The Role of Educational Psychology in Early Childhood Education

This essay discusses the significance of educational psychology in early childhood education, emphasizing the characteristics required for effective teachers, such as being a motivator, listener, compassionate, and dedicated. It also delves into cognitive development stages theory and how it can be applied by early childhood educators to enhance child knowledge. The holistic development approach is discussed as a means to support overall child development.

Educational psychology

INTRODUCTION
The branch of psychology which focuses on the scientific study of human learning is
referred as educational psychology (Blankenship, 2017). The present educational system is
extremely complex and there is no single learning approach that works for everyone. Teacher
have to analyse and comprehend the learning behaviour of children and providing learning
according to it in order to enhance their knowledge. In this context, this essay focuses on
analysing the characteristics of an effective teacher and goal of teaching. The role of educational
psychology concepts and theories which can be applied in everyday practice as an early
childhood teacher will be determined in the study. Eventually, the way curriculum can be
developed for design and play will be explained in this essay.
MAIN BODY
Characteristics of effective teacher
The quality of teacher is main reason because of which children got attracted from them.
Teachers who provides learning to children must have precise characteristics and abilities so that
children can enhance their learnings effectively and efficiently. The ability to develop robust
relationship with children and students is one of the characteristic of early childhood teacher. An
important characteristic of effective teachers is the dedication they give towards teaching
practices (MacNell, Driscoll and Hunt, 2015). This profession is considered to be challenging
and important for teachers as it requires passion positive attitude towards work. It is necessary
for early childhood teacher, to provide teaching and learning according to learners ability to
grasp knowledge. In order to enhance the effectiveness in the learning, teachers ought to engage
with students in learning.
Researchers said that for early childhood teacher requires three types of engagement
which are cognitive, emotional and behavioural. Engaging with students in learning not only
nurture their knowledge and skills but also helps in increasing motivation and bond with
educators and learners. Teaching and guiding children is a stressful task but early childhood
educator must do it appropriately and precisely. Teacher has enormous responsibility on their
shoulders and they must possess specific characteristic in order to fulfil their roles and
responsibilities adequately.
The goal of teaching and becoming a good teacher
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Promoting learning is the ultimate goal of the teacher. There are different circumstances
and contexts in which learning takes place. For early childhood teacher, the ultimate goal is
limited to engaging children in the learning environment by providing them adequate care which
helps in building their motivational level. In order to become a good teacher, one focuses on
developing his or her skills and abilities so that quality learning to children can be provided.
Teachers have several duties to be performed in early childhood schools such as
designing and drafting curriculum, innovating playing activities, providing care to children,
monitoring the safety and hygiene, etc. Early childhood teacher provides precise learning and
teaching to the children so that their skills and abilities can be developed. (Meichenbaum, 2017).
Teachers who provide education to young children need to have or hone their qualities which
will allows them to work and motivate young children. In order to become good teacher, one has
to engage with children in different activities. Children tends to build trust on those educators
with whom they interact the most. This not only allows teacher to understand the behaviour of
children but teacher can also increase the motivation and happiness among children.
Young children are very sensitive and teacher in early childhood must show kind and gentle
behaviour towards them. Being rude or rebuking can affect behaviour of learners towards
learning environment. Negative and rude attitude of educators develops anxiousness among
students towards the education. (Roskos, 2017). Thus, it can be said that a good teacher always
helps and assists children in their day to day learning in order to nurture their skills and abilities.
Communicating with children is very essential to build trustful and harmonious relationship with
the children. Teachers requires effective skills to work with young children and for
communicating them at their level. Communication is very essential skill of good teacher
(Rogers, 2017). Every child possesses distinct ability of learning. Teacher needs to analyse the
ability of every children and then provide education accordingly. Educators not only have to
communicate with children but also have to communicate with other colleagues and teachers in
order to gain knowledge for developing curriculum or play design. This helps them in enhancing
their own skills and knowledge through which teachers could provide quality education to
young children.
The role of educational psychology and the way its concepts can be applied in daily teaching
practices
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Educational psychology is specific branch of psychology which deals with study of both
behavioural and cognitive development in individuals especially children. Education and
psychology are interdependent with each other (Blankenship, 2017). Without the knowledge of
psychology, it is merely difficult for teacher, especially early childhood teacher to provide
quality learning to the children. It provides educational theory of individual differences, theory
of cognitive development and distinct learning abilities of children. Educational psychology now
become foundation of education in present modern education system (Van Manen, 2016). It
plays significant role in enhancing the quality of care provided to the children and also enables
teachers to understand the psychology of young children. Major concepts of educational
psychology include behavioural, cognitive and developmental. Cognitive development is the
development of thinking ability, memory, problem solving and decision making in childhood.
The development of cognitive ability is major concepts of educational psychology which plays
crucial role in enhancing the understanding level of early childhood teacher in regarding the
cognitive ability of children.
The Cognitive Development Stage theory is proposed by Jean Piaget reflect the raising
sophistication of children's thought. It consists of four stages which are cumulative (birth to 2
year), Pre-operational stage (from age 2 to age 7), Concrete operational stage (from age 7 to age
11) and Formal operational stage (age 11+ - adolescence and adulthood) (McLeod, 2018). Early
childhood educators are responsible for providing education to children of age 2 to 7 years. This
implies that they provide education to children under Preoperational Stage. According to
Cognitive Development theory at this stage child can symbolically think about things like a word
or an object stand for something other than itself. Thus, from this concept, teacher is able to
identify the level of understanding of particular child which further helps them in designing
precise strategy which helps them in providing quality learning and education to the children.
Education psychology plays prominent role in teaching. It helps teachers to understand the
psychology of children with the help of which the individuals can provide precise learning and
education. Education psychology is broad and consists of many theories and concepts. Early
childhood educators can refer to the theory of Cognitive Development and Behavioural Theory
in order to understand the psychology of young children. These children tend to learn from
observations and develop their behaviour accordingly (Wheldall and Merrett, 2017)). Early
childhood educators must ensure that children are learning productive things so that their
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knowledge level can be expand. Children at age 2-7 are more curious about objects and learn
different words (Meichenbaum, 2017). In this manner, by using referring to second stage of
cognitive development which is preoperational stage. During this stage children tends to involve
in symbolic play and educate about symbols. However, children do not able to comprehend the
concrete logic in this stage. Early childhood educators can apply this concept in their daily
practice so that they can provide learning and take care of young children in effective and
efficient manner.
Holistic development, curriculum design and play
Holistic development in children refers to the total development. Early childhood
teachers take holistic development approach where they focus more on developing child's
personal, physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being as well as cognitive aspects of
learning (MacNell, Driscoll and Hunt, 2015). It not only focuses on these aspects but also
concentrates on developing relations to the natural world. In order to nurture the overall
personality of children teacher needs to provide holistic education to children (Holzman, 2016).
It requires enormous efforts and dedication towards profession and early childhood teachers must
have adequate skills in order to provide children quality education. Education psychology plays
important role in holistic development of children. Teachers must have thorough understanding
about the education psychology, theories, principles and concepts which helps them in
comprehending the needs, psychology and expectations of young children. In order to provide
quality education to the children it is essential for the teacher to take holistic development
approach.
Early childhood educator takes responsibility for the development of “whole child” in
order to enhance and nurture his or her knowledge and skills level (Duchesne and McMaugh,
2015). Rather than be aroused by different ideals of education in holistic approach, it is being
suggested to the educators to find opportunities or approaches to implement the different
elements of holistic development approach in current teaching practice. Designing curriculum is
important part of teaching and it is the duty of early childhood educators to contribute in
designing curriculum and plays for early children. Early children of age 2 to 7 years requires
more pragmatic learning rather than theoretical information (Hoogerheide and et.al., 2018).
Thus, it is essential to design and draft curriculum in the manner which includes more pragmatic
teaching related with environment, collective working, etc. which can nurture the skills and
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abilities of young children. Teachers are responsible for developing precise syllabus which
consists of every important subject which can help children to increase their knowledge and
enhance their motivation. Young children basically learn from play (Holzman, 2016). Thus,
more of the activities related with play must be included in the curriculum so that the
enhancement of child knowledge can be made. As curriculum is the aggregate learning which
children do. In early childhood it is essential for teachers to construct curriculum in the way
which helps in developing the physical and relational abilities of children. Early childhood
educators must considers the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) before designing and
drafting curriculum (Hoogerheide and et.al., 2018). In this framework the fundamentals
principles, practices and learning outcomes has been presented which could help out the teachers
to develop curriculum in effective and efficient manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay it can be understood that education psychology plays prominent
role in developing extensive understanding of early childhood educator. From this context, in the
above essay it has been found that in order to become an effective early childhood teachers
characteristics like motivator, listener, compassionate and dedication are required. The role of
educational psychology in teaching has been identified and with the help of Cognitive
Development Stages Theory, the concepts which can be applied by early childhood educators has
been mentioned. Eventually, the way holistic development approach could assist the teachers in
overall development of child has been explained succinctly in the essay.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Blankenship, B. (2017). The psychology of teaching physical education: From theory to practice.
Routledge.
Duchesne, S., & McMaugh, A. (2015). Educational psychology for learning and teaching.
Cengage AU.
Holzman, L. (2016). Vygotsky at work and play. Routledge.
Hoogerheide & et.al., (2018). Enhancing example-based learning: Teaching on video increases
arousal and improves problem-solving performance. Journal of Educational Psychology.
MacNell, L., Driscoll, A., & Hunt, A. N. (2015). What’s in a name: Exposing gender bias in
student ratings of teaching. Innovative Higher Education, 40(4), 291-303.
Meichenbaum, D. (2017). Teaching thinking: A cognitive behavioral perspective. In The
Evolution of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (pp. 85-104). Routledge.
Rogers, C. (2017). A social psychology of schooling: The expectancy process. Routledge.
Roskos, K. A. (Ed.). (2017). Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple
perspectives. Routledge.
Van Manen, M. (2016). The tone of teaching: The language of pedagogy. Routledge.
Weisberg & et.al., (2016). Guided play: Principles and practices. Current Directions in
Psychological Science, 25(3), 177-182.
Wheldall, K., & Merrett, F. (2017). Positive teaching: The behavioural approach. Routledge.
Online
McLeod. S., (2018). Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development. [Online] Available from
<https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html>.
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