The first thing that I notice, which may seem on the obvious side, is that these theorists are focused on the child. Everything is child centered such as Montessori’s ideas about creating an environment that is suited and designed for children. The examples of having small, child sized items shows the idea of centering things around the child. Dewey also believed in teachers knowing their students in order to reach them and create deeper learners. His approach is based around the child and how they will best learn. Piaget also believed that things should be centered on the child. His research was based on how children develop and what they need in order to learn. This also goes along with the theme of observation and in order to understand children, all of the theorists observed and studied them. Then after observation, they were able to come up with ideas about how to best meet the needs of children developmentally.
Play is another important part in child development. Vygotsky, Piaget, and Montessori support this idea in some way. Montessori refers to it as open-ended blocks of time, but it can be seen as a play time where children get to explore and make choices about what they would like to do. Erikson also believed in play as a way for children to explore their autonomy. Vygotsky saw language interact with this as well because as children play, they use their imagination and they discuss with each other. Along with play is interacting with peers is also a similarity between Dewey and Vygotsky. Vygotsky believed that children will benefit from being able to discuss things with their peers and that by doing so, they will solidify their learning.
Finally a commonality between Dewey and Vygotsky again is their belief that children can be challenged and should be challenged. Vygotsky believed in the ZPD and Dewey believed that children should always be left wanting more or feeling curious to do more exploration. This also goes along with both of their beliefs of having teachers use their knowledge and being confident in their knowledge so that they can provide growth for children. They have to know their students in order to provide enough of a push that encourages learning and not push them too far out of their comfort zone.
Though it may be obvious that they are all child centered, I like that you brought up this idea. They all are child centered, but it is all in their own certain way. I also liked how you find Montessori's open blocks of time as play, I completely agree, I feel that it totally ties in with Erikson's idea of play as a way to find their own autonomy.
ReplyDeleteI like the part you mentioned about play. The theorists all view it as important but for different reasons. It's very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI like the parallel you draw between Dewey and Vygotsky. Maybe just because they were the most separate by pages in the book I didn't bother to compare them much but you are definitely right that they were unique among these theorists in believing that a teacher's knowledge could and should have such an active role in the learning of students.
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