Reading Summary
The Unit Diverse Learners in Paciorek’s Annual editions: Early childhood education dwells upon the early childhood development with the focus on toys and materials to play, games, behaviors, and assessment. Paciorek (2016) stresses that educators and administrators tend to focus on academic achievements and often forget about such important aspects of education as social skills and overall development (physical and mental) of children. At the same time, these are often the central skills developed during early childhood education.
An important issue to pay attention to is the use of appropriate toys and materials. It has been acknowledged that Materials should encourage children to participate in various activities. Open-ended materials are specifically important which can be defined as those that “do not have predetermined purposes but instead offer many possibilities” (Shabazian & Li Soga, 2016, p. 102). It is crucial to make sure that the materials offered to children can be used in various ways depending on the child’s background, mood, and so on.
Clearly, toys and materials should be attractive and healthy as well as safe. The TIMPANI study is especially interesting in this respect as researchers have tested various toys for five years (Trawick-Smith, 2016). One of the most valuable findings is that open-ended toys contribute to the academic development more than educational toys. Educators should use these findings and observations when choosing materials for the students in their classrooms. As for choosing the right games for children, it is stressed that rough play can be beneficial for children as it helps develop children physically and be able to form social ties.
As has been mentioned above, social skills are central to early childhood education. Thus, the educator should make sure that the classroom environment is engaging and inclusive so that children irrespective of their gender or background could play and interact properly. The educator should understand that it is natural for children to segregate peers and choose only definite children to play with, but the teacher should be able to make children comfortable in other or larger groups. Furthermore, it is essential to develop proper teacher-student relationships by focusing on such aspects as belonging, self-regulation, and adaptability.
Finally, it is acknowledged that the assessment is an important issue that is often associated with various questions. As has been mentioned above, administrators and teachers often focus on academic outcomes, which are quite easy to measure through tests or other formal assessments. However, social skills and the child’s readiness to go to kindergarten or school should also be measured in terms of social and academic skills. It is stressed that the assessment should be standardized and norm-referenced.
Internet References Summary
TIMPANI Study on YouTube
This resource provides valuable insights into the way toys and materials for children can be evaluated and chosen. Researchers share the methodology they used to choose the most appropriate toys (2013 TIMPANI toy study, 2013). Parents and educators can benefit from the study (as well as the short video) as they may learn about effective toys as well as particular strategies to use when choosing toys and materials for children of particular ages.
Busy Teacher’s Café
This online resource includes various helpful materials for teachers (especially novice ones). These include plans, printables, tips, and other materials that can help teachers develop lesson plans, organize and manage the classroom. For instance, there are effective strategies to achieve proper classroom discipline (Classroom discipline plan, n.d.). Importantly, the website also contains some tips concerning the development of social skills in children. The teacher may use these tips to help children form proper relationships with their peers and adults. Parents may also benefit from reading the information provided as they will understand their children better and will get tips concerning discipline and organizing.
Preventing Challenging Behaviors
Alter and Conroy (n.d.) provide a brief account of effective practices aimed at preventing challenging behaviors. The researchers emphasize the importance of the positive attitude that contributes to the development of effective classroom environments. Alter and Conroy (n.d.) also state that rituals and routines are also instrumental in the development of the necessary environment that helps children choose the most socially appropriate behavioral patterns.
Common Core State Standards Initiative
This online resource includes comprehensive information on standards that help assess students’ academic achievement (Common core state standards initiative, 2016). The website can be helpful for educators and parents who may learn about the history of the standards and their peculiarities. This resource also addresses the myths associated with the standards. All this information may help stakeholders understand the benefits of the system and discuss its downsides. Importantly, parents and educators will learn how to see the standards positively and make the fullest use of them.
Action for Healthy Kids
This online resource includes information on healthy living policies existing in different states. The website is an appropriate platform for the development of the digital (and actual) community of people who understand the importance of adopting healthy ways of life (Action for healthy kids, 2015). The website contains data on numerous events and participation options. It can be valuable for educators and parents who will understand how to engage children and make them grasp the ideas of healthy living.
Reference List
2013 TIMPANI toy study. (2013). Web.
Action for healthy kids. (2015). Web.
Alter, P.J., & Conroy, M.A. (n.d.). Recommended practices: Preventing challenging behavior in young children: Effective practices. Web.
Classroom discipline plan. (n.d.). Web.
Common core state standards initiative. (2016). Web.
Paciorek, K.M. (2016). Annual editions: Early childhood education. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Web.
Shabazian, A.N., & Li Soga, C. (2016). Making the right choice simple: Selecting materials for infants and toddlers. In K.M. Paciorek (Ed.), Annual editions: Early childhood education (pp. 101-105). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Web.