Early Childhood Education.

Early Childhood Education. Assignment Focus: TEMPERAMENT & DISPOSITIONS Readings: Read the Ereadings (attached) it will help with the questions: Read these 2 Ereadings: Churchill, S. (2003) Goodness-of-fit in early childhood settings. Early Childhood Education Journal, 31(2), 113-118. Da Ros-Voseles, D. & Fowler-Haughey, S. (2007) Why children’s dispositions should matter to all teachers. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web, September, 1-7. Explore the following online content (it will help you get a better understanding and with answering the 5 questions on the next page): The 9 Temperamental Traits (Thomas & Chess) is just for information: The 9 Temperamental Traits (Thomas & Chess) are: 1. Sensitivity (how sensitive are you highly sensitive/not sensitive?) 2. Intensity of reaction (which kind of reaction do you have – high/low?) 3. Activity Level (do you produce high output of activity or a low output of activity?) 4. Adaptability (how well you do adapt to changing circumstances – well/not well?) 5. Approach/Withdrawal (do you approach a situation or withdraw from a situation?) 6. Persistence (do you give up easily or stick things out?) 7. Rhythmicity (do you have a routine/rhythm to your day?) 8. Quality of Mood (do you have a high mood or a low mood most of the time?) 9. Distractibility (are you easily distracted or do you find it easy to stick on task?) With these traits in mind: First take a look at Annie Murphy Paul's video on what we learn before we're born, building on the emerging field of "foetal origins". http://www.ted.com/talks/annie_murphy_paul_what_we_learn_before_we_re_born.html Finally, take a look at the 'Scary Robot' video, from the first episode of the 'Life at 1' series: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/life/video/LIFEAT1.htm?program=life&pid=playerV&src=/tv/life/stories/xml/s2352031.xml&title=Scary Robot test&item=1&autostart=true Assignment questions to answer: Individual learning response Based on your readings/videos answer the following and please make sure you include the questions as headings with your answers so I can follow it clearly: In a minimum of 500 words, now take some time to reflect on: 1. Which temperament traits do you believe are still influencing how you are today as a person? 2. Do you think temperament is in-built (genetic) or environmentally-influenced and why? 3. Do you think there is a difference between temperament, dispositions & personality? Why - how do you see these constructs? 4. What implications might this have for our work with young children? 5. How will this knowledge help you as an early childhood educator?