Constructivism

Constructivism emphasizes the importance of putting the student at the center of learning, which is central to my beliefs. It is essential to understand the learning level and expectations of children of this age to better address their needs. Although they are very young, they come with pre-existing knowledge acquired from various sources such as daycare or homeschooling by tutors or parents, etc. Our role as educators is to activate this prior knowledge and encourage new and valuable learning experiences. By capturing their attention and encouraging active participation, we become spectators of their achievements and guide them to reach their full potential. It is essential to remember that the child is the protagonist of their learning environment and we must support them on their journey.

In the book "Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education" by Bodrova & Leong (2007), Vygotsky's theory is analyzed, which comprises four important parts. First, the theory states that the child constructs her own knowledge about him. Secondly, development cannot be separated from the social context. Third, learning can lead to development. Finally, language plays a fundamental role in the development of knowledge. We can see the reflection of these principles in our classroom every day.

A basic understanding of constructivism requires a clear view of what it means to allow a student to connect his or her own experiences with new knowledge. To better illustrate the use of constructivism in the classroom, the following section describes the role of both the student and the instructor.

Throughout the learning process, the learner is expected to consider the information being taught and construct an interpretation. Interpretation is built from past experiences, personal points of view and cultural background. After the interpretation, the student is expected to reflect on the new knowledge. Radical and social constructivism generally consider the nature of the learner in a similar way.