Welcome to LAMC CD 2: Early Childhood Principles & Practices Spring 2015 Thursdays 8:50 am to 12 pm Dr. Allen

Today’s topic Is preschool necessary? How is preschool different to “babysitting” Think back to your pre-school experience What was it like (teacher, environment, etc.)? If you did not attend preschool, what would you picture as a good preschool environment?

Brain development The human brain is most active in the first 3 years of life Early experiences have long term effects on the brain (synaptic pruning) There are critical periods for children to develop specific types of knowledge & skills Negative experiences such as abuse or neglect interfere with healthy development

Perry Preschool Studies (1962) Compared groups: Went to quality pre-K vs. not attending All were low SES/ at risk Research on how preschool affects brain development Results: Good early child education has long-lasting positive effects on children & society Perry children were in trouble with law, less More Perry children graduated from HS; more Perry kids had jobs after graduation “Self-sufficiency” was still indicated when the Perry children reached 40 years; continued to have fewer arrests, higher incomes, more owned homes, Society saved $195,000 in taxpayer money, per Perry participant

Foundations of Preschool NAEYC: DAP (6 dimensions) Erikson’s Theory: Family Ecological theory Piaget: Active child (stages: sequential, not reversible, stable) Types of ECE: Center-based Family Child care Public School Programs

Erikson Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1 yr.) Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (2-3 yrs.) Initiative vs. Guilt (4-5 yrs.) Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 yrs.) Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence) Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood) Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood) Integrity vs. Despair (Later Adulthood)

Piaget’s Stage 2: Preoperational Thought 3 – 6 years of age Egocentrism- inability to take another’s point of view Animism- that inanimate objects have conscious life & feelings; Artificialism- natural events or objects are under the control of superhuman sources;