“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.” ― Eileen Kennedy-Moore on Smart Parenting For Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential.

This presentation begins with the famous quote above which emphasizes the connection between genetic make-up and developmental stages as pointers towards nurturing a child’s true potential. Eileen’s view that the path of a child’s development is ‘rarely a straight line’ buttresses the fact that the process of development in every child is not only unique and special, but must be observed distinctively.

That the status and role of education in the 21st century has changed tremendously is no more a secret, considering the need to or importance of instilling in pupils the flexibility to readily adapt to changing technologies and trends in our world. Hence, teachers must foster or create an enriched or enabling environment that facilitates critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, global awareness and social responsibility.

To be actively relevant, as a teacher, on child development, in the 21st century, the following learning approaches should be considered:

First, a teacher should gear towards embracing an integrated technological approach to learning. Since today’s kids were born in the age of computers, teachers must learn to speak their language and become conversant with the technological innovations that come so naturally to the pupils. Teachers discover pupil’s interests and align it with their technical skills. Teachers must also understand the technological tools and how to use them to enhance learning. However, they must kick against the misuse of the internet.

Secondly, a 21st century teacher is a sharp contrast to his counterpart who taught many years back and also served as the center of focus in classrooms. Today’s effective teachers are increasingly embracing a child-centered approach which sparks active cooperative learning and interaction among the pupils. It is simply a world of active learners and critical thinkers! The teacher must turn the classroom into lively scenes that involve movement and stimulate discussion. This approach to learning leaves the teacher as a passive participant who rather guides or moderates the discussion.

In addition, a teacher of today’s fast-changing trends in education and child development must realize that every child is unique and special in their stages of development, interest and learning abilities. Therefore, a teacher should be very observant to differentiate among the individual needs of pupils in the classroom, especially their distinct cognitive learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. These learning styles reveal the identity of a learner and the type of activity in which he or she must thrive. Teachers can also differentiate by matching assignment to readiness levels, offering the right activities as required. There is also the need to allow pupils to choose activities based on areas of interest: this freedom is a motivating factor for kids. Small group work is one of the most effective ways to meet the needs of diverse learners in a large class.

Furthermore, involving pupils in the process of goal-setting is a sure way to motivate them to take ownership of their learning. In the first place, goal-setting has to be prepared in a very clear and simplistic manner like having continuous one-on-one conversations with pupils about their progress and problems in specific areas of learning. Also, teachers can enhance goal-setting by means of charts and organizers for each learner to show and update progressive reports, feedback and the next line of action.

Besides, an effective 21st century teacher should recognize that every child possesses a distinct level or rate of assimilation. While Child A learns slowly, Child B grasps at a faster pace. The approach to handling such differences applying what is called Assessment for Learning or Formative Assessment, unlike Summative Assessment that do not always give a clear or convincing evaluation of a child’s knowledge of a particular topic content. Before a teacher moves to the next objective, he or she must be sure that no learner is left behind in the full grasping of the previous objective. To overcome this, there must be thorough monitoring on how pupils are learning during teaching, using observations and question strategies, class discussions, peer assessments among others.

Lastly, in order to achieve a holistic development in a child, a teacher must be thoroughly observant and vigilant at all times. He or she must show great concern about the neatness, cleanliness, appearance, nutrition, disposition, sitting and walking posture, etc. of each pupil. The absence of these simply shows lack of love as posited by Loveth E. (an expert in Early Child Development), adding that being a teacher is not only limited to covering the four areas of development (the physical, emotional, social and cognitive), but also showing great love and care for everything that concerns a child.

In conclusion, this paper I believe has been able to impress on us, the importance of educating teachers on child development in the 21st century.

(2017) Kewulezi Eze (Ezelous)

ezelos:
“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.” ― Eileen Kennedy-Moore on Smart Parenting For Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential.

This presentation begins with the famous quote above which emphasizes the connection between genetic make-up and developmental stages as pointers towards nurturing a child’s true potential. Eileen’s view that the path of a child’s development is ‘rarely a straight line’ buttresses the fact that the process of development in every child is not only unique and special, but must be observed distinctively.

That the status and role of education in the 21st century has changed tremendously is no more a secret, considering the need to or importance of instilling in pupils the flexibility to readily adapt to changing technologies and trends in our world. Hence, teachers must foster or create an enriched or enabling environment that facilitates critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, global awareness and social responsibility.

To be actively relevant, as a teacher, on child development, in the 21st century, the following learning approaches should be considered:

First, a teacher should gear towards embracing an integrated technological approach to learning. Since today’s kids were born in the age of computers, teachers must learn to speak their language and become conversant with the technological innovations that come so naturally to the pupils. Teachers discover pupil’s interests and align it with their technical skills. Teachers must also understand the technological tools and how to use them to enhance learning. However, they must kick against the misuse of the internet.

Secondly, a 21st century teacher is a sharp contrast to his counterpart who taught many years back and also served as the center of focus in classrooms. Today’s effective teachers are increasingly embracing a child-centered approach which sparks active cooperative learning and interaction among the pupils. It is simply a world of active learners and critical thinkers! The teacher must turn the classroom into lively scenes that involve movement and stimulate discussion. This approach to learning leaves the teacher as a passive participant who rather guides or moderates the discussion.

In addition, a teacher of today’s fast-changing trends in education and child development must realize that every child is unique and special in their stages of development, interest and learning abilities. Therefore, a teacher should be very observant to differentiate among the individual needs of pupils in the classroom, especially their distinct cognitive learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. These learning styles reveal the identity of a learner and the type of activity in which he or she must thrive. Teachers can also differentiate by matching assignment to readiness levels, offering the right activities as required. There is also the need to allow pupils to choose activities based on areas of interest: this freedom is a motivating factor for kids. Small group work is one of the most effective ways to meet the needs of diverse learners in a large class.

Furthermore, involving pupils in the process of goal-setting is a sure way to motivate them to take ownership of their learning. In the first place, goal-setting has to be prepared in a very clear and simplistic manner like having continuous one-on-one conversations with pupils about their progress and problems in specific areas of learning. Also, teachers can enhance goal-setting by means of charts and organizers for each learner to show and update progressive reports, feedback and the next line of action.

Besides, an effective 21st century teacher should recognize that every child possesses a distinct level or rate of assimilation. While Child A learns slowly, Child B grasps at a faster pace. The approach to handling such differences applying what is called Assessment for Learning or Formative Assessment, unlike Summative Assessment that do not always give a clear or convincing evaluation of a child’s knowledge of a particular topic content. Before a teacher moves to the next objective, he or she must be sure that no learner is left behind in the full grasping of the previous objective. To overcome this, there must be thorough monitoring on how pupils are learning during teaching, using observations and question strategies, class discussions, peer assessments among others.

Lastly, in order to achieve a holistic development in a child, a teacher must be thoroughly observant and vigilant at all times. He or she must show great concern about the neatness, cleanliness, appearance, nutrition, disposition, sitting and walking posture, etc. of each pupil. The absence of these simply shows lack of love as posited by Loveth E. (an expert in Early Child Development), adding that being a teacher is not only limited to covering the four areas of development (the physical, emotional, social and cognitive), but also showing great love and care for everything that concerns a child.

In conclusion, this paper I believe has been able to impress on us, the importance of educating teachers on child development in the 21st century.

(2017) Kewulezi Eze (Ezelous)

Please, this is Front page worthy considering the poor state of education in the country. Thanks.