RATIONALE OF PROJECT APPROACH: (200 WORDS)

The project approach is regarded as one of the most child-centred and appropriate teaching

strategies for young children (Fox & Schirrmacher, 2012). Within this approach children

engage in learning that is deeply personal and meaningful, as everything that is done within

the classroom stems from the children’s innate curiosty and desire to learn about the world

around them and how it works (Fox & Schirrmacher, 2012; Beneke, Ostrosky & Katz, 2019).

The project approach is also responsive to any ideas and questions children may have, as they

are encouraged to ask questions and make decisions that guide the direction of their project

(Fox & Schirrmacher, 2012). From engaging in these investigations children will learn how

to work collaboratively with their peers, and will develop confidence in their ability to

“figure things out” (Beneke et al., 2019, para. 6), which will ulimately encourage them to

take more risks and tackle even more difficult problems in the future. The project approach

also provides children with numerous opportunities to use and build upon their strengths as

individuals whilst also fostering dispositions to learning such as analysing, predicting,

hypothesizing, and explaining (Beneke et al., 2019). A key advantage of this approach is also

that there is no time frame for the completetion of the project as it is purely based on the

needs and interests of the children, meaning that all children, regardless of ability, will be

able to achieve success (Fox & Schirrmacher, 2012; Beneke et al., 2019). Above all, using a

project approach to learning enables children to become curious, purposeful and thoughtful

learners (Beneke et al., 2019).

REFERENCES
Beneke, S., Ostrosky, M., & Katz, L. G. (2019). The Project Approach for All Learners: A

Hands-On Guide for Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms. Maryland, USA:

Brookes Publishing Co.

Fox, J. E., & Schirrmacher, R. (2012). Art & creative development for young children (7th

ed.). Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.