Academic Course Work

Human Development (CLD 103)

For this group project, we had to create a presentation about identity and why is it important for a child’s development. I believe it is critical for children to explore their surroundings in order to understand themselves. A psychologist, Erik Erikson defines the search for identity as a self-concept comprised of goals, values, and beliefs. Children should be able to form their own opinions, which are usually based on the opinions of their families and/or educators, who serve as role models for the children. When a child controls their own learning and is perceived as a competent being, they are more likely to figure out who they are and what they want to be.

Academic Course Work

Concept Development in Math (CLD317)

In this assignment, I created 5 lesson plans to teach children addition. Children learn the basic concepts of addition more gradually when the concept is broken down into smaller, sequential phases. This approach ensures that every lesson functions as a foundation for the subsequent one.Having a thoughtfully developed lesson plan will make my preparations go more smoothly. They are able to foresee difficulties, organize suitable activities, and produce a seamless educational process. Math is an important subject for children as it is used in countless everyday activities, from shopping and cooking to budgeting and measuring. A strong foundation in math equips children with practical skills they can use throughout their lives.

Academic Course Work

Families in Canadian Context (CLD332)

In this assignment, we had to look through books and come up with four recommendations for a specific family type. Immigrants were the group I chose. Immigrant children face inequalities and challenges such as identity confusion, a lack of understanding of new customs in school, making new friends, language barriers, and academic difficulties. I recommended books that depict the experiences of immigrant children and families so that families who read them feel represented, know they are not alone and can talk about their experiences with people who will understand. Children in early childhood settings may feel compelled to conceal their cultures in order to fit in and be accepted, but children should be able to recognize and be proud of who they are. They should be able to select books that allow them to feel connected to the content; providing books that allow them to see themselves in the pages supports in their development, confidence, and self-esteem.

Dr. David Whitebread

The value of play is the main topic of this article. Play is crucial in a kindergarten classroom. Through play, children can socialize with their classmates, practice sharing, take turns, and develop good communication skills. For their future interactions and relationships, these social skills are essential. Children can use and develop their linguistic skills in the environment of play. Children can improve their language and communication skills by engaging in pretend play, storytelling, or conversations with friends, preparing them for first grade.

Whitebread, D., Basilio, M., Kuvalja, M., & Verma, M. (2012). The importance of play. Brussels: Toy Industries of Europe.

Sonya Gaches

This article discusses the value of giving children the freedom to make their own decisions. Giving kindergarteners the freedom to make decisions for themselves has a major positive impact on their overall development. As they learn to trust their skills and judgment, it helps them develop a sense of independence and autonomy, which is essential for their self-worth and confidence. Making independent decisions allows children to experiment with many concepts, methods, and solutions, which encourages a curious and exploratory perspective.

Gaches, S. (2021). Can I Share Your Ideas With the World? Young Children’s Consent in the Research Process. Journal of Childhood Studies, 46(2), 20-33.

Linda de Valk, Tilde Bekker, and Berry Eggen

This article discusses the importance of open-ended activities. Open-ended activites are beneficial for kindergarteners because it allows them to explore, create, and engage in a more flexible and creative manner. Children are encouraged to think critically and make conclusions in the absence of a clear right or wrong response. They gain the ability to evaluate circumstances, weigh options, and work through problems on their own. Activities with an open-ended structure prioritize the process over the final product. This method encourages children to have a growth mindset by showing them that improvement and learning come from hard work, persistence, and learning from failures.

De Valk, L., Bekker, T., & Eggen, B. (2013, June). Leaving room for improvisation: towards a design approach for open-ended play. In Proceedings of the 12th international conference on interaction design and Children (pp. 92-101).

The Importance of Play

Can I Share your Ideas with the World?

Leaving room for improvisation:
towards a design approach
for open-ended play.