Background Information
Kindergarten program was first introduced in Germany in the mid 19th century and took its first roots in Ontario in 1870s. The first junior kindergarten was introduced in Ottawa in 1943 followed by Toronto 4 years later (ETFO, 2001). By the end of 1970s, enrollment of 5 year olds in kindergarten programs in Ontario was at 100%. By 1990s, majority of 4 year olds (95%) were enrolled in junior kindergarten programs (ETFO, 2001). It should be noted that kindergarten programs in Ontario have endured neglect throughout most of their history. It is only in the 21st century that the kindergarten program in Ontario saw a positive shift as a consequence of public debates on early learning years (Karia, 2015)
For a decade or so, numerous researches …show more content…
Several theories have backed up the importance of play in early learning and have led to the use of play as pedagogy in early learning programs. Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey and Bruner all stated the importance of play in child development (Karia, 2015). As stated by Karia (2015), “scholars such as John Dewey, one of America’s most famous educators and philosophers, believed that one learns by doing and that children’s play is a primary vehicle for mental growth. Therefore, child-initiated, child-directed, and teacher supported play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate practices in the early years”. From Piaget and Vygotsky works, children learn by doing and that through play a child is able to learn self-regulation, self-awareness and self-confidence. Bruner came to the conclusion that play helps in problem solving and established a connection between play and language development (Karia, 2015). Sutton-smith also stated play as an important component of early learning years. He viewed play as a both the search of disorder (excitement, uncertainty) and also of order (control, cognitive harmony) (Sutton-Smith,
Kindergarten program was first introduced in Germany in the mid 19th century and took its first roots in Ontario in 1870s. The first junior kindergarten was introduced in Ottawa in 1943 followed by Toronto 4 years later (ETFO, 2001). By the end of 1970s, enrollment of 5 year olds in kindergarten programs in Ontario was at 100%. By 1990s, majority of 4 year olds (95%) were enrolled in junior kindergarten programs (ETFO, 2001). It should be noted that kindergarten programs in Ontario have endured neglect throughout most of their history. It is only in the 21st century that the kindergarten program in Ontario saw a positive shift as a consequence of public debates on early learning years (Karia, 2015)
For a decade or so, numerous researches …show more content…
Several theories have backed up the importance of play in early learning and have led to the use of play as pedagogy in early learning programs. Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey and Bruner all stated the importance of play in child development (Karia, 2015). As stated by Karia (2015), “scholars such as John Dewey, one of America’s most famous educators and philosophers, believed that one learns by doing and that children’s play is a primary vehicle for mental growth. Therefore, child-initiated, child-directed, and teacher supported play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate practices in the early years”. From Piaget and Vygotsky works, children learn by doing and that through play a child is able to learn self-regulation, self-awareness and self-confidence. Bruner came to the conclusion that play helps in problem solving and established a connection between play and language development (Karia, 2015). Sutton-smith also stated play as an important component of early learning years. He viewed play as a both the search of disorder (excitement, uncertainty) and also of order (control, cognitive harmony) (Sutton-Smith,