One of the parents in your school says, “I really enjoyed coming to Parents’ Night last week and seeing all the things the children are doing. I was particularly interested in your comments about the materials which enhance cognitive abilities. Why is it so much better to teach children that way instead of just teaching them to count and learn the alphabet”?
How would you respond to this parent? Be sure to include examples that support learning with materials enhances cognitive abilities. Additionally, describe how the learning activities provide a foundation for later success in primary school.
No one will write your assignment for you, but you should consider these things: People seem to learn by means of visual and auditory and hands-on teaching methods. Many people seem to be dominant in one of the three, but not everyone. To be truly effective what do you think teachers need to remember when planning lessons?
http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/p/visual_learner.htm
http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/p/auditory_learn.htm
http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/p/kinesthetic.htm
As an educator, I appreciate your interest in our approach to teaching children through the use of materials that enhance cognitive abilities. Teaching children with materials provides a more hands-on and interactive learning experience, which has been shown to have several advantages over traditional methods of rote learning, such as counting and learning the alphabet.
When children engage with materials, they are actively involved in the learning process. For example, when they use building blocks, puzzles, or manipulative toys, they are not only learning about shapes, colors, and sizes but also developing their problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking abilities. These materials provide opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and make connections between concepts, leading to deeper understanding and retention.
Moreover, learning with materials fosters the development of important cognitive skills, such as creativity, imagination, and decision-making. For instance, when children engage in open-ended activities like building structures with blocks or creating artwork with different materials, they are encouraged to think flexibly, take risks, and express their ideas in unique ways.
Furthermore, learning activities with materials provide a solid foundation for later success in primary school. As children engage with materials, they develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness, which are essential for tasks like writing, drawing, and manipulating objects in the classroom. These activities also promote social and emotional development, as children learn to share, communicate, and collaborate with their peers during collaborative material-based projects.
In summary, teaching children through the use of materials that enhance cognitive abilities goes beyond simply teaching them to count and learn the alphabet. It provides a more holistic and engaging approach to learning, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and social skills. By laying a strong foundation in these areas, children are better prepared for the challenges they will face in primary school and beyond.