Research Teaching PresentationEDF6211.798

How a child’s environment effects their cognitive growth

Main Ideas to Discuss:

1. A child’s cognitive growth is dramatically increased if one is introduced to a day care facility within the ages 1-5.

2. Children need interaction with other children and a stimulating environment in order for cognitive growth to occur.

Objectives

• Importance of a stimulating environment to enhance school readiness

• Early actions performed by parents can assist the cognitive development process

• Children who interact with other children earlier in life tend to have increased levels of cognitive knowledge

• Theories of Vygotsky and Piaget are useful in understand early childhood development and the differences within learning

Learning Objectives for Teachers in the Field

• How an educator can arrange their classroom to enhance the learning process

• What mechanisms and resources one can use to ensure academic success

• How one can understand a child’s home environment to promote learning in the classroom

• Different teaching styles that are conducive to each of the theories described by Vygotsky and Piaget

Learning the Theories of Vygotsky and Piaget

Piaget

• Children can increase their cognitive growth by making connections on their own

• Thought process occurs • New connections are paired with

existing ideas• Self learning occurs

Vygotsky VS. Piaget

Vygotsky

• Adult interaction and formal schooling are necessary for the learning process

• Children can perform more challenging tasks when assisted

• Children need to be guided through certain tasks to gain full development

Vygotsky AND Piaget

Children need social interaction

Stages of development occur within a given sequence

Environment and culture can affect a child’s learning abilities

Children need interaction from their peers and their environment

Stimulating environment is essential

Video based on Piaget’s Theory

http://study.com/academy/lesson/piagets-theory-of-cognitive-development.html#lesson

Video based on Vygotsky’s Theoryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8M7ykflrKA

Environmental influences on children’s language: Case study

Evidence suggests when a child seems uninterested in the given material, the adult begins to speak in a directive manner. This creates further disinterest and can hinder the learning process through forced learning. Case study presented is based on male, preschool age children, with an adult altering two variables: child engagement with environment and caregiver meditation of environment. This particular study focuses on children’s learning development and how the environment can either hinder or help their cognitive growth. It also gives evidence to how children need adult intervention when learning new material to correctly identify it.

Hemmeter, M. L., & Kaiser, A. P. (1990). Environmental influences on children’s language: A model and case study. Education & Treatment of Children, 13(4), 331.

Use of design, layout, and spatial patterns in the learning process

Researcher from University of Ulm discusses the ideal learning environment for children and how it must reflect a natural and comfortable space. Gives examples of how teachers need to arrange their classrooms in a day care setting to promote optimal learning development.

• Habits and perceptual learning is a must for children to gain a vast understanding before entering grade school

• Children learn by observing, doing, and knowing the action

• Adult interaction is necessary

Arndt, P. A. (2012). Design of learning spaces: Emotional and cognitive effects of learning environment in relation to child development. Mind, Brain, And Education, 6(1), 41-48.

How Should a Teacher Arrange the Classroom to Enhance Learning???

A classroom must be well organized for learning to occur

Clearly define spaces within the classroom for different functions

Minimize all possible distractions

Choose the seating arrangement carefully (i.e. sitting students in rows will create a more structured learning environment vs. sitting students in a circle or group will create a more socialized environment)

Place students will special needs closer to the teacher

How close or far apart the children are from one another and from the teacher will effect the learning process

Key to this: ensure all students are seated in a way that the teacher can see each student and that each student can see the teacher

Why does a daycare facility enhance learning vs. staying at home with a parent?

Children who attend a daycare or preschool setting are more exposed to other children, naturally. This experience gives them the opportunity to learn important life skills such as sharing and playing together. Due to the fact they are exposed to other children, they also get to interact with other races and ethnicities, more so than they would if they stayed at home. In comparison to children who stay at home with a parent during the earlier childhood years, less exposure to other individuals plays a huge role in the lack of school readiness they experience. Planned action, on behalf of these children’s parents, would need to occur to plan “play dates” or social outings, which is proven to be difficult. It has also be proven that children who do not attend some sort of daycare environment early in life can be shy or introverted. These personality traits make it that much harder for parents and teachers when the child enters school.

Parental Influence Although research suggests children who attend a daycare facility prior to entering grade school are better prepared cognitively, parents can assist their children through a variety of techniques.

• During early years, parent should practice ABC’s, counting, and reading

• Research suggests that children who are read to at a young age show more interest in the learning process

• Parents also need to maintain a schedule at home. Research shows that children who have a fluid schedule do not learn as well as compared to children to attend a day care

• Create a stimulating environment. Perhaps create a book corner or learning center in the home will enhance school readiness

Votruba-Drzal, E., Coley, R. L., Koury, A. S., & Miller, P. (2013). Center-based child care and cognitive skills development: Importance of timing and household resources. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(3), 821-838. doi:10.1037/a0032951

Resources to enhance the learning environment as educators…

• http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Introduction.aspx

• http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/

• http://www.first-school.ws/

1st Resource: http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Introduction.aspx

2nd Resource: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/

3rd Resource: http://www.first-school.ws/