Emerging Philosophy and Teaching Strategies
Crystal Carpenter
ECE 101
Instructor Newcomb
August 20, 2012

Emerging Philosophy and Teaching Strategies People are learning every day, whether we are aware of it or not, it is in our nature. It is important for us to be learning and growing constantly, and it is especially true for children. Philosophers dated back to the 1600’s have been studying early childhood education and teaching young children. Each philosopher has his own beliefs about how best children learn. However, there is one thing they all have in common, children do learn, and are learning every moment of every day. Although I am not yet a teacher, I do have beliefs of my own that stem from some of these philosophers, and I will use these beliefs in my future classroom. Up first of my current beliefs comes from John Locke (1632-1714). Locke believed that careful instruction with some time for recess was appropriate education (Estes, Krogh, 2012). In my future classroom, I will have a carefully planned out schedule and curriculum to teach my students by, allowing them well needed recess throughout the day. Recess is just as important as instruction and gives time for children to loosen up and play also letting out some energy built up from being in the classroom. My second and third beliefs tie in together, as they fall along the same lines. Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) believed that children who use a manipulative(s) that stimulate their senses are at their best for acquiring knowledge (Estes, Krogh, 2012). Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel (1782-1852) believed that children need to manipulate objects in their environments to stimulate understanding (Estes, Krogh, 2012). I chose these two beliefs by two different philosophers knowing that they were very similar because I completely agree with them and want to incorporate these beliefs into my future classroom. I will have objects for the students to interact with such as puzzles, books, art supplies, tools, utensils, anything pertaining to a certain topic or to the curriculum so that the children will have a chance to expand their knowledge rather than just using a pencil and paper. I do agree that children learn best with hands on approaches and I will be using these techniques in my classroom. My fourth belief again stems from Froebel who states that children need to be free to express themselves (Estes, Krogh, 2012). So in my future classroom I will provide my students with journals (i.e. art journals, science journals, language arts and reading journals, etc.) so that my students can further express themselves and reflect on what they had just learned and go deeper within their minds. I will also have plenty of art supplies and projects for my students so that they can express themselves that way as well. My final belief is from John Dewey (1859-1952). Dewey believed that children should be involved in play, interaction and constructive activities (Estes, Krogh, 2012). In my future classroom I will incorporate constructive activities that will coincide with the curriculum so that my students will have a well-rounded understanding of what I am teaching them. Play and interaction throughout the day is also important because children learn through play. So in my classroom I will have a dramatic play station where the children can create scenes and play with other various toys to learn with. It is important that we learn every day and even more so that our children are learning every day. I know what I believe in as far as how I want to teach my children in my future classroom. I feel it is important to know where you stand in that area, especially if you are going to be a teacher. Giving these children a solid education is my main goal. If I follow these philosophers before me and incorporate some of my own ideas and beliefs, I know I will do just that.
References
Estes, LA., Krogh, S. (2012). Pathways to teaching young children: An introduction to early childhood education. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.