I thought it was very interesting to read through the
strategies for language development in early childhood classrooms in chapter 4.
As I was reading I started to realize that over the years students have been pulled
away from their natural ability of imagination. Children are born natural
learners and through their curiosity they desire to learn. There is a short
article about the need to nurture children’s curiosity and tips on how to do so
that I found interesting.
Students are placed into pre-schools and kindergarten at
such a young age and in some instances students are taught to learn through
simply the teacher teaching rather then through the child’s curiosity to learn.
In my opinion this is why so many young children do not enjoy school. Students
need to use their curiosity and imagination to ask question and learn, this
would make learning more meaningful to the child. The section mentioned,
“Exploring and experimenting with the materials in the centers are creative,
imaginative, problem-solving, decision-making experiences in which children use
language”.
As pre-service teachers we need to keep in mind to always
allow the student to use their imagination and curiosity to learn through new
experience on their own. I find it interesting how even though teachers are not
always intentionally teaching students about language students learn each and
every day through experiences and interactions with their peers. So, my
question is what are other ways we can create an environment that will
encourage student to interact with others to build language development? Providing
students with a classroom with centers, discussions, music, art, dramatic play,
and more are all ways students can build on their language development. Allowing
students to work in centers was a big point in the chapter. Through these
activities student ask question, laugh with peers, learn from peers, and make
connections to lessons. Do you think we have fallen away from allowing children
to use their imagination? Do you think that the development of language at a
young age is something to be taught or simply providing children with
opportunities to develop on their own? I think it is a little of both and it
also depends on the age of the child. This is a video clip about how to support
young children in their development of language that I thought went well. Even
though this video mainly focuses on children at a very young age the same
concepts should be applies to children in school.
Great post Marie! I agree with you that children are being pulled away from their natural ability of imagination. I feel that as soon as students enter school we begin to take away their ability/drive to be imaginative. I really liked how you mentioned that children who are more curious have a bigger desire to learn. I feel that statement is one that reins true. In regards to your questions about how to create an environment for language development by interacting with others I believe the best way is through centers around the room, with each center being rich in language. Also by prompting the students to interact with each other within each center would help to create an interactive way to develop language with others. I also believe that the development of language is a mix between being taught and providing the students with opportunities to develop own language skills. Children can use there curiosity to develop language skills and we can just simple help guide them and continue to encourage them. You made a lot of good points in your blog and I loved the article and video you shared!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post. I agree with the lack of creativity in school today. I believe that if you want children to want to be at school you need to let them be creative in their work. If you tell students that they have to do it your way and that is it, they are more likely to not want to do. I believe that to really get to know your kids you have to let them be creative and be who they are. The more you let children do what they want, the more they are going to be into the project or activity they have to do. The lack of creativity in school is hurting the work ethics of the children in the schools. Don't take away the opportunity for you students to be creative. Creative opens the doors for deeper learning.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! I totally agree with how children need to use their creativity and imagination to learn in the classroom. I believe that to create an environment for development is to interact with other teachers and see how they are incorporating it in their classrooms. Have the children talk amongst each other and let them interact. You made a lot of good comments on your blog as well as your article and video!
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some great points in your post Marie! One thing that schools tend to do is shut down children's abilities to be creative. As a child gets older, there is more focus on testing and worksheets, and less discovery and intervention. I remember reading in my ELED 252 class that most CEOs have high creatively levels. With this statistic, why do school insist on eliminating opportunities for creative discovery and adding more straight line test. I agree with you that children should learn through being creative, and I believe it should last throughout high school. I believe it would make more students interested in school.
ReplyDeleteI think that literacy and language development facilitate imagination because it provides an outlet. Students can paint a picture, but it can mean almost nothing without students explaining what was going on in their head, which people cannot do without a basic understanding of language. But all development depends on environment. If an environment is harsh, most students would not dare to speak, because they do not feel welcome. However if the environment is welcoming, warm even students will feel like their words matter. Also, if teachers allow or alot time for talking it will allow students time to bounce ideas, which is where creativity really sparks.
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