Question

Read Piaget's theory (Sesnorimotor stage,, Preoperational Stage and Concrete Operational Stages). Determine:

- What should be in the program of a quality day care center to encourage creativity and cognitive development?

- Should academics or play be emphasized? Why, or why not?

- How do the early childhood years prepare for the elementary school years (ages 6-12)?

Research has demonstrated that when children from severely impoverished homes are placed in day care in the early years of life, they tend to improve in cognitive functioning. What could account for this?

Answer 1

Following should be included in a quality day care program:

- Active and mentoring role towards students instead of pushing information

-use of visual aids wherever possible

-using action and words together and keeping instructions short

-let children learn from peers as well

- Allow children to learn from mistakes, Piaget was of the opinion that children develop knowledge about the world through trial and error. True, mistakes are frustrating for both children and teachers but teaching patience and directing children towards different conclusion is important

- Inculcating curiosity to reach a conclusion in using different ways is important for creativity development

-Respecting each child’s interest, abilities and limits

At early day care age, focus should not be on formal education but on promotion of health and wellbeing through playful activities. Program for young children must be designed with purpose of development of good social skills, language enrichment and effective communication in children.

If there is a requirement to teach academics, for example to prepare children for schools, then light academics must be introduced in interesting manner and children should be helped to get the concepts of each subject and topic taught.

Brain development is a process that takes up years, the basic architecture staring before birth and completing till adulthood. Now experiences of early childhood years may provide a fragile or a strong foundation for this process. From pregnancy through early childhood, the environment in which child develops, also the quality of relationships with peers, adults and caregivers have a significant impact on their social, cognitive and emotional development that has to take place during years to come.

This is possible as firstly because of being from impoverished homes, children were not in a supporting and enriching environment, when placed in day care centres where they get an apt environment and enrichment , their brain cells which are developing at fast pace adhere to the new environment quickly. This is why early intervention is always suggested.