ECE students learn to teach children through play
ECE students learn to teach children through play
“I love working with the kids,” sophomore Emma Burks said. “It's a good opportunity for students to experiment with what they want to do in life. ”
“I love working with the kids,” sophomore Emma Burks said. “It's a good opportunity for students to experiment with what they want to do in life. ”
Childhood Education, taught by Raluca Cook, is a year long class taken by sophomores. Students plan and teach lessons that support young learners in developing skills across multiple subjects.
The students in the Childhood Education class have been busy preparing for the first few weeks with the preschoolers in the Double D Early Learning Lab program. The preschoolers returned this year on Oct. 13. While some have graduated, others are still participating this school year.
Second and third year students in the class are normally juniors and seniors and they serve as team leaders in guiding their classmates in curriculum planning and teaching.
The class’s goal is to provide a working knowledge of a child's physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. By the end of the year, students will be able to understand the characteristics of 3- 5-year olds.
During the first six weeks of school, students learn about a variety of topics to prepare for the arrival of the preschoolers such as how preschoolers develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically.They also learn positive guidance techniques and how to communicate with younger children, to support their brain development.
“Kids learn through play,” said Cook, “so the majority of the preschool day is played at our different centers.”
Centers such as dramatic play, painting, sensory table, Play-Doh table are all played by the preschoolers to help their development.
“I love working with the kids,” sophomore Emma Burks said. “It's a good opportunity for students to experiment with what they want to do in life. ”
This experience helps high school students develop real teaching skills, learn about different ways kids learn and see how important early education is for a child's growth. By taking Childhood Education and working in the Double D Early Learning Lab, they get hands-on experience working directly with young children. Instead of just reading about child development, they observe and participate in real classroom activities, learning how young children grow, learn, and interact.
“The kids are so sweet and excited to be here and the high schoolers are doing a great job making them very safe and welcome,” said Cook. “I love seeing the high schoolers interact with the children and I also love seeing them have fun and play with them.”