Article I found interesting

The article is called 'Why Preschool Shouldn't be like School' and below is a link to the full article:

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2011/03/why_preschool_shouldnt_be_like_school.html

It talks about 'direct teaching' vs 'the playful approach'  and describes a controlled experiment to measure the two.

In one experiement, they gave two groups of 4 year olds a toy with four different tubes coming out of it.  Each tube did something different.  The only variable in each group was the way that the adults taught the children in the group about the toy.  In one group, the experimenter pretended she had just found the toy acted surprised at what the toy could do.  In the other group the experimenter acted more like a teacher and said things like 'Im going to show you how my toy works.'  They then left the children alone with the toy.

The children from the first group discovered more about the toys hidden features than those in the second group.

So, I put this into my own practice and thought about the way I teach young children.  I try and use props of different colours and base my class around a theme to make it fun.  However, I do enjoy structure to my class and a bit of direction.  For example, I was employed to teach in a nursery today and feel that if my class did not involve a bit of directed teaching then the other teachers observing the class may have questioned what I was doing and it may have looked like I was not in control of the class by letting them play on their own for too long.

I have decided to include this is a question in my interviews to other practitioners as I am interested to know what the best way of teaching is to ensure young children are learning as creatively as possible in my classes.

Starcatchers workshop

Throughout Summer I have been trying to find opportunities to learn more about Early Years Education. I took part in a free workshop with Starcatchers, an Early Years organisation based in Scotland that specialise in creativity and performances for children aged 0-5. This was a perfect chance for me to network with other professionals who are interested in enriching the lives of Early Years children. 

Everyone came from different backgrounds and this was great. Some were singing teachers, some studying like me and some were just genuinely interested in the subject. 

It started with a discussion based workshop about why the Arts and Creativity are so important in the Early Years. We were told that 90% of synapses are developed in the brain in the first three years.  This statistic made me feel excited that I have chosen to look at social development in Early Years Dance classes and it is clearly the most crucial age in development. It is also makes me think as teachers we are responsible for nurturing a child's development. 

We also looked at Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the child that Scotland has signed up to: 

“That every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

That member governments shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.”

It is hugely relevant right now that we make sure all children are having positive arts experiences. 

In the afternoon, we were shown various techniques, games, songs that we could use in our classes to encourage creative development. I find this hugely useful as a teacher and gave me lots of new inspiration for my classes. I have been asked to do two workshops for a nursery this week and will be using a mixture of my ideas with ideas I learnt from the workshop. In the past I have jus taught dance to the the Early Years students however, after taking part in the workshop I am going to add singing to the movement as I think this this will capture their attention and encourage a positive social and creative development. 

This workshop helped me a lot and gave me great resources to research. 

Getting back to work!

Here we go, final module!! Having read over Reader 3 and the Module 3 Handbook I have to say the nerves are kicking in for the final part of this Degree.  All I am trying to think of is the feeling of satisfaction I will feel when I've handed in my professional inquiry completed! 

In the handbook it says to keep in contact with everyone else on the course and to regularly blog. So, tonight myself and two others in the course will have a Skype call as we have similar inquiries. I am hoping this will clear a few things up for me and will give me a sense of motivation to get started! 

On Friday I will join the group Skype session with Paula which I also hope will help to clarify things I have read in the handbook. 

Finally, I am planning to blog ALOT more. This will keep me focused on what I am doing. 

Would be good to hear from anyone else who has just read the handbook as well to know I'm not alone! :) 

Award Specialism Title and rationale

BA(Hons)Professional Practice in Arts (Dance)

Since graduating last year with a Diploma in Dance it has always been my intention to further my training and knowledge in Dance with a focus on Early Years Dance Education.   I still hold a great passion for performing and continuing my own personal Dance training, however when I think of my future career development, I know my strengths lie in contributing to the physical, social and creative development of an Early Years child through Dance and Movement classes.  In the past year, I have been offered six new dance classes specifically for 3-5 year olds, and I would like to continue to expand on this.  With waiting lists on all of these classes it has become apparent to me that there is a lack of provision for Early Years classes in the Highlands of Scotland.

Furthermore, I have developed an in depth knowledge of a Pre-school childs physical development through movement classes by attending courses in Pre-school Gymnastics and Dance teaching.  What I would like to research further, is the social and creative development a child benefits from by taking these classes.

At the moment, I lead Pre-school classes through different companies during the week.  It is my intention, in the next few years, to open my own Pre-School Dance and Movement company, with my own syllabus, therefore this inquiry will be of direct value to my Professional Practice as it foresees what I wish to pursue for my future career. 

This inquiry area will give me the confidence to start up my own classes and give Early Years the opportunity to take part in something that will develop them physically, socially and creatively.  It will increase provision for Arts classes in the Highlands and provide parents with a professional teacher that has extensive knowledge. 

Arts from the Start 💜

Arts from the Start - interesting literature

I'm getting closer and closer to pin pointing my inquiry!! This morning was filled with a lot of searching and reading and these are some articles I have found of interest.

I have been researching the effects of dance and movement classes for early years in their social and creative development. In one article by Julie Vickers on livestrong.com it says :

~Young children learn through full physical involvement. Dance sessions require mental concentration and active participation. 

~Spatial awareness skills are essential for successful social encounters.

~Children begin to acquire social confidence by taking turns to lead others. Dance practitioners may also develop skills of miming, of body language and facial expressions to suggest emotions. 

~Taking turns  and co operating with each other. Circle games and dances help children learn co operation and sharing.

 

This case study from 'EYFS best practice' talks about a young boy named Stefan who did not speak English as a first language and struggled to be social with his classmates. As soon as a movement game was introduced as a way of communicating his confidence and well being increased. 

A busy and productive week!

Last week, I was on my Level 1 Pre school Gymnastics course.  I really enjoyed this course and really feel that Pre School teaching is where my heart lies. 

On the first day we covered ethics which definitely consolidated my knowledge and gave me a few new points I hadn't thought of before. 

Creating positive and appropriate relationships. 

You have to gain the respect of your students. No matter how old they are. If I am teaching pre school children I will be actively involved in their class. There is no point just telling them what to do as to them you are their idol and they look up to you. With older children, you need their trust, especially as I am an Acro teacher I will be supporting these children to do new moves so they need to know they are safe in your hands. 

Good personal behaviour.

I think this covers everything from the way you dress to the way you act. I remember one dance session I decided not to wear any make up and a few kids commented how I looked really tired and 'have you just got out of bed?!' My point is kids don't miss anything! Try to be consistent! 

I think that when it comes to teaching ethics is just a way of life. You need to be setting an example all the time.