Claire Stebbe
Ivy Tech Community College
I believe the purposes of education are for the child to expand his or her mind, to be exposed to different cultures, and to discover how he or she learns best. In this way, he or she can become more respected individuals and he or she can become proud of what he or she has learned and accomplished.
I believe that children learn best when they have a chance to learn in different ways. That way, they can find the way that they learn best. This means that we as teachers have to provide ample opportunities for them to find this out. Sensory tables help children learn by touching. Sometimes, at the day care where I used to work, we would bring in a small bin of snow during winter and that way the kids could learn by touch. It was supervised well so as to keep the kids’ little hands warm after touching the snow. In other ways, we can learn about the seasons in the year by having that laminated cartoon bear and his laminated clothes (for example, rain boots, winter coat, swim suit, etc.).
The curriculum of any classroom should include certain "basics" that contribute to the proper learning and development of children. For example, we would read the kids a story each day before nap time. In this way, we would expose their young minds to new vocabulary, and they could learn what objects were by asking what was in the picture.
These basics are reading a story each day, taking a nap every day, playing in a sensory table, playing dress-up and with dolls, and of course, including a morning and afternoon snack before and after lunch is served.
Children learn best in an environment that promotes all aspects of education. By offering healthy snacks (whole grains, vegetables, fruits, etc.) instead of processed foods, the kids can learn what makes them feel energized and good. At home, they may eat some sort of junk food. This way, they can learn to listen to their body and eat foods that make them feel ready to start the day. Another aspect of education includes literacy. By setting out durable, easy-to-read picture books at the child’s reach during center time, the kids (preschool and above, anyway) can learn new words and associate those words with the pictures nearby in the book.
Features of a good learning environment are signs next to each object in the room, at least one sensory table, and a place to do artwork with crayons and paper. The signs next to the objects help children identify what they are. For example, “light switch,” “sink,” and “table,” to name a few. The sensory table will help children to learn by touch, and also provide an outlet of relaxation for some anxiety-prone children. The artwork opportunity helps children express their emotions and thoughts on paper, and helps them develop those fine motor skills as well.
All children have certain needs that must be met if they are to grow and learn at their best. Some of these basic needs are a place to sleep, food to eat and water to drink, shelter, and affection and love. I would meet these needs by providing cots for all children during nap time, a snack for morning and afternoon, water to drink for those times that they eat, and a high-five and a warm smile when the kids listen and follow directions well. This