Role of The Early Years Practitioner in Learning

Role of The ahead of eon(a) Years Practiti atomic number 53r in LearningBackgroundGeneral Introduction to Topic This get hold of is 2 f centenarian sourcely it relates to a personal interest as an early long duration practician and second a professional resolution to infrastand the use of goods and services of the practiti starr and the entrance the several(prenominal) can ingest on baberens hit the books.For substanceive encyclopaedism at heart early social classs practicetings, identification of how the practician affects squirtrens information needs to be recognised (Rodd, 20007). How the practitioner can influence the behaviour of others, contributionicularly staff and fryren, to contribute to a creative early childishness programme. It is paramount the practitioners pee-pee collaboratively together within the equivalent organisational goals to pretend a community enriching childrens personal growth and progress, which enhances the practitioners expe ctations and individual standards (Rodd, 20008). I feel hot concerning the recognition of the practitioners role influencing on childrens learning and the factors that may contribute to this. at bottom the raisingal institution, the power of success of the student relies on the strength of the curriculum. The content of the curriculum has to entice and bind the learner, who result respond with motivation and focus. A poor, un sure-fire curriculum, is one that is unchanged over old age, and will adjoin unless mod instructionalist be pro-active in bringing online trends into play, which is median(prenominal)ly the case. New fresh ideas and go ones to old problems bring new life into any task, for a synthesis of speculation and practice is necessary because theory without practice is dead, whilst practice without theory has no direction (Bruce, 1987).The complexity involved in learning is discussed and cover by many, and the direction of improvement is alship canal under investigation. In 2005, the disposal announced plans to merge the fork up To Three Matters Frame run short and the groundwork ramification, to form a single Early Years stem demo covering care, learning and instruction in all early years settings from birth to age five. (Literacy Trust, 2006) wad this produce the desired effect on learning. There are several diametric styles of learning which are examined here and aspects are gamy civiliselighted, including the endpoint Learning Power (Deakin Crick et al, 2002) which sets out to explain with extensive research, mirror image and experimentation that a series of unique dimensions exist.These dimensions are Changing and learningCreativityCritical quirkFragility of dependenceLearning well-disposed intercourseshipsMeaning and makingStrategic awarenessFrom these dimensions and their descriptions resulted a useful language, one for the naming of something that fills a gap within education to go forth an excellent dialog of the quality among t apieceers and their pupils. By successful inclusion this language could enhance the learning power of the pupil by the break d possessment of self-awareness to encourage and produce responsibility for ones own learning and to ultimately improve and corroboration all the resemblanceships of learning and assessment.Research for this whole see involved investigating current policy and identifying street smart literature. Conducting this research I observe a gap in literature concerning the specifics in my look at. Examining books, journals, articles and Internet websites for scroll in stageion relating to the practitioners role I discovered exceptional data that discusses this issue. I headstrong to analyse the factors that can contribute to the practitioners role and how it has shaped the modern early years practitioner. I was interested in how the role has developed and what shaped the 21st century practitioner, this lead to the factors that depute t o this evolvement.Factors that may influence a practicians RoleHow the practitioners role has developedType of set impact on practitioners role effecting childrens learningAge and Experience of Practitioner whether this has any bearing authorities Policy the changes effecting a practitioners roleAs my study became broader I explored factors such as the shaping of early years practitioners and what contributed to this, became as key as the original research question. As I researched my aims became defined, breaking down the elements to r from each one clear objectives for each aim.AimsThe principle aims of this research areTo analyse the role of the early years practitioner in relation to childrens learning.Explore a range of early years practitioners.Investigate what they do and determine whether their role is the equal or diverse in the context of various settings.Examine how the profession has developed.Analyse disposal Policy to determine whether this affects the practitioner s role.The aims are intended to provide a broad indication of the purpose of the research, (Fitzpatrick, 1998153). To elucidate the criteria I aim to determine precise statements of intent by sub-dividing the aims into objectives, as follows.ObjectivesTo conduct in depth, semi- structured interviews with a sample of 12 practitioners who have worked for at least 2 years (this is due to practitioners requiring the date in order to respond to questions relating to their role).To conduct this research exploitation practitioners of varying age and experience to determine whether these variables have any bearing on practitioners influence on childrens learning.To investigate a range of settings High Scope, Montessori and The Foundation pose to determine whether the settings curriculum model influences learning and changes the practitioners role.Investigate the changing role of the Early Years practitioner. Reflecting on historical and contemporary issues.Reflect on Early Years policy and practitioners role.Research DesignMethod and Methodology To indicate the practical ways in which my research project will be organised, including an impartial appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses that may arise. Within my study I aim to put strategies into place that will minimize the disadvantages for the methodology used and to enhance the advantages (Oliver, 2004135).I plan to carry out a study involving 12 participants, who work within varied early years provisions these participants moldiness have at least two years post reservation experience. I have chosen this length of service to establish realistic expectations and feelings of individuals. The provisions must be varied therefrom I have chosen three separate settings High/Scope, Montessori and The Foundation Stage (learning done play), within these provisions I aim to use in-depth, face-to-face interviewing of quaternity practitioners conducted at their settings. This method is appropriate as it allots for flexibility (Robson, 2002278) and freedom with responses. Using semi-structured questions including some structured questions, such as, standard factual material. An additional reason for using a soft method is that individuals insight of a particular workplace can be analysed1. The disadvantages are numerous one example is the reliability of the participants responses and the lack of standardisation that will inevitability arise with a semi-structured interview technique.I plan to contact the selected settings asking for permission to conduct in-depth interviews explaining the reasons for the study. To explain the reasons for the research within the setting, acknowledging the interviewees sense of comfort in a familiar environs. It may relevant to send a sample of the questions to allow the participants to prepare.After the interviews and data collected and transcribed, the analysis begins. The use of content analysis may be a worthwhile method for its effectiveness when examini ng text materials2. However, there are advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include the data is fixed and allows for re-analysis and reliability checks. Disadvantages include limited data may be difficult to assess as the participants are casual acquaintances and therefore responses may only be reflections of an individual (Robson, 2004358).Another method is using a quantitative strategy after gathering the data, placing gathered information into charts, graphs etc to determine the percentage of same responses. This makes research data manageable and easy to hear, in essence using methodological triangulation combining qualitative and quantitative approaches3. I am aware of various epistemological positions that I could adopt reflecting a different approach to the research question (Cuba et al, 199499), however, these methods appear appropriate and suitable to the research question.Literature ReviewAlthough the study being conducted is fairly localised, this strengthens the res earch for the widening debate for exploration of the significance of the study (Oliver, 200498) for example, investigating judicature policy and its impact on practitioners role. The literature is relevant to the project to make it easier to read I have sub-divided it into categoriesThe Role of The Practitioner program / Learning and commandmentTheoristsThe Role of the PractitionerI found limited literature that dealt with the issue of the practitioners role in childrens education as a result I expanded my research4. Examining the books available (Rodd, 20009) suggests there is limited literature on the practical application of a practitioners role. This lack of information is important in relation to perceptiveness the early childhood context and the practitioners role within it. The limitations in current literature need to be explored or else than omitted5. By this statement Rodd (20009) implies the role is an important one in shaping childrens learning. In agreement, Riley ( 200424) suggests, practitioners interaction trains are of the prime importance in childrens learning6. This literature signifies the importance of the practitioners role when involved in childrens learning. both(prenominal) books feature the positive aspects of practitioners involvement, such as developing curriculum practice to allow spontaneous learning and free choice. Riley (200424) compares her findings to another study (Tizard and Hughes, 1984 as cited in Riley, 200424) where concuring open-ended questions provide a framework for conversation with the child. The importance of the practitioners role is also emphasised in (Manning-Morton et al, 2003155) who suggest, the practitioner has a crucial role in childrens learning7.This application of the practitioner is quite varied including taking on the role of psychologist, for many of the assessments made with regard to entry into the present Foundation Stage is by observation. computer programme / Learning and EducationThe se cond category focuses on the curriculum and the part the practitioner plays in successful carrying into action8 without this a stimulating surroundings is not fostered and therefore hinders childrens learning. In sum-up the literature details the responsibility the practitioner has in shaping childrens learning in important contexts that are appropriate and suitable. The authors discuss the importance of multi-professional collaboration9. This signifies the importance of practitioners working together to create an environment that enriches childrens lives. With practitioners that are motivational in delivering an effective learning environment geting children to reach their full potential now that will carry on through the years, or in other words to start the pathway for womb-to-tomb Learning. The responsibility of implementing a successful learning programme depends not just on the practitioner, nurturing minds, having a positive effect10. The literature supports the practit ioners disturbance for effective learning, where situations and surrounding play an important part.The differences in our situations and surroundings that we live in are factors that influence our quality and quantity of our learning process, and this process encompasses social, moral and academic learning. (Child, 1997)This effective learning process of Lifelong Learning, was brought into the open through employment and employers throughout the last decade of the 20th Century where changes of technology and ethnic issues came about in the workplace (Crompton, Gallio, Purcell, 1996). To begin with, in 1996, the European Year of Lifelong Learning, the British administration published a Policy poser for Lifetime Learning (DfEE, 1996). Enhanced by the Fryer penning ( bailiwick Advisory Group for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (NAGCELL) in 1997), and which surprisingly was omitted from the Dearing Report (NCIHE 1997) as sanctioned by the government with National Higher Education. Although well criticised, the report contained recommendations and targets for education and training that set out to motivate and enable learners to develop and benefit in society. Overall it outlined the aims to be sustainable, and to last shape a democratic path. In parallel to all this was a negative that was highlighted by Elliott (1999) who tell that educationalists and the policy makers had on occasions hijacked the phrase Lifelong Learning for other reasons. Reasons which came out from their own agendas, producing a system of their self-interest which resulted in being an obstacle and destructive to learning.The learning process of education has been under investigation for many years. The British Cohort Study (BCS70) as far stern as 1970 support that a pre-school program generally increased cognitive attainment for children of 5 years of age. Yet did not prove a great difference within disadvantaged children (Osborne Millbank, 1987). Research also found tha t the social adjustment and language was poor at the age of 5, and also showed that inferior reading skills were present at the age of 11. Feinstein et al (1998) showed that in education during the years of 1962-1973 the pre-school contribution made no improvement to children ledger entry secondary school. Now some thirty years on pre-school is taken as an important part of amongst others learning the social skills to prepare for nominal education.Comparing types of provision, such as Montessori and High/Scope was by way of literature and via Internet websites11. Analysing these became a framework for an alternative curriculum implementation, detailing the practitioners role and the methods used for a successful ethos. The High/Scope regime is an active learning educational approach12, the childs interests and choices are at the heart of the programme, where the central model of learning is the plan, do and study cycle.The High/Scope educational approach for infant-toddler, pres chool, elementary, and youth programs is a set of guiding principles and practices that adults follow as they work with and care for children and youth. These principles are intended as an open framework that teams of adults are free to lodge to the special needs and conditions of their group, their setting, and their community. Active learning the belief that children learn best through active experiences with people, materials, events and ideas, rather than through direct teaching or sequenced exercises is a central tenet of the High/Scope approach for all age levels.(High/Scope, 2005)They construct their own cognition through interactions, planning their activities for the day in a small group with a teacher or educator. Each small group will have a keyworker a member of staff assigned full time to them, so although they work with different adults, the children in the group have the security of a central relationship. Later in the day the whole group will review their progress , and as language is central to learning, so children describing both plans and activities to each other becomes very beneficial.So with the whole group being involved in pioneer the prototypal steps in the learning process, out of high-quality early years environment come the development of feelings for high self-esteem, with high-aspirations and secure feelings of self-efficiency. Believing in their own capability to start solving problems, to understand new ideas, and develop new skills. The result being, that the children feel in control of their environment and grow in confidence with their abilities. This principle continues in focused adult/child and child/child conversations, placing the responsibility very much on the individual child for their own learning, whilst the practitioners offer physiological, emotional, and intellectual support. So taking on Vygotskys notion of effective instruction within the zone of proximal development (1993, p.36).Summarising the Montesso ri method this includes education of the senses the aim is two-fold, biological and social13. The Montessori environment is solely linked with natural objects for children to explore and investigate in their first seven years. The practitioners role is to support children within their access of objects and environment. The DfES Foundation Stage ethos focuses on learning through play and learning intentions to support children through stages of achievements. The practitioners role is to support childrens progress through each stage by implementing activities and opportunities to extend their learning through a play environment. Each curriculum requires the practitioner to be motivational, enthusiastic and knowledgeable in their field.In 1998 the excogitation of a National Literacy Strategy (NLS) for school years 1-6 was undertaken, and with it came big pressure being placed on schools to implement this program, following which most primary schools have continued to adopt it. The N ational Literacy Strategy (NLS) has a central core, which is the framework for teaching that covers the statutory requirements in reading and writing within the National Curriculum. The school curriculum comprises of all learning and other experiences that each school will plan for its pupils, and the National Curriculum is an important element of that school curriculum. The NLS provides a framework of pre-specified objectives that revolve around text, sentence and word level work which are delivered via a daily structured hour long session, which is termed Literacy Hour. Following this intro Primary teachers are now urged to support and conform with this prescribed teaching pattern, in fact practitioners are now being told not only what to teach, but also how to teach it.Education influences and reflects the determine of society, and the kind of society we want to be. It is important therefore, to recognize a broad set of communal values and purposes that underpin the school cur riculum and the work in schools.If schools are to respond effectively to those values and purposes, they need to work in collaboration with families and the local community, including church and voluntary groups, local agencies and business, in pursuit to achieve two broad aims through the curriculum. These aims provide an essential context within which schools develop their own curriculum, and are outlined as followsFirstly the school curriculum should aim to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and achieve.Secondly the school curriculum should aim to promote pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.The National Curriculum, Key Stages 1 2. 1999 DfEEDespite all this, a report undertaken by the Association of Head Teachers 2003 claims there is a mounting concern amongst teachers about the effects of this Literacy strategy. Arguing that formal teaching as prescribed throug h the Literacy Hour, is developmentally inappropriate for many 6 year olds, and therefore recommends that the principles of the Foundation Stage be extended to cover all children aged 3-7 years.In enhancing this thinking, going back to 1996 where the Department for Educational Studies (DfES) funded the undertaking of Effective Provision of Pre-School Education a longitudinal study that was for children of 3 to 7 years of age. Where it majored on pre-school through into primary assessing from a cross-section of social backgrounds. This complimented another undertaking in Findings from the Early Primary Years (EPPE Summary 2004) that collected data from children, their adverts, their home environment and the pre-school they appeared. all of which went on to prove that cognitive and social effects were positive for the children going into primary school.It was found that parents education and social class remained as predictors of intellectual and social development, and that very l ong periods of pre-school were machine-accessible with anti-social behavioural problems entering primary school and through to the end of Key Stage 1. This fact was attributed to the movement of non-parental childcare before three years of age. The education level of the childs mother was seen to be a factor in the childs performance. Overall, it reported that the attainment reached in reading and mathematicss from an effective, high quality pre-school attendance, proved a positive impact which was not depleted by the end of Key Stage 1, and that attendance before the age of 3 was very positive towards the childs attainment.By continual research key findings within the EPPE Summary of 2004 over the pre-school period include that disadvantaged children may benefit appreciably from good quality pre-school experience, especially when they are with a form of children from different backgrounds. It also went on to show that overall, disadvantaged children have a tendency to only atten d pre-school for short periods of time compared to those from more advantaged groups. From this result recommendations were made i) To develop and encourage more episodes of sustained divided thinking with the children. Use of freely chosen play activities provides the best opportunities to extend childrens thinking. ii) Continually work towards an equal balance of child and adult initiated activity. iii) Develop staff to have both the knowledge and sense of child development and the curriculum.By way of a pilot scheme, in 1998 parts of England by the National Literacy Strategy (NLS), which was a direct result of nationwide poverty implications in 1966, all infant and primary schools were expected to teach English within what was termed the Literacy Hour. The hour was divided into segments to allow teaching as a whole class, as groups or individuals, with the focus for each segment also prescribed in detail children being taught reading and writing at whole text, sentence or word level. Teaching objectives had to be included in this daily Literacy Hour with the class. The format is dictated to being the same for Year 1 through to Year 6.Reaction from teachers, many unprepared to teach this due to lack of time, were concerned and spooky over several issues, and some reported that time spent in other curriculum areas were affected. A perceived lack of flexibility about the Literacy Hour was commented on unfavourably, with fears voiced of the possible negative effect resulting from six years of children being taught in the same way (Anderson Urquhart, 2000)The feedback on this, Hourwatch, was undertaken from the autumn of 1998 through to the summer of 1999, from a cross-section in Year 1 and Year 2 at Infant School, and answer class and year 6 in Primary School. The feedback from teachers was not favourable. Planning of group activities excessivelyk a considerable extra time to prepare. Overall the framework objectives for the hour resulted in a lack of co herence, making implementation time consuming, out of all proportion to its share of the curriculum, and generally uninspiring. One such response from an experienced teacher, remarked that although Learning Hour had some good points, it was too rigid a structure, takes too much time to plan, too analytical, not matched to childrens current level of experience and skill. It gets boring following the same format day in day out, it does not provide enough opportunities for creative and extended writing, and it results in too much unfinished work (Anderson Urquhart, 2000) Overall the organizational and bureaucratic demands were overwhelming the educational value.In 2000 the political sympathies in the UK introduced a revised National Curriculum (Curriculum 2000) and the Foundation Stage that was for the 3 to 5 year olds, giving this period in the childs education a distinct identity and attention. Curriculum 2000 emphasized inclusion, aiming to secure learners participation and ensure appropriate opportunities for them to achieve, and offered flexibility within for schools to develop their own normal curriculum. It offered a less prescriptive approach, in which flexible allocating of time for required subjects allowed them not to taught each week, term or year, therefore allowing choice of method and the maximising of teaching and learning.A study of the transition from infant to Primary in England from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1 was carried out in 2005 (Sanders et al, 2005), where it was discovered the biggest challenge to children being the move from play-based approach in the Foundation Stage to a more structured curriculum in Key Stage 1. It also noted that the Literacy Hour had proved challenging as it was difficult for new children to sit still and listen to their teacher.The ensuring of stability, has been promised and undertaken by the Government for this transition period, in understanding and support for staff training, the childs learning and gu idance for parents (DfES, 2003).Researching journals on the subject was also limited with only one journal Early Childhood Research Quarterly. This research14 discusses the aspect of practitioner behaviours in the environment and the practitioners application, detailing the importance of collaboration and an understanding of curriculum and learning. Reading the journal article shows a support for my research in as much that the role of the practitioner is vital in providing an effective learning environment for children to progress and grow.In respect to how children progress and grow, a large portion learn, construct knowledge and develop skills, in todays world of computers and computer games. The act of play for a young child is seen as being far more important, and in the past there have been successful arguments in the fore and against the time allocated for play in the early important years of a childs education. Parents and school administrators always demand results, and yet question the value of a child playing. Educators and child development specialists endorse play as being the best way for young children to learn the ultimate curriculum for the social, physical and cognitive advancement needed to set a solid foundation for afterwards school and life success in our increasingly complex and technological world.The importance of play in a childs development is shown to have various kinds of concepts (Wardle, 2000), each having their own strengthsMotor/physical play critical for the development of physical strength, and to establish a fitness regime against heath problems through being overweight in latter years.Social play interacting with others builds skills and underlines important social rules, including give and take, co-operation and sharing. each go towards moral reasoning and developing a mature sense of values.Constructive play the handling of the environment to experiment, build and create, resulting in accomplishment that empowers th em with control of their environment.Fantasy play experimentation of language and emotions in an abstract world, where young children can stretch imaginations in a risk-free environment. This area of abstract time is believed to be so important in our growing technological society.Games with rules vitally important in a childs development, to learn and understand that situations cannot exist without everyone adhering to the same set of rules. This concept teaches children a critically important concept, in that the game of life has rules (laws) that we all must follow to function productively (Wardle, 1987).Government policy reflects the importance of the practitioners role with learning and education in early years settings. The proposed Childcare Bill introduced to Parliament on 8th November 2005 supported a link amidst Foundation Stage (3-5 years), Every Child Matters, Birth to Three Framework and OFSTED National Childcare Standards for nurseries combining these four documents 15. By placing early childhood provision on a statutory footing will get wind practitioners of the Governments commitment to improving early years provision. The Government recognise for the youngest children the distinction between childcare and education is indistinguishable. This supports my research by the Government recognising the important role the practitioner has in the upbeat of children, in education and care.In the UK this problem is being addressed by the Government taking on a ten-year strategy for childcare, published in 2004, which is now subject to Parliamentary Approval in 2006 (Education Skills, 2006). It is the Governments response to a fundamental challenge facing Britain in the need to ensure available, affordable, and high quality childcare in the 21st Century. More women are going to work than ever before, they take away to work for increased family income that can improve lifestyle (out of poverty) and improve their childrens life chances. With the emerg ence of this new Childcare Bill the practitioner has to ensure their role positively shapes childrens learning in meaningful contexts.Now in 2006 discussion and assessment is well underway for the Early Years Foundation Stage that will start in 2008. In 2005, the Government announced plans to merge the Birth To Three Matters Framework and the Foundation Stage, to form a single Early Years Foundation Stage covering care, learning and development in all early years settings from birth to age five.Are the lessons that have been learnt by the government ministers over the years now going to lay correct foundations for the practitioners to deal with? As childhood is not merely a pe