Encyclopedia Of Classroom Environment In Child Education 

Description

The early years of children’s lives are ones of swift growth and development. They enter their pre- school years with a significant background of learning experiences, through interactions with the family, friends and other people around them. During their pre-school years, support for children is continued in a range of settings in the private, public and voluntary sectors. At the same time many of a child’s most valuable experiences continue to take place in the home and the community. Staff in preschool education are, for that reason, working in partnership with parents in developing children’s learning. The vital contribution of preschool education lies in developing and broadening the range of children’s learning experiences so as to leave them confident, eager and enthusiastic learners; who look forward to starting school. The starting point for all learning is the child and this requires a recognition of the particular experiences that children bring to the early years setting and the ways in which these are fostered and developed. For adults this often involves negotiating the balance between the younger child’s struggle to achieve independence, and their need for ongoing emotional support. Play is a key activity, at this stage of learning. This book deals with early development and the role of the school setting in the education and well-being of a child.