Early Childhood Learning

This document discusses the application of Montessori theory, developmentalism with reference to Piaget's stages and Maslow's hierarchy, and the importance of play based learning and holistic education in early childhood education.

Early childhood learning

Table of Contents
Application of Montessori theory in early childhood education.....................................................3
Explanation of developmentalism with reference to.......................................................................3
Importance of play based learning in early childhood education....................................................4
Application of holistic education in early childhood education......................................................5
Reference list...................................................................................................................................7

Answers
1. Application of Montessori theory in early childhood education
Maria Montessori
Theorist Maria Montessori established the Montessori theory, a theory related to early
childhood education. The theory identifies 4 key principles that are followed during
educating a child. The key principles are observation, independence, following and
correcting the child. Maria Montessori has laid foundation of concepts that she
followed while educating children in a Montessori environment. The 4 principles are
set of beliefs that promote childhood development through learning.
Independence:
The theorist refrain the educator from helping the child with any activity in which he
has confidence. The first motto of Montessori education is to make a child
independent to do actions himself. In order to do so the child is given every
opportunity for creativity, play and eat alone. Doing things alone boosts self-belief in
children.
Observation:
Observing the child helps parents and educators to explore need and interests of the
child. Maria Montessori states that this simple method helps analyzing child behavior
without preconceived ideas interrupting it.
Following the child:
The theorist further states, following a child help in learning child’s action.
Observation also identifies the area where the child needs more attention. This
principle offers the child with choices. For instance, if the child is playing with
crayons, he should be provided with drawing book and watch his response.
Correcting the child: Maria says, there is no point of blatantly pointing out mistake
or scolding the child if he has made anything unintentionally. Calmly recognizing the
mistake and assisting the child to do practical correction helps the child to realize their
mistake.

2. Explanation of developmentalism with reference to
Piaget’s stages
Child development can be monitored with the help of Piaget’s theory of development.
Psychologist Piaget states that cognitive development among children progresses
through 4 stages.
Sensorimotor period (within 2 years from birth): the cognitive system of the child
is limited to motor reflexes so the child himself builds reflexes to make sophisticated
procedures. Children of this age learn generalizing actions for many situations.
Preoperational thought (2-7 years): children learn to present themselves through
their imaginations or language. At this age they develop egocentric view and self-
orientation.
Concrete Operations (6-12 years): children are able to take other view and consider
more perspectives. They are capable of representing static situation as well as
transformations.
Formal operation (12-adult): children can now use logic to their thinking. They
develop analytical problem solving skills.
Maslow’s hierarchy
Psychologist Maslow had identified few needs that is thrived by every people. He
introduced the concept of needs hierarchy. The needs starting from the base of the
triangle are as follows.
Psychological needs: includes basic needs such as food, warmth, water
Safety needs: such as security and safety measures
Belongings and love needs: includes loved ones and friends
Esteem needs: accomplishment feeling and prestige
Self-actualization: meeting potential of individual that includes creativities.
3. Importance of play based learning in early childhood education
Early childhood learning is mostly about play based learning where the educators take
active role in learning development process of a child. Play based education process
improves thinking and intellectual skill of the child. Many educators consider play
based learning as an essential part of their practice and pedagogy. Play based learning

helps the children to organize their social world and interacts with them. For example
a child can be taught to learn relationship with his family members by making a family
tree with colorful papers and craft items. Some of the benefits of play based learning
are as follows.
Improves interactive skills:
During early childhood learning, the child develops vocabulary as he interacts with
peers and teachers the educator also supports language development through play
based activities. It helps the kids to learn unfamiliar words in the interaction session.
Encourage pre literacy skill
Play based learning involves rhyme and musical learning as these helps in sound
recognition. Rhyming poetries serves as the base for preliminary literacy. Singing and
rhyming also improves the memorizing skills of the children.
Development of social and emotional skill
Emotion skills are also improved through play based learning. Children are assisted to
play cooperative games where they interact with their friends and educators sharing
their experience. This also helps to understand child’s behavior. It develops positive
relationship among the children. They understand the importance of unity, for instance
the educator often resolves conflicts and encourage the children to shake hands.
Playing helps the children to understand empathy and emotional competence.
Encourage creativity and imagination power
According to many researchers play learning fosters creativity and imaginative
powers. The educators must ensure that the play activities are encouraging the children
for participating. For instance, the child can be instructed to make numerical figures
with building blocks connecting to each other. Also the child can be educated to match
fruits with their respective color.
4. Application of holistic education in early childhood education
Early education is not about educating the kids just for the purpose of admitting them
to secondary schools. Memorizing information and clearing placement exams are

known to interrupt the psychological issues of the child. Hence holistic education is
not about delivering measurable information; it also redefines the process of educating
a child. Holistic approach in child education encompasses emotional and
psychological growth. However this approach is followed for little grown up kids to
motivate them for learning. The approach generates curiosity in them. When the
children are curious, they are keen to learn new such as letters or words. For example
neon colors can attract them for learning A, B, C, and D with colorful alphabets. When
the interactive skills of the children are enhanced, they will like to take up challenges
in dealing certain subjects. For instance, if a child is praised for his art work, he is
likely to draw tougher objects in order to receive appreciation. Holistic approach help
the children for developing their skills for instance, it includes dancing and singing as
well as an encouragement for their extra curriculum activities.