Learning in the Early Years Essay -- Papers Child Psychology

Learning in the Early Years This assignment identifies they key ideas and work of Margaret McMillan, Maria Montession, Rudolph Steiner and Fredrich Froebel. To discuss how those early educators have influenced current early years practice and to identify to ways in which current provision and practice is influenced by the work of the early educators. Margaret McMillan (1860 - 1931) Margaret McMillan believed in active learning through first-hand experiences and emphasised feelings and relationships aswel as physical aspects of movement and learning. She believed that children become whole people through play. She thought play helps them to apply what they know and understand. Margaret McMillan emphasised the importance of a close partnership with parents: she encouraged parents to develop alongside their children. Her most important achievement is to have been described as the 'godmother' of school meals and the school medical services. She believed that children are unable to learn if they are undernourished, poorly clothed, sick etc. To be described as the 'godmother' Margaret McMillan began a campaign to improve the health of children by arguing that local authorities should install bathrooms, improve ventilation and supply free school meals, eventually the House of Commons became convinced that hungry children cannot learn and passed the 1906 Provision of School Meals Act. Margaret McMillan pioneered nursery schools, which she saw as an extension of, not a substitute for home and as communities in themselves. She emphasised the value of open air and introduced gardens for families to play and explore. Margaret McMill... ...ctice is Friedrich Froebel. Most mainstream early year's provision in the UK is based on Froebelian principles. Children's development is encouraged through provision of a wide range of materials and activities tailored to the needs of the individual child. The current best practice emphasises Friedrich Froebel's beliefs that creativity, science and the humanities are important, these are now integrated across curriculum areas. Friedrich Froebel allowed children to use the 'Gifts' and 'Occupations' as they wished, with out having to do set tasks of the kind that adults usually asked of them. In the current practice this is known as free-flow play, this occurs for an average of 80% of a child's day at nursery. Bibliography  · Class Worksheets.  · Nolan.Y (2002) BTEC National Early Years, Oxford, Heinemann.