Early Childhood Education: Physical Development

1. Early Childhood Education:Physical Development Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos

2. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Outline • Overview of early childhood education • Promoting physical development of young children • Providing a positive physical environment in the ECE classroom

3. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Overview • High quality early childhood education programs can improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children (Barnett, 1995; Ramey & Ramey, 2004) • Important characteristics of quality ECE programs: • Child-initiated learning • Positive teacher-child relationships • Strategic learning interactions

4. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Types of ECE • Infant and toddler programs • Child care • Nursery education • Primary education • Programs for children with special needs

5. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Goals of ECE • Physical Development • Physical growth • Fine motor skills • Gross motor skills • Social/Emotional Development • Intrapersonal • Interpersonal • Assimilation into school culture • Cognitive Development • Numeracy • Literacy • Language of instruction

6. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Early Childhood Educator • Roles • Counselor • Diplomat • Janitor • Parent substitute • Parental educator • Facilitate learning

7. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Early Childhood Educator • Responsibilities • Advocate for ECE • Communicate with and educate parents • Ensure the mental and emotional safety and wellbeing of children • Continue personal education

8. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Early Childhood Educator • Daily Activities • Organize the learning environment • Interact with children • Plan upcoming instruction • Collaborate with other teachers and school staff • Educate parents

9. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Development in ECE • Children learn best with healthy bodies and minds • Physical Growth • Nutrition • Health care • Hygiene • Safety • Gross motor skills: Movement • Fine motor skills: Coordination of small muscle movements

10. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Development • US Surgeon General recommends that all children under age 18 engage in one hour of physical activity every day • In the U.S., less than 25% of the children get 20 minutes of physical activity each day • In the U.S., only 10% of young children spontaneously engage in physical activities when they are sent outside at school

11. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Development • Physical activity promotes: • Healthy bones, muscles, and joints • Improve muscle strength and endurance • Reduce blood pressure • Decrease the risk of heart disease • Children who are physically fit: • Have higher levels of self esteem and accomplishment • Are more alert in school

12. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Development • Station activities: Self-challenging activities that promote physical activity • Children rotate through stations • Examples • Toss a ball • Run to touch a distant marker and return • Jump • Dance • Parachute • Marching to a drum • Move like an animal

13. Parachute

14. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth • Nutrition • Important Principle: Eat from 4 food groups every day • Parents: Proper food to purchase • Malnutrition: Lack of nutrients necessary for proper health and development

15. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth • Indicators of malnutrition: • Fatigue and low energy • Dizziness • Dry and scaly skin • Swollen and bleeding gums • Difficulty paying attention • Slow reaction times • Underweight • Bloated stomach • Poor immune function • (Kid’s Health, 2007)

16. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth • Hygiene • Important Principles: • Brush teeth • Cleaning hands with soap and water • Keeping a clean environment

17. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth:Health Care • Important Principles: • Commitment to physical fitness and health • Participate in physical activities • Care for bodies • Activities: • Parachute • Outdoor games • Parents: Vaccinations to prevent diseases

18. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth:Safety • Infant • Common Injuries: Falling, choking • Preventative Measures: Keep infants in a safe place where they cannot reach dangerous objects or roll or crawl off a high ledge

19. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth:Safety • Toddlers • Common Injuries: Falling, poisoning, burning, drowning, electrocution, automobile accidents • Preventative Measures • Protect from electrical outlets, fire, and hot objects • Keep poisonous substances out of reach or locked away • Refocus attention on safe activities • Tell children what they can do instead of always saying No

20. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth:Safety • Preschoolers: • Common Injuries: Automobile accidents, drowning, falls, burns, recreational toys • Preventative Measures: Teach safe play • Climb safely • Cross streets carefully • Play away from the busy street and rushing water • Use toys safely • Respect for animals • Memorize name, phone number, and location of house • Set a good example!

21. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Physical Growth:Safety • Important Principle: Maintain a safe environment • Parents: Teach parents good discipline procedures so they can keep their children from harm

22. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Gross Motor Skills • Organized physical activities that promote movement • Throwing • Catching • Balancing • Jumping • Parents: Need for children to explore their environment

23. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Fine Motor Skills • Fine motor skills are necessary for: • Eating • Dressing • Writing • Experience manipulating and playing with small objects

24. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos ECE Classroom Environments • Research provides evidence that young children learn best in an environment that allows them to explore, discover, and play • Play should last at least 30 to 60 minutes both indoors and outdoors • Large blocks of time dedicated to play allow children to get involved in more complex and productive activities

25. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Indoor ECE Classroom Environment • Centers • Active areas • Blocks • Music • Sand or Water play • Quiet areas • Art • Books • Writing • Personal areas • Provide variety

26. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Indoor ECE Classroom Environment • Provide space for: • Large group activities • Small group activities • Individual activities

27. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Indoor ECE Classroom Environment • Centers • Art center • Manipulative center: Develop fine motor skills, mathematical understanding, creativity • Puzzles • Collectibles (Buttons, bottle caps, etc.) • Cooperative games (Concentration) • Literacy center: Comfortable area to read • Block center • Dramatic play center: Dress-up clothes and props • Music center: Singing, dancing, making music • Science discovery center: Plants and insect containers

28. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Taken from Henniger, 2008

29. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Indoor ECE Classroom Environment • Sketch area of room to plan where centers and desks will be organized • Section off spaces of blackboards for themes • Getting to know you, birthdays, calendar, course work, • Kids can decorate classroom with artwork

30. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Indoor ECE Classroom Environment • Tips for purchasing classroom materials: • Simple details • Multiple uses • Easy to use and understand • Involves the child in play • Encourages cooperative play • Materials look and feel good • Durable and safe • Value-priced

31. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Outdoor ECE Classroom Environment • Outdoor classroom environment should be carefully planned to encourage motor and social skills • Spaces outdoors: • Transition • Construction • Dramatic play • Physical activities • Sand or water play • Interact with nature

32. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Sand Play • Fill a large container or hole with sand • Substitute rice, beans, cornmeal • Allow the children to play • Dig, build, pour • Make patterns with sticks and combs • Build castles • Sand play fosters • Physical Development: Gross and fine motor skills • Social Development: Working with other children to solve problems • Cognitive Development • Mathematics with measuring containers • Science with observation techniques • Art through making objects and patterns

33. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Water Play • Types of Play: • Pour water into and out of different size cups • Drop objects into water • Imagination with toys • Water play fosters: • Fine motor skills • Observation skills • Creativity • Mathematics

34. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Playing with Blocks • Create blocks of various sizes (and colors) • Types of Play • Stacking blocks • Creating designs • Suggest imaginary scenarios • Playing with blocks fosters • Physical Development: Fine motor coordination, visual perception, spatial orientation • Social Development • Creativity • Encourage creative play: Provide scenarios: Go to hospital, go to school, house in village

35. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Outdoor ECE Classroom Environment • Safety considerations: • Regular safety and maintenance • 31,000 younger children were treated for accidents at child care and school settings in 1997 • Frequently discuss with the students about: • Appropriate use of materials • Safe number of participants on each equipment, • Taking turns • Cleaning up

36. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Safety Checklist • Be prepared for injuries • Teach children how to properly use scissors, staplers, and other supplies • Safety caps on electrical outlets • Avoid chocking hazards in toys • Check for loose screws, jagged edges, and other hazards on school equipment • Outdoors free of broken glass and other objects

37. Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos Revision • What are the overall goals of Early Childhood Education? • What are the three areas that ECE educators should focus on for physical development? • What are a few examples of indoor centers that are beneficial for young children? • What types of areas should be available outdoors for young children?