Early Childhood Journal

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To prepare for this Journal, read the information below on Erik Erikson’s “Initiative vs. Guilt Stage” theory that applies to preschool children. Watch the two videos and relate the theory to the concept of Natural Play.

 

 

 

 

 

Erik Erikson was a psychoanalyst born in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1902 and died in 1994. He is best known for his theory on psychological development and identity crisis. According to his theory, each individual’s psyche (spirit/mind/personality) is shaped through a series of conflicts called developmental crises. The first four stages pertain to early childhood. They are 1) infancy (birth to 18 months), 2) early childhood (ages 2-3), 3) preschool (ages 3-5), and 4) School Age (6-11). Erikson believed that parents and teachers should be aware of the stages and use appropriate strategies to help children resolve the crises of each stage so they can develop healthy identities. For more information about Erik Erikson and psychological development, click here: https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-erikson-biography-1902-1994-2795538This Journal assignment focuses on the preschool stage, which Erikson named the “Initiative vs. Guilt Stage” or the “Play Stage.” The “crisis’ children must resolve at this stage is the need to develop a sense of independence from their parents and learn to assert themselves and test their abilities. At this stage, children should have opportunities to make choices and decisions. Otherwise, they can learn to associate self-directed behavior with punishment and feel guilty if they act on their choices if denied such opportunities.Respond to the following:

Why do teachers need to accept mistakes that result from children attempting activities on their own, and how do you handle a situation when a student damages something or makes a mistake that requires correction?
Why do children need the freedom to explore independently and learn through play?
In your own opinion, what are some of the benefits of “Natural Play”? How might Natural Play contribute to healthy social relationships and a child’s development?

 

 

Sample Solution

  • Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Children learn by doing, and they will inevitably make mistakes along the way. By accepting mistakes, teachers can help children to see them as a normal part of learning and to learn from them.
  • Mistakes help children to develop problem-solving skills. When children make mistakes, they need to figure out how to fix them. This helps them to develop problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in school and in life.
  • Mistakes help children to build resilience. When children make mistakes and learn from them, they build resilience. This means that they learn to bounce back from setbacks and to keep trying.
  • Mistakes help children to develop a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort. When children make mistakes and are allowed to learn from them, they are more likely to develop a growth mindset.

Here are some tips on how to handle a situation when a student damages something or makes a mistake that requires correction:

  • Stay calm. It is important to stay calm when a student makes a mistake or damages something. Getting angry will only make the situation worse.
  • Focus on the behavior, not the child. When correcting a student, it is important to focus on the behavior, not the child. This means avoiding personal attacks and focusing on what the student did wrong.
  • Be specific. When explaining the mistake to the student, be specific about what they did wrong. This will help them to understand what they need to do differently in the future.
  • Offer help. After explaining the mistake, offer to help the student fix it or to learn from it. This will show the student that you are there to support them and that you believe in their ability to learn from their mistakes.
  • Be patient. It takes time for children to learn from their mistakes. Be patient with them and continue to offer them support.

Children need the freedom to explore independently and learn through play because:

  • Play helps children to develop their creativity and imagination. When children play, they are free to use their imaginations and to create new things. This helps them to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills.
  • Play helps children to learn about the world around them. When children play, they are constantly interacting with their environment. This helps them to learn about the world around them and to develop their understanding of cause and effect.
  • Play helps children to develop social skills. When children play with others, they learn how to cooperate, share, and solve problems together. This helps them to develop social skills that are essential for success in school and in life.
  • Play helps children to develop emotional regulation skills. When children play, they learn how to manage their emotions. This helps them to cope with stress and to develop healthy emotional responses.
  • Play helps children to build self-confidence. When children are successful at playing, they develop self-confidence. This helps them to believe in themselves and to take on challenges.

In conclusion, mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and they can be beneficial for children. Teachers should accept mistakes and help children to learn from them. Children also need the freedom to explore independently and learn through play because it helps them to develop their creativity, imagination, social skills, emotional regulation skills, and self-confidence.

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