Module 1: Assignment Assignment: Child-centered learning and teaching Child-centered learning and teaching is a core method of developmentally appropriate practice; so fundamentally important that eve Original Papers

Module 1: Assignment

Assignment: Child-centered learning and teaching

Child-centered learning and teaching is a core method of developmentally appropriate practice; so fundamentally important that every early childhood professional needs to recognize its value in our bones. As a leader and advocate in the field, how will you explain this complex and powerful positive influence on children’s development and learning? 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

·       TEDx Talks. (2013, April 24). Wonder and beauty in education: Catherine L’Ecuyer at TedXManresaLinks to an external site. [Video].YouTube. https://youtu.be/JcqXD5JgVXw

·       Walden University. (2021). Wonder, awe, and curiosity  Download Wonder, awe, and curiosity [PowerPoint slides]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.comNote: Please set aside a bit of time to enjoy and unhurriedly reflect on the slides in this PowerPoint. Of course, some may resonate with you more than others. But give yourself the gift of letting your awe and wonder be inspired as you think about your journey through life and learning as well as the role of wonder and awe in the lives of young children. 

·       Allen, S. (2018, September 26). Eight reasons why awe makes your life better.Links to an external site. Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eight_reasons_why_awe_makes_your_life_better

·       Malanowski, K. (2018, January 17). Responding with wonderment and awe: A lifelong habit. Links to an external site. ASCD Blog. https://www.ascd.org/blogs/responding-with-wonderment-and-awe-a-lifelong-habit

·       Stephens, K. (2007). Curiosity and wonder: Cue into children’s inborn motivation to learn.Links to an external site. Parenting Exchange. https://www.blossomandberry.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/curiosity-and-wonder.pdf

·       Teasdale, S. (n.d.). Barter.Links to an external site. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46006/barter-56d225c3374d8

The Role of the Teacher

·       Frazier, C. (2018, September 10). What is the difference between teacher-directed learning and student-centered learning?ContinuED. https://www.continued.com/early-childhood-education/ask-the-experts/what-difference-between-teacher-directed-23006

·       Stone, J. (2001). Building classroom community: The early childhood teacher’s role. Early Childhood Today, 16(3), 17-18.

The Role of Relationships

·       Calzone, S. (2020). The power of “good morning.” Teaching Young Children. 14(1), 22–24.

·       Child Care Technical Assistance Network. (n.d.). Relationships: The foundation of learning and development. U.S. Department of Health and Human and Human Services. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/infant-toddler-resource-guide/relationships-foundation-learning-and-development

·       Edge, E.E. (2019, November). What’s love got to do with it? Relationships and reflections in early childhood programs.YC: Young Children, 74(5), 14-20.

Child Centered Curriculum

·       California Department of Education. (2016). The integrated nature of learning.Links to an external site. https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/documents/intnatureoflearning2016.pdfNote: Please read Part IV: Curriculum that Reflects Children’s Lives, which begins on page 51. 

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

·       Clarke, G.-A. (2016, March 20). 20 DAP checklist questions for teachers. National Association for the Education of Young Children. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/20-dap-checklist-questions-teachers

·       National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2020). Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) position statement. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap/contents

·       National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). Guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice in action: Using knowledge of child development and learning in context. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap/guidelines

Emergent Curriculum

·       Biermeier, M.A. (2015). Inspired by Reggio Emilia: Emergent curriculum in relationship-driven learning environments. Young Children, 70(5). https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2015/emergent-curriculum

·       Broderick, J.T. & Hong, S. B. (2020, July 15). Finding threads of inquiry. National Association for the Education of Young Children. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/finding-threads-inquiry

·       Jones, E. (2012). The emergence of emergent curriculum. YC: Young Children, 67(2), 66–68.

·       Sweeney, S. J. & Fillmore, R. M. (2018). The birds, the children, and the big black dog: Reflecting on emergent curriculum. YC: Young Children, 73(1), 69–72.

Inquiry Based Learning

·       Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (n.d.). Introductory material – What is STEM?Links to an external site.https://www.education.gov.au/australian-curriculum/national-stem-education-resources-toolkit/introductory-material-what-stem

·       Evans, L. M. (2019). The power of science: Using inquiry thinking to enhance learning in a dual language preschool classroom. YC: Young Children, 74(2), 14–23.

·       Fine, M. (2018). “There’s a hole in the tree!” YC: Young Children, 73(5), 8-13.

Project Approach

·       The Project Approach. (n.d.). Sample projects. http://projectapproach.org/project-examples/

·       Illinois Early Learning Project. (n.d.). Project approach. https://illinoisearlylearning.org/paLinks to an external site.

·       Brookes Publishing. (2018, September 11). 9 reasons to use the project approach in your inclusive early childhood classroom. Brookes Blog. https://blog.brookespublishing.com/9-reasons-to-use-the-project-approach-in-your-inclusive-early-childhood-classroom/

Nature Based Learning

·       Kuo, M., Barnes, M. & Jordan, C. (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship.Links to an external site. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305Note: Click on diagrams in this article to enlarge for easy reading.

·       Maron-Puntarelli, C. (2020). Walking into the woods: Understanding German waldkindergärtens.Links to an external site. YC: Young Children, 75(1), 42–50.

·       Williams, C. (2018, April 26). The perks of a play-in-the-mud educational philosophy. The Atlantic.  https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/04/early-childhood-outdoor-education/558959

To prepare

For this Assignment, you will create a narrated PowerPoint that demonstrates your understanding of developmentally appropriate practice and child-centered learning and teaching. As you develop your presentation, consider how it might be used as a professional development presentation in an early childhood setting or as an informational presentation for families of young children.

Introduction

Begin by introducing the concept of child-centeredness as a core method of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning.

Body of Your Presentation

Then, illustrate and explain at least three of the following approaches:

• Emergent Curriculum
• Project Approach
• Inquiry Approach
• Nature-Based Learning

For each approach chosen:

• Explain how the approach evidences the Guidelines of Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
• Provide examples of strategies or activities that illustrate the approach, including but not limited to, written or narrated scenarios; unit or lesson plans; or other artifacts such as photos, student work samples, quotes, and/or interviews with children, families, or colleagues.

Conclusion:

• Explain how your exploration of child-centered learning and teaching has impacted your thinking about your own current or future practice. Include a rationale for the appropriate application of child-centered approaches to support young children’s development and learning. 

Note: Be sure to draw on evidence-based resources. Include a resource list at the end of the Assignment with at least 4 resources from the Module, the Walden library, or other credible, research-based sources. 

Assignment Length:

Your narrated PowerPoint should be a minimum of 20-25 slides and between 15 and 20 minutes. Also, include your narration in the “Speaker Notes” section of each slide. Develop as many slides as you need to capture every meaningful component of your message. However, note the guidance included in the Assignment, and keep in mind that you do not want to overload your slides with words but rather spotlight important points, and add detail through your narration. It is recommended that you consult the resources provided on creating effective narrated PowerPoints.

The length of your presentation may vary depending on how many artifacts you would like to include to illustrate and enliven your points.