Assignment Code: MES-084/TMA/2022-23

Course Code: MES-084

Assignment Name: Practices in Modern Pre School-Education

Year: 2022-2023

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Answer the following questions in about 500 words each.

1. Explain the meaning and importance of higher order learning skills and suggest the ways through which these can be developed among pre-school learners.

Ans) The road to "Education for All" begins even before kindergarten. The transition from three years old onwards is characterised by the emergence of social behaviour, problem-solving abilities, and pre-literacy skills that expand on prior accomplishments. Numerous variables influence cognitive growth, and poor cognitive development results in subpar academic performance. Study is the application of the mind to the task of knowledge acquisition.

Study abilities include "careful attention to and critical analysis and investigation of material," which are learning and cognitive skills. Thinking and learning go hand in hand. Modern learning theories place a strong emphasis on the value of thinking during learning. The period from birth to the start of elementary school is critical. According to the EFA Dakar Framework Report from 2000, one in three children in impoverished nations start primary school with cognitive development that has been negatively impacted, often irreversibly, by starvation or illness.

Our pace of knowledge absorption is mainly influenced by our early years. Early childhood is when the mind is shaping up for future achievement, developing the impulses and desire to excel in everything, etc. We should give the youngster a rich educational experience right away. Infancy is a time where active or passive minds are fostered. Early relationships are formed, and attitudes that last a lifetime are formed there. Therefore, a solid basis should be set up from an early age. These determine a person's personality and outlook on life. Higher order cognitive abilities therefore have an impact on one's life.

The crucial higher order learning abilities in pre-schoolers are concept formulation, reasoning, critical thinking, decision-making, creative thinking, problem solving, and transfer. Therefore, the curriculum for preschools must include the development of these skills. Let's talk about them in the part that follows.

Concept Formation

As you already know, ideas are classifications that gather things like events, things that happen, and things that have certain characteristics together (Zacks & Twersky, 2001). Concepts are components of cognition that aid in information organisation and simplification. Every time we learn a new piece of information, concepts keep taking the form of "reinventing the wheel." The process of remembering is aided by concepts, which makes it more efficient. We can remember a concept and then recall the properties of the idea when we group objects together.

Reasoning

Inductive or deductive reasoning is logical thought that leads to a conclusion. Going from the specific to the general is an aspect of inductive reasoning. It entails making judgments about all members of a category based on an observation of a small number of those members. For instance, the teacher used inductive reasoning when he told the tale of "The Hare and the Tortoise" and extracted its lesson.

Critical Thinking

Max Wertheimer, a renowned psychologist, stressed in his 1945 writings the value of thinking critically as opposed to merely making educated guesses about the solution. Evaluation of the facts and thoughtful, productive thought are key components of critical thinking. Students' critical thinking skills should be purposefully developed by teachers.

Decision Making

Making decisions entails thinking in which people assess possibilities critically and select one. Rules for making decisions are not always clear-cut, and our knowledge of their effects may be restricted.

2. State the principles for creating a good learning environment in preschool. Explain how you can develop learning environment in a preschool.

Ans) The physical and social environment, which includes the indoor and outdoor physical environment with instructional materials, playground and other equipment, furniture, furnishing, interpersonal relationships, and daily routines of a preschool, work together to create a supportive learning environment. For a child to develop in the best way possible, a supporting environment is needed. The environment with purposeful activities and play is largely what sustains, extends, and enhances the child's development in the four domains of social, physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.

The environment ought to support the growth of the key skills that appear in infancy. Young children must be educated in environments that are full of practical experiences and adult support. The following guidelines serve as a guidance when creating learning environments:

1. The physical, social, emotional, and cognitive facets of a child's growth are interconnected. Therefore, it is insufficient to design a learning environment that prioritises just one area.

2. Learning should be centred on activities so that children can create their own understanding of the social and physical world around them. Development moves toward more complexity, but every kid learns in a unique way. Learning and development take place in social and cultural contexts; crucial components of the learning environment are play-based developmental activities that are enjoyable for learners and the resources needed to carry them out.

3. The child's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development all benefit from play.

4. Children grow and learn most effectively in settings where they feel loved, respected, safe physically.

It takes time, thought, and organisation to create a helpful learning environment. Whether they spend three or twelve hours a day in your programme, children benefit greatly from their surroundings in terms of their growth and learning. According to research, a superior learning environment in the classroom can assist reduce the accomplishment gap (Mashburn, 2008). That is, classroom environments that are supportive are most helpful to students who arrive at school less prepared to learn. For military children, the encouraging classroom you create might be a valuable source of continuity (a group that may experience a great deal of change in their daily lives). A supportive setting is orderly, dependable, and adaptable. Children who are in supportive circumstances receive a range of encouraging messages regarding their learning:

1. This is a good place to be.

2. You belong here.

3. You can trust this place.

4. There are places where you can be by yourself when you want to be.

5. You can do many things on your own here.

6. This is a safe place to explore and try out your ideas.

3. Develop an activity plan for inculcating healthy habits among preschool learners.

Ans)

Eat Colorfully

Education good behaviours requires teaching about healthy eating. A key emphasis when preparing and serving meals should be encouraging people to eat colourful fruits and vegetables. These vibrant vegetables are a powerhouse of healthy vitamins and minerals.

Never Skip Breakfast

Teaching your children to eat healthy breakfasts is crucial. If you instil a good habit in your children early on, they are more likely to continue it throughout their entire lives. Every daily breakfast aid sin brain stimulation, disease prevention, and the development of young children.

Get Physical

In America, childhood obesity is a growing issue. Teach your kids to get active every day to maintain them in peak condition. Switch off the laptops and televisions and arrange for fun activities like chasing after balls or playing on a playground.

Read Everyday

For your child to succeed in school and in life, they must develop strong reading abilities. By taking your kids to the library or a bookshop and letting them choose books they will enjoy, you may get them interested in reading.

Plenty of Water

Making sure your kids drink enough water is one of the most crucial things you can do to help them develop good habits. Serve water instead of soda with meals and snacks. Add a little fresh fruit juice, like that from limes, lemons, or cucumbers, to give it a flavour boost.

Brush Those Teeth

They can maintain healthy teeth for the rest of their life by learning good oral hygiene practises. To maintain healthy gums and teeth, make sure your child brushes their teeth two to three times every day.

Cover Your Mouth

Without covering one's mouth when sneezing or coughing, disease and viruses might spread. To help prevent the spread of germs, encourage your pre-schooler to cover their mouth with a tissue or their arms.

Ditch the Junk

Junk food should only be consumed on rare occasions, such as soda, candy, and other processed foods. As certain foods can directly lead to conditions like type 2 diabetes, do not allow your child to develop a habit of consuming them.

Don’t Forget to Wash

Training your children good habits for life requires teaching them to wash their hands before and after eating, as well as after using the restroom. They can stay healthy all year by constantly washing their hands.

Proper Sleep

Everyone has to make sure they are receiving the recommended amount of sleep each night in order to stay healthy. Make sure you and your child each receive at least eight hours of sleep at night.

Stay Involved

It is very important to stay updated with the child’s life. This will help you understand your child’s emotions.

Be Realistic

Children will make mistakes. Parents must encourage their kids to learn from their mistakes by setting realistic goals.

Listen to your Child

Since childhood is a time of learning, it is only natural that children will have inquiries as a result of their natural curiosity. In order to comprehend your child and their issues, it is crucial that you listen to them.