| 
 Approaches
to Learning
As early as infancy, children display some of the dispositions
and styles of learning that lead to success in school. Some children
seem to be born well-organized and bursting with initiative while
others require more structure and encouragement while they discover
their unique capacity as learners. Adults must ensure that every
child has the opportunity to take responsibility in directing their
own learning. All children, regardless of innate abilities or the
presence of disabilities, are able to learn and be successful.
When children complete a puzzle, construct an elaborate block structure,
or ride a tricycle through a maze, they learn when to ask for assistance,
seek additional resources and take responsibility for the care of
materials. A well-planned learning environment, carefully designed
activities and teachers who participate as co-learners will promote
in children a willingness to try new experiences and demonstrate
persistence in completing projects. As children connect their learning
each day to past experiences, they learn how to take the initiative
to carry their knowledge and skills to a new level of mastery.
Children demonstrate positive attitudes, habits and learning
styles.
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1. Play
Children engage in play as a means to develop their individual approach to learning. |
- Initiate sustained play with peers.
- Enter into and play cooperatively with other children.
- Choose from a variety of play activities.
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2. Curiosity
Children demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to participate in tasks and challenges. |
- Demonstrate an eagerness and interest in learning through questioning and adding ideas.
- Show an interest in people, things and the world around them.
- Choose to participate in an increasing variety of activities, tasks and play areas.
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3. Persistence
Children demonstrate an increased ability to show initiative, accept help, take risks and work towards completing tasks. |
- Invest time in a sustained activity despite distractions and interruptions.
- Accept help from another child or adult when encountering a problem.
- Seek help when appropriate from another child or adult.
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4. Self-organization
Children demonstrate an increased ability to establish goals, develop and follow through with plans. |
- Demonstrate an increased ability to understand a task as a series of steps.
- Demonstrate an increased ability to organize themselves and materials in the learning environment.
- Follow through to complete tasks and activities.
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5. Reasoning
Children demonstrate an increased ability to identify possible solutions to problems.
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- Demonstrate an increased ability to generate different approaches to solving problems.
- Seek alternative approaches to problem solving.
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6. Application
Children use their prior experiences, sense and knowledge to learn in new ways. |
- Communicate about events and experiences.
- Use prior knowledge to understand new experiences.
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