Some educational methods have been applied in Early Childhood schools for many years. In this blog, we bring you 8 methods of Early Childhood Education alternative to traditional education, which are taught in different schools and contribute to better learning for children. Do you know which are the most popular? We tell you about them in this blog!
Teaching methods in Early Childhood Education
The educational methods have been modifying, according to the different currents related to education, the role of the student and the teacher, the resources that are needed, the types of activities, the distribution of space, the types of tasks, and many other issues.
Some of these teaching methods have become benchmarks when it comes to building a school model since they are considered innovative and alternative to traditional education, which is why they have caused a positive impact on Early Childhood Education schools like Children’s Lighthouse. In this blog, we are going to tell you what are the 8 methods of Early Childhood Education that every teacher should know.
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Gamification
Play, whether free or directed, is a fundamental part of a child’s early stages, especially those that comprise Early Childhood Education. This teaching method consists of generating dynamics and game mechanics in environments that do not have to be playful, to enhance children’s attention, motivation, concentration, and effort. It should be noted that Gamification can be supported by traditional resources such as paper or books, but technological elements are increasingly present. For this reason, due to the social context in which we live, it is believed necessary to include ICT in the strategy of this educational method.
Montessori
Founded in the late 19th century, it is one of the most popular and aims for student-led activity and teacher observation and guidance. The Montessori method allows children to freely explore and discover the world based on their curiosity and their own experiences. They are the ones who choose what to work on and what materials they want to use. Likewise, it is advisable to mix children of different ages in the classrooms, but even so, the rhythms of each student are respected.
Inverted Classroom or Flipped Classroom
The Inverted Classroom is a teaching method in which the student first acquires the information, then shares it with the teacher and this consolidates the learning. Although it may seem like a model aimed at older students, this method is also applied in Early Childhood Education classrooms. However, for it to be fulfilled, the collaboration of families is essential. For example, one of the most popular dynamics is that families make it easier for the child to watch a video so that it can later be put into practice in the classroom with the rest of the students and the teacher.
Learning Based on Thinking or Thinking Based Learning
This educational method aims to prepare students so that, in the future, they can solve problems effectively by making well-considered decisions. In Thought Based Learning, children learn to think with the content of their own syllabus. The child considers what options he has when making a decision and what are the consequences of each of them, to determine which decision is the best option. Skills such as critical and creative thinking and analytical skills are developed.
Waldorf
This teaching method began to be applied in Spain in 1975 and focuses on enhancing children’s manual and artistic abilities. From a very young age, they already have artistic subjects such as theater, painting, dance, and music. Likewise, handicrafts with clay and wood, among other materials, also predominate. Family participation in school, contact with nature, personalized duties, and the promotion of values such as respect and cooperation are key pieces in this educational method.
Design Thinking or Design Thinking
Design Thinking, although it has a strong impact on teaching older children and adolescents, is also being implemented in preschool. The main objective of this methodology is to identify the problems of each student to generate solutions through creation and innovation. The student “learns by doing”, so he becomes the protagonist of his own learning. Likewise, this method develops capacities such as emotional intelligence, creativity, intuition, and the generation of innovative ideas.
Cooperative learning
Cooperative Learning tends to be considered all teaching in which children are divided into groups and this is not the case at all. For this method to be applied in teaching, there must be a series of characteristics such as that children develop positive interdependence, that is, that they care individually that all those in the group achieve success and individual responsibility, where it is promoted the involvement of individual students so that the group works better. Finally, group processing is usually carried out in which both individual and group actions are evaluated to decide whether some should be changed or not.
Project Based Learning or PBL
The teacher usually proposes a series of projects and the children have to work on them over a period of time. This educational method is not intended to engage children in memorizing information. In Project-Based Learning, children are the protagonists and “learn to learn”, which is one of the main characteristics of PBL. This will help the little ones develop their autonomy, based on real-world situations, and will test skills such as collaboration, decision-making and time organization.
Studying Early Childhood Education: A Vocational Profession
To be a teacher of Early Childhood Education, you need, above all, a clear vocation to contribute to society and, especially, to influence the correct learning and development of children. In addition, the teacher must have certain skills such as patience, understanding, empathy, and altruism that must be put into practice when performing their functions in a preschool classroom. Also, if you would like to work with children, you need a degree that certifies you as a professional, so one of the most chosen options is to study a Higher Degree in Early Childhood Education. Something that you should take into account when studying Early Childhood Education check that the degree is 100% official, so that, once your stage as a student is finished, you will not have problems joining a school for Early Childhood Education.
Find out about our Higher Degree Training Cycles in Early Childhood Education to work as a teacher:
