ED 252: Educational Psychology

& the Teaching Learning

Process

Semester 2: 2020

Assignment 1: Personal
Teaching Philosophy

Name: Sital Sharma

ID: S11150016
Campus: Lautoka
 My Personal Teaching Philosophy

1.0 Introduction
A philosophy is simply a vision that reflects our beliefs and values. A word often used when
articulating a philosophy in relation to children’s services is ‘Quality’. We often refer to
quality care, quality practices, quality interaction and quality environments [ CITATION
Kar10 \l 1033 ]. My philosophy of early childhood education reflects through my personal
teaching experiences. This essay will highlight philosophies based on the theories of Lev
Vygotsky and Albert Bandura. The theories invented by theorist helped me in teaching early
childhood education. Firstly, I will discuss the social learning and socio cultural theory then
move to my teaching philosophy and later stages it will discuss the impact in the pacific.
2.0 Body
2.1 Albert bandura: social learning theory.

I believe that being a teacher our decision and action adds to build on children’s existing
knowledge and skills to enhance their learning. Kearns (2010, pp. 62) states that social
learning theory explains the appearance of the new behaviours and complex behaviours as
the result of imitation. This theory made me understand that the easiest way the children
learn is by modelling and imitating. Banduras theory is also known as observational theory
where there are four processes: Attention, retention, (re)production and motivation.
2.2 Vygotsky theory: Socio Cultural Theory
Socio cultural theory emphasize on the role of social interaction with family, carers,
teachers and peers, to enable cognitive growth. Explored the links between language,
thinking and social interactions – believed structured environments and adult intervention
aided learning[ CITATION kea10 \l 1033 ]. Vygotsky believed that all children are born with
skills that are necessary for learning. He stated that cognitive development is resulted from
inheritance or genetic factors known as lower mental functions and higher mental function
are the learned skills. For example a child living in rural remote areas will learn grazing the
cows and a child living in city of same age may learn how to use internet. The cognitive
development theory emphasize the importance of language and influence of child’s culture.
In general we discuss that for every child to learn and develop they need social and cultural
context.
Vygotsky’s also stated that knowledgeable others like adults, professional and information
assessed electronically plays a major role in development. To advance in development a
good learning is need. There are two level of developments where ZPD Zone of proximal
development was the term used by Vygotsky. This where he describes the difference
between what a child can learn individually and what could be learnt by scaffolding that is
with the support of adults or professional and with the help of technology.
2.3 My Personal Teaching philosophy
As mentioned in my introduction through the experience. I would say every teacher has
their own way of teaching. I have my own way of teaching philosophy. During my teaching
in classroom I would use more television internet and you tube for the children to learn. As
we can say that children learn more through technologies. I would say while teaching when
we use Albert Bandura theory uses imitations children, they tend to observe their parents at
home, in school teachers. When children are in their pretend play area, they will imitate
their friends, teachers and parents. I believed that young children are very smart in
observing and catching words and later they imitate. I would reflect during my teaching I
had one student who used to imitate the head teacher. In our schools we have certain
activities for our little children in kindergarten in month of June or July we have pre-school
week where children have one day to dress in their cartoon costumes using recycling
materials and they will do modelling. I as teacher also dress in some attire and do modelling
with them. While modelling children they say in which character they are dressed in. during
library week we have character parade again where children they come in different
costumes and they do modelling in different ways.

I would say looking at Vygotsky theory I personally feel that culture is a very huge
contributing factor to child learning outcome. In schools I have personally experienced that
some of the parents they do not want to accept the changes in school during cultural
functions in school. Informal learning takes place here where children learn to recite
different types of prayer. In school I teach them moral values, to be honest and faithful.
Interactions of different races of children, I personally see in schools where children they do
not want to be friends with I taukei children even interacting with them during play times so
I encourage children to mix around with different races of children as well. In Fiji I would say
ministry of education has introduced the curriculum for the children to learn vosa/ Hindi as
well. I would share during my practicum to a school I observed that children in kindergarten
find it hard to speak English as they are more into their mother tongue. I experienced that
children faced a lot of language problem.

To add on I would like to say that integration of learning is one of the most important things
like children learn things using television as we play songs to the children and the cartoon
using internet. Learning is not only using books, chalks. My experience as teacher I would
suggest children should be engaged in physical Activities, art & craft and Music and
movement. I would say in kindergarten learning is all called play-based. I would say I also
learn things from my little children as well. I would say now days young children are more
fast learners as they enter into school are more active and fast learners.

2.4 Based on Pacific

In the pacific countries like Fiji we have access to quality education systems. ECE schools in
Fiji uses the theories to develop children’s future. ECE in Fiji must provide developmentally
and culturally appropriate, quality care and education to the 3-8 year olds and programs are
to be conducted in the children’s vernacular [Vosa vaka-viti, Hindi, Rotuman, Urdu, English]
or whichever applicable language, whenever necessary. Poster and charts are to be in the
vernacular and the second language can be gradually introduced for the five year olds.
[ CITATION Min13 \l 1033 ]

3.0 Conclusion
To conclude I would say that the theorist made pathway that help us move forward in
developing a child when they are in their crucial age of learning. Play based learning in the
early education field helps children learn and develop intellectually. Also not all children are
equal when it comes to learning so as Vygotsky states that children learn from different
supports.

Bibliography
kearn, k. (2010). birth to big school.
kearns, k. (2010). birth to big school.
kearns, K. (2010). the big picture.
Ministry of Education, N. H. (2013). www.education.gov.fj. Retrieved from
http://www.education.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ECE_Policy_-_2013_Final.pdf