John Lock once said, "A child is born like a blank slate, and its later behaviour is shaped by experience.” Children learn from their immediate environment, which shapes their cognitive and emotional well-being in later years. Educators who participate in the early stages of a child’s development play a crucial role in shaping how the child perceives the world. Education in a child’s formative years shapes who the child will become in adulthood. Pre and Primary Education forms the basis for a person’s lifelong learning and children who are deprived of early education often fall behind in life and find it difficult to cope with their peers in later stages of life.
As the educational landscape is evolving, the need for 21st-century innovative teaching and learning practices has become an integral part of pre-primary and primary teaching. This is especially important in early childhood education since it brings out the natural inquisitiveness in children which promotes them to become receptive and enables them to become life-long learners.
A B.Ed. Degree in Pre and Primary Education equips a teacher with the essential skillsets that are required to understand the needs and requirements of early education. A primary education degree is highly beneficial for anyone looking to become an expert in child education and child psychological development.
Understanding the Role of a B.Ed. in Pre and Primary Education
A Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education can be the stepping stone for a highly demanding but lucrative and fulfilling career in early childhood education. A primary education degree prepares an educator to become a pre-school, pre-primary, and primary school teacher.
A Bachelor of Education in Primary Education degree focuses on imparting knowledge about the fundamental areas of child education such as communication and body language, curriculum development, child psychology, development of emotional, social, and motor skills of children. The program equips an educator with various instructional strategies and methods, assessment and evaluation techniques, and curriculum framework and planning. A degree in primary teaching generally also includes a basic understanding of counselling methods which enables educators to delve deeper into child psychology. The degree also helps teachers develop the professional competencies required to tap into the unique potential of each child, bring out their unique talents, and encourage them to follow their interests that promote the holistic development of children.
It is essential to understand that early schooling is the phase where the child is exposed to art, music, science, reading, and writing exponentially for the very first time. Hence, educators need to understand that each child has unique interests and potential and the imperative lies in the educator to bring the unique abilities of each child through employing innovative strategies in classroom teaching. Innovation not only enables the creation of more engaging classrooms but also lays the groundwork for a child’s success in later years. Innovative strategies focus on the internalisation of the knowledge transferred and how well the learner can use the acquired knowledge to face real-life situations.
Play-Based Learning
As innovative teaching practices are gaining momentum in the 21st-century educational landscape, play-based learning has become a significant part of early educational programs. Play-based learning stands upon the idea that children learn best when they are actively and creatively engaging with their environment. This method of learning nurtures a child’s inquisitive nature and helps in building curiosity in the child. It enables a child to freely explore his surroundings, and engage with them while solving problems and coming up with ways to overcome challenges. Introducing play in the learning process helps to develop a child’s critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving skills while boosting creativity and confidence. In a way, play-based learning also nurtures a child’s desire to have fun, which further motivates the child to actively engage in the tasks in front of him.
In primary and pre-primary education, play-based learning forms a crucial part. Various activities enabling active learning and engagement are incorporated into classrooms that enhance the child’s learning experience. These activities can range from hands-on sensory activities to imaginative role-playing. Sensory plays are important since they are devised to engage the five senses - touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. Sensory plays can also be in the form of water plays where the children play with water in a safe environment understanding various concepts such as floating, and sinking. In the same way, sand plays are also very effective where the children dig, scoop, shift, and pour sand enhancing their muscle coordination and motor skills.
Imaginative role-playing is also an effective play-based learning method as it develops the imaginative powers of the child and enables him to interact with objects and collaborate with his peers. Role-playing also fosters the development of emotional and social skills and it gives the child a glimpse of an adult world. Letting the imagination of a child run wild helps to nurture the intellectual faculties in a child and enables literary development. Other ways of implementing play-based learning can be engaging the children with music and asking them to sing and dance in groups or individually. Painting, drawing, and arts and crafts activities are also good ways of engaging the children.
Integrating Technology in Early Education
With technology's increasing influence on our lives, it has become imperative to integrate modern technological advancements into innovative teaching and learning methods to make them more engaging. In early education, technology can be used to facilitate interactive learning methods that enable a child to play, explore, and cultivate his skills safely and engagingly. Technology as a tool when used properly can be a vital educational resource that gives access to a wide range of information, creates unique and engaging learning methods, and fosters a child’s overall creative and psychological development. Technology can be used to teach children about cultures and people beyond their immediate surroundings, teach them language skills, develop fine motor skills, and encourage imaginative role-playing.
E-books and educational apps are a great way of introducing technology into the child’s learning experience. Educational apps that enable learners to think creatively, like solving a puzzle or storytelling, are highly effective teaching tools for cognitive development. Tools like smart boards and tablets can be used to draw pictures, take in information, and collate ideas. For audio-based learning, music streaming platforms can be used to tell stories and engage children in various kinds of music. Children should be encouraged to create content themselves in the form of video, images, or audio that promotes active learning.
When it comes to technological integration in education, especially in the early childhood years, passivity is a major concern. When unchecked, technology can lead to passive learning where young learners seem to listen to an audio or video tape, but they might not be actively or mindfully present. Also, the excessive use of technology in the early years of growth and development can negatively affect a child. The online world is a vast sphere of informational stimuli and it is essential to be aware of the kind of content that a child is being exposed to. Hence, when it comes to the use of technology in the early years of education, the key is moderation. Educators and parents should actively monitor the child’s use of technology. The time spent on ICT tools like smartphones and tablets should be restricted. Care should be taken that technology is being used to foster an engaging and interactive learning experience for children that enhances creativity.
Inquiry-Based Learning
The global educational landscape is evolving at a rapid pace and educators are looking for new methodologies to promote holistic growth through teaching practices that are interactive, and engaging. Inquiry-based learning has gained popularity as more and more educators, especially in primary education, are looking to foster an educational environment that promotes creative thinking, critical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. It is a form of learning where the students are encouraged to explore their natural curiosities through asking questions and investigating real-world problems. In this way, children are engaged in creative problem-solving which enables them to tap what is beyond their immediate surroundings and think critically.
An inquiry-based instructional method generally follows four steps where the children are first asked or presented with a question. They are then encouraged to research, critically think, and explore solutions or answers to that question while being guided by the educator. They can come up with their own questions in the process, and inquire to find those answers. Once the children have come up with their own findings, they are asked to present those. The children are encouraged to critically reflect on their findings and analyse them for deeper understanding and learning. There can be many ways to incorporate inquiry-based learning in pre and primary classrooms. Children can be encouraged to think about topics such as how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, how plants grow from seeds, or use their senses to observe different colours and patterns in nature.
Inquiry-based learning has gained popularity in recent years since it encourages children to think critically and solve problems based on their own experiences. This forces them to think outside of the box, which fosters creativity and engages children in the learning process. By developing these essential skills of creative thinking, logical reasoning, and critical analysis, we create more confident and well-rounded children. It also makes learning more fun and rewarding as it engages the natural inquisitiveness of the children and brings out the imaginative aspects of their nature.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Strategies
It is essential to incorporate strategies that promote social and emotional development in children during their early years of education. The social and emotional development of children in their formative years determines how they are going to interact with others, maintain relationships, and manage and express their emotions in the long term. An increasing amount of scientific research shows that children who develop robust emotional skills in the early years can more effectively navigate social interactions in the future. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a vital aspect of early education since it fosters the development of self-awareness, empathy, and communication in children that enables them to succeed in the long term.
SEL is frequently incorporated into lessons through games, however, it can also be instructed through storytelling or acting alongside parents. By engaging in play, physical activities, and sharing stories, young children can effectively communicate their emotions, improve social skills, demonstrate empathy towards their peers, develop a concern for the environment, and experience increased joy. Social-emotional development assists children in establishing a base for positive social connections. Techniques that aid children in acquiring these social-emotional skills involve demonstrating suitable behaviors, offering rewards for positive actions, and instructing them in empathy and collaboration. SEL strategies are implemented effectively by creating safe and supportive learning spaces that provide children the freedom to freely explore.
Studies have indicated that students who possess greater emotional intelligence tend to excel academically. They demonstrate a curiosity for learning, engage effectively with inquiries, and take pleasure in both reading and writing. Early education incorporating social-emotional learning aids in the development of children's self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. This results in enhanced social abilities, healthy connections, and a feeling of fitting in with communities. These abilities are essential for building strong connections as adults. Young students who are taught social and emotional skills show better academic outcomes, self-understanding, and interpersonal abilities. They also experience fewer behavioral issues in adulthood. Social-emotional learning assists children in forming a favorable connection with school, preparing them for achievement in their academic endeavors.
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Culturally responsive teaching is an educational practice that connects the cultures, experiences, and languages of young learners with their learning in the classroom. This method of teaching promotes the use of familiar thinking, speaking, and analysis methods for children to learn new concepts. Preschool is often a child's first introduction to education away from home. Hence educators need to make the teaching process adaptable by incorporating the diverse cultures and backgrounds of children and respecting their unique identities. Educators should refrain from assuming that children are familiar with established communication strategies or tools, such as toys. For instance, children could be bilingual learners or lack sufficient access to toys and hands-on materials. Furthermore, the contrast in cultural practices at home and preschool can impact children's learning and cause feelings of anxiety and unhappiness. Culturally sensitive teaching establishes an inclusive setting where children feel secure and achieve greater learning outcomes.
Culturally responsive teaching strategies aim to create an inclusive classroom environment by engaging each child individually, sharing content in various ways, using stories, and building relationships with children and their families. Educators can promote inclusivity and diversity in classrooms by incorporating culturally diverse representation in classroom materials, encouraging children to speak up, providing multiple teaching methods, incorporating storytelling, and involving families in learning. Examples of culturally responsive teaching include reading books with diverse family images, incorporating greetings and songs in different languages, teaching basic phrases in other languages, hosting multicultural events, and celebrating various traditions and holidays.
Traditional methods of education are increasingly becoming unsuitable for culturally diverse classroom settings. The SEL methods enhance children's feelings of self-identity and inclusiveness, encourage them by highlighting their abilities, and foster awareness of different cultures and the development of critical thinking abilities. Through the implementation of culturally sensitive teaching methods, teachers can establish a welcoming and encouraging educational setting for every child.
Conclusion
As the international educational landscape is inclining more towards the adoption of innovative teaching and learning strategies, it has become imperative for educators worldwide to equip themselves with the emerging trends and methods of teaching to keep themselves relevant and updated. Teachers are now required to continuously hone their skill sets and develop their understanding in order to keep up with the changing needs of 21st-century education.
A B.Ed. Degree in Pre and Primary Education can immensely help educators learn about innovative teaching strategies that will enable them to navigate the challenges and requirements of early education. An online primary teaching degree can be the best option for anyone looking to enhance their skills from the comfort of their homes, and without compromising their professional commitments. The online Bachelor of Education degree from East Bridge University (EBU) is designed keeping in mind the needs of the modern educational sphere. The goal is to impart the learners with traditional knowledge along with modern innovative techniques in teaching and learning. Anyone who pursues a B.Ed in Pre and Primary Education from EBU will gain hands-on practical exposure along with academic theoretical knowledge.
For more information on Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Pre and Primary Education please check out the details here or email us contact@ebu.ac
Written By : Victoria Lewis
