Every child is unique in their own way and I strongly believe that the environment plays a big role in raising the child. Studies show that PLAY plays the important role in children’s learning and development. Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) believed that play was a highly significant activity and initiated an approach to learning in early childhood that offers children a wide range of experiences so that they could develop an understanding of their world and themselves. He also mentioned that will encourage children to discover things through the interaction with their environment.
A good physical and social skill is important to become a successful person in life. A child with good cognitive and social skills will instills a stronger sense of self-worth in them based on their mastery of skills and in turn it will boost his or her self-esteem. They will become more confident, assertive, independent and self-controlled. According to Piaget’s cognitive stages of development, two to seven years old children are in preoperational stage. During this stage children are able to think about things symbolically and their language will become more mature. In this stage children will develop their memory and imagination. According to my studies I strongly believe that cognitive and social skill is important for children or even adult. As such, I decided to do my presentation of learning environment or resources to teach and develop young children cognitive and social skills in outdoor setting.
The Practice Guidance for the EYFS states that ‘play underpins all development and learning I young children’ (2008, page7) and reinforces the belief that play enables children to explore and learn about their environment. According Maria Montessori (1870-1952), she believed that children learn best through their own spontaneous activity (child-initiated play). She believed that the role of the adult is to provide an environment which will allow the child the
References: 1. Bilton,H ( 2012) Outdoor Play in the Early Years. Available at : http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/eyfs/site/ [ Accessed : 20 December 2012] 2. Bratton, C., Crossey , U.,Crosby,D.,McKeown, W. (2005) Learning Outdoors In the Early Years. Available at : http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/foundation_stage/learning_outdoors.pdf [ Accessed :20 December 2012] 3. Broadhead, P., Howard, J., Wood, E., (2010) Play and Learning in Early Years. Available at: http://books.google.com.my/books/about/Play_and_Learning_in_the_Early_Years.html?id=p5nOkb0mDXUC&redir_esc=y [ Accessed :20 December 2012] 4. Cherry,K ( 2012) What is Sociocultural Theory. Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentecourse/f/sociocultural-theory.htm [Accessed: 12 December 2012] 5. Early Education( 2012) Development Matters In Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS). Available at : https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Development-Matters.pdf [ Accessed :12 December 2012 ] 6. Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS, 2007) particularly within the principle of ‘Enabling Environments’. Available at : http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/a0068102/early-years-foundation-stage-eyfs [ Accessed : 12 December, 2012]. 7. Learning and Teaching Scotland ( 2007) Taking Learning Outdoors Partnership for Excellence. Available at : http://www.education.ed.ac.uk/outdoored/research/taking_learning_outdoors.pdf [Accessed 2 January 2013]. 8. Pound,L. (2008).How children learn- Educational theories and approaches made easy. London: Step Forward 9. Sheila.L. (2009).Heuristic Play-Play in the EYFS.London: Practical Pre-School Books 10. Sue.D. (2003). Practical Pre-School- Outdoor Play.Leamington Spa: Step Forward