Transcript Early Childhood Education: Physical Development

Early Childhood Education:
Physical Development
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Outline
 Overview of early childhood education
 Promoting physical development of young
children
 Providing a positive physical environment
in the ECE classroom
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Overview
 High quality early childhood education
programs can improve the school
readiness of disadvantaged children
(Barnett, 1995; Ramey & Ramey, 2004)
 Important characteristics of quality ECE
programs:
 Child-initiated learning
 Positive teacher-child relationships
 Strategic learning interactions
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Types of ECE
 Infant and toddler programs
 Child care
 Nursery education
 Primary education
 Programs for children with special needs
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Goals of ECE
 Physical Development
 Physical growth
 Fine motor skills
 Gross motor skills
 Social/Emotional Development
 Intrapersonal
 Interpersonal
 Assimilation into school culture
 Cognitive Development
 Numeracy
 Literacy
 Language of instruction
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Early Childhood Educator
 Roles
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Counselor
Diplomat
Janitor
Parent substitute
Parental educator
Facilitate learning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Early Childhood Educator
 Responsibilities
 Advocate for ECE
 Communicate with and educate parents
 Ensure the mental and emotional safety and
wellbeing of children
 Continue personal education
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Early Childhood Educator
 Daily Activities
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Organize the learning environment
Interact with children
Plan upcoming instruction
Collaborate with other teachers and school
staff
 Educate parents
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Development in ECE
 Children learn best with healthy bodies and
minds
 Physical Growth
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Nutrition
Health care
Hygiene
Safety
 Gross motor skills: Movement
 Fine motor skills: Coordination of small muscle
movements
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Development
 US Surgeon General recommends that all
children under age 18 engage in one hour
of physical activity every day
 In the U.S., less than 25% of the children get
20 minutes of physical activity each day
 In the U.S., only 10% of young children
spontaneously engage in physical activities
when they are sent outside at school
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Development
 Physical activity promotes:
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Healthy bones, muscles, and joints
Improve muscle strength and endurance
Reduce blood pressure
Decrease the risk of heart disease
 Children who are physically fit:
 Have higher levels of self esteem and
accomplishment
 Are more alert in school
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Development
 Station activities: Self-challenging activities that
promote physical activity
 Children rotate through stations
 Examples
 Toss a ball
 Run to touch a distant marker and return
 Jump
 Dance
 Parachute
 Marching to a drum
 Move like an animal
Parachute
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth
 Nutrition
 Important Principle: Eat from 4 food groups
every day
 Parents: Proper food to purchase
 Malnutrition: Lack of nutrients necessary
for proper health and development
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth
 Indicators of malnutrition:
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Fatigue and low energy
Dizziness
Dry and scaly skin
Swollen and bleeding gums
Difficulty paying attention
Slow reaction times
Underweight
Bloated stomach
Poor immune function
 (Kid’s Health, 2007)
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth
 Hygiene
 Important Principles:
 Brush teeth
 Cleaning hands with soap and water
 Keeping a clean environment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth:
Health Care
 Important Principles:
 Commitment to physical fitness and health
 Participate in physical activities
 Care for bodies
 Activities:
 Parachute
 Outdoor games
 Parents: Vaccinations to prevent diseases
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth:
Safety
 Infant
 Common Injuries: Falling, choking
 Preventative Measures: Keep infants in a
safe place where they cannot reach
dangerous objects or roll or crawl off a high
ledge
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth:
Safety
 Toddlers
 Common Injuries: Falling, poisoning, burning,
drowning, electrocution, automobile accidents
 Preventative Measures
 Protect from electrical outlets, fire, and hot objects
 Keep poisonous substances out of reach or locked away
 Refocus attention on safe activities
 Tell children what they can do instead of always saying No
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth:
Safety
 Preschoolers:
 Common Injuries: Automobile accidents, drowning,
falls, burns, recreational toys
 Preventative Measures: Teach safe play
 Climb safely
 Cross streets carefully
 Play away from the busy street and rushing water
 Use toys safely
 Respect for animals
 Memorize name, phone number, and location of house
 Set a good example!
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Physical Growth:
Safety
 Important Principle: Maintain a safe
environment
 Parents: Teach parents good discipline
procedures so they can keep their children
from harm
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Gross Motor Skills
 Organized physical activities that promote
movement
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Throwing
Catching
Balancing
Jumping
 Parents: Need for children to explore their
environment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Fine Motor Skills
 Fine motor skills are necessary for:
 Eating
 Dressing
 Writing
 Experience manipulating and playing with
small objects
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
ECE Classroom Environments
 Research provides evidence that young
children learn best in an environment that
allows them to explore, discover, and play
 Play should last at least 30 to 60 minutes
both indoors and outdoors
 Large blocks of time dedicated to play allow
children to get involved in more complex and
productive activities
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Indoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Centers
 Active areas
 Blocks
 Music
 Sand or Water play
 Quiet areas
 Art
 Books
 Writing
 Personal areas
 Provide variety
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Indoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Provide space for:
 Large group activities
 Small group activities
 Individual activities
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Indoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Centers
 Art center
 Manipulative center: Develop fine motor skills,
mathematical understanding, creativity
 Puzzles
 Collectibles (Buttons, bottle caps, etc.)
 Cooperative games (Concentration)
 Literacy center: Comfortable area to read
 Block center
 Dramatic play center: Dress-up clothes and props
 Music center: Singing, dancing, making music
 Science discovery center: Plants and insect
containers
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Taken from Henniger, 2008
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Indoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Sketch area of room to plan where centers
and desks will be organized
 Section off spaces of blackboards for
themes
 Getting to know you, birthdays, calendar,
course work,
 Kids can decorate classroom with artwork
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Indoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Tips for purchasing classroom materials:
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Simple details
Multiple uses
Easy to use and understand
Involves the child in play
Encourages cooperative play
Materials look and feel good
Durable and safe
Value-priced
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Outdoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Outdoor classroom environment should be
carefully planned to encourage motor and social
skills
 Spaces outdoors:
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Transition
Construction
Dramatic play
Physical activities
Sand or water play
Interact with nature
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Sand Play
 Fill a large container or hole with sand
 Substitute rice, beans, cornmeal
 Allow the children to play
 Dig, build, pour
 Make patterns with sticks and combs
 Build castles
 Sand play fosters
 Physical Development: Gross and fine motor skills
 Social Development: Working with other children to solve
problems
 Cognitive Development
 Mathematics with measuring containers
 Science with observation techniques
 Art through making objects and patterns
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Water Play
 Types of Play:
 Pour water into and out of different size cups
 Drop objects into water
 Imagination with toys
 Water play fosters:
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Fine motor skills
Observation skills
Creativity
Mathematics
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Playing with Blocks
 Create blocks of various sizes (and colors)
 Types of Play
 Stacking blocks
 Creating designs
 Suggest imaginary scenarios
 Playing with blocks fosters
 Physical Development: Fine motor coordination, visual
perception, spatial orientation
 Social Development
 Creativity
 Encourage creative play: Provide scenarios: Go to
hospital, go to school, house in village
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Outdoor ECE Classroom
Environment
 Safety considerations:
 Regular safety and maintenance
 31,000 younger children were treated for accidents
at child care and school settings in 1997
 Frequently discuss with the students about:
 Appropriate use of materials
 Safe number of participants on each equipment,
 Taking turns
 Cleaning up
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Safety Checklist
 Be prepared for injuries
 Teach children how to properly use scissors,
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staplers, and other supplies
Safety caps on electrical outlets
Avoid chocking hazards in toys
Check for loose screws, jagged edges, and
other hazards on school equipment
Outdoors free of broken glass and other objects
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Revision
 What are the overall goals of Early Childhood
Education?
 What are the three areas that ECE educators
should focus on for physical development?
 What are a few examples of indoor centers that
are beneficial for young children?
 What types of areas should be available
outdoors for young children?