Theme-Based Learning Analysis

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First I would let her know that I am thrilled that she is so excited and has taken the initiative to prepare and gather resources that will be helpful to the children’s learning experience. I would let her know that beyond the learning experience we want to make sure that the children in our center are able to develop in terms of the whole child in which all aspects of their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development are being addressed. I would then go on to say that when it comes to theme-based learning that there are some advantages as well as disadvantages to this approach. According to Gestwicki (2014) theme planning at its best offers an array of activities built around a central idea, so one advantage is that this related web of experiences allows children to make their own meaningful mental …show more content…
Theme-based learning also allows children to learn more about topics that are of interest to them (Gestwicki, 2014, p. 78). Another advantage of theme-based learning according to Gestwicki (2014) is that developmentally appropriate planning happens when teachers identify children’s themes (p. 78). But just as we have to look at the positive aspects of theme-based learning, we must address the negative aspects too. One disadvantage of theme-based learning is that it may narrow the focus of children’s learning in restrictive and inappropriate ways (Gestwicki, 2014, p. 79). This allows for more of the adult perspective of learning and limits the interests and creativity of the children. Another disadvantage is that theme-based learning could become stagnant and repetitive. According to Elizabeth Jones as stated in the text, this method of curriculum planning is called “embalmed” because it once alive but now is dead (Gestwicki, 2014, p. 79). Teachers who use theme-based learning tend to recycle the same themes and lessons year after