EDU40021 Assessment 1 –Step 1: Theoretical perspectivesIn an early childhood environment, children’s learning and development should be nurturedand supported throughout their early learning journey. Children learn best through play andby exploring their environment. Educators provide rich and play based environment that isplanned well to support each individual child’s growth and holistic development (Departmentof Education and Training [DET], 2019). Developmental approaches to learning strategieshave progressed over time and these contrasts are reflected in children’s learning anddevelopment (Mena, Hennissen & Loughran, 2017). In socio-cultural theory Vygotskyacknowledge that through play and imagination, children can further broaden their conceptualpotentials and understanding of the world (Cherry, 2022). Educators endeavour to engagetheir curiosity, exploration, and love of learning by organising play experiences andcollaborative learning. United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF] (2018), states thatopportunities and environments that elevates children’s exploration, play, and hands onlearning are the soul of early childhood education. Educators must provide a rich and holisticlearning environment to support each child’s uniqueness. This can be achieved througheducators taking deliberate actions to enhance positive interactions and scaffolding children’slearning and development. Educator’s ‘scaffold’ a child’s learning through the recognitionand exploitation of teachable moments and through the provision of a deliberate physical andemotional environment that reinforces formative experience.According to O’Donnell et al., (2015), Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal development describesabout the zone that links between what a children can achieve on their own and what they canachieve through guidance from more knowledgeable individuals, their teachers.Learningthrough social situations and embedding cultural practices within the classroom is essential.Children learn the values of their own cultures and communities which is why it’s so vitallyimportant to develop open relationships and build understandings with families to understandthe child and how they best learn and develop as an individual.Montessori schools prefersthe word guide instead of teacher to strengthen the child’s role in their own learning (Murray,2011). Montessori theory looks to the child and follows their direction, prepares items,activities and experiences that may enhance where they are going with theirlearning.Furthermore, supporting children’s uniqueness is fundamental at Montessorieducation and it is one of the most productive way to elevate motivation (Murray, 2011).
