Exploring Theories of Early Learning

This assignment relates to the following Course Learning Requirements:  

1 – Explore and identify the theories of early learning

2 – Explore the historical context of learning theory and practices

3 – Identify how theories inform teaching practices that support diversity and culture

To select three theories that were discussed in the course and explain how you could apply them in your practice as an educator.

To prepare for this assignment, read the module content, presentations, and textbook readings from modules 1-8. 

As you engage in everyday interactions with children and their families, and as you support children’s learning and development, you will no doubt be applying strategies that have been inspired by different theorists, some of which we have learned about in this course.  In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to select three theorists whose ideas resonated with you and provide specific examples of how you can see putting them into practice.   

Select three of the following theorists that we explored in the course:

Gardner

Sternberg

Erikson

Vygotsky

Piaget

Maslow

Bronfenbrenner

Kohlberg

Skinner

Gilligan

Information Processing Model

After you have selected the three theorists/theories that you would like to focus on, consider the following questions that you will discuss for each one:

1.What are the main ideas proposed?  (In other words, what is the basis of the theory?)

2.Why did you select it?  (In other words, why does it resonate with you?)

3.How can you see implementing it in your work with children?  (In other words, what would this theory in practice look like?)

4.How might the ideas underlying the theory help you support the diversity that you will likely see in your program (either through cultural diversity within families or children’s interests, abilities, and skills)?