This cheat sheet offers quick, accessible reference to major theorists and concepts that shape early education practice. It includes Theories, Concepts, and Documentation Prompts, Quick Tips for Embedding Theory in Documentation, Prompts for Reflective Language, List Of Theorist Language and more.
Applying theorists in observations involves connecting your observations of children’s behaviors, interactions, and development to established theories of learning and development. This approach not only deepens your understanding of children’s needs but also aligns with the EYLF and the NQS. The following article provides information on Understanding Key Theorists and Their Concepts, Linking Observations to Theories, Incorporating Theories into Planning, Practical Examples and more.
Social Constructivist Theory in Early Childhood Education is a learning approach grounded in the idea that children actively construct knowledge through their social interactions and cultural experiences. Rather than viewing learning as an individual process of acquiring information, social constructivism emphasizes that children build understanding through communication, collaboration, and shared experiences. The following article provides information on Key Concepts, Applications In Early Childhood, Modern Relevance In Childcare and more.
This article explores key learning theories, their practical applications, and how they align with the EYLF and NQS. Educators can use these insights to enhance teaching strategies, scaffold children's learning, and create inclusive learning experiences that cater to diverse developmental needs.
Developed in northern Italy after the Second World War, the Reggio Emilia is a child-centred approach to early childhood education. It puts a child’s sense of self-worth and agency at the heart of its pedagogical ideas and its practices are aimed at nurturing children’s multiple capabilities. The following article provides information About Reggio Emilia, The Reggio Emilia Environment, The Reggio Curriculum, Role Of The Educator, Principles and Practices and more.
Learning styles, according to Howard Gardner, are the ways in which an individual approaches a range of tasks. The following provides information on Gardner's learning styles.
Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget theorized in the pre-operational stage between two and seven years, children start using objects or actions to give meanings other than literal ones like using a pasta strainer as a hat. This is symbolic play and marks the beginning of creativity and conceptual learning. The following article provides the three main phases of symbolic play in the preoperational stage from 18 months to 5 years old and how educators can support their learners in each phase.
Toddlers have a greater understanding of the world around them by this stage. Their cognitive development (also known as intellectual development and thinking skills) continues… Read More
Infants begin to develop trust when parents begin to fulfil their needs. Such as changing an infant's nappy when needed, feeding on request and holding… Read More
Beginning at birth the construction of thought processes, such as memory, problem solving, exploration of objects etc, is an important part of an infant’s cognitive… Read More
Toddlers want to do more on their own and do not like it when you begin to establish limits on their behaviour. Tantrums can become… Read More
Your preschooler is now able to focus their attention more accurately and is less influenced by distractions. The intensity of questions increase as your child… Read More
John Dewey is often seen as the proponent of learning by doing – rather than learning by passively receiving. He believed that each child was active,… Read More
Toddler advance and gains new skills in Gross Motor Development milestones achieved throughout earlier years. Co-ordination and challenges that could not be performed before such… Read More
Erik Erikson developed a psychosocial theory to understand how we each develop our identities through eight stages of psychosocial development from infancy to adulthood. The… Read More
At this point preschoolers begin to interact effectively with others. Play becomes more innovative and organized and “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” begins to emerge. Preschoolers have… Read More
From now, babies begin to identify and respond to their own feelings, understanding other's feelings & needs and interact positively with others. A baby's social and… Read More
Beginning at birth the construction of thought processes, such as memory, problem solving, exploration of...
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Metacognition refers to the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. The following article...
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Here’s how each developmental milestone from birth to 12 months aligns with the EYLF outcomes.
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