Early Childhood Education: Physical Development Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

Early Childhood Education:Early Childhood Education:Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development

Dr. K. A. KorbDr. K. A. Korb

University of JosUniversity of Jos

OutlineOutline

Overview of early childhood educationOverview of early childhood education Promoting physical development of young Promoting physical development of young

childrenchildren Providing a positive physical environment Providing a positive physical environment

in the ECE classroomin the ECE classroom

Dr. K. A. KorbUniversity of Jos

OverviewOverview

High quality early childhood education High quality early childhood education programs can improve the school programs can improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children readiness of disadvantaged children (Barnett, 1995; Ramey & Ramey, 2004)(Barnett, 1995; Ramey & Ramey, 2004)

Important characteristics of quality ECE Important characteristics of quality ECE programs:programs: Child-initiated learningChild-initiated learning Positive teacher-child relationshipsPositive teacher-child relationships Strategic learning interactionsStrategic learning interactions


Types of ECETypes of ECE

Infant and toddler programsInfant and toddler programs Child careChild care Nursery educationNursery education Primary education Primary education Programs for children with special needsPrograms for children with special needs


Goals of ECEGoals of ECE

Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development Physical growthPhysical growth Fine motor skillsFine motor skills Gross motor skillsGross motor skills

Social/Emotional DevelopmentSocial/Emotional Development IntrapersonalIntrapersonal InterpersonalInterpersonal Assimilation into school cultureAssimilation into school culture

Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive Development NumeracyNumeracy LiteracyLiteracy Language of instructionLanguage of instruction


Early Childhood EducatorEarly Childhood Educator

RolesRoles CounselorCounselor DiplomatDiplomat JanitorJanitor Parent substitute Parent substitute Parental educatorParental educator Facilitate learningFacilitate learning



ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Advocate for ECEAdvocate for ECE Communicate with and educate parentsCommunicate with and educate parents Ensure the mental and emotional safety and Ensure the mental and emotional safety and

wellbeing of childrenwellbeing of children Continue personal educationContinue personal education



Daily ActivitiesDaily Activities Organize the learning environmentOrganize the learning environment Interact with childrenInteract with children Plan upcoming instructionPlan upcoming instruction Collaborate with other teachers and school Collaborate with other teachers and school

staffstaff Educate parentsEducate parents


Physical Development in ECEPhysical Development in ECE

Children learn best with healthy bodies and Children learn best with healthy bodies and mindsminds

Physical GrowthPhysical Growth NutritionNutrition Health careHealth care HygieneHygiene SafetySafety

Gross motor skills:Gross motor skills: Movement Movement Fine motor skills:Fine motor skills: Coordination of small muscle Coordination of small muscle

movementsmovements


Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development

US Surgeon General recommends that all US Surgeon General recommends that all children under age 18 engage in one hour children under age 18 engage in one hour of physical activity every dayof physical activity every day In the U.S., less than 25% of the children get In the U.S., less than 25% of the children get

20 minutes of physical activity each day20 minutes of physical activity each day In the U.S., only 10% of young children In the U.S., only 10% of young children

spontaneously engage in physical activities spontaneously engage in physical activities when they are sent outside at schoolwhen they are sent outside at school



Physical activity promotes:Physical activity promotes: Healthy bones, muscles, and jointsHealthy bones, muscles, and joints Improve muscle strength and enduranceImprove muscle strength and endurance Reduce blood pressureReduce blood pressure Decrease the risk of heart diseaseDecrease the risk of heart disease

Children who are physically fit:Children who are physically fit: Have higher levels of self esteem and Have higher levels of self esteem and

accomplishmentaccomplishment Are more alert in schoolAre more alert in school



Station activities: Self-challenging activities that Station activities: Self-challenging activities that promote physical activitypromote physical activity Children rotate through stationsChildren rotate through stations ExamplesExamples

Toss a ball Toss a ball Run to touch a distant marker and returnRun to touch a distant marker and return Jump Jump DanceDance ParachuteParachute Marching to a drumMarching to a drum Move like an animalMove like an animal


ParachuteParachute

Physical GrowthPhysical Growth

NutritionNutrition Important Principle: Eat from 4 food groups Important Principle: Eat from 4 food groups

every dayevery day Parents: Parents: Proper food to purchaseProper food to purchase

Malnutrition: Malnutrition: Lack of nutrients necessary Lack of nutrients necessary for proper health and development for proper health and development



Indicators of malnutrition:Indicators of malnutrition: Fatigue and low energyFatigue and low energy DizzinessDizziness Dry and scaly skinDry and scaly skin Swollen and bleeding gumsSwollen and bleeding gums Difficulty paying attentionDifficulty paying attention Slow reaction timesSlow reaction times UnderweightUnderweight Bloated stomachBloated stomach Poor immune functionPoor immune function

(Kid’s Health, 2007)(Kid’s Health, 2007)



HygieneHygiene Important Principles:Important Principles:

Brush teethBrush teeth Cleaning hands with soap and waterCleaning hands with soap and water Keeping a clean environmentKeeping a clean environment


Physical Growth:Physical Growth:Health CareHealth Care

Important Principles:Important Principles: Commitment to physical fitness and healthCommitment to physical fitness and health Participate in physical activitiesParticipate in physical activities Care for bodiesCare for bodies

Activities:Activities: ParachuteParachute Outdoor gamesOutdoor games

Parents: Parents: Vaccinations to prevent diseasesVaccinations to prevent diseases


Physical Growth:Physical Growth:SafetySafety

InfantInfant Common Injuries: Common Injuries: Falling, choking Falling, choking Preventative Measures: Preventative Measures: Keep infants in a Keep infants in a

safe place where they cannot reach safe place where they cannot reach dangerous objects or roll or crawl off a high dangerous objects or roll or crawl off a high ledgeledge



ToddlersToddlers Common InjuriesCommon Injuries: Falling, poisoning, burning, : Falling, poisoning, burning,

drowning, electrocution, automobile accidentsdrowning, electrocution, automobile accidents Preventative MeasuresPreventative Measures

Protect from electrical outlets, fire, and hot objectsProtect from electrical outlets, fire, and hot objects Keep poisonous substances out of reach or locked awayKeep poisonous substances out of reach or locked away Refocus attention on safe activitiesRefocus attention on safe activities Tell children what they can do instead of always saying Tell children what they can do instead of always saying NoNo



Preschoolers:Preschoolers: Common Injuries: Common Injuries: Automobile accidents, drowning, Automobile accidents, drowning,

falls, burns, recreational toysfalls, burns, recreational toys Preventative Measures: Preventative Measures: Teach safe playTeach safe play

Climb safelyClimb safely Cross streets carefullyCross streets carefully Play away from the busy street and rushing waterPlay away from the busy street and rushing water Use toys safelyUse toys safely Respect for animalsRespect for animals Memorize name, phone number, and location of houseMemorize name, phone number, and location of house

Set a good example!Set a good example!



Important Principle:Important Principle: Maintain a safe Maintain a safe environmentenvironment

Parents:Parents: Teach parents good discipline Teach parents good discipline procedures so they can keep their children procedures so they can keep their children from harmfrom harm


Gross Motor SkillsGross Motor Skills

Organized physical activities that promote Organized physical activities that promote movementmovement ThrowingThrowing CatchingCatching BalancingBalancing JumpingJumping

Parents: Parents: Need for children to explore their Need for children to explore their environmentenvironment


Fine Motor SkillsFine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are necessary for:Fine motor skills are necessary for: EatingEating DressingDressing WritingWriting

Experience manipulating and playing with Experience manipulating and playing with small objectssmall objects


ECE Classroom EnvironmentsECE Classroom Environments

Research provides evidence that young Research provides evidence that young children learn best in an environment that children learn best in an environment that allows them to explore, discover, and playallows them to explore, discover, and play

Play should last at least 30 to 60 minutes Play should last at least 30 to 60 minutes both indoors and outdoorsboth indoors and outdoors Large blocks of time dedicated to play allow Large blocks of time dedicated to play allow

children to get involved in more complex and children to get involved in more complex and productive activitiesproductive activities


Indoor ECE Classroom Indoor ECE Classroom EnvironmentEnvironment

CentersCenters Active areas Active areas

BlocksBlocks MusicMusic Sand or Water playSand or Water play

Quiet areasQuiet areas ArtArt BooksBooks WritingWriting

Personal areasPersonal areas Provide varietyProvide variety



Provide space for:Provide space for: Large group activitiesLarge group activities Small group activitiesSmall group activities Individual activitiesIndividual activities



CentersCenters Art centerArt center Manipulative center: Develop fine motor skills, Manipulative center: Develop fine motor skills,

mathematical understanding, creativitymathematical understanding, creativity PuzzlesPuzzles Collectibles (Buttons, bottle caps, etc.)Collectibles (Buttons, bottle caps, etc.) Cooperative games (Concentration)Cooperative games (Concentration)

Literacy center: Comfortable area to readLiteracy center: Comfortable area to read Block centerBlock center Dramatic play center: Dress-up clothes and propsDramatic play center: Dress-up clothes and props Music center: Singing, dancing, making musicMusic center: Singing, dancing, making music Science discovery center: Plants and insect Science discovery center: Plants and insect

containerscontainers


Taken from Henniger, 2008



Sketch area of room to plan where centers Sketch area of room to plan where centers and desks will be organizedand desks will be organized

Section off spaces of blackboards for Section off spaces of blackboards for themesthemes Getting to know you, birthdays, calendar, Getting to know you, birthdays, calendar,

course work,course work,

Kids can decorate classroom with artworkKids can decorate classroom with artwork



Tips for purchasing classroom materials:Tips for purchasing classroom materials: Simple detailsSimple details Multiple usesMultiple uses Easy to use and understandEasy to use and understand Involves the child in playInvolves the child in play Encourages cooperative playEncourages cooperative play Materials look and feel goodMaterials look and feel good Durable and safeDurable and safe Value-pricedValue-priced


Outdoor ECE Classroom Outdoor ECE Classroom EnvironmentEnvironment

Outdoor classroom environment should be Outdoor classroom environment should be carefully planned to encourage motor and social carefully planned to encourage motor and social skillsskills

Spaces outdoors:Spaces outdoors: TransitionTransition ConstructionConstruction Dramatic playDramatic play Physical activitiesPhysical activities Sand or water playSand or water play Interact with natureInteract with nature


Sand PlaySand Play Fill a large container or hole with sandFill a large container or hole with sand

Substitute rice, beans, cornmealSubstitute rice, beans, cornmeal Allow the children to playAllow the children to play

Dig, build, pourDig, build, pour Make patterns with sticks and combs Make patterns with sticks and combs Build castlesBuild castles

Sand play fostersSand play fosters Physical Development:Physical Development: Gross and fine motor skills Gross and fine motor skills Social Development:Social Development: Working with other children to solve Working with other children to solve

problemsproblems Cognitive DevelopmentCognitive Development

Mathematics with measuring containersMathematics with measuring containers Science with observation techniquesScience with observation techniques Art through making objects and patternsArt through making objects and patterns


Water PlayWater Play

Types of Play:Types of Play: Pour water into and out of different size cups Pour water into and out of different size cups Drop objects into water Drop objects into water Imagination with toysImagination with toys

Water play fosters:Water play fosters: Fine motor skillsFine motor skills Observation skills Observation skills CreativityCreativity MathematicsMathematics


Playing with BlocksPlaying with Blocks

Create blocks of various sizes (and colors)Create blocks of various sizes (and colors) Types of PlayTypes of Play

Stacking blocksStacking blocks Creating designsCreating designs Suggest imaginary scenariosSuggest imaginary scenarios

Playing with blocks fostersPlaying with blocks fosters Physical Development:Physical Development: Fine motor coordination, visual Fine motor coordination, visual

perception, spatial orientationperception, spatial orientation Social DevelopmentSocial Development CreativityCreativity

Encourage creative play: Provide scenarios: Go to Encourage creative play: Provide scenarios: Go to hospital, go to school, house in villagehospital, go to school, house in village


Outdoor ECE Classroom Outdoor ECE Classroom EnvironmentEnvironment

Safety considerations:Safety considerations: Regular safety and maintenanceRegular safety and maintenance

31,000 younger children were treated for accidents 31,000 younger children were treated for accidents at child care and school settings in 1997at child care and school settings in 1997

Frequently discuss with the students about:Frequently discuss with the students about: Appropriate use of materialsAppropriate use of materials Safe number of participants on each equipment,Safe number of participants on each equipment, Taking turnsTaking turns Cleaning upCleaning up


Safety ChecklistSafety Checklist

Be prepared for injuriesBe prepared for injuries Teach children how to properly use scissors, Teach children how to properly use scissors,

staplers, and other suppliesstaplers, and other supplies Safety caps on electrical outletsSafety caps on electrical outlets Avoid chocking hazards in toysAvoid chocking hazards in toys Check for loose screws, jagged edges, and Check for loose screws, jagged edges, and

other hazards on school equipmentother hazards on school equipment Outdoors free of broken glass and other objectsOutdoors free of broken glass and other objects


RevisionRevision

What are the overall goals of Early Childhood What are the overall goals of Early Childhood Education?Education?

What are the three areas that ECE educators What are the three areas that ECE educators should focus on for physical development?should focus on for physical development?

What are a few examples of indoor centers that What are a few examples of indoor centers that are beneficial for young children?are beneficial for young children?

What types of areas should be available What types of areas should be available outdoors for young children?outdoors for young children?


Early Childhood Education: Physical Development Dr. K. A. Korb University of Jos.

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