[/caption]I attended a lecture today on child development from conception to 7 years old. It was actually a review on the principles of child development. It was an exercise in humility and patience actually, because the concepts could be read at the flip of psychology and education books. I'm glad I attended because listening to a lecture has a different, more distinct energy compared to reading in solitude. In listening to a lecture, there's a shared energy among the participants which seems to say "We're all in this together." Having taught, studied and read about child development for 17 years, it seems like I know children like the back of my hand. But then again, no. Teaching is a very dynamic vocation and everyday seems like a new day. But there are days and periods when the teacher experiences a lull in the routine. This is when refreshes courses such as lectures ignite the dying embers of inspiration. Although I finished 3 cups of coffee to keep me alive during the seminar, I was reminded of important principles such as the need for children to explore their environment (of course with the close but non-intrusive supervision of caring adults) and have sensory experiences of lessons taught (pictures, flashcards and explanations are not enough - there has to be a direct sensory knowledge of the concept taught).
There was one question by a participant that was pivotal and relevant to the teacher-participants there:
"How do you suggest teachers deal with overprotective parents?" (The context in exploration of nature outside the classroom and sensory experiences.)
The speaker answered with such wisdom: "Early childhood education is parent education."
Hear, hear to that! (Might I add, the business of early childhood education goes hand in hand with educating oneself!).Sometimes, parents and grandparents and even we, ourselves, though we all mean well, protect their young ones too much at a cost. Children need to explore their environment, especially nature. Studies show that children exposed to the (safe and natural) outdoors develop a stronger immune system and awareness of the world.
As for overprotective adults - another answer given by the younger facilitator was just as wise: "Find out why they are overprotective." When a teacher finds out the reason for over-protection, it is easier to counsel the parent on the advantages of exploration and assure the parent that we are in tandem with them in their child's development and the children's safety are foremost on our priorities. Safety should supersede EVERYTHING. With this in mind, we can begin to allow children to explore.
Aside from exploration, sensory experiences on concepts are also important. Just as Hellen Keller learned about water only when she felt running water through her hands, we, teachers, have to create a safe environment where children can learn about things through activities.
I'm posting pictures of two bowls full of fruits and vegetables brought by my students for our sensory activity on fruits and vegetables. The lesson was integrated with language, science and math. The content of the language lesson was adjectives and descriptive phrases; asking questions to stimulate critical thinking: ("Why should we wash fruits and vegetables before eating?" "Who are the people in the house who can use knives?") For science it was the senses: we see with our eyes, feel with our hands, taste with our tongues (of course I asked the parents' permission for the children to taste/eat the fruits brought to ensure the safety of everyone lest one of them was allergic to a particular fruit or vegetable); fruits and vegetables come from plants. We also counted the number of fruits and vegetables brought and counted the number of fruits and vegetables that were alike. The children had an enjoyable time holding, weighing, smelling and yes, tasting the fruits and vegetables they brought. It was learning and interaction at its simplest and best - and it encouraged the young picky eaters to try out new and healthy options!
[caption id="attachment_288" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="healthy veggies, too!"]
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