Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-teacher-as-observer-the-director-as-role-model/5007527/
The height of developmental achievement for children ages three to five is to become a master player . . . the skillful teacher of young children, therefore, is one who makes such play possible.Directors need to provide on-the-job role modeling of observation in order to help novice teachers understand child development and play.
Adults learn complex tasks like teaching in much the same way as young children learn-through experimenting, problem-solving, talking with peers, asking questions, and making mistakes and reflecting on them.
MC: In my work as staff trainer in child care programs and instructor in community college early childhood education programs, I'm continually refining my sense of the key understandings I want adults to have about children. How have you formulated this for yourself?
EJ: I have come to believe that the height of developmental achievement for children ages three to five is to become a master player. It is in sociodramatic play that young children consolidate their understanding of the world, their language and their social skills. The skillful teacher of young children, therefore, is one who makes such play possible and helps children continually refine their play skills.
MC: My guess is that very few ...