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Early Childhood Education · 100 Level
This is the complete lecture note for EEC 102 The Pre School Child and Play in early childhood education, prepared for Early Childhood Education students at 100 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS COURSE CODE: EEC 102 COURSE TITLE: The Pre School Child and Play in early childhood education COURSE UNIT LOAD: 2 UNIT • Understanding the Pre-School Child • Interpretations of Childhood and Care Methods • Concept and Types of Play in Early Childhood • Indoor and Outdoor Games in Child Development • Play Environment, Equipment, and Child Care Series 1: Understanding the Pre-School Child Series Outline • 1.1 Defining the Pre-School Child o 1.1.1 Age range of the pre-school child o 1.1.2 Characteristics of the pre-school child • 1.2 Domains of Development in the Pre-School Child o 1.2.1 Cognitive development o 1.2.2 Affective development o 1.2.3 Psychomotor development • 1.3 Stakeholders in Early Childhood Care o 1.3.1 Parents and family o 1.3.2 Teachers and caregivers o 1.3.3 Community and society • 1.4 Methods of Care for the Pre-School Child o 1.4.1 Home-based care
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS o 1.4.2 School-based care o 1.4.3 Integrated approaches Introduction Early childhood is a critical stage in human development, laying the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour, and health. The pre-school years are particularly important because they represent a period of rapid growth and exploration. At this stage, children begin to interact more actively with their environment, and their physical, emotional, and social needs require careful attention. Understanding who the pre-school child is, and how they develop, is essential for anyone involved in early childhood education. The aim of this Series is to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to define the pre-school child, examine their developmental domains, identify the key stakeholders in their care, and explore the methods of care that support their growth. We shall commence this Series by defining the pre-school child, focusing on their age range and characteristics. Next, we will examine the domains of development, including cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects. Following that, we will consider the roles of various stakeholders such as parents, teachers, and the wider community. Finally, we will conclude by exploring different methods of care, ranging from home-based to school-based and integrated approaches. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the pre-school child in terms of age range and characteristics, • SLO 1.2 explain the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of development in the pre-school child, • SLO 1.3 analyse the roles of parents, teachers, and community as stakeholders in early childhood care, and • SLO 1.4 evaluate different methods of care for the pre-school child, including home-based, school-based, and integrated approaches. 1.1 Defining The Pre-School Child 1.1.1 Age range of the pre-school child The term pre-school child refers to a young learner who falls within the age bracket of approximately three to five years. This period is often described as the stage before formal schooling begins, where children are nurtured in environments designed to prepare them for structured education. At this
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS age, children are curious, energetic, and eager to explore their surroundings. They are also highly receptive to guidance and stimulation, which makes early childhood education a crucial foundation for later learning. Fill in the blank: A pre-school child is typically between the ages of ___ and ___ years. Diagram showing age range categories in early childhood Figure 1.1: Age range of the pre-school child “ 1.1.2 Characteristics of the pre-school child The characteristics of a pre-school child include physical, emotional, social, and intellectual traits that distinguish them from infants and older children. Physically, they are developing motor skills such as running, climbing, and drawing. Emotionally, they begin to express feelings more openly and
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS seek comfort from familiar adults. Socially, they enjoy playing with peers and start to learn cooperation and sharing. Intellectually, they show curiosity, ask questions, and begin to grasp basic concepts such as numbers and colours. Fill in the blank: One key characteristic of a pre-school child is their growing ability to ___ with peers. Image of children engaged in play and interaction Plate 1.1: Typical characteristics of pre-school children in play
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Box 1.1: Selected characteristics of pre-school children • Developing motor skills such as running and drawing • Expressing emotions openly • Enjoying peer interaction and group play • Showing curiosity and asking questions • Beginning to grasp basic concepts Domain Key Characteristics Physical Refinement of fine motor skills (using scissors, drawing shapes) and gross motor skills (hopping, climbing, catching a ball). Cognitive Transitioning into the Preoperational Stage; characterized by "magical thinking," curiosity (the "Why?" phase), and emerging counting/letter recognition. Language Vocabulary expands to 2,000+ words; ability to speak in complex sentences, tell stories, and engage in basic conversations. Social-Emotional Shift from "parallel play" to associative and cooperative play; development of empathy, sharing, and the use of imagination in role-playing. Independence Increasing ability to perform self-care tasks, such as dressing themselves, using the bathroom independently, and following simple multi-step directions. Pilot questions 1.1 1. What is the typical age range of a pre-school child? 2. List two physical characteristics of pre-school children.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 3. Identify one emotional characteristic of a pre-school child. 4. Which social behaviour is common among pre-school children? 5. What intellectual trait is often observed in pre-school children? 1.2 Domains Of Development In The Pre-School Child 1.2.1 Cognitive development Cognitive development refers to the growth of mental processes such as thinking, reasoning, memory, and problem-solving. At the pre-school stage, children begin to recognise shapes, colours, and numbers, and they develop the ability to follow simple instructions. They also start asking questions to satisfy their curiosity, which is a sign of their expanding mental capacity. Fill in the blank: Cognitive development in pre-school children involves the growth of ___ processes such as thinking and memory. Diagram showing stages of cognitive development in early childhood Figure 1.2: Cognitive development milestones in pre-school children
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2.2 Affective development Affective development refers to the growth of emotions, feelings, and attitudes. Pre-school children begin to express joy, sadness, anger, and affection more clearly. They also start to develop empathy, showing concern when others are upset. This emotional growth is influenced by the care and attention they receive from adults and peers. Fill in the blank: Affective development in pre-school children involves the growth of ___ and attitudes. Image of a child showing empathy to another child
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