Analyzing Preschool Around the World

 

 

Preschool AroundThe World Video Clips

 

 

Preschool In Swedenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voS6u8Ct7zY&t=600s    26 minutes

 

Preschool In Japan  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qRfqboYWNo  13

 

Preschool In Indiahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc_I4tChEQ412 minutes

 

Preschool inGhana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_uaUAd_NS811 minutes

 

Preschool in Denmark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkiij9dJfcw 11minute

 

Preschool in China  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw29nV4obww6.5 minutes

 

Preschool in Malawihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqrNAyXSq03.5 minutes

 

Preschool in USA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbWRWeVe1XE   5 minute

 

Assignment Directions

 

Video/Writing assignment: Analyzing Preschool Around the World

This assignment will take the place of doing actual classroom observations. As we are unable to visit classrooms in the Philadelphia area we can instead take a virtual tour of some classrooms from different parts of the world. While no one preschool can possibly represent all of the programs within that country the ones you will be viewing do provide an opportunity to see how the cultural, geographical, economic and/ or other conditions, practices and values of a country shapepreschool programming and the impact it has on children’s development.

 

Part I   Viewing

First read the prompts belowin order to be familiar with what you should be looking for. Then watch the videos, possibly more than once, and take notes. I would urge you to do one at a time. Watch the video – write the summary. Repeat.

 

Part IISixto Eight Page Narrative 

Do not just answer the questions but weave the information into a story about each program

This part of the assignment is to write a one-page double spaced summary of what you saw and what you believe you understand about eachclassroomincludinghowthe culture, conditions, or economyof the country may have impacted its philosophy and the program it provides. Keep in mind that, while the programs may be influenced by the community/country/economythese programs are not anaccurate representative of all preschools in that country.

You should have approximately one page each for: Japan, China, Denmark, South Africa, Sweden and India, Africa and USA . I imagine you will need to watch some of the videos more than once to adequately grasp the information needed to write your paper. The prompts below will guide you in your writing but be sure to identify what and how you think children are learning and one element that you either particularly liked or disliked- or possibly both and explain why.

 

You will use the following prompts to guide your writing but will not need (or even be able) to include every point for every site: 

• How are the practices and values of the adults shaping the development of the children?
• How might the culture or economy of the country, where the program is located, influence what the children experience?
• How did the events that occurred in the videos serve as a way to shape children’s development: social/emotional, cognitive, language and physical? Which area of development got the most attention? Which got the least?
• Any opportunities to see the influence of educational theorists: Piaget, Vygotsky, Maslow, Erikson
• How was conflict handled?
• How was a commitment to play demonstrated? Think about the five elements of play as: Pleasurable, Self-Initiated, Non-Linear, Process Oriented and Freely Chosen. Were they represented? How? If not, why do you think that was?
• If not a play based program,how were children engaged in the learning process? Did you believe the programreflected what we consider developmentally appropriate practice?
• Describe the environment. Think about how: Space, Choice, Appropriate Materials, Time, Learning in Meaningful Ways, and Responsibility were represented.
• Think about the five elements of play as: Pleasurable, Self-Initiated, Non-Linear, Process Oriented and Freely Chosen. Were they represented? How? If not, why do you think that was?
• What was the primary role of the teachers in each program? Think about the four roles we discussed in class: co-player, play leader, stage manager and onlooker. Were they all represented in each clip or did you see some programs relying on only one role or two roles?
• Any opportunity to see how parents are pulled into the school community?

 

Part IIITwo Pages

After you write about your general observations you need to select two locationsto compare and contrastusing thesimilarities and differences between the programs. Pick any two programs you wish. Again, keep in mind that not every program in these countries may adhere to the practices you see demonstrated in each video but you will be using what has been provided to guide your discussion.

 

What to think about in identifying similarities and differences?

• The role of the teachers.
• The role of the students
• The role of the classroom environments both indoors and outdoors
• The curriculum, schedule, routines, materials
• Relationships: how were they nurtured and supported?
• Additional Information?

 

Part IV  OnePage

This section will provide closure to this assignment. What were your “take aways.” What did you learn or understand better about ECE programming?Were there any elements that you saw as universally present in all programs?  Were there any practices that made you uncomfortable? Why? Was there a practice that you loved? Why? Which program had the greatest impact on your thoughts about children and ECE education?Where might you feel most comfortable being an ECE teacher?

 

The paper should be double spaced and no more than 12 font.