PRESCHOOL TRENDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING
Education
with a fundamental approach to utilizing technology to increase productivity, access resources and to lay the groundwork for use in their future careers. Teachers continue to learn and grow through continuing education courses that allow them to integrate new methods for incorporating technology in the classroom to ultimately guide our students to a successful future.
Providing students with access to technology in a structured setting provides them with the freedom to individually learn and discover solutions to real-world problems and prepare them for the future. Students have a paved path to achieve success with the help of cooperative, communal workspaces, online portals that encourage cross-collaboration, and support from their teachers, peers and parents.
PRESCHOOL TRENDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING
Early childhood learning has been studied by educators, lawmakers and researchers for years to identify the importance of learning at a young age. Research has confirmed that when educators provide a valuable education to early learners, the benefits last a lifetime. According to Educa, preschool stakeholders across the U. S. are addressing the need for a standard in consistency and quality in early education. States are taking a look at child care centers, daycares and preschools to develop an accreditation program that ensures quality in a number of areas including learning environment, increased parent engagement, teacher experience and quality center management.
Along with quality standardization, there are other trends to keep an eye on for early learners:
• Student Assessment – The achievement gap is often used to assess the output of students in different socioeconomic groups, measuring grade point averages, test scores and dropout rates. Since preschoolers aren’ t likely dropping out of school, early learning centers focus on the importance of providing ongoing education and supporting students from a young age. This includes reading to children, engaging them in everyday conversations, establishing routines and using positive reinforcement.
• Classroom Technology – Although use of technology in early learning is still heavily debated, it is proving to be a valuable resource to students who may not as easily have access to learning materials. According to the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of households have a computer with internet accessibility, providing a platform for early learners to participate in effective online education from their homes.
• ECSEL Skills – Teachers are encouraged to incorporate Emotional Cognitive Social Early Learning( ECSEL) into lesson plans for preschoolers. At a young age, emotions are the tool of choice for children to express themselves. Encouraging early learners to be confident and understanding at a young age provides an important platform for growth into adolescence.
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