2. Main Ideas to Discuss:
1. A child’s cognitive growth is dramatically increased if
one is introduced to a day care facility within the ages
1-5.
2. Children need interaction with other children and a
stimulating environment in order for cognitive growth to
occur.
3. Objectives
• Importance of a stimulating environment to enhance school readiness
• Early actions performed by parents can assist the cognitive development
process
• Children who interact with other children earlier in life tend to have
increased levels of cognitive knowledge
• Theories of Vygotsky and Piaget are useful in understand early childhood
development and the differences within learning
4. Learning Objectives for Teachers
in the Field
• How an educator can arrange their classroom to enhance the learning
process
• What mechanisms and resources one can use to ensure academic success
• How one can understand a child’s home environment to promote learning
in the classroom
• Different teaching styles that are conducive to each of the theories
described by Vygotsky and Piaget
6. Piaget
• Children can increase their cognitive
growth by making connections on their
own
• Thought process occurs
• New connections are paired with
existing ideas
• Self learning occurs
Vygotsky VS. Piaget
Vygotsky
• Adult interaction and formal schooling
are necessary for the learning process
• Children can perform more challenging
tasks when assisted
• Children need to be guided through
certain tasks to gain full development
7. Vygotsky AND Piaget
Children need social interaction
Stages of development occur within a given sequence
Environment and culture can affect a child’s learning abilities
Children need interaction from their peers and their environment
Stimulating environment is essential
8. Video based on Piaget’s Theory
http://study.com/academy/lesson/piagets-theory-of-cognitive-
development.html#lesson
Video based on Vygotsky’s Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8M7ykflrKA
9. Environmental influences on
children’s language: Case study
Evidence suggests when a child seems uninterested in the given material, the
adult begins to speak in a directive manner. This creates further disinterest and
can hinder the learning process through forced learning. Case study
presented is based on male, preschool age children, with an adult altering
two variables: child engagement with environment and caregiver meditation
of environment. This particular study focuses on children’s learning
development and how the environment can either hinder or help their
cognitive growth. It also gives evidence to how children need adult
intervention when learning new material to correctly identify it.
Hemmeter, M. L., & Kaiser, A. P. (1990). Environmental influences on children’s language: A model and case study. Education &
Treatment of Children, 13(4), 331.
10. Use of design, layout, and spatial
patterns in the learning process
Researcher from University of Ulm discusses the ideal learning environment for
children and how it must reflect a natural and comfortable space. Gives
examples of how teachers need to arrange their classrooms in a day care
setting to promote optimal learning development.
• Habits and perceptual learning is a must for children to gain a vast
understanding before entering grade school
• Children learn by observing, doing, and knowing the action
• Adult interaction is necessary
Arndt, P. A. (2012). Design of learning spaces: Emotional and cognitive effects of learning environment in relation to child development.
Mind, Brain, And Education, 6(1), 41-48.
11. How Should a Teacher Arrange the
Classroom to Enhance Learning???
A classroom must be well organized for learning to occur
Clearly define spaces within the classroom for different functions
Minimize all possible distractions
Choose the seating arrangement carefully (i.e. sitting students in rows will
create a more structured learning environment vs. sitting students in a circle
or group will create a more socialized environment)
Place students will special needs closer to the teacher
How close or far apart the children are from one another and from the
teacher will effect the learning process
Key to this: ensure all students are seated in a way that the teacher can see
each student and that each student can see the teacher
12. Why does a daycare facility enhance
learning vs. staying at home with a parent?
Children who attend a daycare or preschool setting are more exposed to
other children, naturally. This experience gives them the opportunity to learn
important life skills such as sharing and playing together. Due to the fact they
are exposed to other children, they also get to interact with other races and
ethnicities, more so than they would if they stayed at home. In comparison to
children who stay at home with a parent during the earlier childhood years,
less exposure to other individuals plays a huge role in the lack of school
readiness they experience. Planned action, on behalf of these children’s
parents, would need to occur to plan “play dates” or social outings, which is
proven to be difficult. It has also be proven that children who do not attend
some sort of daycare environment early in life can be shy or introverted. These
personality traits make it that much harder for parents and teachers when the
child enters school.
13. Parental Influence
Although research suggests children who attend a daycare facility prior to
entering grade school are better prepared cognitively, parents can assist their
children through a variety of techniques.
• During early years, parent should practice ABC’s, counting, and reading
• Research suggests that children who are read to at a young age show
more interest in the learning process
• Parents also need to maintain a schedule at home. Research shows that
children who have a fluid schedule do not learn as well as compared to
children to attend a day care
• Create a stimulating environment. Perhaps create a book corner or learning
center in the home will enhance school readiness
Votruba-Drzal, E., Coley, R. L., Koury, A. S., & Miller, P. (2013). Center-based child care and cognitive skills development: Importance of
timing and household resources. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(3), 821-838. doi:10.1037/a0032951
14. Resources to enhance the
learning environment as
educators…
• http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Introduction.asp
x
• http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/
• http://www.first-school.ws/
