Reflection
When I first started this course, I was completely new to the field of early childhood education, with no background knowledge. Initially, was learning only through theory, trying to understand children’s learning from a textbook perspective. However, when began my practical training in 2017, everything changed. Experiencing the school environment firsthand gave me real insights into the “miniature society” of children and how they learn within their surroundings. One important concept I observed in action was from psychologist Albert Bandura, who emphasized that children learn through imitation. I fully understood this during my practical training, as watched children mimic the behaviours of their peers. This practical experience gave me a deeper understanding of children’s nature, the strategies needed to engage them, and how to design age-appropriate activities. I also realized that there is a significant difference between theory and practice. Theory provides foundational knowledge, but only practical experience teaches how to confront real-life situations, adapt strategies, and implement ideas. Being in an actual classroom force to learn quickly and develop effective solutions on the spot. Classroom management was one of my most challenging aspects during my practical training. Since was new to teaching, managing a classroom full of young children was difficult at first. My first placement at SOS Village in Curepipe was a valuable learning experience, where I gained insights from the children and observing experienced educators. This experience taught me skills that theory alone could never fully convey.
My previous practical experiences in school have taught me lot of things and changed my life in many ways. The quote “Failing to plan is planning to fail” has become important to me because now I understand how planning helps me work more effectively. This skill has developed over time, and I can plan my work with ease. The Early Childhood Education course has provided me with various techniques that can use with children based on their individual needs. Additionally, have learned that every child has a unique way of learning. Throughout my journey, I have recognized the importance of art and creativity in early childhood education, and how these elements can make learning fun and engaging for children. However, I am still working on fully integrating art and creativity into all areas of learning. I strive to improve my ability to use these elements in my teaching so that children can learn joyfully and creatively across all modules. In addition, When was assessing whether the children understood, I realised the importance of observation as a key skill that should possess as a future educator, one of the best qualities of an effective teacher. While conducting an activity with the song “Une poule sur un mur,” noticed that if I had used miming, the children would have enjoyed the activity even more. Using puppets, however, proved to be a very effective strategy, as it helped the children remember the words of the song more easily.
Nowadays, most preschools still use whiteboards, but would used interactive screens where children can see their learning presented in a digital format to bring about change. This approach can help eliminate boredom, allowing them to enjoy learning through an engaging display with colorful letters and images on the screen. Each child will also have the opportunity to practice writing by using their fingers on the screen, which will teach them how to use technology effectively. Afterwards, each child will be given a tablet to engage with attractive educational game apps, such as Khan Academy, for further learning. Guidance and support will be provided to each child as we monitor their progress, which will be shared on the classroom screen. Furthermore, using screens such as tablets allows for the introduction of storybooks that combine visuals, animations, audio, and text to create an immersive storytelling experience. These open educational resources (OER) help children retain information and learn new words through online storybooks. Interactive pictures with audio or video storytelling enhance children’s knowledge by making learning engaging and enjoyable. Animations and interactive features capture their attention and keep them actively involved in the process. These tools encourage children to interact with the story, ask questions, and predict outcomes. Additionally, using technology such as tablets helps children better understand storybooks through dynamic animations that change on the screen, offering a richer experience compared to traditional fixed books. Thus, in this way, tablets can effectively apply OER in the classroom. However, it is important to limit screen time for children to ensure they are not deprived of physical materials, as excessive exposure to blue light is not beneficial for their health. To ensure their safety, establish a fixed time for using tablets during digital learning activities. Additionally, when giving children access to interactive apps, all pop-ups and advertisements must be disabled to prevent them from accidentally clicking on anything that could lead to viruses or security risks.
As a result, this journey has enlightened and transformed my path by showing the significance of observation and adaptability in teaching, as well as the essential role of planning in creating effective learning experiences. Nonetheless, I still need to improve in certain areas, such as narrating stories in an engaging way that captivates children’s attention.