Describe both child-centered preschool and kindergarten programs and academic programs. Which type of programming does the research favor for early childhood?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: Preschool and kindergarten programs range along a continuum from child-centered to teacher-directed. In child-centered programs, teachers provide a variety of activities from which children select, and much learning takes place through play. In contrast, in academic programs, teachers structure children’s learning, teaching letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and other academic skills through formal lessons, often using repetition and drill.
Despite evidence that formal academic training undermines young children’s motivation and emotional well-being, early childhood teachers have felt increased pressure to take this approach. Preschoolers and kindergarteners who spend much time in large-group, teacher-directed academic instruction and completing worksheets—as opposed to being actively engaged in learning centers by warm, responsive teachers—display more stress behaviors (such as wiggling and rocking), have less confidence in their abilities, prefer less challenging tasks, and are less advanced in motor, academic, language, and social skills at the end of the school year. Follow-ups reveal lasting effects through elementary school in poorer study habits and achievement. These outcomes are strongest for low-SES children.
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Carl recently dropped out of college. According to the text, what might be a strong factor contributing to Carl's early departure from college?
a. lack of friends b. high socioeconomic status c. few liberal arts courses d. lack of financial support
A Cesarean section is best thought of as a. vaginal childbirth
b. a technique for determining possible birth defects in an embryo. c. a common form of teratogen. d. the surgical removal of a fetus.
According to L. L. Thurstone, intelligence should be conceptualized as seven primary mental abilities, which include verbal comprehension, verbal fluency, ____________________, numerical ability, memory, perceptual speed, and reasoning
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
Regarding contemporary trends in psychology, which of the following statements is FALSE?
a. Behaviorism as a school of thought has disappeared entirely. b. Functionalism and Gestalt psychology have blended into newer, broader perspectives. c. The three broad views that shape modern psychology are the biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives. d. During the early days in psychology, loyalty to each school of thought in psychology was fierce, and clashes were common.