Unit 9: Unit 9: Teaching the Whole Child – Discussion

The past nine weeks have shown us how to use developmentally appropriate practice when engaging with students. You now know that students learn best through play. You also know that it is best to implement a combination of teacher directed and child directed activities to enhance skills. Using the information that you have learned, please respond to the following discussion question.

One of the parents in your school says, “I really enjoyed coming to Parents’ Night last week and seeing all the things the children are doing. I was particularly interested in your comments about the materials which enhance cognitive abilities. Why is it so much better to teach children that way instead of just teaching them to count and learn the alphabet”?

• Summarize your response to this parent. Be sure to include examples that support learning with materials enhances cognitive abilities.
• Defend how the learning activities provide a foundation for later success in primary school.