Teaching Young Children: Contexts for Learning

by Krogh, Suzanne; Slentz, Kristine

• ISBN13: 9780805828818
• ISBN10: 0805828818
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

Using play as the method against which all others are compared, this book presents the strengths and weaknesses of different models of teaching, examines various methods of guiding young children's behavior, and shows how to create and maintain a positive learning environment. Finally, it discusses how to work as a team member in ECE settings.

Author Biography

Kristine L. Slentz is Associate Professor of Education at Western Washington University.

Table of Contents

To Our Readers and Their Instructors: An Introduction to the Series	xiii
Preface	xv
Playing to Learn---Learning to Play	2	(38)
Objectives	2	(1)
What is Play, and Why Do we Study it?	3	(6)
Defining Play	5	(1)
A Brief History	6	(1)
Theories of Play	7	(2)
Infants and Toddlers: Playing to Interact	9	(8)
Earliest Play	10	(1)
Play as Action	11	(1)
Play as Exploration	12	(2)
Play as Representation	14	(3)
Preschoolers: Learning to Play Together	17	(7)
Primary School Students: Playing to Learn	24	(4)
Realistic Play	25	(1)
Games and Sports	26	(1)
Group Membership	27	(1)
Variations in Play	28	(4)
Individual Differences in Play	28	(1)
Cultural Variations in Play	29	(1)
Environmental Variations in Play	29	(1)
Variations in Ability	30	(2)
Summary	32	(8)
Extending Your Learning	32	(1)
Vocabulary	33	(1)
Internet Resources	34	(1)
References	35	(5)
Teaching and Learning	40	(42)
Objectives	40	(1)
A Brief History of Theory and Philosophy	41	(2)
Methods of Teaching Young Children	43	(1)
Learning Through Play	43	(10)
Play at Home and at Preschool	46	(1)
Daily Routines	47	(1)
Child-Directed Activity	47	(1)
Planned Activities	48	(1)
Play in the Primary Grades	49	(1)
Guidelines for Caregivers and Teachers	50	(1)
Real-Life Examples of Learning Through Play	50	(1)
Emergent Literacy Fostered Through Play	51	(1)
Learning Through Play in the Primary Grades	52	(1)
Assessing Learning Through Play	52	(1)
Learning Through Direct Instruction	53	(6)
Guidelines for Teachers	56	(1)
An Example of Direct Instruction	57	(1)
Assessing Learning Through Direct Instruction	58	(1)
Learning at Activity Centers	59	(4)
Guidelines for Teachers	60	(1)
An Example of Learning at Centers	61	(1)
Assessing Learning at Centers	62	(1)
Learning Alone and Together	63	(5)
Learning Alone	63	(1)
Learning Together	64	(2)
Guidelines for Teachers	66	(1)
An Example of Cooperative Learning	66	(1)
Assessing Cooperative Learning	67	(1)
Learning Through Creating Projects	68	(3)
Guidelines for Teachers	69	(1)
An Example of Project Learning	69	(2)
Assessing Learning Through Creating Projects	71	(1)
Other Ways to Teach	71	(3)
Peer Teaching	71	(1)
Group Discussion	72	(1)
Role Playing	73	(1)
Developmentally Appropriate Practice	74	(3)
Infants	75	(1)
Toddlers	75	(1)
Three-Through 5-Year-Olds	76	(1)
Six- Through 8-Year-Olds	76	(1)
Summary	77	(5)
Extending Your Learning	78	(1)
Vocabulary	78	(1)
Internet Resources	79	(1)
References	79	(3)
Guiding Children's Behavior	82	(46)
Objectives	82	(1)
Some Important Definitions	83	(2)
Developmental Considerations	85	(8)
Emotion and Social Behavior in Infants	85	(3)
Emotion and Social Behavior in Toddlers	88	(2)
Emotion and Social Behavior in Preschoolers	90	(2)
Emotion and Social Behavior in Kindergarten and Primary Grade Children	92	(1)
Approaches to Guiding Behavior	93	(14)
Principle 1: Ground Child Guidance Practices in Knowledge of Early Development	94	(1)
Principle 2: Create an Environment Conducive to Success	95	(4)
Principle 3: Foster Democratic Principles in the Classroom	99	(2)
Principle 4: Approach Classroom Diversity with Sensitivity	101	(3)
Principle 5: Achieve a Well-Managed Classroom Through Self-Awareness	104	(2)
Modeling	106	(1)
When Prevention Alone Doesn't Work: Troubleshooting Strategies	107	(14)
Responding to Common, Everyday Problems	108	(5)
Responding to More Difficult Problems Behaviors	113	(1)
The Forms of Difficult Behavior--Let Me Count the Ways	114	(1)
The Functions of Difficult Behavior--Why Do They Do the Things They Do?	115	(1)
Suggestions for Management of Difficult Behaviors	116	(5)
Summary	121	(7)
Extending Your Learning	122	(1)
Vocabulary	123	(1)
Internet Resources	124	(1)
Useful Resources for Specific Behavior Problems	124	(1)
References	125	(3)
Environments for Learning	128	(40)
Objectives	128	(1)
The Physical Environment	129	(2)
Creating and Using Appropriate Environments	131	(11)
Infants and Toddlers in the Center Environment	131	(2)
Preschool and Kindergarten Children in the Center or School Environment	133	(1)
Primary Children in the School Environment	134	(1)
Environmental Issues for Children With Special Needs	135	(1)
Consider the Full Range of Individual Differences in Your Group When Designing Physical Environments	135	(1)
Ensure Accessibility of Materials and Equipment in the Classroom and on the Playground	136	(3)
Match Elements of Environmental Design, Including Both Physical and Social Interactions, with Instructional Objectives	139	(2)
An Equitable Environment for All Children	141	(1)
The Uses of Space	142	(15)
Indoor Space	142	(6)
Furnishing the Indoor Environment	148	(2)
Activity or Learning Centers	150	(1)
Outdoor Space	151	(6)
Safety	157	(2)
Maintaining Indoor Safety	158	(1)
Maintaining Outdoor Safety	158	(1)
The Children's Role	159	(2)
The Social--Emotional Environment	161	(2)
Summary	163	(5)
Extending Your Learning	163	(1)
Vocabulary	164	(1)
Internet Resources	164	(1)
References	165	(3)
Working With Other Adults: Partnerships and Collaborations	168	(41)
Objectives	168	(2)
Home--School Partnerships	170	(5)
History of Home--School Partnerships	170	(2)
Parent Rights	172	(1)
Legal Rights	172	(1)
Rights Decided by Consensus	173	(1)
Rights Determined by Philosophical Views	174	(1)
Why Work to Establish Partnerships With Parents?	175	(2)
About Families	177	(2)
Families as Systems	179	(9)
Family Characteristics	180	(3)
Family Interactions	183	(2)
Family Functions	185	(1)
Family Life Cycle	186	(2)
Paraprofessionals, Volunteers, Specialists	188	(3)
Working With Teaching Assistants	188	(2)
Orientation and Training	190	(1)
Collaboration With Adults	191	(3)
Skills for Effective Communication	194	(9)
Effective Listening	194	(1)
The Listening Attitude	195	(1)
Attending Behaviors	195	(1)
Verbal Listening Skills	196	(1)
Nonverbal Communication	197	(1)
Expressing Yourself	198	(1)
Common Issues in Early Education	199	(4)
Summary	203	(6)
Extending Your Learning	203	(1)
Vocabulary	204	(1)
Internet Resources	205	(1)
References	206	(3)
Author Index	209	(4)
Subject Index	213