I picked the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) website.
This association has done research on a variety of issues, areas and aspects in early childhood. There is research on children's own voice and ideas in research, the learning growth in children 0-3, the benefits of children participating in research, how to utilize scaffolding to increase learning and so much more.
I was most interested in the article about scaffolding. In the article it discusses the development of curriculum that incorporates play and initiative learning. It introduces a four-step process that teachers can use to during projects to guide scaffolding. This process consists of orientation, demonstration, broadening, deepening to help children develop abstract representation. If a teacher interferes with play she is ends up destroying what is being learned. In order to enter the play process correctly it is best if the teacher first sits near the playing child(ren) and letting the children know she supports their play by not changing it or being uncooperative and then by adding to play by taking initiative when play is limited. These three steps are scaffolding.
One of the best ways to learn about children is to listen to what they have to say and understanding children well enough to really know what they are saying. Children are capable of a great deal, but adults have to create the conditions and turn every moment into a learning moment for children to fully thrive. The early years are the most critical for learning development.
Kuyk, J. J. (2011). Scaffolding – how to increase development? European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 19(1), 133-146. doi:10.1080/1350293X.2011.548965
Rica,
ReplyDeleteI would definitely like to learn more about research about children's voice and opinions on topics which affect them. It is important to remember the children are what all the research is about and their voice matters!
Meredith
Rica,
ReplyDeleteThe early years of a child's life is critical for learning development because when a child is given proper nurturing, guidance, and love, the child will have a solid foundation. We know that early teaching is the key to later success.