South African Journal of Childhood Education 7(1):a501 Knowledge of child development in the interface of theory and practice in foundation phase teacher education
Type
E-Journal
Authors
ISSN
2223-7682
Category
ECCE, Foundation
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Publication Year
2017
Publisher
Aosis OpenJournals, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa
URL
[ private ]
Pages
6 p.
Subject
Early childhood education, Primary education, Foundation Phase, Childhood cognitive development, Preservice teacher education, Theory practice interface, South Africa
Tags
Abstract
How the child develops and learns should be an integral part of pre-service teacher education programmes. This article argues that for foundation phase teachers to teach young children effectively, course content in initial teacher education (TE) should cultivate a thorough understanding of the developing child by infusing theories of childhood development into coursework and practicum. To strengthen this argument, the article gives examples of international TE programmes which recognise that child development should take preference in these programmes. However, for the future teacher to really know the developing child and how to intervene when optimal development is not in place, the theories on child development taught in coursework need to be done in tandem with practical work in a school classroom. This theory–practice interface in initial TE could be optimally supported in a foundation phase pre-service TE programme, which utilises a university-affiliated teaching school as site for practical cross articulation of coursework theory.
Description
Article
Number of Copies
1
