Teaching Techniques for Early Childhood Education

Running head: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCTAION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE
Introduction:
My teaching philosophy is based upon creating a supportive, flexible, safe and an
inclusive learning environment for my students. I comply with the EYL framework and
make use of the play based curriculum to impart knowledge. I believe at an early age playing
can serve as a link to learning experience and children can acquire skills through play based
learning (Education.gov.au,2018). I make use of the play method in my teaching through
group activities, visual display and props. It helps in stimulating the perception ability of the
children and promotes learning. As an educator I am aware of the Children’s right of
education and strive to create a holistic and inclusive learning environment enriched with
moral values. I assist the family members of the disabled children to seek social and
government support so as to sustain an inclusive learning environment (Humanrights.gov.au,
2018). Also, my teaching practice is built upon the ECA Code of ethics where I endeavour to
reinforce a culturally safe inclusive learning environment. I do so by engaging children in
the celebration of different festivals and organising group activities where children talk about
their traditional costume and cuisine (Early Childhood Australia, 2018). In addition to this,
my teaching practice is also based upon the Australian Professional Teaching Standards.
To ensure this, I make use of observation, documenting and planning in my teaching
process. I also maintain a collaborative relationship with my colleagues and children so as
to ensure a positive and secure learning environment (Aitsl.edu.au,2018). I believe it creates
a strong relationship based upon strengths, knowledge and professional experience so as to
enable a positive working environment.
This assignment would focus on the generalist and specialist teaching methods used
by me in accordance with the teaching philosophy to promote a positive academic
environment.

2EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE
Generalist Techniques:
The general technique of teaching is used in an academic environment while dealing
with content-related subject matter or factual information (Cook et al., 2013). It has been said
that making use of techniques such as listening, questioning, story-telling and singing can
help in improving the retention power of the beginners (Davis,2014). While teaching
students, I make use of three generalist techniques that include, singing, listening and
modelling approaches.
Singing: Singing can be considered as one of the generalist technique that helps in the
process of imparting education to beginners and early school children. The technique can be
defined as a process of collective approach that makes use of sound and rhythm to facilitate
refined learning and understanding (Edwards et al., 2014). According to a research study
conducted by Chapman (2016), it has been mentioned that singing the lessons to the children
enhances their retention capacity up to 35% compared to traditional reading out process.
According to Piaget’s theory, external environment plays a major role in the growth
and development of child.In this context, it can be said that children are fast learners and
possess the tendency to grasp tunes and beats easily which makes singing a feasible and
effective teaching technique. It should be noted here that while using singing as a teaching
technique it is extremely important to take note of a few important factors such as the theme
of the music, key, interval timing, diction and diction. These factors determine the choice of
an appropriate repertoire that is used in the process of teaching. In addition to this, it should
be further noted that, while teaching beginners, incorporating singing as an educating method
not only helps in stimulating the retention ability but also enhances the ability of the children
to work within a group, develop their listening ability and the building up of self-awareness.

3EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE
At the same time, it also helps in making children active and alert to the beats of the song and
improves their pronunciation and speaking ability. It has been found that rhymes,
multiplication tables, names of places and objects can easily be retained by children on the
basis of regular practice and singing.
Listening:
The second method that has been identified as an effective generalist method of
teaching includes ‘listening’. It can be stated here that listening forms an integral part of the
communication process. Enhancing the communication ability of the children can effectively
lead to healthier growth and development. Listening can thus be defined as the medium of
interaction between the educators and students that help in the development of an effective
communication style(Boud & Feletti, 2013). Research studies reveal that between the age of
1 to 5 years, children do not possess the ability to communicate effectively and voice their
feelings (Hamanda, 2016); (Anthony,2013). During this phase it is extremely important to
pay close attention the other forms of expression used by the child to communicate and
express their feelings.
Some of the methods used by the children to communicate include using fragmented
sentences, broken phrases, gestures and rhymes. Often, adults seem extremely distracted and
devoid of patience while dealing with children due to frequent pause, stammering or poor
sentence construction. Interjecting the child before he could frame a sentence, maintaining a
closed body gesture and being preoccupied or distracted while the child is trying to voice out
an opinion can heavily impact the existing relationship between the carers and the child
(Hamanda, 2016).
It should be noted here that, active listening forms an essential part of the learning
process and facilitates string relationship between the carers and the children. According to