Both And Thinking

Both/And Thinking
Deanna Darrett
Teacher Reflection I: Early Childhood Education as a Profession
October 26, 2014
Instructor Joni Juhn
Both/and is the positive look at the either/or thinking. When we think about both/and we combine both thoughts into one. This way we are faced with a much better alternative with both sides instead of just one. This is compromising to make both parties happy instead of one person just having it their way. Both parties have to be open-minded and okay with coming to best conclusion to make each other happy.
As early childhood educators it is important to have an open mind regarding teaching strategies. Especially when we are dealing with small children we cannot be one-sided when teaching them to learn. When we think about the importance of both and thinking it really starts with us being good listeners. For early childhood educators both/and gives better reasoning when we are making decisions and it allows for greater diversity. Unlike with either/or we are giving ourselves and the children that we are working with choices. This is the best decision making process because it will make learning and teaching so much easier for both. When we are faced with a difficult situation if we can combine them and make a new and better alternative everyone involved with be happy.
When you are dealing with younger children the best way to approach the both/and concept is by making things fun for them. For instance most children do not learning math and it can sometimes be difficult for them. Instead of just using the basic teaching of math it would be best to help them learn their math in a fun way that they can enjoy. Try by doing fun activities that make them want to learn their math, and while it may be fun they are also learning at the same time.
Another both/and concept that works well with early aged children is songs incorporated into the learning of spelling words. This is something that I have dealt with my daughter and while she did not enjoy having to learn how to spell for her spelling tests I would create each word with a song to go with it. By doing this she had so much fun learning them and she learned them so much faster.
There are many ways to make a connection to developmentally appropriate practice and intentional teaching. We just need to think about what interests children and then incorporate our teaching skills with it. In my opinion children learn best when learning is interesting and fun. We cannot expect to learn if we do not make it fun for them while learning at the same pace. By asking questions and getting them involved they will have a different aspect on school and it does not have to be looked at in a negative way. When we involve DAP with intentional teaching both are satisfied because as teacher when we implement dap learning then it not only makes it easier to teach but it makes it easier for our kids to learn.