WAY CHILDREN LEARN
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HPD 4C Working with School age Children and Adolescents – Mrs. Filinov
WAYS CHILDREN LEARN
1.
Incidental Learning
unplanned learning – it just
happens accidentally
2. Trial-and-Error Learning
they try several solutions before
finding one that works
3. Imitation Learning
by watching and copying others
4. Directed Learning
learning that results from being
taught
CHILDREN ALSO LEARN SPECIFICALLY THROUGH…
Guidance and Discipline
 Play activities
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Definitions:
Guidance - the act or function of providing
leadership and direction on how to make wise
decisions.
Discipline – training that corrects, molds, and
perfects ones actions.
GUIDANCE
COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
•MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT
•KEEP MESSAGES SIMPLE AND BRIEF
•SPEAK IN A RELAXED VOICE
•REINFORCE WORDS WITH ACTIONS WHEN NECESSARY
•USE POSITIVE STATEMENTS – WHAT TO DO INSTEAD OF
WHAT NOT TO DO
•ANSWER QUESTIONS BRIEFLY AND TRUTHFULLY – IN A
MANNER APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING
Children need guidance to help them learn acceptable behavior
GUIDANCE TECHNIQUES
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MODELING – model the behavior that you expect
and set a good example
SET LIMITS – reasonable and appropriate for the
child’s age
BE CONSISTENT
USE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT – reward positive
behavior with attention and praise; ignore
undesirable behavior if possible
REDIRECT – focus the child’s attention on
something else – an appealing substitute
PROMPTING – questions may “prompt” children to
exhibit desired behavior
Example: “What are you supposed to
do when you are finished painting?”
When misbehavior occurs,
CONSEQUENCES may become necessary.
If well-being is not at risk, consequences are a good deterrent.
LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
•Relate to the misbehavior
• Ex: throwing blocks - put them up
•Time out Ex: move away from others for a short
period of time if behavior cannot be ignored
(2 minutes per year of age is suggested)
NEVER WITHHOLD LOVE – children need to always feel love
regardless of their behavior
GUIDING CHILDREN TOWARD
RESPONSIBILITY
INDEPENDENCE AND
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GIVE HELP ONLY WHEN CHILDREN NEED IT
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WAIT FOR THEM TO COMPLETE SOMETHING AND THEN PRAISE THEM FOR THEIR
EFFORTS
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TEACH DECISION-MAKING BY ALLOWING CHILDREN TO MAKE CHOICES
 ONLY OFFER A CHOICE IF IT REALLY IS A CHOICE
 OFFER TWO EQUALLY ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVES
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ALLOW THEM TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS (IF POSSIBLE)
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SHOW THEM THEY MUST ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISION
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ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO CARE FOR THEIR OWN THINGS
THE VALUE OF PLAY
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They experiment to see how things work
They use their imaginations and try new ideas
They experience different sights, sounds, textures, smells and
tastes
They learn number concepts
They learn size and shape relationships
Creative thinking
Physically they learn to control small and large muscles
Socially they learn to play together, and take turns
Learn to follow rules and act fairly toward others
Children learn through their play activities
TYPES OF PLAY
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Solitary Play: This is when the child plays alone. All children like solitary play at times
Parallel Play: This is when the child plays beside another child without interacting.
The child will observe the other children and often imitate what they do. Children
enjoy parallel play.
Imitative Play: This is when the child and another child copy each other. One child
starts to jump and soon they are all jumping. Or you are folding clothes and your
child tries to do the same.
Social Bids: This is the first step toward having fun with others. Well before the age
of 24 months, the child will offer toys, looks, or words to other children. It’s your
child’s way of communicating.
Co-operative Play: As child gets older, she or he will start to play with other children.
The child might help to build a block village or take stuffed animals to the doctor.
Many children are not ready for this kind of play until they are 36 months of age or
older.
PLAY ACTIVITIES
Read
to children
PLAY ACTIVITIES
Art
Activities
PLAY ACTIVITIES
Music
Activities
PLAY ACTIVITIES
Television
and Videos
PLAY ACTIVITIES
Toys
CHARACTERISTICS OF SAFE,
EDUCATIONAL PLAY MATERIALS
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Help children grow physically, emotionally, socially
and intellectually
Should be chosen to stimulate but not overstimulate
Consider the interests of the child
Consider safety when selecting toys - AVOID
 Small parts, sharp points and edges
 Long cords or strings
 Flammable materials and toxic paints
 Nonwashable dolls and stuffed animals
 Toys that fall apart easily
Select age-appropriate toys
Age-Appropriate Toys