preoperational intelligence:
cognitive development between the ages of about 2 and 6. It includes language and imagination, but logic, operational thinking is not yet possible at this stage.
centration:
characteristic of preoperational thought in which a young child focuses on one idea
egocentrism:
children's tendency to think about the world entirely from their own personal perspective. literally means self-centered Child comforts someone with a stuffed animal
focus on appearance:
characteristic of preoperational thought where young child ignores all attributes that are not apparent
Example of focus on appearance:
A girl with a short haircut "must" be a boy. Or the "taller" child must be "older."
static reasoning:
thinking that nothing changes whatever is now has always been and always will be
example of static reasoning:
A boy is surprised to learn that "his" teacher is also someone's mother!
irreversibility:
idea that nothing can be undone inability to recognize that something can be restored
conservation:
idea that amount of a substance remains the same when appearance changes
tests of various types of conservation examples:
glasses of liquid, lines of checkers, shapes of clay, and two sticks and moving one.
Children and Mentors:
Present challenges, Offer assistance (without taking over), Add crucial information, and Encourage motivation
Who is the child's first mentor?
Parents
Guided participation:
is the process by which children learn from others who guide their experiences. ex: helping a child with a puzzle
zone of proximal development (ZPD):
skills a person can exercise only with assistance
scaffolding:
temporary support tailored to a learner's needs and abilities aimed at helping master next task
private speech:
internal dialogue that occurs when people talk to themselves silent or out loud
social mediation:
function of speech where person's cognitive skills are refined and extended both formal instruction and casual conversation
Both Piaget and Vygotsky realized that:
children actively work to understand their world.
Children's Theories:
seek to explain what they experience why and how people behave as they do
theory-theory:
idea that children attempt to explain everything they see and hear by constructing theories Ask lots of questions about human behavior and nature
theory of mind:
person's theory of what other people might be thinking must realize other people are not thinking the same thoughts that they are
Early childhood is a sensitive period for rapidly and easily mastering:
vocabulary grammar Pronunciation and children are like: "Language Sponges"
The Vocabulary Explosion:
Fast-Mapping easier to map a new word if it is connected to a familiar one.
Grammar of language includes:
structures, techniques, and rules that are used to communicate meaning.
examples of grammar:
word order word repetition prefixes and suffixes intonation emphasis
Many language- minority parents fear:
Language shift and Balanced Bilingual
Language shift-
becoming more fluent in the school language than home language.
Balanced Bilingual-
a person who is fluent in two languages, not favoring one over the other
Early educational institutions:
Child-Centered programs Teacher-Directed programs Head Start & Intervention programs
Each early-childhood educational program emphasizes somewhat different:
skills goals methods
Teacher-Directed Programs stress preparation for school by:
Teach children letters, numbers, shapes Teach how to sit and listen quietly Teachers direct the events of the day
Quality matters for example:
safety adequate space and equipment low adult-child ratio positive social interaction among children and adults trained staff and educated parents continuity helps "How long has each staff member worked at the center?"
Child-Centered Programs:
Programs that stress children's development and growth. Child-centered programs also encourage artistic expression.
Child-centered programs that use a Piaget-inspired model allows children to discover ideas at their own pace. For example using:
physical space and materials puzzles blocks of many sizes toys