Dispositions to Learn

"As early childhood educators, our goal is not to get children ready or prepare them for kindergarten.  The goal and purpose of early childhood education is to provide children with the appropriate experiences and environments to help them develop thinking dispositions that encourage life-long learning."  Sandra Duncan and Deb Lawrence provide this insight in their article, "The Power of Classroom Dispositions," included in the Beginnings Workshop: Dispositions.  

"...Dispositions are not learned through formal instruction, but can be encouraged and taught through the children’s environments.  Creating environments that foster the acquisition of these dispositions is critical to a child’s future learning potential.  Without the foundational prerequisites of wonder, curiosity, and discovery, children may find it difficult to approach academic  subjects or may lose sight of the joy of learning.  Early childhood is the time for all children to practice and master these positive dispositions and the environment plays a powerful role in fostering dispositions that encourage life-long learners."

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