Preschool Basics • Read Page 26-30 in The Childcare Professional
Transcript
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Preschool Basics Read Page 26-30 in The Childcare
Professional
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Important Terms Curriculum: a long-range plan of activities and
experiences for children Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum:
when activities are geared to different levels of ability and
development
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Important Terms Also known as DAP DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE
PRACTICE -Age appropriate -Individually appropriate -Social,
Emotional, Intellectual, Physical and Moral development
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If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a
child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests
you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good
classroom.
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Children spend most of their time playing and working with
materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they
are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.
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Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the
whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend
all their time with the whole group.
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Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those
who need additional help. Teachers recognize that childrens
different background and experiences mean that they do not learn
the same things at the same time in the same way.
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Children have access to various activities throughout the day.
Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials,
props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art
materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and
puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the
same time.
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The classroom is decorated with childrens original artwork,
their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by
children to teachers.
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Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups
throughout the day, not just at group story time.
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Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their
everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and
meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving
snack provide the basis for learning activities.
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Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at
least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if
at all.
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Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor
play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.
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Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel
secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy
to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling
sick.
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Understanding Preschoolers and Your Role http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=or10f- YcM8Q
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Who is considered a preschooler? Children ages THREE, FOUR, AND
FIVE are commonly referred to as preschoolers.
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Where do preschoolers fit developmentally? Physical Development
Intellectual Development Emotional Development Social Development
Moral Development
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Physical Development Physical growth during the preschool years
is slow and gradual. They usually have small appetites. It is
important to make sure what they eat is healthy. Their bodies
appear less baby like. Body fat is reduced.
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Physical Development Grow more active as they age. Skills
become more refined and complex Example: 3 year old tricycle vs. 5
year old bike More skilled in hand eye and fine motor skills.
Example: use crayons, write letters
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Intellectual Development Mentally group objects into categories
(but only one category at a time) By the age of five, a child can
line up objects by size. Just beginning to understand numbers and
counting. Rote Counting: reciting numbers in order without
understanding that each number represents a specific amount.
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Intellectual Development Numbers Cont. One to one
correspondence: the understanding that, when counting numbers in a
group, each item is counted once and only once. Rational counting:
the understanding that the last number counted in a group
represents the entire number of objects. Do not understand time
yet. May only understand the concept of now and later.
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Intellectual Development Their understanding is limited to what
is seen Cannot grasp conservation The understanding that an objects
physical dimensions remain the same even when its appearance
changes. Language 3 year old = 300 words 4 year old = 1500 words 5
year old = 2200 words
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Intellectual Development Language Cont. Children develop
language ability more quickly when provided with good examples.
Talking and reading to children daily helps them expand their
language use and comprehension. Grammar and Pronunciation comes
gradually Causally and kindly rephrase a childs statement to
provide the correct model
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Emotional Development Preschoolers experience an increasing
range of emotions. With increasing language skills preschoolers are
able to identify feelings with words, rather than pushing or
hitting. Start to develop empathy The ability to recognize and
understand the feelings of others.
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Emotional Development Increase in self-esteem: Feelings of
independence and self worth grow as they accomplish more skills Do
it myself Watch what I can do Very willing to be helpful
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Social Development Peers come into the picture Cooperative
Play: playing together and agreeing on play themes and activities
Three year olds like to play in small groups of 2 or 3 Five year
olds play in groups of 5 to 8 Through play, preschoolers develop
social skills
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Social Development Friendship Bribe other children into
friendship A different best friend every day After age 6,
friendship becomes more stable Conflict Often over toys Begin to
use name calling Firmly tell children that name-calling will not be
allowed because it hurts peoples feelings.
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Moral Development Children age four and under have no real
sense of right and wrong. They make decisions based on rewards or
consequences. By age five, children begin developing a conscience
and experience feelings of guilt. They eagerly tell an adult when
they see someone break a rule.
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers
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Appreciation of Children Energy Sense of Humor Patience
Compassion Flexibility Creativity Resourcefulness Sociability
Commitment Divide up into groups of two or three. Rotate around the
room stopping at each NEED for 2 minutes. Write down at least one
reason why you would need that skill when working with children. Do
not repeat what someone else has written.
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Appreciation for
children No one can work well with children without having an
appreciation for them. Participating in activities with them, not
just watching Warm relationships
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers ENERGY Children have a
high energy level You need to be able to keep up with them! Stay
one step ahead of children, or the classroom will get out of
control.
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Sense of Humor Laugh
with children, not at them While remaining professional, let loose
and have fun when the occasion is right
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Patience Children make
mistakes Slow at performing tasks because they havent perfected
their skills yet. Acceptable behavior has not been mastered Still
learning self control Favorite question, Why?
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Compassion: recognizing
when others are having problems and wants to be of help Children
need adults who try to understand and accommodate them. Recognize
their fears
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Flexibility Children
are unpredictable and have spontaneity Things dont always go the
way you plan
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Creativity Creating
activities that are interesting and effective Learn more from new
experiences.
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Resourcefulness: The
ability to find the ways and means to do something What resources
do you need to accomplish your goal? How will you make it work?
Resourcefulness enables people to make things happen and get things
done.
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Sociability This is a
social atmosphere Working with parents, children, and peers Use
good communication skills Try to relate to others
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What YOU need to work with preschoolers Commitment Dedicated to
doing your BEST for the children you are working with Dont settle
for doing the job halfway PREPARED
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Homework On a separate sheet of paper. Answer the following
questions in at least four complete sentences. This will be graded.
1.What do you think is your greatest strength is when working with
children? Why? 2.What do you think your greatest weakness is when
working with children? Why? 3.What are two things you can do to
improve on your weakness?