I have yet to hear back from my international contacts so I have chosen to listen to the podcast on the World Forum Radio website. In thinking about issues related to excellence and equity (fairness) in the early childhood, I took the time to listen to Ms. Irma Allen. Ms. Allen has a passion for nature. She and her husband moved to Africa years ago and took an interest in teaching children in a natural environment (especially early childhood), literally natural. As she explained in there podcast, the children have no classroom, their classroom is nature. Their lessons are taught using what has been here way before human kind. She explained that children engage in activities that are directly involving nature, such as exploring a real spider web and using water as a teaching tool when the water is available. I think that this is such a wonderful model that should be incorporated into classrooms and/or given a closer looks at the benefits of letting children learn through exploring their outside environment. I remember as a child there were special days that my teachers would allow us to have a lesson outside and I truly believe these hands on experiences I benefited from the most. I think the type of learning and program that Ms. Allen speaks of on her podcast is defiantly a progression in the early childhood education field.
Through listening to Ms. Allen describe the program and speak about the children and their experiences, I believe this is an example of continuous excellence and equity in that the adults are thinking in the best interest of the children. They are taking cues from the children and adjusting their program to fit the needs of the children. I also believe that the individuals involved in this program truly understand the core concepts of child development in the early childhood field/stages.
Reference:
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/current-work/world-forum-radio
Episode 5 Irma Allen
Hi Tasha. I agree that learning in this type of environment has to be great for brain development as the children are able to explore their world in such a non intimidating environment. And what you said about adults responding to the cues from the children in terms of what their needs are is a great place to establish equality and equity. When we listen to children, we convey to them that their individuality matters.
ReplyDeleteHi! Tasha
ReplyDeleteI work with head start and they have done away with playground's. We now have outdoor learning environment's. My favorite part our outdoor learning environment is the flower garden that has birdhouses built into it, there is a place that has rain gages and thermometers. I really enjoy watching the children interact with it, it is almost therapeutic for them.
Amanda Stapleton-Tuhy
Tasha,
ReplyDeleteGreat post......I nevewr really thoughty about nature being part of the curriculum im early childhood. After reading your post I thought that it was a excellant idea because the children will be given a hands on experience and be able to look at it visually.
Amanda,
I was shock to read the head start you work at has no playground. That is sad because play is very importnat to children at this age.
Tasha
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think all quality programs should adjust thier techniquies to meet the needs of the children in that program. What works for some children won't for others, and even what works one week for one child might not work the next week for the same child. We have to be open to change.