09-Early Childhood: Cognitive Development

Piaget – Preoperational thought Focus on individual Development of symbolic thought and language Permits symbolic thinking Frees child from limits of sensorimotor experience Egocentrism – “self-centeredness” Seeing the world from your own point of view Conservation of matter

Vygotsky – Social learning Focus on sociocultural aspects Guided participation E.g. Mentor Other children

Zone of Proximal development Items child can perform with assistance, but not on her own.

Scaffolding Active help with learning E.g. Parent providing active help with math homework Not doing it for him Not having him do it all himself

Private speech Internal dialogue Aids thinking & self-reflection Used by preschoolers to explain things to themselves To be encouraged

Children’s Theories Theory-Theory Theory of the mind

Theory-Theory Children attempt to explain everything What is the purpose of something Why? = How does it affect me? Cause

Theory of the mind Ability to conceive what someone else is thinking Understanding that other people may not be thinking the same thoughts as you are. Lying Confusing what they know now with What they knew earlier What something else might think Red box – blue box example

Language Premier accomplishment in early childhood Vocabulary explosion by fastmapping Adding words to a category without fully understanding it E.g. Zebra = a horse with stripes

Early Childhood Education

Child-centered programs Stress child’s development and growth Montessori schools Reggio Emilia approach Learn through play – not following adult directions Children learn from other children

Montessori schools Maria Montessori Individual activity (mats) Each child progresses at their own rate “Play” activities teach Fine motor development, numbers, math, letters, vocabulary

Reggio Emilia approach Focus on creativity Low teacher/student ratio

Teacher directed programs Academic subjects Letters, numbers, shapes, colors 1 teacher to entire class Clear distinction between work and play

Head Start Preschool education program Focused on disadvantaged (low income) children More likely to attend college and stay off welfare