The theories of play and cognitive development

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   UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLS

Understanding symbols are important in literacy. We cannot read and understand without knowing and understanding the symbols. Letters are also called symbols which represent something, the same as the pictures or any arts. All of those have meanings. Therefore, young children should be exposed and thought about different symbols in the surrounding which is very helpful when they grow up

Activity: I am an Explorer

Objective: To let the children know and understand that symbols or print materials has meaning.

Materials: Traffic sign cards

Examples:

                

                        Signs and symbols on the farm

Examples:

            And other symbols, that are useful in everyday life.

Rules: I will post all the signs and symbols on the board and on the wall. I will tell the children the importance of signs and symbols. I will divide the class into two groups, one will be on the traffic signs and the other will be on the farm signs. I will let them explore each symbol after the group will exchange the sides and explore. Then, I will ask the children one by one about their thoughts and ideas about their exploration.

Explanation: In my opinion, symbol exploration is a great activity for understanding symbols and sign because according to Piaget that exploration is a concrete operational which the child learns best.

The theories of play and cognitive development

CLASSIC THEORIES OF PLAY AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (PIAGET AND OR VYGOTSKY)

1.     PLAY, AND GAMES (Social & Emotional development)

            Cognitive developmental theorist like Piaget and Vygotsky believed that play is the  natural way of activities for children to explore, enjoy the freedom and learn naturally. Play will definitely promote social and emotional development for children through interacting, taking turns, sharing and helping other children in the group.

            Activity: Dressed Up (Theme: Farm)

Objective: At the end of the game, the children should be able to know the concepts of taking turns, and learn to interact their peers in a good manner.

Materials: dresses for farm, animal costumes, props

Rules: Introduce the activity to the children. Let them choose who they are in the play. Then after choosing, give them the costume and if they have their own they can use it. Let the children help you place the props in the middle of the classroom if the weather is bad, if not it is good to play outside. You can make this play as free play, meaning they can say and do anything they want and how they care the animals. You can make also as scripted. However, in this play I rather chose the free play because it is where they have freedom to learn naturally.

Explanation: Dressed up play is already proven as a fantastic way of promoting social and emotional development for children because they will learn how to take turns, sharing ideas if the play is free play. Children will also understand the feelings of others and even in caring animals.

            

The theories of play and cognitive development

CLASSIC THEORIES OF PLAY AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (PIAGET AND OR VYGOTSKY)

The theories of play and cognitive development

Book Title: On the Farm

By: Henri Galeron

Age level: 4 to 5 years old

1.     MATH (NUMBERS)

Applying and teaching mathematics in toddlers is very much important because it is part of our life. Theories vary their concepts, however Piaget pointed out that children need to know that math is part of their personal life and acquire the concepts of numbers in his developmental constructivism theory. He added that every normal child is capable of good mathematical reasoning, therefore, the earlier we teach math to the young children the better.

Activity: Counting Numbers 1 to 10

Objective: To teach children to count the numbers 1 to 10 and to be able for them to recognize from numbers 1 to 10 in a fun way.

Materials: cards with pictures of farm animals, vegetables and fruits with numbers printed on them from 1 to 10.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR-cfDsHCGA this counting music relates to the farm.

Rules: After reading the book On the Farm, I will introduce the activity Counting Numbers 1 to 10 to the children. This activity will accompany with the music to make it more fun to learn and to engage them in counting numbers. As well all know that music helps our both sides of the brain develop higher forms of thinking. While the music is on, I let the children follow the music and move along. Children can dance or any moves they want while singing the numbers.

Explanation: In my opinion, the activity I designed is great for preschoolers because it promotes free play and creativity where they can move or dance along with the music while singing the counting number song and most importantly, singing along numbers is very fun and engaging activity for children where they will learn without thinking that they learned.