As I work with Early Childhood Centers, assisting teachers with the curriculum I am in a position to observe a wide variety of curriculum related issues whether they constitute part of the overt curriculum or the hidden curriculum. I am always concern about the emotional development of the children because it varies on a continuum. In recent times, my interest in children’s emotional development peaked when a teacher brought to my attention a child who displayed some extreme behaviors at one of our centers such as pelting his shoes across the class when spoken to, refuses to carry out the teacher’s instruction and if he is engaged in any paper related activity and he is provided with some scaffolding by the teacher, at times he destroys the paper.
I felt this case warranted some attention. I am aware that others exist even though they may not be as severe as this case. However, these children’s development is of paramount importance. The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004) noted that emotional development commences early in a child’s life, it plays a critical role in the brain architecture which has tremendous impact on life chances. This therefore implies that adequate accommodation must be made to cater for children’s emotional development similar to what is done for the other developmental areas. Nissen and Hawkins (2010) indicated that many young children experience challenges developing the emotional and behavioral strategies to succeed in school. Children who are able to foster positive emotional development are able to form positive social relationships and self confidence with are necessary for fostering healthy development.
My chosen topic for the simulation is: Ways to Foster Healthy Emotional Development in Young Children. The home and the school provide enormous opportunities for children to acquire emotional competence and it is clear that children spend the greater part of their waking moments at school so the school holds tremendous opportunities for assisting young children to acquire emotional competence. Hansen & Zambo (2007) cited Hirsh-Oasej & Gikubjiffm (2003); Siegel (1999) who stated that if early childhood education increases its focus on academic attainment; opportunities to assist children develop emotionally will be a forgone conclusion.
It is one thing to select a topic but it takes skill to carefully choose data to substantiate the position one will like to take in the research process. I know I am equally concern about the other areas especially the methods section but I have no definite ideas as to how I will approach it. This process requires us taking small steps in order to achieve the overall goal. Colleagues, do you have any advice or insight that can assist me with my chosen topic?
One resource I found quite useful is: Hansen, C.C; Zambo, D. (2007). Loving and Learning with Wemberly and David: Fostering Emotional Development in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education Journal. Vol.34, No.4.
Reference
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2004, Winter). Children's emotional development is built into the architecture of their brains (Working Paper No. 2). Waltham , MA Harvard University
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/library/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp2/
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/library/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp2/
Hansen, C.C; Zambo, D. (2007). Loving and Learning with Wemberly and David: Fostering
Emotional Development in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education Journal. Vol.34, No. 4.
Nissen, H & Hawkins, C. J. (2010) Promoting Emotional Competence in the Prechoool Classroom. Childhood Education. Vol. 86. Issue 4.
Hi Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteYour research topic of Ways to Foster Healthy Emotional Development in Young Children is extremely important because a healthy emotionally developed child will have advantages for coping with adversity in life. Sometimes the importance of this is forgotten in early years and some may focus on other areas such as academics. It would be interesting to know if the child mentioned in your blog has similar difficulties at home or in other community activities.