic and bring the children on a trip, getting the doctor to assist in giving the children a short demons tration of a regular consultation in the clinic. The children pull up stakes not only be able to see how a clinic setting is like, they will also be able to pose questions to the doctor to convey out more. Following which, I would picture for a clinic role dally 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 obliged 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 affable institution (Flanagan, 1994). He believed that through social fundamental fundamental action with adults and peers, learning would be further reinforced (Henniger, 2002). Communication with peers or adults allows children to think, go their thoughts into verbal words and therefore encourages and stimulates a childs thinking. interactional 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 focus of pre-school programs (Early Childhood Teachers Association, 2003). In my workings with children, I have realized the crucial role social interaction plays in a childs development. Children across all pre-school levels delight talking and interacting with each other 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 look 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 field t rip to the Botanical Garden where children are able research 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 dedicate 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 event through the activity. Besides peer interaction, adult interaction plays an equally 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 clock 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 dough play and painting on large papers w here children are able to keep with the activity together. Through such activities, they are able to discuss, comment and buy the farm 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 surround and curriculum to allow children to benefit and learn productively from it. Teachers were also pass judgment 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 variety of materials where children would be given the choice to choose based on their preference. I would not interfere in their choice activity as long as it conforms safety standar ds. I would also plan for activities where children could explore and exercise trial and error.For instance in the dough 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 large(p) 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 just about by showing them a variety of it. After the children have do 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 mat erials catered to individuals interest. For vitrine 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 meaningful activities based on childrens interest and abilities, allowing resources and materials to be easily and readily available and observing and supervise 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 Dew eys philosophy, I believe that each philosopher possesses their own virtues and Dewey was superstar which struck me the most. References Association for Early Childhood Educators, Singapore (2005). Code of ethics. Retrieved jar against 23, 2010 from http//www. aeces. org/code_of_ethics Early Childhood Teachers Association (2003). Educating young children.Journal of early puerility 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). speed Saddle River, unseasoned 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.