Middle Childhood

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer analyzes the importance of understanding the stages of human development in the classroom. Specifically, this work analyzes some of the problems that might result from a teacher's lack of such understanding. The focus of this paper is on middle childhood and includes a discussion of teacher behaviors that serve to promote students' thinking abilities, behaviors that would help students achieve greater success and behaviors that would promote the social and emotional well-being of the individual student, as well as improve the classroom environment for children in that stage. Finally this work includes classroom practices and materials that serve to promote diversity and equity within the educational experience.

Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Developmentally Appropriate Classroom Practice
Classroom Practices: Diversity and Equity in Education
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"At this stage of development the students are very conscious of what their peers think of them and it begins to be important to be accepted among their peers at this stage of development. It is important at this stage of development that the teacher motivates students to participate in classroom activities and discussions and that the students are rewarded for participation. The teacher must work towards the students feeling good about participation even when they give a wrong answer, therefore motivation and reward must be focused toward participation and not just giving the right answer. The teacher should be able to assess the social dynamics among the group of students and in doing so call upon those she has noted are 'leaders' in the group to assist her in motivating other student's participation. In motivating the natural leaders of the classroom group in participation of learning it will become socially acceptable for others in the group to actively participate in classroom activities."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bowers, C. A. & Flinders, D. J. (1990). Responsive Teaching. New York: Teachers College Press.
• Bowman, B. T. (1992) Reaching potentials of minority children through developmentally and culturally appropriate programs. In S. Bredekamp & T. Rosegrant (Eds.), Reaching potentials: Appropriate curriculum and assessment for young children. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
• Bowman, B. T. (1994). The challenge of diversity. Phi Delta Kappan, November, 218-224.
• Bowman, B.T. & Stott, F. M. (1994). Understanding development in a cultural context: The challenge for teachers. In B. Mallory & R. New (Eds.), Diversity and developmentally appropriate practices. New York: Teachers College Press.
• Harris, Robert (1991) Some Ideas for Motivating Students Online available at: http://www.virtualsalt.com/motivate.htm.

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